A Spiritual Voice In Cyberspace: Letter # 58 “The Logic Of Neti-Neti”

2008-01-03T09:39:00.000-08:00

“The belief that we use only 10% of our brains has persisted for over a century, despite dramatic advances in neuroscience ... Detailed probing of the brain has failed to identify the "non-functioning" 90%,” states the Christmas edition of the British Medical Journal, boldly.
I had a new Jaguar car. Every part of it was working but I never drove to its maximum capacity. Likewise, every part of the living brain might be working 100%, or not, biologically, but do we really use our brain for what it’s best at? In my view, the brain cortex is best at the noble function of contemplation, though, admittedly, the cortex does work superbly for cognition, associating perceptions, movement, and executive function. If we agree that the human cortex is best at contemplation, then the next question is, “How much do we use it for that princely purpose?” If we use it for, let’s say, 20 minutes out of 24 hours, then that’s a mere 1.38% of the time!
I did some contemplation, early this morning. Guided by Jnana Yoga, the Yoga of logic, recently brought again to the fore in the dialogues with Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj (see the book: “I am That”), I did the the "Not This, Not That" (neti neti) meditation. Here is a summary of how it went for me this morning.
If I didn’t have my leg, I would still be I
If I didn’t have an eye, I would still be I
Therefore, I’m not my body, I am the experiencer of it
I’m not my sadness, I’m the experiencer
I’m not my fear, I’m the experiencer
I’m not my frustration, I’m the experiencer
I’m not my anger, I‘m the experiencer
I’m not my pleasure, I’m the experiencer
I’m not my pain, I’m the experiencer
I’m not my thoughts, I’m the experiencer
I’m not my perceptions, I’m the experiencer
I’m not my sleep. I’m the experiencer
I’m not my dreams, I’m the experiencer
I’m not my mind, I’m the experiencer
I am not consciousness, I’m the experiencer
I’m not unconsciousness, I’m the experiencer
I’m not material being, I’m the experiencer
I am not even the experiencer, I’m simply Being, a state beyond words
I am Being
You are Being
He/She is Being
We are all Being,
We are one Being
The One Being is Everything
Everything is the One Being.

Warning: Atheists stop here! Do not broach ahead; or you might get side tracked by theists. Theists, please move ahead, over the line.

“The Supreme Personality of Godhead creates His minor parts and parcels, the jiva-tattva (living beings), beginning with Lord Brahma, the demigods and expansions of Vedic knowledge [Sama, Rg; Yajut and Atharva] and including all other living entities, moving and non moving, with their different names and characteristics. As the sparks of a fire or the shining rays of the sun emanate from their source and merge into it again and again, the mind, intelligence, the senses, the gross and subtle material bodies, and the continuous transformations of the different modes of nature all emanate from the Lord and again merge unto Him. He is neither demigod nor demon, neither human nor bird or beast. He is not woman, man, or neuter, nor is he animal. He is not a material quality, a fruitive activity, a manifestation or non manifestation. He is the last word in the discrimination of “Not this, not this” (neti neti), and he is unlimited. All glories to the supreme Personality of Godhead.” SB 8:3:25
Guru Nanak sings, “Aisa Prabh tiag avar kat lago; Gur prasad Nanak man jago.” This verse is rendered in English as: “Why do you forget such a (wonderful) God, attaching yourself in other things; awaken the mind by the grace of the Guru.”
Let’s go back to basic biology. Yes, your brain might be working 100% biologically, but is that a good enough understanding? Is that enough to make your life satisfying or meaningful? Listen, you have the biggest brain neocortex of all life forms that we know of. Your brain is huge. It’s that way for a purpose - a bigger purpose, which is contemplation. If you use it for even 1.38% (20 minutes a day) for contemplation or meditation or prayer, you will feel a lasting positive effect. You will attain a sense of wellbeing; an abundance that you might never have previously thought possible. Jesus said, “I have come that they might have life, and have it more abundantly.” John 10:10. “Do not be like those who said, “We heard,” while they did not listen.” Holy Koran 8:21.

We are One Being
The One Being is Everything
Everything is the One Being.

After your contemplation, try practicing what you’ve realized.

Nanak Naam Chardi Kala Tere Bhane Sarbat Dha Bhalla, Radha-Swami, God Bless; Allah Hu Akbar; and Hare Krishna.

bhopal

A Spiritual Voice In Cyberspace: Letter # 58 “The Logic Of Neti-Neti”