Harmony of Nonconformity | Book Excerpt from Effortless Living
Harmony of Nonconformity | Book Excerpt from Effortless Living In a linear world, the external order dictates an artificial way of life to the individual, creating a conformist society and forcing us to relinquish our power to a machine that is unnatural and devoid of life. This passive conformity can be traced back to the origins of the Vedic Hindu caste system and the feudal system under medieval Western Christianity. When a settled agrarian culture such as these is born, it tends to build towns, not only to protect people from outside influences, but also to develop a mental framework based on rules and regulations. The complexity of agrarian culture leads to a division of labor and a division of function. From this division, the ancient Hindus (the Vedic civilization of Dravidians and Aryans) developed a caste system. The Hindu caste system is made up of the Brahmins (priesthood), Kshatriyas (nobility), Vaishyas (merchants and farmers), and the Shudras (laborers). A direct parallel to the Hindu caste system can be found in medieval Christian society, where we see the priesthood and the church, feudal lords and nobility, farmers and merchants of the commons, and the serfs. Although we no longer have a caste system, this underlying pattern is still with us today. When we are born into this world, we come out of our mother’s womb (nature) and are taught to submit to the rules of society and culture according to our socioeconomic status. This is the crucifixion of the individual; it is the sacrifice we all make. According to the tyranny of the machine, this crucifixion is for the “common good” or “greater good.” But there is a stark difference between the Hindu and Christian societies of ancient times. First of all, the function of the Vedic caste system was an act of surrender to Brahman (ultimate reality/godhead). Individuals would crucify their egos and their desires in favor of the lives they had been given by nature. This means they would not seek another path or to try and control their lives according to their interests. Instead they would abide by the order of society, which helped them diminish their egos so that they could feel the presence of Brahman within themselves. This is dharma as social duty. The second difference is that, once Hindus have fulfilled their social duties in this life, they are allowed to break away from caste and become renunciate sages in the forest, a practice and title known as vanaprastha in Sanskrit. (This possibility is loathed by Christian society, because one is thought of as useless if one does not contribute to the social order.) This breakaway from caste is viewed as a return back to nature and could be thought of as a resurrection. A sage is not part of society and does not conform to its rule. Jesus was a sage in this mold. This is why he was not thought of as a particularly good member of society and he was actually put to death (if we take the story of Jesus to be real). Those who submit invariably lose their natural innocence. Conformity is the result of force. When individuals are forced by society and culture into life situations that are against their will, they give away their natural sovereignty in exchange for comfort and servitude and are psychologically reduced to sheep. We have developed this sheeplike behavior as a result of the belief that the morals and ethics forced upon us by society are avenues to success and freedom. But this notion is absurd inasmuch as the success and freedom of our world are unnatural. These goals are gauged only by finances. But obviously this is not true success or freedom, as money is empty and void of meaning, and it provides no happiness other than that of acquisition. Happiness cannot be contained in anything that we need to force to happen. As human life is forced into a sheeplike way of being, happiness is reduced to momentary stimulants of excitement. In such a life we can never express our natural divinity, li, because we are following the model of someone else’s idea of life. Yet conforming to anything other than one’s own innate world destroys us physically, mentally, and spiritually, as te, the virtue of Tao, cannot come through the organic pattern of the individual, li. Anxiety, depression, and stress are so prevalent in this day and age partly because we are forced to live such lives. Wars and social unrest then reflect the individual’s anxiety. Liberated individuals are in alignment with their own nature and with the Tao. They do not benefit the accepted social order and are regarded as useless in the eyes of institutional and organizational power. Lao-tzu and Chuang-tzu were treated this way, because they could see the unnaturalness of an artificial society. The Buddha and Jesus of Nazareth were two other such sages who could see through the hypnotic veil. A liberated sage understands that anyone who continues to act out the unnatural patterns of conditioning is contributing to chaos and destruction, either consciously or unconsciously. One who is liberated, on the other hand, begins the yoking process until a crystal-clear perception of the Tao in reality can be experienced. In Richard Wilhelm’s translation of the I Ching, he states: Not every man has an obligation to mingle in the affairs of the world. There are some who are developed to such a degree that they are justified in letting the world go its own way and in refusing to enter public life with a view of reforming it. But this does not imply a right to remain idle or to sit back and merely criticize. Such withdrawal is justified only when we strive to realize in ourselves the higher aims of mankind. For although the sage remains distant from the turmoil of daily life, he creates incomparable human
