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The Advaita Show #004
The Advaita Show #003
August 29, 2005The Advaita Show #005
September 21, 2005The Advaita Show #004 (MP3 – 10.5MB – 29min)
This week we start off with a question submitted by listener Michal about the similarity between yogic practices and advaita.
We also talk a little bit about depression, addiction, LSD, yogic flying and… well… just the usual stuff I guess.
Oh, Bob also talks about his Rolls Royce collection he keeps out the back.
If you want to read or listen to more of Sailor Bob, you can find his books and cds and dvd here.
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8 Comments
Cameron–another great show– best yet…my new favorite thing–what a gift. I downloaded it into my iPod this morning and walked through the sunny streets of Framingham Massachusetts USA, enjoying every moment.
As I learn more about Advaita, I laugh at my years of searching. But so far, the missing element of the philosophy for me is–how does it effect the ‘real-world’ day-to-day process of making life decisions? Yes, I can sense the undercurrent of steady calm as I witness my life, but what good does it do me when it comes to solving ‘real-world’ dilemmas? Yes, perhaps that’s what the mind is for, but even then, as I witness my thoughts, I notice that one minute a thought is ‘negative’ about a particular subject, and the next it’s ‘positive’ about the very same thing. How do I decide which thought to listen to, or act on, if we’re not supposed to attatch to our thoughts? When to act?
And what of “intuition”? Does it exist? Advaita seems to make ‘light’ of every thought that comes to us, as if we’re supposed to just let it pass and ignore it. Does Advaita help one discriminate or make choices? And if it doesn’t help , why bother? We all experience the conflicts and complexity of relationships, communication, and work. How does Advaita assist on practical terms?
Also–I’m a bit confused about the ‘not having free will’ thing. It suggests not making choices, not acting…you touched upon this, but I was confused by the answer… Sometimes my thoughts pull me in different directions. Not making a deliberate choice feels a little like cowardess and impotence. Perhaps you or Bob could enlighten about this in depth next time?
By the way, how does Bob live out his day-to-day life? How does he deal with difficult circumstances and decision making? How does Advaita help him? Thanks!
Hi Cameron, just wanted to say that your show is incredibly funny and illuminating. I’ve been into non-duality for a couple of years but have come to find Bob’s teachings the most accessible and rewarding (thanks especially to John Wheeler who is also phenomenal). Hope you can keep the ball rolling with this as I’m already addicted. Interesting guests, when you have them too, by the way…
Thanks,
Scott V
Cameron,
You’re making Advaita fun and entertaining. Nice job on the show.
Stephen Wingate
Boston, MA, USA
http://www.livinginpeace-thenaturalstate.com
Hello, Bob, thank you for answering me that queston. Good bye
I have read that you must give up all identifaction with the self, I, me.
My question is how does one do this, if the mind is part of the problem of excepting the awakening of the Advita teaching?
What a delight to hear the sacred cows being ground into hamburger, fried and eaten in the joy and aliveness of the Space called a sailor man!
I love this site … thank you. Cameron, for the efforts you apparently made (who makes efforts anyway?) to share the pure expression of the Real that form iteslf into “Bob” … and then flow out in space as arising audible impulses of Intelligence.
Love,
charlie hayes
Someone who thinks he is Mark asked: “How do I decide which thought to listen to, or act on, if we’re not supposed to attach to our thoughts?” … investigate who the “I” is that you think has to “do” all of these things, and the answer will be clear.
Someone who thinks he is Dale asked: How does one “give up all identifaction with the self, I, me.”… “one” does not do anything. It just happens spontaneously when the illusion of the “self, I, me” is realized. Listen to this week’s show.
Now, no more questions until you can answer this question – who is this “I” that you speak of? Yes, you can phone a friend, but I doubt it’ll do any good.
I feel like have stumbled up the stile and found the small door in the mountain that leads into Miss Tiggy Winkle’s kitchen. It’s kind of magical here but in a very grounded sort of way. So many of the things that “I” wonder about were discussed in this podcast that it’s uncanny.
I was particularly struck by the discussion of how physically-based depression may continue to exist because there is still a body in the vicinity of the field of awareness (I have to call it something and that’s what works for me right now).
With me, these moments don’t have the intensity or duration they once had but when they do happen they exist along side the apples, clouds and kittens that also populate the field of awareness. The depressive symptoms are no longer the only thing that is going on and I’m not exclusively identified with them as I once was. Although I don’t exist I’m glad I’m not the only one to have this happen.
I’m new to this though, and I have yet to be tested too severely, but that’s my take on it.
Great show!