The Advaita Show #34 – Can Advaita Get You Laid?

The Advaita Show #33 – Bob In His Natural Habitat
February 17, 2007
Leonard Cohen's "Book Of Longing"
March 9, 2007
Show all

The Advaita Show #34 – Can Advaita Get You Laid?

Yeah… that’s what you all want to know, isn’t it?

“Screw enlightenment, brother Cameron – will this advaita schtick get a Qantas stewardess grabbing me by the back of my head and screaming my name over and over in an aircraft lavatory at 35,000 feet?” (and if you don’t know what I’m talking about, read this.)

Well Steve and I try to answer that question today. For Mark’s benefit. We also tackle Bob’s smack, “The Secret”, our new book “Advaita For Dummies” and James Brown’s corpse. Strap yourselves in.

PRESS PLAY [audio:http://advaita.thepodcastnetwork.com/audio/tpn_advaita_20070305_034.mp3]

OR DOWNLOAD THE ADVAITA SHOW HERE
NEW! – You can now subscribe to TPN :: The Advaita Show by Email! Click here to subscribe.
The Advaita Show Theme is:
Porno Sonic: Unreleased 70's Porno Music

Download “Dick Dagger’s Theme” (mp3)

from “Porno Sonic: Unreleased 70’s Porno Music”

by Don Argott

Valley Entertainment

142 Comments

  1. Gary Lashmar says:

    brilliant show man! i’m in bits. ha haaaaaaaaa!

  2. Dangerous Gary says:

    I’ve changed my name. See above. I like it better than Appleman. Which to be fair sounded a bit gay. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. I mean … we’re all one here. to be fair i don’t think i’m enlightened anymore. I think it was a temporory state. and to be honest it wasn’t that profound. more a kind of mellow buzz.

    seriously … i’m starting to have doubts about this whole being one thing. i mean. it just doesn’t feel right. I mean i reckon there might be more to duality than meets to eye. I mean what if there’s more than one. What if there’s 2. Maybe there’s two ones.

  3. Dangerous Gary says:

    you charlatans might just be starting to make sense.

  4. Mark says:

    Ha! Funny show fellas. I’m glad my sexploits earned me an honorable mention. Cam, I didn’t MEAN to bring Advaita up in conversation with my new girlfriend. She brought up religion or some philosophical topic, and the next thing I knew, Advaita lingo started flying out of my mouth. The good news is, I still got laid! so maybe it works afterall! I’ll send a check in the morning.

    Steve, I enjoy hearing you man. Although, I think you’re being a bit hard on “The Secret”. Most people in the world don’t understand the power of positive focus and goal-setting….they don’t know how to improve their lives and attitudes. Advaita philosophy has it’s limitations. It’s all a dream, but so what? You still have to play the part, buy houses, etc.

    “The Secret” does a good job of showing people how to create the life they want. Are there serious faults with the film worthy of criticism? Sure! (My friend Dave says, “I believe shit like this works in America, just not in the slums of El Salvador or Africa.”)

    But Dave is a very dark and sarcastic guy, with enormous amounts of wasted talent. I think “The Secret” would help him….because the world needs a teacher like him. The reason I don’t dismiss “The Secret” is because if you actually apply what they say, your life becomes more joyful, you can achieve dreams, and you can spread that to others. Nothing wrong with that. And it all comes with a killer soundtrack! I have very smart, creative friends who love “The Secret” and have manifested dream homes and all sorts of work. And the work they do helps others.

    Anyway, Cam, love the porn music intro. Keep it up.

  5. Marcelo says:

    Mark,
    The arguement as to whether it works or not is pointless – the arguement should be as to why people are doing it.

    Religion has the exact same effect, so does Tony Robins and a billion other self help books out there.

    But do you want the temporary cheap thrill? If so, then why waste time on advaita? Might as well watch desperate housewives and gossip about Paris Hilton while your at it.

    Wish wish wish for a bigger car, wish wish wish for a bigger house – doesn’t this all smack of people running away from their pain? Isn’t that all just a conflict? resistence?

    But isn’t happiness merely a break from pain? Why choose one over the other if you are the observer of that pain, or happiness?

    How about moments of spontaneous joy – will all the wishing in the world bring that about?

    Can’t wait till The Secret pt2 comes out – maybe they’ll show that spontaneous joy is a glitch in The System, and you’ll be encouraged to wish for a huge house right on top of that joy, never to be found again.

    So in other words, part 1 and part 2 will be exactly the same.

  6. Mark says:

    Hi Marcelo–
    I see your point about “The Secret” and other “goal-setting” self-help programs being a temporary balm on pain. In fact, is was my own semi-‘addiction’ to such programs that led me to Advaita, because one day I had a moment of clarity; I recognized that in spite of all the “self-help” books I read over the years, I realized part of my “seeking” was an attempt to avoid pain and gain permanant peace. Wow!

    Then I asked myself, “Well if it isn’t in the books & tapes, where is IT?” That’s when I realized that IT was in the WITNESS that just observes the passing pleasures & pains of “my” life.

    Right after that, I discovered Advaita, so I guess there are no accidents, and even the self-help stuff led me here!

    THAT SAID, there is plenty of room in my spiritual world-view for “The Secret”. It’s not necessarily about letting big houses and material things make you happy temporarily, it’s just an instruction manual on how to live positively, manifest the “dream” life you want (and since it’s all a dream anyway, why not fill your life with amazing stuff!?) and how to stop manifesting stuff you DON’T want.

    No offense to Steve, Cam, etc., –I love a good dose of sarcasm and skepticism, but I have yet to find fault with guys like Tony Robbins, etc., and often find that most people who mock stuff like “The Secret” are quick to make excuses for why their own lives suck. Serious victim mentality in said mockers–often highly intelligent people. My guess is that this doesn’t apply to Steve or Cam. Judging from the heavy doses of laugher, they seem pretty well adjusted and happier than your average bears.

  7. Cameron says:

    “All things are valid in the appearance” as some old bald guy once said. And I think we repeated it adnauseum on the show. I even defended the basic idea of “The Secret” on the show – if you think about something a lot, you stand a much better chance of it happening for you than if you don’t think about it. It’s just common sense. If I want to go to NYC, then I should think about it. If I don’t think about, the chances of me getting there are greatly reduced. What I objected to in “The Secret” wasn’t the basic idea, just that the way it is packaged – two hours of new-agey spiritual mysterious mumbo-jumbo when it could have been said in 3 minutes.

  8. Marcelo says:

    Yes Mark, for those that have ‘seen’ it’s not a problem. But for those that are seeking(in one way or another) it can be misleading. And I’d say that people who pick up The Secret aren’t people that have punched thru that wall.

    From my perspective its like what Cameron just said, fine in the appearance.

    From someone drowning in the abstract… not so good.

  9. Helen says:

    Nice show, guys.

    Still – leave ‘The Secret’ alone: you both have got your BMWs. Some of the rest of us are still working on it – and willing to use all means at our disposal, seemingly …

    🙂

    Helen in LA

  10. Cameron says:

    Helen – “wanting” something isnt very advaita of you. That’s fine for everyone else but didn’t know that

    ” The Great Way is not difficult

    for those who have no preferences.

    When love and hate are both absent

    everything becomes clear and undisguised.

    Make the smallest distinction, however,

    and heaven and earth are set infinitely apart.”

  11. Mike A. from San Francisco says:

    Another good show guys. I haven’t seen the secret, but I saw the first half of the Oprah show that had the lady who wrote the book, and also some leading practioners. Oprah said she has been living the secret for years but didn’t know it. Isn’t this the ultimate in ego? “Look how special I am, I thought about good things, and then got the good things I thought about! It must be ME doing all of it! Wow, I am amazing!” (Actually, it’s a miracle that there is anything at all, but that’s another story. Or maybe there really isn’t anything? Anyway…) What about the millions of people who think positively, but things don’t work out so well? I love the point Mark’s friend makes about the secret probably not working so well in the slums of Africa. I’ve had the same thought.

    Oprah and others are simply jumping to conclusions. It’s like when we think about a friend, and then right after the phone rings and it’s them. I must be psychic! Look how special I am! We forget about the dozens of other people we’ve been thinking about all day long, but didn’t get calls from. Or the successful stock broker who knew how to pick all the right stocks and afterwards says, “I just had a good feeling about all these, and I’ve had a lot of experience.” Well what about the hundred other brokers who had good feelings about their picks, but it didn’t work out so well? If the stock market had turned out different, they would be the successful ones.

    Now here’s a big BUT…But, I have had chronic back pain for 20 years. I read a book called “Healing Back Pain” about 8 months ago. In it, the author said the majority of back pain is caused by pschological reasons and there is NO physical cause. And the more we dwell on the pain and maintain the victim mentality, the more pain we will receive. Well I started applying his ideas and sure enough, I’ve had less pain. And when I do have pain, there is much less suffering involved because I’m not making an identity out of it. I just dismiss it as a passing thing, and that I’m not on the way to being a permanently disabled dude. So, within the “appearance”, the theory of the secret: “the law of attraction”, is probably true in some cases. What we focus on, we will attract more of. If we focus on how bad our diet is and how ugly our body is, we’ll probably keep eating shitty food. But if we focus on a good diet, things will probably change. I agree Cam, not worthy of a two hour movie, or of being the fastest selling self help book ever.