Books for Studying Vedanta
Books for Studying Vedanta I’m often asked what someone should do if they want to study Vedanta. My response to this question is like any other question, its not that black and white. People argue all day whether one should have a teacher, read the classics, or stop reading altogether. Again, there is no one method that fits all. But what I will say is if you want to dive deep into Vedanta then its important to study the classics since those classics are the foundation the tradition is built on. If you haven’t studied the classics then your mind will have a tendency to lose its way in your practice which leads people into all sorts of psychological problems such as spiritual bypassing. Even though, from the Vedic perspective we are not fundamentally the contents of our mind, those skilled adepts from thousands of years ago understood that our mind needs a framework for understanding anything to its nth degree. Our intellect can help us understand deeper concepts which unravels the mind and can have the potential to ultimately unravel the intellect. And when we speak about Vedanta we are speaking about the deepest spiritual concepts known to the human race (only other Eastern traditions compare to Vedanta such as Buddhism and Taoism). What teachers of Vedanta explain is its ancient wisdom is not learned knowledge but instead realized knowledge from great adepts. Whether you believe in those sorts of statements is up to you, but what we cannot deny is the science of mind and universe they realized (or created) rings true once we understand the philosophical framework. And this philosophical framework has got a bad rap from modern New Age teachers who ignorantly tell people to stop reading as if it is evil (but the truth might be they can’t really grasp the depth of Vedanta so they feel obliged to ridicule the classics). As a result, we have this growing trend of unintelligent spiritual seekers who follow a New Age “guru” with no discernment in a sycophantic manner. This type of “spirituality” is not really spirituality and gives it a bad name in the same way that evangelists give Christianity a terrible reputation. For this type of hypnosis and airy fairy woo-woo attitude to cease we have to become sincere in studying the classics as if our life depends on it, especially in Vedanta, let alone any Eastern philosophy. This is why in regards to spirituality tradition trumps New Age thought. And I can personally tell you that when you learn the tradition completely there is truly something about it that is hard to explain (this goes for any Eastern philosophy). Maybe its that ancient quality, as the tradition came from an ancient civilization of people dedicated to Sanatana Dharma (eternal tradition or way/Hinduism) and delivered a science that is still at the spiritual summit today. Reading the classics, then, does matter. They will benefit your practice going forward. Where to start you ask? Well you have to start with what Vedanta is based on, the Prasthanatrayi. This Sanskrit word refers to the three texts that make up Vedanta: the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, and the Brahma Sutras. These three texts are what Vedanta is based on, so it would be absurd to not study these texts. Also, keep in mind, that there are three major branches of Vedanta which include Advaita (non-dualism), Vishishtadavaita (qualified non-dualism), and Dvaita (dualism). (Watch my episode of Enlightenment Today on Advaita Vedanta to know more). Which path you’re drawn to will depend on your temperament. But what is universal among all three schools is the study of the Prasthanatrayi. Now I can tell you there are a host of translations, and I’ve read quite a few, but I’d say do your homework before you jump in and purchase one. In relation to understanding Vedanta there is an extraordinary amount of books, too many for me to mention. But I will mention a few that will benefit your understanding of Vedanta. Vivekachudamani (Crest Jewel of Discrimination) by Shankara are a bunch of poems on Avaita Vedanta philosophy that are important to study. Alongside Shankara’s work, there are two Gita’s worth reading that dive into Vedanta, they are the Song of the Avadhut and the Song of Ribhu. Both texts are popular in the state of Tamil Nadu in India and are more focused on Advaita. They constantly point us back to the nondual source of our existence. Sticking with Advaita, I recommend reading Be as You Are by Sri Ramana Maharshi and I Am That by Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj, both of whom are regarded as two great Advaita Vedanta gurus from the 20th century. Another book is Sanatana Dharma by Sri Dharma Pravartaka Acharya. This book is about the eternal way (or dharma and culture) known in Sanskrit as Sanatana Dharma which we call Hinduism today. Sri Dharma Pravartaka Acharya follows the school of Vishishtadvaita and this book is a thorough study of Sanatana Dharma. Another great book is from modern Advaita Vedanta teacher James Swartz. His book The Essence of Enlightenment is a fantastic exploration of Vedanta from a man who follows the tradition honestly. Last, but not least, is a book written by Alan Watts called The Book. This special little book is an interesting look at Vedanta from the mind of a philosopher who was touched by the tradition. There are other books I could mention, like basically any book by Joseph Campbell or books by Huston Smith and Aldous Huxley, but there are just too many. I feel the books I have mentioned are enough for you to clear the mind and build a new framework in your mind from the ground up that has the potential to touch what Vedanta promises: the recognition of the Eternal Brahman as your true nature. SHARE
Lao-tzu on Desires
