Non-duality, or when the two are as one, does not signify that the two will no longer be ‘perceived’ as two. However, they will no longer be perceived as in opposition to one another and that which does not oppose, can only join and join fully.
"That the ALL may be made ONE. Like thou Father art in me, I in thee, that they may be ONE in us. I in them, they in me, that they may be perfect in ONE". (John 17:20-22)
Notice the request is that we be made "perfect in ONE” since, although we are ONE, we make two “real” by superimposing conflict upon dualistic contrasts. The request, or prayer, asks that we “make” an experience of ONE as "real" as an experience of two, since it is the truth of "creation" and refers to free-will.
Dualism demands, not simply contrasts or differences, since contrasts or differences need not oppose, but dualism must always perceive contrasts in conflict and differences opposed to one another.
Up/down, black/white, top/bottom, etc are all dual contrasts that need not oppose and are non-conflictual. In fact, we could say that they are one through complementarity, because without one there cannot be the other. More importantly, there is NO opposition and they do indeed define parts unified as a whole.
However, when an ego perceives ‘up’ as more advantageous (or “sacred”) than down or ‘top’ more valuable than ‘bottom,’ we have then superimposed conflict upon contrasts through our own egoic value systems. Becoming fixated on the value system we ‘make’ real can be referred to as "dualism."
One need not suffer through ‘duality.’ But ‘dualism’ (which applies values to duality), demands not simply contrasts, but conflicting contrasts in opposition and this results in suffering.
Christ Consciousness still perceives contrasting concepts, yet, the contrasts are unopposed and exist in perfect equality and therefore, interact harmoniously, neither one more than nor less than, the other. It is not duality that creates conflict, but egoic values of good/bad, right/wrong and guilt/innocence that determines conflict and, hence, suffering.
The non-dualism of Christ Consciousness simply dissolves the distinction between guilt and innocence as the chief component of superimposed 'meaning.' If guilt or innocence is superimposed upon perceived contrasts, then conflict emerges and suffering constructs your experience of a ‘world.’ Attaching guilt and innocence is the burden you impose upon the objects of consciousness and has nothing to do with the thing-in-itself that is perceived.
One must always be guilty, for another to be innocent and this constructs your experience of a world, which seeks measures through levels, degrees, states, quadrants, stages, grades, ranks, phases, classes, intervals, etc, etc, etc.
There are no measures of equality, because it need not be measured.
To kill another is neither good nor bad, but simply unnecessary and Christ Consciousness need not deny this distinction as “real.” However, Christ Consciousness does not apply guilt and therefore, does not condemn from these distinctions by asserting truth to what we determine is “real,” simply because everything we determine as “real” must conflict through levels and degrees.
For the egoic mind, both war and murder derive the same objective results- death. However, the ego compromises with this 'reality' by superimposing guilt and innocence and thereby differentiating between guilty and innocent contrasts. Death in war is innocent, while murder demands guilt. This is because the ego-self is a product of conflict. How else would the ego perceive death as “real” if not by allowing death to be perceived as the result of both guilt and innocence?
Completely remove the distinctions of guilt and innocence from perception and what would be perceived? What levels or degrees could exist? What opposition would be experienced?
Christ Consciousness perfectly equalizes all objects of consciousness simply by denying the projection of guilt or innocence. To atone for guilt is to recognize that guilt has no meaning, but then, neither does innocence, since both concepts are a product of egoic fear. Therefore, guilt and innocence are not a part of perception and perception need not be controlled by the need to seek out guilt and innocence, because such perception naturally sees only perfect peace.
"And the wolf will dwell with the lamb,
And the leopard will lie down with the young goat,
And the calf and the young lion and the fatling together;
And a little boy will lead them."
Isaiah 11:6 (New American Standard Bible)And the leopard will lie down with the young goat,
And the calf and the young lion and the fatling together;
And a little boy will lead them."
Image by Jeff Christensen - "Just Business"
Oh yes. Yes yes yes! So well stated. Killing not necessary...that's it. Perfect peace...I'm in a hurry here so I can't really expound, but you've really hit on some resoundingly basic concepts here. Lovely Mike. You said you weren't looking for anything in comments on last post...you're there Dude! (Wherever you go, there you are.)
ReplyDeleteNo One,
ReplyDeleteNot really sure 'where' I am... but you are certainly correct in that, wherever that is, I'm 'there'! HA!
Thanks Again!
mikeS
As I was reading this, Spock came to mind. Wasn't it the rather more emotional Bones who was the most frustrated by Spock's ability to weigh all things equally? Then you have Kirk, who appeared to be able to balance even those two oppositions. As though things are tiered and that is how the ladder is eventually climbed, rung by painful rung, as philosopher Abraham Kaplan would say.
ReplyDelete"Non-duality, or when the two are as one, does not signify that the two will no longer be ‘perceived’ as two. However, they will no longer be perceived as in opposition to one another and that which does not oppose, can only join and join fully."
Within limited relationship, I think this is actually reachable, yet when one steps outside into the dualistic world of opposing perception, then one would almost have to shield themselves from that conflict(?) It is like having a wonderful, peaceful family and then we begin to have the educational system or the corporate system...systematically break it down.
"Christ Consciousness perfectly equalizes all objects of consciousness simply by denying the projection of guilt or innocence."
This makes sense, yet I would not see it as coming anytime soon. And that is sad to say.
One thing with your ideas, Mike, is that one can really sit back and examine the deeper nuances of the brain, and one does begin to compare and concede the foibles of how the ego works. I ponder whether there is some difference in what we perceive as mind v. ego, the devil and angel on the shoulder, so to speak. That which argues rationally against the irrational. Reason against the unreasonable. Insight in one, versus lack of it in the other. And would the best running mechanism be able to merge the two, if, indeed, they are separate.
So, dualism becomes the meeting of the minds as balanced with the ego, rather than a conflict of non-duality because the ego has not been merged with the mind. The errant child of the ego v. the possible inherent wisdom of the mind, so to speak.
Always, my thoughts race ahead of me, and so I pray once again I make some sense out of the babble.
Peace~
Nahnni,
ReplyDelete"One thing with your ideas, Mike, is that one can really sit back and examine the deeper nuances of the brain, and one does begin to compare and concede the foibles of how the ego works."
Hmmm...interesting point...is the ego a part of the "brain" having no contact with mind whatsoever?
"So, dualism becomes the meeting of the minds as balanced with the ego, rather than a conflict of non-duality because the ego has not been merged with the mind. The errant child of the ego v. the possible inherent wisdom of the mind, so to speak."
As I see it, when minds "meet" egos tend to dissolve because fear is finally seen as unnecessary. So, yes, dualism is a fixation on our division with no intention of correcting that misinterpretation and, in fact, maintaining it as real.
As always, great stuff!
mikeS