  12. Koen says:

    Well Mike A., I wouldn’t take Oprah as a reliable source, it only just sounds like she voices her personal feelings. Oprah Winfrey is a commercial product, and so is The Secret. (I believe it may provide a positive impulse though)

    But if you like to know more about how an Oprah Winfrey show is literally ‘set up’, read this:
    http://www.randi.org/jr/2007-03/030207harpo.html#i1

  13. Dangerous Gary says:

    There are two Gary’s that are emailing you and i just want you to know that i’m the other one.

  14. Dangerous Gary Lashmar says:

    Marcelo. You are so damn asleep you don’t even know it. It’s so scary to hear you talk man. It’s like you actually believe what you’re saying. Listen. You can’t have your cake and eat it. You can’t kill some ideas and not others because it doesn’t fit your view of what advaita is. (I haven’t read or listened to the whole of the last show … it’s just the general vibe I get from you guys)

    For instance … Marcelo, you can’t talk about there being “no time” one moment and then the next minute start talking about how life is much better “now” than it was “before”. (this is the equivalent of the people who told you that “they’re hip and dig the advaita thing but … “have you seen the secret”?).

    Whatever way you cut it what you are doing here Marcelo (and Cameron) is attempting to get someone to see something a certain way. This is and can only be the only purpose of your communication. And you’re doing it under the guise that you’ve seen something we (Ill say me) me hasn’t. You’re coming from a place that “you know” and we/i don’t. You must see this … surely.

    Cameron also gets into this ““All things are valid in the appearance” nonsense and it’s like he’s talking from a superior place outside of the appearance which is fcking impossible. Get off ya high-horse. (I couldn’t be bothered looking for a better cliché) This thing can’t be shared. You can’t bring it back in because “you” never existed there. (I’m allowing myself to contradict myself here so you can see maybe see the absurdity of what it is you’re saying)

    LOOK MAN … if you want to play the whole “advaita nothing matters” card then everything you say is relevant but don’t then start telling the rest of us that that we’re missing the point because we’re not. How can they be if everything is relevant? you don’t seem to get it that anything you say is informing a dream because it’s being said in a dream by a fictional character … i.e. you. Marcelo man. You’re talking bollocks. It’s easily done. I do it myself. But know that that is what you’re doing.

    Nail your flag to the mast. Listen to what you’re saying. Being articulate has nothing to do with “this” either. Or having a good memory and being able to quote all these other plonkers you keep quoting.

    And Cameron … man you’re just totally confused. There’s no talking to you. You remind me of my wife.

  15. Dangerous Gary Lashmar says:

    LAZY PEOPLE WANT TO CLIMB FLAT MOUNTAINS
    “HOW’S THAT FOR A QUOTE”

  16. Steven Witt says:

    So DGL, Bob’s a fake too then, and doesn’t know from what he speaks. He will be the first to tell you that he was a nasty bastard when he drank and before he met the Niz. And that he hasn’t needed anyone’s help since he did meet the Niz.

    It’s an understanding, a seeing through, the real beauty of which, once seen, cannot be unseen nor taken away.

    Pointers can come from anywhere, anywhen — and it still all happens now. Without all of sources — Bob, Buddha, Tony Parsons, John Wheeler, Jesus, Haung Po, Wei Wu Wei, Alan Watts and many more — it would be mighty rough coming to such an understanding on one’s own.

    Still, each would say that this comes in silence, but think of what a drag it would be if each had gone silent after they gleaned the truth? They didn’t see something and go mute. Quite the opposite.

    You’ve so tied yourself in your own chatter…well, roll on baby. See what you see.

    God loves all, yacking or not.

  17. Gudmundur says:

    Splendid show guys! Cameron I think you are my all time favorite Advaita blabber, very nice to hear you blab about Advaita in such a comic way. I would like to see you in a Advaita motion picture: Cameron, Advaiting the oneness of the world. Yes, I would watch that movie a least dozen times, make it a happen, make it an appearance.

  18. jason says:

    If Bob is the smack you guys are the nitrous oxide.

    Hit and giggle…

  19. Marcelo says:

    “Don’t start telling the rest of us”? Who’s the rest of us? I didn’t realise I was talking to you Gary.

    I hate to use Bobs line all the time, but, I still refer to myself, even though I know there is no one there. Our language is habitual and limiting.

    So don’t get caught up in our words too much, besides, why get so emotionally involved?

    The truth comes out differently, depending on the “person” it comes thru. I never said I was a guru, or a teacher, or perfect with my words, and at times there can be contradictions- these contradictions that may come out are due to old habits. The truth is struggling to come out of a unit that has been through quite alot – therefore, old habits run rampant at times… so, what comes out, comes out. If you don’t like it… too bad. Deal with, and build a bridge.

    “It’s so scary to hear you talk?” Gary, I think your a bit too hung up on Cam and I –

    They are words and sounds only “fury signifying nothing”

    Besides, It sounds like there’s more to your aggression towards me then even you know.

    And I won’t speak on Cams behalf, but I’m just not into you, get over it.

    Did that piss you off too? Why?

  20. Cameron says:

    Jason, funny you should mention N2O. When I was a teenager in the backwaters of Queensland, my mates and I had a fondness for inhaling large quantities of the stuff at parties. And then everyone would stand around the guy who was lying on the ground laughing his ass off, and kick the living shit out of him. When he came around, he’d be covered in bruises.

    All good fun.

    UNTIL… the day when this little black duck’s lips turned blue during one party and everyone thought that was the last they’d seen of him. That kind of killed the fun…

    … explains a lot about me too. 🙂

  21. Dangerous Gary Lashmar says:

    Dear Steven,

    Look we’re all faking it. That’s my point. The difference here is from hearing Bob talk it is apparent to me that he’s very much aware of the character Bob and that it is all a pretence. These other guys are not in alignment with that as far as I can tell. All these contradictions arise out of old habits is a compromise. It appears to me that Bob speaks with one voice with zero compromise and almost with a reluctance to share or go on sharing this. He knows it’s pointless. And I couldn’t care less about what you think I think about Bob. If I didn’t’ think that I wouldn’t say it.

    Steven. My experience is my experience. And not Bob, not John Wheeler, no Mother Teresa or Barney Rubble or any of them other guys can show me the way to who I am. Who has the best authority to inform of my experience? Surely it is only me?

    All I’m saying to Cameron and the guys is lets not kid ourselves that we’re attempting to do something other convert each other to the others point of view. I’m doing it now whilst writing this. The difference is here is that I’m fully aware that this is the case. However subtly it’s happening this manipulation is happening.

    Also. I’ve nothing against bob and any of those guys and there’s no way that they can lead me to my own reality. No way.

  22. Dangerous Gary Lashmar says:

    Dear Marcello.

    You said … i said “Don’t start telling the rest of us”? Who’s the rest of us? I didn’t realise I was talking to you Gary.

    “it’s not difficult to understand what I meant and if you wish me to clarify i will. I meant “The characters other than you.” Urr are we in the dream now or not? I can never tell with you guys.

    Marcello says … “I hate to use Bob’s line all the time, but, I still refer to myself, even though I know there is no one there. Our language is habitual and limiting.

    “Marcelo it is you that is creating my response. And you are are kind of you’re leaving yourself wide open every time you speak (write). Which, i must add, is fine by me.

    Marcello says So don’t get caught up in our words too much, besides, why get so emotionally involved?
    Gary replies “Don’t write them then”.

    Marcello says “The truth comes out differently; depending on the “person” it comes thru. I never said I was a guru, or a teacher, or perfect with my words, and at times there can be contradictions- these contradictions that may come out are due to old habits. The truth is struggling to come out of a unit that has been through quite a lot – therefore, old habits run rampant at times… so, what comes out, comes out. If you don’t like it… too bad. Deal with, and build a bridge.

    “Your programming, your ego or whatever you want to call it, would never ever say that it is a guru? Never! No guru has ever proclaimed themselves a guru! Well they probably have but you get what i’m saying? If they have they’re mostly proclaimed mad or a cult leader or something. (I think Manson may of proclaimed himself the son of god. Not sure) Oh and David Ike but he doesn’t count. I tell you what though … show me someone who does say they’re a guru and I’ll sign up mate because at least they’ll be at least half telling the truth. (I was going to say “damn truth” there but I’m thinking what the hell you’re right let’s chill out). In short, Marcelo, you don’t have to say you’d like to be thought of as a guru. It’s all iin the subtext. Look Marcelo I have no problem with you. At all. And I will say whatever I want to see. I do have free will after all. Oh no. I don’t. I forgot. Which means i’ve no choice anyway so what does that make you?

    You said “It’s so scary to hear you talk?” Gary, I think your a bit too hung up on Cam and I.

    When I say scary I say it in the sense that It’s so scary how asleep we actually are as human beings. How unaware we are. We’re nothing if not mirrors are we not? What the heck. You may be a great teacher after all.

    They are words and sounds only “fury signifying nothing”
    (I haven’t read that one)

    Besides, It sounds like there’s more to your aggression towards me then even you know.
    (How did you know?)
    And I won’t speak on Cams behalf, but I’m just not into you, get over it.
    (Camerons just jealous that i’m venting my anger at you)
    Did that piss you off too? Why?
    No. I mean it. No. I’m hardcore. Nothing pisses me off. Nothing irritates me. (lets keep the wives out of it)

  23. Dangerous Gary Lashmar says:

    Oh by the way … urr is Bob on drugs?