In this episode Enlightenment Today we will explore the desires of the eye and the desires of the belly that Lao-tzu mentions in the Tao Te Ching. The desires of the eye are the artificial needs created by society, which keep up chasing and hunting a life that is not ours and this in turn maddens our hearts, to use Lao-tzu’s words. These desires are insatiable and practically infinite. The desires of the belly are our basic needs, which are very simple. These desires of the belly are what nature gave you and they are quite modest needs. If our natural needs are quite modest than our starting off point to be a sane and healthy individual is oriented in the wrong direction. But if we reorient our lives towards the desires of the belly we will realize that human beings have a simple nature and are easily satisfied. We only mess with this simple nature when society creates artificial desires and as a result we want more than we naturally need. Recommended Reading Readings in Classical Chinese Philosophy http://amzn.to/2EgVpTN Tao Te Ching (Gia-Fu Feng & Jane English translation) http://amzn.to/2z6w7V3 Tao Te Ching (Philip J. Ivanhoe translation) http://amzn.to/2iCs0tU Tao Te Ching (Stephen Mitchell translation) http://amzn.to/2hPV6IX I Ching http://amzn.to/2zWMSW7 Trying Not to Try http://amzn.to/2z6l0eU Tao: The Watercourse Way http://amzn.to/2zZGn2N
My Top 5 Books of 2017
My Top 5 Books of 2017 2017 was a rich year for books on spirituality, philosophy, psychology, and optimal performance. Too many to get through. But if you use your time wisely then there is more than enough time to at least consume and digest five books a year. I use to set lofty goals of always reading ten books a year, but as a writer that is not possible with my commitment to my work. But its still a target I aspire to reach every year because, even if you hit the 5-10 mark each year, it means you haven’t been wasting your time on things that don’t matter. Many of us these days waste most of our time on entertainment. We scour digital devices night and day for the next soundbite to entertain us. Reading, on the other hand, puts the power back in your hands and it demonstrates a loud and clear NO to becoming a distraction junkie. Reading the right books will build the foundational pillars in your life (or in your mind) to cultivate intelligence, harness creativity, and experience prolonged equanimity. Below are the best books I read in 2017 (not all are published in 2017). Genuine Pretending: On the Philosophy of Zhuangziby Hans-Georg Moeller and Paul D’Ambrosio Chinese philosophy (alongside Indian philosophy) is always my central focus because of my dedication to to delivering ancient Eastern thought for modern minds. And when it comes to the ancient Daoist (Taoist) sage Zhuangzi (Chuang-tzu) I’ll read anything about his philosophy. When people speak about Daoism they often look to Laozi (Lao-tzu) for its gems. But if you have not encountered the genius of Zhuangzi then it is hard to get a complete picture of the depth of Daoism. As soon as I laid my eyes on Genuine Pretending it was immediately on my hit list. And I can tell you that Hans-Georg Moeller and Paul D’Ambrosio did not disappoint. They explain how the classic Zhuangzi text is not a one dimensional text. A lot of people believe the text is either a book on metaphysics, spirituality, strategy, or politics. But the authors believe it is all of the above and much more, especially when we take seriously (or not seriously) the humor component of the text. Genuine Pretending goes into the science behind humor and what that has to do with the spiritual depth of the Zhuangzi text. They have a thorough study of sincerity and authenticity, and how that relates to Confucian thought and Zhuangzi. This book explains that even though Zhuangzi is criticizing Confucian thought somewhat, he is really poking fun at it because of the sincere people we are supposed to become through high moral values and ideals that Confucius believes we should live up to. Zhuangzi skillfully knows these high rationalistic goals are not possible. Zhuangzi explains that in trying to create sincere people we actually create the opposite. Most importantly they introduce the Genuine Pretender, the joker in the pack, which in their opinion is a state of being Zhuangzi recommends for us to be in if we want to be a healthy and sane individual and live in a healthy and sane world. “A genuine pretender develops a capacity to playfully and skillfully enact social personae by looking at things, including oneself, from a ‘zero perspective.’” The Yoga Tradition: Its History, Literature, Philosophy and Practiceby Georg Feuerstein I’ve read a truckload of books on Yoga. Some have been done well and others struggle from a lack of understanding the philosophy of the great tradition. But there is no doubt that The Yoga Tradition is the best book on Yoga period. Georg Feuerstein is still one of the most underrated scholars on Yoga and Eastern thought out there. His understanding of classical Yoga is phenomenal. This book has often been referred to as the “Yoga phone book” for its size. But I will tell you this, you don’t want the book to end once you dive in deep. Feuerstein explores everything about the Yoga tradition to its nth degree. Actually, he covers a lot more than that. He also does a fantastic job in covering Vedanta and Samkhya philosophy. He takes you through the whole history of Hindu thought, not just Yoga. Be careful though, this book is the real deal. It is not about the Western version of Yoga that is a poor rip off of Hatha Yoga. This book explains what Yoga truly is and why it is important to follow the tradition and not its cheap imitations. As a writer, I find it inspiring to see the length Feuerstein went to produce a piece of work that will be around for hundreds, if not