  24. Marcelo says:

    Gary, I think it’s time we drop it… Since as you said, it is “me” creating your response. So, stop responding, thats a direct order, mr imaginary dream character(ok, ok, that sounds a little aggressive).

    “me” is also part of the dream dude. And btw, how can I create response? Ahhh, its that bloody secret isn’t it? That must make me ‘marcelo the person’ God?

    I created Gary?! oh crap!

    See Gary, I just got caught up in your words. I’m sure you didn’t mean ‘create’ it was probably the best word at hand.

    Besides this relationship has got to stop. I can’t hide it from the wife and kids any more, plus, I can actually hear Steven and Cam yawning right now. I sure as hell am.

    I really don’t think that we are just trying to say “I’m right” though, that is what non seekers/finders do. Humility stops all “i am rightness” and humility is an aspect of advaita necessary to ‘getting it’

    We all agree on the fundamental truth. I Am That, Thou art that

    In appearance I am all the BMW’s, all the people, all the Earth, all the sun, all the universe – I Am That. In reality I am no thing and all that appears within. That is not just a statement that I read somewhere or heard. I actually have investigated prior to going to Bobs nice house. I am not just repeating words.

    Yet, people want proof of this!?

    Does correct wording of my knowledge as apposed to confused wording make my understanding any less or any more closer to the first statement above? Offcourse to the outsider it won’t make sense, if thats your goal- but does thier confusion take away this understanding from the one doing the supposed confusion? (man… thats such a silly question, and shamefully I had to ask it) Or did I just confuse everyone?

    “all roads lead to rome”

    Are correct words proof?

    If so re-read the above statement. But clearly thats not going to work with the ‘mind’…. especially, apparently, coming from that person Marcelo. I don’t trust that guy. He is full of deciept, a complete and total lie he is.

    What I know is non-conceptual. What comes out, comes out thru this seeming person. A shadow. A concept. A concept trying to explain what is non-conceptual.

    Shadow 1 says “knock knock”
    Shadow 2 says “who’s there?”
    Shadow 1 says “no one”
    Shadow 2 replies “prove it”

    And thats how it goes in this comment section. Welcome to the world of duality (express shock horror now)

    Bob has said in the past, he cannot find it for you. At best he can point to it with words. Bob is good at that. This is why he holds satsangs, has a few books, and his own podcast show (sorry, with Cam and Steve, and Elliot etc). Some people are perfect for this role. Some people just want to make jokes about it. Some use it for status. Some shamefully use it to get laid. All of this occurs in the appearance. An appearance that we don’t control. Do we have control over how deeply this understanding changes us?

    If in appearance, not much changes – Does that negate the understanding?

    If a drunk spoke of Advaita, slurring his words and making little sense. Does that stop him from knowng that he is that?
    It certainly won’t make him a good teacher. But who says he wants to be a teacher? Maybe he just wants to be a drunk who in his own space can see it clearly but falls into ‘ego’ habits when externalizing. Has he any control to change all that anyway. If knowing that everything is one hasn’t stopped him from drinking… does that tell you that he is a fake? Or that he has no control?

    It stopped Bob from drinking. But what if it didn’t? Firstly, a few people in this room would be bagging the crap out of him, like people in here tend to do to Cam (not that I think your a drunk Cam… not yet anyway-maybe after a few more of Gary’s opinions, or mine). Secondly, he’d be an absolute blast to hang out with (maybe…although since you more enlightened people would ignore him-you’ll probably never get to find out), Thirdly, he’d probably end up doing something else, not holding satsangs, and generally being ignored by more superior people.

    Bob says ‘I am not speaking to the body or the mind, I am speaking to that I am that I am’ – without the body he cannot speak it, without this body I cannot hear it. Both bodies are different, unique. They speak and hear unique to that unit, yet, what is truely speaking, that ‘I am’ that is speaking to that ‘I am’. That message is unscathed by both bodies when truely understood. Since the bodies are seen through.

    Old habits distort that which was truely understood. But old habits die. Though some are more stubborn than others. And again, who is in charge of how quickly those old habits die? If they do at all.

    Anyway, its only a seeming forgetfulness.

    Have you guys read any books by beat writers? Like Kerouac etc If so, which one would be the most advaitin? These guys were seekers but in a non traditional way. Some became ‘spiritual seekers’ though, Jack became a sorely drunken mommies boy budhist, Allen I think tried Budhism as well, athough I don’t think he ended up there. Surely Steven’s read these guys. Burroughs was a little off the mark at times, but he was funny as fuck. Any word on the beat generation?

  25. Marcelo says:

    Sorry Gary I just read your comment on the ‘scary’ critique. Why scary dude? Your saying it like your not one of those human beings?

    Besides, were meant to have the blind folds come down. Its part of the play. Nothing scary about that.

  26. Dangerous Gary Lashmar says:

    when you say “I think it’s time to drop it?” do you mean for me to drop it before or after reading the “the complete works of Marcelo” that followed this recommendation?” i’m in bits. ha haaaaa! you make me laugh i say that for you. I’ll read it and see what you say.

  27. Dangerous Gary Lashmar says:

    I feel like i’ve just re-read zen and the art of motorcycle maintainence.

    Books: I’ve got “on the road” somewhere. Never read it. Maybe i will.

    Ask yourself this Marcelo. What if what you’re doing is merely indulging a new concept. Sure it’s a lot more complex than the last one you invented. What if, (via the stuff you’re read and via you’re investigation which was probably a consequence of the stuff you’ve read) you came up with a blind spot for yourself whereby you can’t see that you do have free wheel? (jesus man. I can’t believe i actually just wrote the word wheel instead of will. I need a beer).

    Interesting?

    What happened, seriously when you read that paragraph? what came up for you. i’m interested? Personally it’s bollocks. I just made it up. In stillness it’s perfectly obvious that thought is arising of it’s own accord and yet this stillness, this space, while nothing, is tremendously real and everything … IT’S A LIQUID ALL.. everything. THE WOW! and perfectly grounded in a way that the movement of the so called me can never be. I’ve heard cameron and you both say that once you “get it” you can’t ever forget. please can you clarify what you are saying with regards to this. are you saying that you can’t forget interlectually or do you mean you can’t forget as in you can never forget riding a bike? i.e. experientially? Because i don’t buy that for one second. And that’s fine. Im not attacking you and no it matters not that i don’t buy it. It’s just … why say it? there is no way that you two guys are living in a constant state of that realisation. pardon me for speaking for you guys but someone has too. yes reality is always reality and i think you know where i’m coming from. Lets talk free wheel for example. In clarity it is totally obvious to me (or rather not me … it’s just obvious) that the me that’s identified with is a bunch of thoughts) and that I AM the contradictory nothing or space that surrounds content. (i hate talking about this) and then there’s this contraction (isn’t that what they say) that happens where Gary is back causing his trouble and trying to work out how to get back into that state (this is becoming more and more subtle as the years go on).

    Please let me know your thoughts on this.

  28. Dangerous Gary Lashmar says:

    if i had free will i’d never have used the word free wheel (twice) in teh above paragraph. Jesus!

  29. Mark says:

    Dear Cam & Steve,
    Just want to inject some positivity here; ignore the weirdness, keep up the great show!

  30. Steven Witt says:

    If EVERYONE — react adviata geeks if you like — keeps in no-mind that EVERY time ANYONE opens his or her mouth out comes duality.

    So be it. On with the non-dual show.

    Speaking along side Cameron, who I am told has been flying random long flights “hoping” to enlighten some blessed “air hostess” (nice description that), I would like to see the quiet ones out there who are very sincere in their quest write in and tell us what they’d like to hear addressed or covered.

    You do not learn unless you ask and you do not see through until you have zip doubt that the questioner is all questions and as real as the Great Pumpkin.

    Then the real love and fun commences…why not?

    I know, I know, John Wheeler and that will happen when it does.

    What else journeymen and woooomen?

    Love

  31. Ralph says:

    Hi Steve and Cam,
    What I like to see in your next podcast is you and Cameron as host and have a guest. That guest would be someone who is trying to get that they are Awareness itself and that who they think they are does not exist. Something like podcast #32 with Corey. I really enjoyed that show.

  32. Steven Witt says:

    Perfect Ralph, just let Cameron know what time works for you and I will try to be there as well.

    You will enjoy hearing you the most by far….betcha a shot of tequila. Just ask Cory or D-Mike.

    Love.

  33. Mark says:

    Steve & Cam,

    Do you really FEEL like you don’t exist? It’s one thing to say it, but do you feel it? If so, what does that feel like?

    By the way, you two have fast become the Advaita version of “Car Talk” (a funny NPR radio show with ‘click’ and ‘clack’ the Tappit Brothers).

  34. Cameron says:

    “feel” it? Feelings are just thoughts, right? Stick a pin in my finger, a nerve goes off, my brain says “ouch – that hurts!”. Do I have any “I don’t exist” feelings? I don’t really know what that means. All I can say is that after 20 years of being around this stuff, anything I point to as being “me” is transitory or a mental construct. So I came to the conclusion many years ago that “what I am” can only be “THIS” – all of it. The “Cameron” concept is just part of the whole song and dance. It has no more validity (or lack of validity) than any other idea.