thousands of years. His scholarship is unmatched when it comes to Yoga. But it is his heart and wisdom that keep the fire of this rich tradition burning into the future. Thinking, Fast and Slowby Daniel Kahneman The relationship of psychology to spirituality, specifically Eastern thought, has been growing exponentially for decades. But I believe it is with the recent developments in cognitive science that a lot of explanations we are looking for in regards to spirituality and the nature of mind can be finally answered. My own work has also began to make the obvious connections between the Eastern philosophical traditions and cognitive science. You see this in two of my books, Fasting the Mind and Effortless Living, and also in a future unpublished book. And if you’re interested in understanding cognitive science thoroughly, then Kahneman’s Thinking, Fast and Slow is the perfect start, if not a complete picture thus far. Most importantly Kahneman thoroughly explains dual process theory, the two systems of cognition in our brain. These two systems are the key ingredient in understanding the workings of our mind and it is perfectly adapted to Eastern philosophy, which both make a complete science of mind. The Art of
Effortless Living Pre-order Free Giveaway
To celebrate the publication of my new book Effortless Living: Wu-Wei and the Spontaneous State of Natural Harmony this year Amazon and I will be holding outrageous deals on pre-ordering which will expire on the publication date of March 13, 2018. Amazon’s pre-order price guarantee will guarantee that you receive the lowest price from now until the book is published if you pre-order today. Also I will have four pre-order offers for you to choose from which all include a bunch of awesome stuff that you can share with others. These packages might be the perfect solution to a lot of headaches people have when trying to decide on gifts for others. Below you’ll see these four offers and bonuses for anyone who pre-orders the book now. If you believe there are people in your life that might benefit from or enjoy my new book then take advantage of this once off offer. MY OFFER TO YOU #1 – If you pre-order 5 copies of Effortless Living before March 13, you’ll receive: *A personally signed copy of my book Fasting the Mind delivered to your door. Click here to pre-order 5 copies, then email your receipt to [email protected] with “Pre-order #1” in the subject. When you receive the books send a photo of you with the books to the above email or post it on my Facebook or Twitter and I will send your gift straight away (The photo is done just to make sure people actually receive the pre-orders and do not cancel their pre-order and receive my gift under false pretences). #2 – If you pre-order 10 copies of Effortless Living before March 13, you’ll receive: * A personally signed copy of my book Fasting the Mind delivered to your door. * A personally signed copy of my book Enlightenment Now delivered to your door. Click here to pre-order 10 copies, then email your receipt to [email protected] with “Pre-order #2” in the subject. When you receive the books send a photo of you with the books to the above email or post it on my Facebook or Twitter and I will send your gift straight away (The photo is done just to make sure people actually receive the pre-orders and do not cancel their pre-order and receive my gift under false pretences). #3 – If you pre-order 20 copies of Effortless Living before March 13, you’ll receive: * A personally signed copy of my book Effortless Living delivered to your door. * A personally signed copy of my book Fasting the Mind delivered to your door. * A personally signed copy of my book Enlightenment Now delivered to your door. * A personally signed copy of my book The Science and Practice of Humility delivered to your door. *A 30 minute skype call with me to discuss my work and strategies that will help design a healthy lifestyle for you which will promote well-being, focus, mindfulness, and creativity that all contribute to authentic independency. This conversation is not set in stone and can be flexible based on your needs. Click here to pre-order 20 copies, then email your receipt to [email protected] with “Pre-order #3” in the subject. When you receive the books send a photo of you with the books to the above email or post it on my Facebook or Twitter and I will send your gift straight away (The photo is done just to make sure people actually receive the pre-orders and do not cancel their pre-order and receive my gift under false pretences). #4- If you pre-order 50 copies of Effortless Living before March 13, you’ll receive: * 2 personally signed copies of my book Effortless Living delivered to your door * 2 personally signed copies of my book Fasting the Mind delivered to your door. * 2 personally signed copies of my book Enlightenment Now delivered to your door. * 2 personally signed copies of my book The Science and Practice of Humility delivered to your door. *A 1 hour skype call with me to discuss my work and strategies that will help design a healthy lifestyle for you which will promote well-being, focus, mindfulness, and creativity that all contribute to authentic independency. This conversation is not set in stone and can be flexible based on your needs. Click here to pre-order 50 copies, then email your receipt to [email protected] with “Pre-order #4” in the subject. When you receive the books send a photo of you with the books to the above email or post it on my Facebook or Twitter and I will send your gift straight away (The photo is done just to make sure people actually receive the pre-orders and do not cancel their pre-order and receive my gift under false pretences). *This offer applies to digital or physical pre-orders. Thank you all for the support.