    Gary can call “Cameron” a sham, or Steve can say “Cameron” gets it – it is all equally meaningless as far as I’m concerned. I came to my own conclusion many, many years ago that all there is, is THIS. I don’t have a better name for it. The “WHAT IS”. Every concept we build on top of that is just that – a concept. Neither good nor bad, just concepts. Ideas. Thoughts.

    So… what then? Just laugh, and do what comes naturally.

  35. Steven Witt says:

    at 35,000 feet.

  36. Cameron says:

    oh yes please. actually I’ll take it at any height. 🙂

  37. Dangerous Gary Lashmar says:

    I never said anybody was a sham. This is what came up in response to what you were saying. And i’m also under no illusions that if something annoys me about you it’s only because i recognise something in you that is in me. (we’re all connected after all).

    and … I’m not interested in making anybody feel comfortable or uncomfortable. (i don’t profess to having such power).

    What i’m interested in was finding out if Cameron and Marcelo (especially) are authentic? Not because it matters in the great scheme of things. Just because … why not? And if you don’t know what i’m talking about when i say Authentic then it doesn’t apply to you so don’t worry about it.

    P.S.
    I love the show. I do!

  38. Graeme says:

    Steve,

    As one of the “quiet ones”, I’m trying to get my head round the “time is an illusion” thing. I just can’t get my head round that one at all. Are you telling me that my wife DOESN’T spend f*ckin’ hours getting ready to go out? I’m not buying it.

  39. Steven Witt says:

    I am going to ax my father, Cameron, which I know sounds odd, but it’s a time thing, seriuosly, he’s my dad…”for reals” as my 5-year-old says…if we can do the next show answering all questions from this blog, so get ’em in now kids.

    love, “for reals”

  40. Mark says:

    I asked myself the same question Graeme….

    If time is an illusion, then this means we don’t “grow old”.

    So what’s happening?

    We are simply changing appearance in the NOW.

    Space is always there, always present. Why add the notion of “time” to it? Things appear and dissapear in this space. Correct?

    Without the label, “I’m growing old”, or “that happened yesterday” what do you see? Just images appearing and disappearing on the screen of life.

    Does this sound right Cam & Steve?

  41. Rob says:

    Great show. The Cam and Steve format is as good if not better than the shows with Bob. No disrespect to Bob, I loved those shows – it’s just that this format is more vibrant and lively and packed with everyday insights.

    (The comment about the world being flat in immediate experience, does not stack up – it’s another concept and can’t be found in immediate experiencing.)

  42. Steven Witt says:

    “Marko”…”Polo”

    Houston, we have a problem.

    Cannot be space without time, they go together like nip and tuck, up and down, in and out (Cameron’s fav) which is why it is better reffered to as space-time, thanks to the guy with the really bad haircut.

    This one can be easy: so if, Mark, you imagine space without time, everything would be still, correct? After all, time is duration and that’s the only way things can move, in time. But if time stopped and left poor space alone, how would you know there was space? Time is motion — and mind by the way — and if it stops, space goes with it, pop.

    Try to get rid of spce and sense time. So it all goes dark, the mind imagines, and how the hell would you see your watch? Wee joke, that.

    Now, you are told again and again and again that IT — the Great Pumpkin — is omnipresent, which is the now version of eternal. So, space-speaking, if you will, that means infinite, forever, without boundaries.

    This is gettin’ cool, ‘casue neither one — eternal or infinite — can your mind “get around” as it is contained within both, which of course are labels anyway. (Hint: Both are the Great Pumpkin, which remember, Charlie Brown is still waiting to see.)

    So Graeme — which appears that it should be pronounced like the music awards — tell me, in your night-time dream, does your wife take hours to get ready?

    And that time she took hours, not last tme, but the time before that and that and that….how long is that now? Leave your memory aside, and answer again?

    Now, pour a pefect shot of whatever you love — FYI, tequila is a food group — and sip the following. It simply doesn’t get any better than the NIZ (when he’s not off on Sanskritology speak)
    :

    “Just see the person you imagine yourself to be as a part of the world you perceive within your mind, and look at the mind from the outside, for you are not the mind. After all, your only problem is the eager self-identification with whatever you perceive. Give up this habit, remember that you are not what you perceive, use your power of alert aloofness. See yourself in all that lives and your behaviour will express your vision. Once you realize that there is nothing in this world which you can call your own, you look at it from the outside, as you look at a play on the stage, or a picture on the screen, admiring and enjoying, but really unmoved. As long as you imagine yourself to be something tangible and solid, a thing among things, actually existing in time and space, shortlived and vulnerable, naturally you will be anxious to survive and increase. But when you know yourself as beyond space and time, in contact with them only at the point of here and now, otherwise all-pervading and all- containing, unapproachable, unassailable, invulnerable, you will be afraid no longer.
    Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj

    Play on boys, play on.

  43. Koen says:

    I agree with Ralph. The show with Corey Vance was so good when you two started to work your inquiry magic. Especially Steven’s ‘bombardment of pointers’, and Cameron’s way of uncovering and questioning beliefs. Somethings shifted in me too while listening….

    By the way, I’m from the Netherlands but I live in Taiwan.

  44. Mark says:

    Thanks Steven…that’s why I keep coming back. One day I’ll grasp this stuff.

    Byron Katie’s new book, here’s a passage where she describes how two friends were trying to convince her that she was “thinking”:

    They said, “You have to be thinking if you’re talking” and I’d say, “Well I’m not.”
    “But you have to be!”
    They said I was in denial, just fooling myself. Finally I understood. I said, “Oh, you believe that if thought arises, you did it.”….”I’m not doing the thinking, I’m being thought.”

  45. Graeme says:

    Steven / Mark
    Thanks for the replies to my query, although none of it makes sense if you’ve spent the last few hours on a Guiness bender. I can testify to that in the “now”. I’ll tune in again when I’ve got the good stuff out of my system and try to get the no-time thing.
    Steven, fyi – “Graeme” is not pronounced like the music awards. Its Gray-m. Don’t feel bad though.There’s an American in my office who insists on calling me Gram despite the number of times I’ve told her not too. She’s from Pennsylvania (which is surprisingly difficult to spell drunk) – dunno if that explains it.

  46. Steven Witt says:

    Fugg id all, gram…my…me…meh. Fugg id sumore.

  47. Michiel says:

    this is so funny, you all crack me up!!
    love the show, Cam & Steve, keep it up please, this mind loves to be “reminded”[?!]

  48. From above:

    “And Cameron … man you’re just totally confused. There’s no talking to you. You remind me of my wife.”

    I’m sorry, Cameron reminds you of your wife and Cameron is the confused one…???

    None of us are authentic. We are all just humming the tune, because we can’t find the words. When we use words, we try to confine that which can’t be bound. None of this has diddly to do with the intellect, but there we are, using the intellect and reasoning.

  49. Mark says:

    Hm, Steve…a thought in regard to the space -time thing;

    If you remove the labels, “space” and “time”……what are you left with?

  50. marcelo says:

    Man, what happened? Am I one of the loud insincere ones that steve was reffering to – I’m no longer a quiet sincere one? i’m not authentic either. Fuck… what a waste of time. 7 years have passed since my “spiritual” experience, which lead me here. To be fake and insincere.

    So, walking around reading I Am That for 5 or 6 years and only that, just to end up a fake. Watching friends go about their day, while I couldn’t get this stuff to stop.

    I could have been getting laid, making shitloads of money, doing lines of coke off a prostitutes firm stomach.

    I have no control, none of you have control.

    So I can’t stop it. Why would “it” wake me up to be a fake? Doomed to be false. Seen through by peeps in this room.

    Who knows, maybe my fakeosity will help someone find it for real?

    Today I bought 3 books – The Book-Alan Watts/ open secret-wei wu wei/ultimate medicine-Niz I’ve only read I Am That and Bobs book and some other things off the net, and offcourse this show. I don’t really see how anyone can help me out anymore. I’m just expanding my understanding of this non conceptual understanding that I have(all fake offcourse).

    Now after reading some of these comments, I wonder what the purpose of that was If I’m a fake. Will I be the next Osho?

    If only Bob and Niz had said that I am not that. “Marcelo” would probably be dead by now – i thought about it growing up, came very close to fullfilling that on two occasions (thankyou homophobia). Or I could have become a alcoholic like most “gay” men, and stayed angry and bitter.

    No matter what gets said in here, by me, or anyone else, it will never take away what these two men did for me. It will never take away this non conceptual understanding that is here. Loud or quiet, it doesn’t matter. So gary D, love ya buddy.

    Love you to Steve (and not just because you sound like a sexy bear)

    Cam, love you too

    BTW does anyone know of a good coke dealer?

  51. Dangerous Gary says:

    What do penguins, pelicans and the taxman all have in common?

    They can all shove their bills up their arse!

  52. DharmaMike says:

    FYI, the AP is reporting, “James Brown’s body was placed in a crypt Saturday at the Beech Island home of one his daughters.”

  53. Marcelo says:

    Man, wei wui wei is intense! And I’m only on page 2.

    So I’ll see you guys in about a year or 2

    Adios muchachos

    It was fun while it lasted : )

  54. Cameron says:

    where the hell did you get a copy of Wei Wu Wei in Queensland?

  55. Dangerous Gary says:

    It’s not a question of you don’t have a choice man. there isn’t a you there in the first place. That’s the whole problem here. there’s nothing to talk about. you may as well be talking about the movies. it’s a lot more entertaining.

  56. Marcelo says:

    I didn’t, I went to a mates wedding in Sydney and found it there. There is a pheosophical book shop in Brisbane though, but it’s mostly typical stuff. btw, it’s really hard to find Bobs books or Bobs students books in most book shops(i don’t mean borders). Why is that? distribution or something else goin’ on there.

    A friend from Melbourne, who I had met at one of Bob’s sessions warned me of how difficult wei wu wei is.

    I read this bit about 10 times on the plane back home and still having trouble gettin’ it

    “Time is only an inference, devised in an effort to explain growth, developement, extension and change, which constitute a further direction of measurement beyond the three that we know and at right angles-to volume; and “past”, “present” and “future” are inferences derived from this temporal interpretation of the further dimension in which extension appears to occur. All forms of temporality, therefore, are conceptual and imagined.”

    The man knows what he’s talking about, I’d just like to know what he is talking about too!

    I get the first bit and the last bit, but the middle section just lost me.

    I also picked up two more books that people in here might find interesting. One is called “The wisdom teachings of Nisargadatta Maharaj – a visual journey” on inner directions publishing. It’s a photographic book with quotes from the niz, and plenty of pics that I hadn’t seen before of Mr googly eyes.

    Also “Animals and Psychedelics – The natural world and the instinct to alter consciousness” by Giorgio Samorini (change the word ‘consciousness’ to ‘brain’) The book isn’t directly about advaita obviously but its an interesting investigation of how sections of most animal communities purposely seek to become inebriated. From caffeine-dependant goats to mushroom loving reindeer. And how these sections of those communities help those species evolve.

    Also, does someone else have a take on the Niz’s contradictions? ‘I Am That’ helped me have a taste of the non-conceptual but also confused me to the point that I had to find Bob to sort me out – was that the purpose? Or no purpose there, it just happened like that. On page 2 he says that as long as there is a sense of seperation “you want stuff” if there is no seperation, “you don’t want stuff”

    Does it matter if the dream character wants stuff? If what you are is untouched?

    please, only responses from sane people –

  57. Cameron says:

    what the hell would sane people be doing worrying about advaita? they’d be chasing skirts and drinking expensive merlot.

  58. Marcelo says:

    ok, then, insane nice people.

  59. Graeme says:

    On the James Brown theme, I’ve got a slightly humorous jpeg. However, I’ve no idea how I can post it here.

  60. Graeme says:

    Following up from above post, I’ve found the James Brown jpeg in flickr. Here’s the link:

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/sindell357/377515455/

  61. mike smith says:

    We are not thoughts aware of Peace
    We are Peace aware of thoughts

    Good show

    PS – I too saw “The Secret” been there done that before… just got a headache. Let me know when they come out with Victoria’s Secret. ha ha

  62. Goofy says:

    I posted here before, I think, at least there’s a memory here… I surely used another nick last time. I don’t remember it and am too lazy to check. I was was one of the last privileged people to ask a question to the Baghavan. But don’t ask whether I’m enlightened by now.

    Marcelo, I have some thoughts on your problems:

    Time as the fourth dimension: We know 3-dimensional space, with the x, y and z-axes which meet at a right angle. In mathematics textbooks or wherever the z-axis cuts through the other two axes at a 45 degree angle, but it’s meant to imply 90 degrees, i.e. a right angle, because paper is of course two dimensional. It looks like a right angle if you interpret it as a spacial drawing. You probably know this. The x-axis goes from “left to right”, the y-axis “upwards”, the z-axis goes “into the room”, so you can denote any position in space specifying the X/Y/Z values.
    Wei Wu Wei seems to say that the time-dimension does exist, only it is wrong to interpret it TEMPORALLY. How else could one interpret it? I’ve heard of the “block-universe”-model: The whole past “still” exists, the whole future “already” exists, but it’s not really the past or the future, but the whole thing exists — you guessed it — in the eternal Now. By the way, I could imagine Albert Einstein meant something similar by his idea of space-time.

    As for Nisargadatta’s “contradiction”: I think most of those contradictions are nothing but the pathless path paradox: In one case the teacher refers to the manifestation, in this case to the manifest illusory you, in the other case he refers to who you really are, the Unmanifest. As long as there is (imagined) separation, the (imagined) unwhole you wants stuff, otherwise it does not, in that it’s seen to be an illusion. So it may still want stuff after “enlightenment”, but it’s no longer (who) you (understand yourself to be) that wants stuff.
    Another passage in “I am That” which I find quite funny is where Nisargadatta ends one of his explanations to a disciple with “This tells you all.” The disciple: “It tells me nothing.” Nisargadatta: “Because it can’t be told.”

  63. Cameron says:

    Graeme – the photo is priceless! Thanks.

  64. Dangerous Gary Lashmar says:

    You guys are great. but when are you going to get it that all of this stuff is only relevant on the surface level of thought. Take the concept of free will for example … i’ve spoken with people and they’re so wrapped up in needing to know if free will exists or not. It doesn’t matter. the question is only relevant to the mind which is just a bunch of thoughts.

    In short. Stop worrying about it all. Just stop!

  65. Goofy says:

    Oh, I know what you’re talking about Gary. I’ve been very wrapped up in this myself and still am to some extent. I’m probably more goofy than I really dare admit to myself, despite the nick. I am of the minority who DON’T want myself or others to have free will and I think we actually don’t. But of course I cannot have absolute certainty on that. What’s your take: Would you say one should rest in not knowing? I’ll tell you what I REALLY know: Nothing except that — no, not that I exist — but I do know that there are experiences, or that there is experiencing. I don’t even know that I know that, actually. There is only experiencing. That’s certain. It’s not certain that I am. People can tell me it’s certain that I am, but I say no, that’s not certain. I don’t even know what “I” is, so how could “I am” be certain? Only experiencing is certain. Any comments?

  66. Marcelo says:

    Thanks Goofy. Your comment on the Niz’s contradiction sounds right on the money(so to speak).

    Your piece on Wei Wu Wei sounds pretty good too, although, I’m reminded of the old saying “prior to enlightenment pick up bucket carry water, after enlightenment pick up bucket carry water” for me it’s “prior to enlightenment an idiot, after enlightenment still an idiot”

    I’m trying to breakthrough the idiot barrier that presents itself as Marcelo. I think my lack of education(if you want to call it that(intelligence maybe?)) helps me see it more often non-conceptually, but there’s desire for the dream character to understand it also “intellectually” which there seems to be little capacity for. Hence my dilema. Purely intellectual.

    So I can stop, well, should I say, there is no longer a need to stop.

    I have moments of seeing only awareness everywhere… no longer seeing seperation. Thats not a dog, thats THAT expressing itself as a dog etc. And no need to say that offcourse either. And then there is full engagement in the seperation – which is just as much fun no matter whats happening or how intensely the experience is.

    Ill put as an example the movie Grudge 2. I watched it two nights ago, and found myself loving the bits where I was right into it, having moments where I was terrified (genuinely creeped out). Yet there was always this sense that it was a movie (not to the point where i couldn’t get terrified). This understanding, the further it’s understood becomes so subtle, that life becomes so god damn exciting – that I just want every seeming person to know it. But then I ask, man, an entire world of advaitic people telling me ‘I don’t got it’ fuck what a nightmare!….. what am I talkin’ about – bring it on!!

    Gary, If you truely believe that, then stop leaving comments here and get on with your life – but you can’t because you have no free will. Hence your contradiction. So keep those comments coming, because its no big deal.

  67. Mark Carpenter says:

    Great show guys.

  68. Max says:

    Hey guys! Love the show; it’s a very nutritious source of nothing. I’ve been reading the comments between Dangerous Gary and Marcelo, Cam, and Steve. I must say it’s quite amusing. Get over it guys; you’re squabbling over nothing, literally! Whether anyone gets it or not is irrelevant; if you are that, who gives a shit? There’s nothing to get. Furthermore, everyone is full of it. I do agree that personal experience is the way to go, but I think that’s what Bob and co. are on about when they say try it and see etc. Get the direct experience, but ultimately fuck what anyone else says.

    About The Secret; it’s an interesting subject. I brought up this question of manifesting and stuff with Bob, and asked him what he thinks about it. He said it’s all just tinkering with appearances. I don’t know what to make of it all, I think it might work, but so what? It’s just a worldly/materialistic thing driven by desires and illusions. The thing is; it doesn’t matter if you can manifest a new car or a new house, you’re just dropping yourself further into the illusion. The same with Tony Robbins; there’s nothing bad about him, (actually some of his ideas are very good and useful) but that whole seen is just very materialistic and based on worldly ‘success’. And of course, success has to be something that you achieve; you have to do something in order to get it. That’s cool, but it’s just a different level of awareness.

    I loved the subject about getting laid, and I think advaita and relationships is a very important issue; maybe you can explore it further? I talk about non-duality with my girlfriend, but she finds it all too hard to accept; too much for her ego. She’s not happy about being part of an illusion, or being a dream character; she wants to be real. So I don’t get laid because of advaita; I don’t really think chicks dig that! She believes that once you are enlightened, you will no longer have any interest in sex. What do you guys think? Well I am already that, and I sure have an interest in sex HAHA!! Keep up the good work guys!

  69. Dangerous Gary Lashmar says:

    Hi goofy.