The Eastern Science of Mind
In this episode of Enlightenment Today I will speak about the scientific model of mind in the East. This model is the psychological system of the East, especially in India, and it is likely the first scientific model of mind. In ancient India this model was used in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. It is an advanced model of mind to this day in the East. Understanding this model is the key to comprehending the nature of suffering and, as a result, is a surefire way to heal ourselves. This is why it is connected to the concept of samsara, the wheel of suffering. Recommended Reading The Art of Living: Vipassana Meditation http://amzn.to/2CSx8D5 The Yoga-Sutra of Patanjali http://amzn.to/2B5WSKR
Affluence Kills Spirituality
In this episode of Enlightenment Today I explore why affluence destroys spirituality and the sense of unity with life and God. Many people wonder why the world is becoming increasingly secular. There are people leaving religion by the droves and more people are comfortable with being an atheist. As the world becomes more affluent, the less it appears that people need religion or any type of spiritual belief system. The more affluent people are the less they think of God, death, and other mystical matters. Why is this happening? And we need to ask whether it is a real problem or just the nature of cultural evolution? Recommended Reading Why Religion is Natural and Science is Not http://amzn.to/2E5X2mV The Secret of Our Success http://amzn.to/2Cka8fW
Guru
In this episode of Enlightenment Today I will explore the role of a guru, a spiritual teacher. You will discover who a guru is, why they are important, and also why in the modern world we have a nervous reaction when we hear the word. Recommended Reading Be as You Are http://amzn.to/2z1YML6 Autobiography of a Yogi http://amzn.to/2AEDhVk I Am That http://amzn.to/2ysAR6c White Fire http://amzn.to/2AFwdYv Total Freedom http://amzn.to/2C6p001 Inner Engineering http://amzn.to/2ChbEyK Shankara’s Crest Jewel of Discrimination http://amzn.to/2AFPoBH
Yugas: The Cycles of Time
In this episode of Enlightenment Today you will learn about Hindu time system called the Yugas. The Yugas are a complex world-age doctrine of four ages. The Yugas map the cycles of change within the universe and consciousness. The Yugas build a solid framework for understanding how we experience time and eternity, and how they related to one another. You will find out in this episode what makes the Eastern view of time different to the Western view. Recommended Reading The Yugas http://amzn.to/2jziwze The Holy Science http://amzn.to/2ByoTux
Flow and Wu-wei
In this episode of Enlightenment Today you will learn about what a state of flow truly is and its original ancestor known in Chinese as wu-wei from ancient China, which is a concept at the heart of Taoism and martial arts. Flow is a term we use for an athlete, musician, writer, craftsman, or any artist when they appear to be in the zone. But our understanding of flow and how to induce it is at a novice level. You can tell this by how the word is loosely thrown around in popular culture. Most of us incorrectly think that this dimension of effortless skill and peak performance is a state of mind isolated to world-class performers. You need to eliminate this way of thinking and really absorb the information I am about to give you. This episode will give you the inside dope. Recommended Reading Flow http://amzn.to/2zhhYVm The Complete Works of Chuang Tzu http://amzn.to/2hFc1Kt Trying Not to Try http://amzn.to/2B8ouPx Tao: The Watercourse Way http://amzn.to/2hNGB8x