    My comments are this? who cares? seriously. What does it matter whether i have free will or not? My recommendation (and this is based on my experience so it’s hardly advice) is to pretend i do have free will (in this instance) and choose to say “what the hell” who cares? is it even important to come to any conclusion in these matters. My experience is that it’s not. And it’s impossible to come to any conclusion mentally. It’s impossible. Why would the mind want to come to any conclusions.

    Love
    Gary

  70. Dangerous Gary Lashmar says:

    P.S. And if the mind does somehow conclude that there is no free will. It’ll be a) not for long and b) a lie … (a concept)

    There’s a paradoxical certainty and liberation in not knowing being ok.

    And … you probably don’t have a choice so good luck

  71. Dangerous Gary Lashmar says:

    Thanks Marcelo. I enjoy leaving comments here. It’s fun. It a) winds you up. and b) i feel like Ving Rhames in Day of the Dead. kind of fighting zombies and that. c) and most importantly … i think it’s important that people are allowed to get different points of view (because lets face it that’s what’s happening here) here.
    d) You are creating me being here.
    e) i don’t have a choice

    i haven’t thought of an f) but give me time

  72. Dangerous Gary Lashmar says:

    Also. I love listening to Bob. He’s the only one who makes sense. I think Cameron does … occasionally … in a whacked out hippy kind of a way … but i’m really here for Bob.

    Life is beautiful wouldn’t you agree! this is all fun!

  73. Dangerous Gary Lashmar says:

    Dear Max

    It’s impossible to sink further into the illusion. You are the it! it’s you.

    WHAT IN GODS NAME ARE YOU talking about man? Nothing matters that you do. you seem to think that having a ferrari is more of a materialistic thing than safety pin? it’s not. There’re the same thing. not wanting to be materialist just the mind coming up with a new way for you to be materialistic. I can do what i want. When i want. Nothing matters. If you’re stuck in the dream. Why not enjoy it. You’ll wake up soon enough anyway.

    You lot …

  74. Stan says:

    Re The Secret, here are a couple of sites that give it a good and much-needed skeptical going-over:

    http://centerfornaturalism.blogspot.com/2007/03/are-we-rich-yet.html
    and
    http://www.skeptic.com/eskeptic/07-03-07.html

    Also, a good source for discussions on everybody’s favourite topic, free will is

    http://www.naturalism.org/freewill.htm

    Stan

  75. Max says:

    Okay, good one Dangerous Gary. I’ll agree that a safety pin is just as materialistic as a ferrari, but I don’t think that having a safety pin will make the dream extra-enjoyable. If you want a ferrari, then go out and get one or try to manifest one. All that possession and desire business just seems to increase attachments, though it might be alright and fun. As far as me being the totality of the illusion, I would tend to agree, but then so what? Of course I am the illusion, how could it be outside of me? Everyone is the illusion. It’s cool to enjoy the illusion, but it’s easy to get drawn in and to think it’s actually real. If it’s in your awareness to follow things like The Secret, then go for it. It makes sense that something like that might work.

  76. Goofy says:

    First @ Gary: Thanks for your opinion. Intellectually I have hardly any doubt that there’s no free will, so in that area it is bound to last as long as my brain stays in more or less decent working order. I’ve honestly argued about it with many people and none had good counterarguments; I also read about it or listened to talks and found all arguments for free will thoroughly flawed. Who cares I don’t know. Anyway, I guess I’ll do whatever has to be done and maybe awaken IN SPITE of it, as that UG Krishnamurti would say.

    @Marcelo
    Glad I could help. If you don’t have intelligence, at least you have intelligence-energy 😉 And really, in this field some sort of reasoning ability might get you to a certain point but not beyond. I’m still reading on the subject, but sooner or later I will just have to be content with intellectual understanding but not having what you have — or not NOT having what you don’t have. I can only wait (although I know waiting is a mistake) and maybe it will happen (oh dear, the concept again), maybe not, and I’ll have to be fine with it if it doesn’t happen. Intellectual understanding is better than no understanding at all, at least for those like me who haven’t “got it”.

    Ramesh Balsekar is very good at outlining why we can reasonably conclude on intellectual grounds that we have no free will. Love what he calls his “concept”. So Cameron, why not publish some of the stuff you mentioned on the last show?

  77. Marcelo says:

    Aww c’mon Gary “he’s the only one that makes sense?”

    Steven makes sense, Cameron makes sense… and shock horror even you at times – It’s all there for you. I have learnt alot from these silly arguements that we have. But It seems like you’ve just got to knock some of that pride and arrogance right out.

    The moment you’ll see sense in what I or anybody else says, will be a great moment for you.

    Bob has said that nothing binds you… but he also says that your preferences don’t drop away. Sounds like a contradiction, doesn’t really make sense. But yet we all know what he is saying, and so it makes sense.

    But obviously Bob is the man, and no one else?

    Bob will be worm food soon – were will you be then? Chasing another “guru”?

    Max! right on brother, it definately doesn’t matter what people think (I learnt this the hard way). This is all just a fun game.

    Huge warm hug to you all.

  78. Marcelo says:

    Hey all, thought i’d post something for everyone to enjoy. Although if you still mostly listen to rock or pop, then you definately won’t like it. If your under 40 and not living in the past you may like this. It’s a DJ mix that starts off with minimal techno and ends up more maximal. If you don’t know what I mean, why not try it?

    I am a much better DJ then I am writer – have been doing it for over a decade now. It’s 2 hours long so have patience or you can quickly download the megaupload booster called Mega manager which will speed up the process quite dramatically.

    Just put the code that is given into the small box and the rest will explain itself. So enjoy!

    http://www.megaupload.com/?d=0I0QV410

    Hey Gary, I just read your comment on “winding me up” – funny stuff mate, you should be a comedian.

  79. Dangerous Gary Lashmar says:

    Hi Max.

    What if there is no other understanding? Understanding something all belongs in the realm of thinking does it not. What is it you are looking for my friend?

  80. Dangerous Gary Lashmar says:

    Dear Marcelo.

    I have seen the sense in what you say. You make perfect sense in relation to where you are speaking from.

    When i say bob is the only one who makes sense maybe i should have said this: Bob is the only one who appears to have clarity when speaking about liberation (or whatever the hell you want to call it) and he is the only one who doesn’t appear to be squirting words like ink in an attempt to camoflage the fact that he’s as totally confused as everybody else.

  81. Dangerous Gary Lashmar says:

    Walt Whitman said a wonderful thing.

    Have you learned the lessons only of those who admired you, and were tender with you, and stood aside for you? Have you not learned great lessons from those who braced themselves against you, and disputed passage with you?
    Walt Whitman

    Have a fantastic day

  82. Max says:

    Brother Gary,
    I don’t know what you mean by what you said last to me. What other understanding do you mean? Is there any understanding in the first place? Understanding is a concept; you can think you understand but can you really understand anything? To understand something, first you have to think, and that’s the problem. People try too hard to understand things anyway. To answer your question, I don’t know what I’m looking for if I am looking for something. I think I’ve been looking and I haven’t found anything, and now I might be stopping. But anyway, I’m not real, so who could be looking?

  83. Dangerous Gary Lashmar says:

    Dear Max.

    I’ll let you into a little secret. you might not want to hear this so feel free to not read on.

    You are 100% totally smack bang in the middle of a dream. If you are in a dream there is no “about to wake up” from the dream. You are either in a dream or you are not in a dream. the idea that you are about to wake up or you are about to stop something is happening in the dream. it’s all dreaming. you can’t wake up because you don’t exist in that regard.

    Have a nice day

  84. Marcelo says:

    Gary, you basically just said that your just as confused – which makes all of your comments irrelevant (note to Max). And makes you the most confused one here.

    So comedy is your act after all.

    I’m sure everyone else that posts here can see through this act you’ve got going- But it’s just to please your confused state. And ultimately is beside the point. What you really want is the truth, which you can’t find cause your too busy thinking only Bob has it and no one else. So enjoy your little conceptual merry-go-round.

    At some point your bound to get off.

    You have friends here when your ready.

  85. Mark says:

    Cam & Steve,

    I’m ready for more Advaita when you are!

    Steve, what’s the answer to my question; if you remove the labels “space” and “time” then what?
    Mark

  86. Cameron says:

    I want Dangerous Gary and Marcelo to come on the next show and glove up.

  87. Graeme says:

    My money’s on Marcelo. Anyone who gives themselves the nickname “Dangerous” is generally compensating…

  88. Corey Vance says:

    Yeah, Advaita Wars 2007!

    Dangerous Gary,
    As a reader of this blog, who doesn’t claim any understanding, let me give you an ‘outside’ opinion. Most of your comments seem an angered attempt to prove to everyone else who posts that you are the most Advaita Advaitan. For whatever my opinion is worth, this is it.

    Holla!

    Cam, thanks and keep the shows coming!

  89. Dangerous Gary Lashmar says:

    Dear Marcelo,

    I have no problem being the most confused here. i’m totally ok because i’m not attempting to rid myself of that confusion. Besides … out of confusion comes great insight daniel-san.

    Everything i do is an act as is what you do. I’m not doubt people see though my bullshit. I saw through yours weeks ago.

    I love you man.

    P.S. I don’t need friends. the ones i already have are enough of a pain

  90. Dan says:

    Dear Advaita Team

    Glad to see your still going on and continuing your Bodhisattva role of helping out all your brethren with your continuing “dribble”… Yes, BobSmack is not present like everyone may wish… but, c’mon! It reminds me of Krishnamurti when he renounced his role as the next messiah… “no organization is the sole bear of truth”. Didn’t Jesus say something about it being, “necessary that I go, so that the Holy Spirit can come…” Perhaps that’s what Bob kind of did… he spoke his message! Everything else turns into a bastardization of the teachings to be resold and peddled by the likes of profiteers like Cameron… Sorry man, hey I understand… you got a make a living too! Get a T-shirt going with Bob in the background and you and Steve shooting up the BobSmack… I’ll pay $24.99 for an XL; I’m not kiddin on that? Damn that’s weird… yep.

    Of course you guys know about “South Park”, the adult cartoon here in America with the 4th graders from Colorado. Have you seen the episode where the character Chef gets killed off when he joined The Super Adventure Club? It was great how the creators plugged in snippets of audio from previous shows to make the episode… you could do that with BobAnanda perhaps? What the heck, Bob’s message is universal and all. It should be allowed to be sliced and diced at will, and regurgitated… and still be “valid” – right? Chop it up anyway you want… still pure-intelligence energy right… Might be to much for Cameron to edit and figure out since he still can’t get the fricken audio thing right yet. Dude, get the microphone and sound system in order… What is the deal here?

    Okay here is my compliments section, because, I know Cameron gets slammed all the time; but he continues… and I appreciate it since, ‘I’m still listening.’ I originally started listening in the early part of last year 2006 when I was painting my house… just did 2 sides last year. I had the Advaita show on almost on the whole time… strange to think that every brush stroke had some of Advaita with it in some way. Do I believe that… oh yea… it’s all intelligent energy right? Keep going so I can get the other 2 sides done and I don’t have to listen to the old stuff…

    Hey… I’d appreciate it if you would read my email in the next podcast… maybe? Pretty please with BobAnanda spread on it? You can’t resist!

    Yours Truly,
    Dan – from Snoqualmie Washington, USA

  91. James says:

    I have just made a wonderful discovery! The podcasts and even this dicussion make a lot more sense after I take a drag off my spliff! You gotta try it! I even get the not existing stuff. If you ask me, that laws of attraction bullshit from the secret is just a bunch of brainhead’s trying to understand that what doesn’t mean anything. You guys should do a show where you are only allowed to speak after taking a drag! It would be awesome!

  92. Ralph says:

    Wow ! 91 responses to Advaita show #34 – Can Advaita get you laid !
    Boy ! there sure is alot of sex hungry Advaitans out there.

  93. Dangerous Gary says:

    Dear Graeme.

    Leave the banter to the big boys.
    Also. Why get personal and attack my name. What’s wrong with the name Dangerous. Personally i think Dangerous is a much cooler sounding name than Graeme. Don’t you think?

  94. Dangerous Gary says:

    Dear Corey Vance.

    You swine. How dare you cast such aspursions.

    Alas i must retort.

    a) I have absolutely zero interest in advaita or whatever the hell you call it. I’m not sure i even know what the stupid word means. I would rather burn in hell with a hot spike embedded in my rectum that be an expert in such matters! it’s all tosh!

    What are you defending. nothing is being attacked and if you think something is being attacked what may i ask is it? Advaita! what the hell does that shit mean?

    And last thing. You claim to have no understanding. Well i’ll second that.

    And excuse me for not taking the advice of a man with no understanding.

    I talk from my own understanding of my life. and it’s all relevant including the disorganisation, the disharmony the confusion the non understanding and there’s little need for a second opinion.

    What i’m seeing in my life now is that everything i am and am not is fine. Like even if someone says i’m the most stupid person that ever lived. Well that’s ok with me. I feel no need to defend myself and when i do i do it for fun.

    You guys crack me up. I mean don’t you get it. I couldn’t care less about being the best advaita man. I’d rather be the stupidest and uninformed then i can say what the hell i want. Any expert has to watch his back. I’m not an expert in nothing. I can barely spell or havne’t you noticed.

    I’ve had enough tonight. need a beer. or a whisky.

  95. Dangerous Gary says:

    Dear Ralph,

    91 responses. most of them are from me. I’ve been on the wagon since xmas. An agreement with myself so this place has kind of kept me from being bored. Actually. I take that back. It’s helped allieviate a little of the boredom. Nevermind … my agreement ends in a fortnight and i’m going on tour! avin it large!

  96. Dangerous Gary says:

    Most importantly though … this is all interlectual tosh.

    Wasn’t it Einstien who said “we can’t solve problems on the same level of thinking on which they were created”.

    the interlectual banter is part of the whole, sure … but so is a turd.

    What you are doing here is rearranging your prejudices, shifting the furniture around. Developing the character by gathering more information so you can …”understand” something.

  97. Marcelo says:

    Gary,
    You’ll get me all excited if you start talking about poking things in your anus. So I’d rather we just stick to the subject at hand, which is what steve would call “an advaita smackdown” -one question though – Whats the prize?

    How about dinner and a movie with Bob?

  98. Fred Claret says:

    I sort of think that the secret stuff can work if you do it , but it’s soo boring doing all that manifesting and I just can’t be doing with it , sometimes I think I should have some more enthusiasm for doing it. i guess I need to manifest the desire to manifest , is there a book for achieving the desire to desire? a kind of “How to be interested in the Secret when you can’t give a toss”.

    Funny thing ; on a similar topic , if you go to James Braha website you can choose between entering the Astrology section or the Non-duality section , kind of do you want to know about your future or would you prefer to know that there is no future?

  99. Dangerous Gary says:

    Dear Marcelo
    What the hell drugs are you on today? Prize for what?

    Gary

  100. Dangerous Gary says:

    Dear Fred,

    You are just lazy. there’s not great mystery. just get off your lazy ass and do something with your life

    Gary

  101. Dangerous Gary says:

    P.S. I’m going to watch this “secret” film. Because if you lot are slagging it off there’s probably something in it. It probably contains the secrets of the whole universe.

  102. Marcelo says:

    Gary
    Your not reading these comments at all are you mate? Your just going blah blah blah blah I’m the king of the world blah blah blah – It’s time you walked away. Let the universe sort you out some other way.

  103. Dangerous Gary says:

    I read the comments. Please explain yourself. Why do you think i do not read the comments? I would say that i attempt to read between the lines of the comments and try and get a feel for the sub-text which to be fair is not that difficult where you are concerned. If you mean prize for coming and doing battle with you? is that it. Childish drivel!

    and to be frank i think it is you that doesn’t read my comments. if you did you’d know that i’m not at all interested in being king of the world. If there was something in it for me … sure … and i’m not bothered about being liked or not liked.

    What i would say is this Marcelo … you are arrogant, childish and you flatter yourself to much. Who are you to tell me to go away. My opinion is as valid as yours. Besides … if i left you’d be left to carry on spouting your nonsense with everyone agreeing with you. where’s the fun in that?

  104. Dangerous Gary says:

    oh by the way. if you want me to face you on the podcast. i’m in. What would we talk about though? would it be you attempting me to see things your way? i’ve not interest in changing your mind. i’m just talking jibberish only i see it and you don’t.

  105. Dangerous Gary says:

    sorry. i’m tired. What i meant to say was … would it be you attempting to get me to see things your way? (sigh). need an editor!????!

  106. Dangerous Gary says:

    excuse gramma on that last splodge. (tired) and i think you know what i’m saying!

  107. Fred Claret says:

    Dangerous Gary ,

    You are such a sweetie. 😉 Fancy a shag?

  108. Ralph says:

    To Gary (the man of many words)

    ENOUGH…….ENOUGH……..Full stop !!

    Shit ! I think I just fuelled Gary with more words for him to fire back.

  109. Corey Vance says:

    Dangerous Gary, “I” am not convinced.

  110. Forget this Advaita stuff..

    Read this:

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermopylae

    and then go see this:

    http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/300/

    Here is a review: “I feel comfortable enough in my masculinity to say that if I had to stand in the presence of these men for more than ten seconds, I’d spontaneously grow a pair of ovaries.”

  111. zafire says:

    Cameron can you guys get these comments back to nothing nonsence ?
    I appears to be turning into a gay creche

  112. zafire says:

    misprint It not I (as I am already it )

  113. dangerous gary says:

    Ralph is attempting to stop me from commenting with a childish attempt at reverse pcychology. what a tube.

    that said … it seems my work here is nearly done. You are all coming out of the closet one-by-one. it takes time but i’ve a pretty high success rate in such matters.

  114. Max says:

    Hey Gary and Marcelo, you should definitely go on a podcast; it would be cool. But Gary, you get the captain obvious award for letting me in on ‘the secret’ that I’m smack bang in the middle of a dream. That’s a secret? But then the dream’s a dream; it’s not just a dream. It’s like the illusion; the illusion itself is an illusion. It all goes deeper than just being in a dream, that’s like basic general knowledge.

  115. Steven Witt says:

    Mark, good Mark, I have yet to answer your question. Here comes.

    Step one, you answer it. When you drop any labels, time and space, all be they grand, labels nonetheless, what are you left with?

    What we think to be forms, but truly without words forms go as well. So just THIS, the grand happening, this great moving twisting, roaring and whipering miasma which all appears — and is appearance only — perceiveable only because of the modes of perception called those things that we are dropping — T & S.

    So, It is seen and moves in mind, all possible because of unseeable and imovable awareness or IT. Clear as mud?

    Swallow slowly the following, then rest knowing that you are THAT, IT, whatever the flame it is:

    “What relationship can there be between what is and what merely appears to be? Is there any relationship between the ocean and its waves? The real enables the unreal to appear and causes it to disappear. The succession of transient moments creates the illusion of time, but the timeless reality of pure being is not in movement, for all movement requires a motionless background. It is itself the background. Once you have found it in yourself, you know that you had never lost that independent being, independent of all divisions and separations. But don’t look for it in consciousness, you will not find it there. Don’t look for it anywhere, for nothing contains it. On the contrary, it contains everything and manifests everything. It is like the daylight that makes everything visible while itself remaining invisible.
    Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj

  116. marcelo says:

    No more responses to schoolyard bullies – We all know whats going on here, so lets get on with it and move on.

  117. marcelo says:

    Hey max,
    I’m all for a smackdown – but, I think this thing has run it’s course.

    Time for everyone to to go get something to eat and get laid.

  118. Cameron says:

    does it have to be in THAT order?

  119. Max says:

    I think the smackdown’s on; time for the finisher. Well getting laid is the whole issue here; do we need to? Do we want to? Should we? Is abstinence the preferred path among non-existing enities? What about tantra? Should we pursue sex as a spiritual path; [nod to Gary] if we’re in the dream, why not enjoy it? Cameron announced that Steven was celibate; is this true?

  120. Dangerous Gary Lashmar says:

    Dear Max

    WRONNNNNNG!

    Because it’s become such a cliche (we’re all in a dream) it doesn’t follow that you are immediately liberated from the dream.

    You are in a dream and you are even saying that the dream is an illusion the truth is … you have no idea you are in a dream. You do not. If you did you’d be shook to the root of your damn soul!

  121. Dangerous Gary Lashmar says:

    Dear Marcelo,
    How can i bully you? you can be bullied sure and i’m not bullying anyway. What you are attempting to do is to drop back into your comfortable little space where you can say what you want and nobody ever questions it.

    I feel strongly that i should be saying what i am saying here. I really do. I’m not bothered about you or anyone agreeing with me. In fact most of what i say is bullshit i know.

    Also … why are you speaking for everyone. Why not just speak for yourself. And if these people do want you to speak for them then more fool them

  122. Dangerous Gary Lashmar says:

    Look. Marcelo. We’re all playing a role here. In fact i could easily reincarnate and log on under a different name with a different email address. (maybe i’ll be safe as houses Gary) next time. But i’m not sure i’d be able to keep from pulling your strings again all the same. Besides. In fact. I could be max for all you know.

    adios!

  123. Dangerous Gary Lashmar says:

    Bullying! Man what a total victim you really are fellow!

  124. Slippery Barry Hashgar says:

    Hi. I was just wondering if i could join this discussion. I must say … that Dangerous Gary Lashmar seems to know what he’s talking about. He is obviously enlightened and i bet he’s got a huge knob.

    Oh … did i mention i’m god.

  125. Max says:

    HAHAHA!! You guys are so effin funny. Gary, you said we’re in a dream and now you’re bagging me out for saying it. Why are you trying to be smart? You seriously think you’re more hardcore than everyone, and we’re all small fish. Everything is bullshit, so why are you trying to make something out of it? You’re just a pesky little illusion trying to stir the pot HA! So get real! You’re in a dream which is an illusion which is a mirage which is a hallucination, and so on in an infinite regress. I’d like to know if advaita got you laid, Gary, or do you think that advaita can get someone laid? I think if a woman was open to all this stuff, it would make her really horny.

  126. Daggett Horly says:

    I’m pleased that I have recently discovered this eminently practical and logic philosophy which unites the myriad theories concerning the body, mind, spirit, nature, and cosmos. The podcast shows are highly amusing and I enjoy the witty repartee between Cameron and his list of usual suspects, of which the venerable Steve seems to be a regular. Similarly, the contents of this forum and the conversation between enlightened individuals is very entertaining. I will continue listening and may indulge myself with the occasional posting to the forum. I congratulate you all on your enlightenment and contribution to global awareness.

    Yours sincerely
    Daggett Horly

  127. Slippery Barry Hashgar says:

    advaita doesn’t get me laid. i mean wake up. This shit didn’t even get jesus laid. No. i leave that to my good looks and witty charm.

    Listen Max. I’m not trying to be smart. That’d be the equivalent of a monkey trying to be a monkey.

    Besides. If i’m a pesky illusion why the hell are you so bothered about what i say? why the hell is it so important to you that you keep replying to my comments.

    Listen man? this “everything is an illusion shite” is for the religious advaitans. I couldn’t give a hugo boss if i you exist or not. It’s just a distraction. It’s a concept! i’ve not the time to be worrying about that. and to me what’s hardcore about noticing that you lot are all sheep! it’s just an observation. and if i feel superior to you because of that i couldnt’ care less about that either. (i can’t help it. I’ve not choice … remember). You see i’ve no problem with feeling superior or inferior or stupid (which i am mostly) i’ve not problem with that. It’s all seen. who cares. who cares? apart from you!

  128. Slippery Barry Hashgar says:

    Dear Daggett Horly.

    You’re kidding right?

  129. Dangerous Gary Lashmar says:

    Dear Max.

    The last thing i want is any woman i know to start talking about fucking advaita. I’m part masochist anyway … i must be to keep coming back to this site … but i’ve no intention of sharing this insanity with any bird i know.

    I’ve no interest in changing anybody anyway. people are fine as they are. even the twats!

    no. the last thing we want is woman brainwashed as well.

    Send em to yoga you spud!

  130. Max says:

    Why are you trying to be a monkey, Gary? I don’t really care what you say and it’s not very important to me that I reply to what you say; it’s just a bit of fun. Are we all sheep? That’s a bit weird. Why are we sheep? You might be okay with feeling superior, but that’s just how arrogant your ego is.
    Well I think advaita could get you laid if you play your cards right. Maybe not by talking about it, but by being it. I would love a woman to talk about advaita; that would be really cool. I wouldn’t want to change anyone or manipulate them into it, but it would be cool if they were into advaita. Girls generally aren’t into it though; I don’t think it appeals well to the fairer sex.

  131. Dangerous Gary Lashmar says:

    Max

    advaita man? what is that? what is advaita?

  132. Marcelo says:

    Well, no, usually you eat after sex.

    But if we could combine the two at the same time, now, I’d be up for that. Like sushi and fucking, Or is that what straight guys do anyway?

  133. Cameron says:

    I have been known to introduce food into the situation. Thanks to Mickey Rourke. Don’t know about sushi though. That wasabi burns man.

  134. Max says:

    Gary,
    Advaita is what we all talk about, it’s called The Advaita Show. It’s just a label, but it’s non duality. I can see how maybe you don’t like labels, that’s your perogative.

  135. Dangerous Gary says:

    Max,
    oh right. thanks. so this is not the pub then?

  136. Max says:

    Gary,
    Bugger off.

    Max

  137. Dangerous Gary Lashmar says:

    Dear Max.

    Were you the butler in Hart to Hart?

  138. Max says:

    Gary,
    No I wasn’t, were you?

  139. Fred Claret says:

    THE END

  140. Richard says:

    The important question came up on the show of whether Alice fell down a hole or walked through a mirror. The answer is both. Down a hole in “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” and through a mirror in the sequel “Through the Looking-Glass”.

  141. Khurram says:

    The first time I chanced on your show,good to see you guys having fun with Advaita..For your edification: check out Vishishtadvaita (Ramanuja’s qualified non-duality–viz. you still gotta pay the rent.. ;)) if you think Advaita is the only viable philosophical system to come out of Ancient India .Ramanuja’s ancient critique of Shankara’s
    Advaita is uncontested to this day (Wikipedia has a good entry on it) & he was the object of a number of assassination attempts for it including by his own Advaitic(Saivite) guru with whom he had intense arguments.

    As for the Secret..imho it is entirely congruent with Advaita:check out the discourses of Queen Hemalekha given to her King Hemachuda in the last part of the Tripura Rahasya..;)..:*..where she being “a jnani of great accomplishment” clearly outlines the Secret of deliberately creating what you desire…As you know Divine Source or Shiva/Shakti includes all opposites/ paradoxes including free will and its absence,desire & desirelessness etc….as far as the Secret goes check out the writings of a living sage from the Prosperity/Secret circles called Dr. Robert Anthony who walks his talk–he really rocks dude ! All very compatible with Advaita; any way one of the hallmarks of Advaitic realization is Chintamani-the Self as wish-fulfilling gem..;(all there in the Ramana blurb if you look well enough…:0…S/selfishly yours K..Bless Ya ur prrfect

  142. margaret says:

    This might be the funniest thing I’ve listened to in a while. I have to say, I’m not into the Bob as “smack”, I actually enjoy your banter more.

    I’ve also watched the Secret, only because I too am fascinated by how unhappy and stupid Americans are.

    My boyfriend actually introduced me to Advaita and it all made sense to me cause I had been questioning perception and existence for a while anyway but was always turned off by satsangs because they seemed a bit too serious, too holy, too into being present.

    Finding your show has been great, thanks for handling this subject they way you do, I laugh out loud like i’m listening to Richard Pyror. Looking forward to hearing more!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *