freedom

              F R E E D O M  focuses on the inherent wisdom within 
     the Heart of all, which is otherwise obscured by the relative Mind. 
     Included are insights and practical advice on how to dissolve the
     impact of ideas and beliefs built on the assumption that reality is 
     exclusively accessible through, as well as a by-product of, thought.     
     The result of such elimination of Mind-dross is the birth into our true
     timeless and everpresent state, conferring so-called Self-realization.
     


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                              PREFACE

We already are what we're struggling to become.  Absurd as it may
sound, this is indicative of the paradox we commonly live in--and the 
culprit responsible for its creation and sustenance is the Mind.  Coming 
to terms with this dilemma, locating its point of origin and therefrom 
discovering its resolution, is the goal of this book.
        The approach and methodology found herein is a blend of the 
author's own as well as various other spiritual/metaphysical disciplines 
comprising the so-called Perennial Philosophy or Ageless Wisdom 
Teachings.  From time immemorial, these teachings have been accessible 
to anyone with an open mind and sufficient desire to seek that which
lies hidden beneath the appearance of things.  Not readily discoverable, 
they are therefore referred to as the 'secret teachings' or 'esoteric 
doctrine' behind the world religions.  They’re also found in various sources 
such as the Hindu Vedanta, Zen Buddhism, Christian Gnosticism, Hebrew 
Qabalism, Chinese Taoism, Islamic Sufism and American and African Shamanism.  
        Though these teachings are considered 'esoteric,’  there isn't
anything intrinsically mysterious about them.  If they tend to remain
concealed, it's due to the nature or temperament of the religious follower 
or seeker and his or her capacity to connect to the deeper insights of the 
spiritual doctrine.  For example, unless the individual pursues the matter 
above and beyond the traditional indoctrination associated with the 
various major religions, the deeper insights remain undiscovered.  One of 
the main reasons for this is the tendency for adherents to accept at face 
value what has been taught to them in the form of ecclesiastical dogma, 
rather than inquiring into their religion's originally intended teachings.
        Although this work will refer to the various sources mentioned 
above, its main focus will be via the philosophy and method of the Hindu 
Vedanta (specifically Advaita Vedanta, representing the non-dual wisdom 
teachings culled from the Vedas--being, in turn, the world's oldest extant 
scriptural documents).  This choice is the result of three main factors.  
Firstly, since Vedanta addresses the widest range of psychological issues 
(observation based on the author's 35 years of metaphysical and 
comparative religious study), its vantage point is the most lucid, flexible 
and all-encompassing.  Secondly, most of its leading proponents are 
eclectic, incorporating aside from the teachings of Krishna, Shankara, etc.,
also those of Jesus and Buddha.  And lastly, where applicable, Sanskrit 
terminology is being used because it proves to be the most descriptive, with 
the widest application in practical spiritual matters.  (Note: definitions 
for Sanskrit words are supplied in the body of the text upon their being 
introduced; a glossary is also provided for additional reference.)  
       One of the hallmark traits of the Perennial Philosophy is the fact 
that one’s chosen religion itself has no bearing on the capacity to realize 
the truth.  This is because the underlying principles of the world religions 
are based on universal metaphysics, which [as mentioned] is accessible to 
anyone with an open mind and an earnest desire to investigate.  All paths up 
the mountain lead to one summit.	
       It should be noted that all the information disseminated in these 
pages has been either generated by or filtered through the author's own 
knowledge and experience.


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                           INTRODUCTION


This book is like no other in its field.  It offers the most effective known 
means to realize what [metaphysics claims] already exists at the foundation 
of everyone's consciousness, namely an inherent state of bliss associated 
with pure unalloyed Being.  The unwavering recognition of this is termed 
Self-realization.  The potential for manifesting this revolutionary insight 
avails itself in the final stages on the path of the soul, whereupon it 
starts to become evident that our existential 'problem' has all along been 
merely a hypnotic trick in and of the Mind, which has systematically 
disconnected us from the reality of our true state.  
        This insight will further lead to the fact that, based on the 
assumption that we are in truth already Self-realized, there is nothing 
[positive] we have to do to awaken to the existential reality we are 
automatically living.  That we are in fact automatically free.   All we 
have to do is release the [negative] thoughts that are stubbornly dictating 
otherwise.
	Of course there will be some very justifiable objections to this 
observation, not the least of which is why we don't seem to experience such 
freedom or enlightenment, not to mention why we're in fact prone to their 
very opposites, namely bondage and ignorance and, thereby, suffering.  
These objections will be addressed in due course.  But first, let's define 
and explore the premise of this work.

The Premise: FREEDOM postulates that the following axiom, if contemplated, 
processed and stored into the memory-bank will, in time, purify and thus 
prepare the Mind for its absorption into what may be referred to as the 
holographic paradigm (soul) of the Absolute Reality (spirit).   (This latter 
postulated as being integral to human consciousness, yet is obscured and/or 
distorted by the focus of our Relativity-bound awareness.)  

The Axiom: Regardless of what we think, say or do, the perfection 
of Freedom was, is and always will be who and what we really are.

As such, the premise is implying that, after committing this axiom to memory, 
nothing further need be done to facilitate it--that it rather engages quite 
the opposite: an undoing!  Therefore, the elimination of erroneous ideas 
[ordinarily plaguing the Mind] represents the whole of this method.  
The claim being that such ideas are aggressively diverting the awareness 
away from the natural bliss of the Self.  
        The de-programming of the Mind we’re speaking of here is 
specifically in terms of its compulsion for philosophical speculation.  
And considering the degree over time that it’s been conditioned to operate 
this way, the process required to, in effect, de-hypnotize it, necessarily 
involves what amounts to being systematically scheduled counter-hypnotic 
suggestions.  These will therefore take the form of thematic repetitions of 
metaphysical insights from various psychological perspectives in order to 
flush out the accumulated dis-ease inhabiting especially the subconscious 
regions of the Mind.
	Hand in hand with this approach, the method of Self-enquiry is 
prescribed, which will expedite the [ideological/egoic] dissolution process.  
In fact, if Self-enquiry is correctly and honestly applied, the results can 
be instantaneous moksha (Liberation or Self-realization).  This can happen 
any time.  More likely, however, are glimpses into the Self--that, in turn, 
come more and more frequently as one progresses.
	With time and perseverance, this method will succeed.  Moreover
[according to the author’s understanding, as the result of his extensive 
research], it is the quickest, most effective and powerful method available 
within the annals of the spiritual arcanum.
        Note that throughout this work there will be numerous instances 
where certain hints will be given, any one of which has the power to 
transport the individual--if ready and with the help, of course, of their own 
developed insight-awareness--into the sphere of moksha itself (Liberation 
through Self-realization).  
	Dear reader, it is your good fortune (grace) that you found this book 
and grace that may in fact deliver your weary ego--if indeed it is weary.  
(Note that, in this context, discontent itself is a sign of grace!)  

               *             *             *             *

Whatever we think we need to remember or are capable of forgetting, is not 
the Truth.  Simply because this is the activity of the Mind.  And what we're 
talking about here is causal to the Mind.
       Therefore, what we’re seeking has ALREADY been found!  It’s already
within our midst.  More: it is who and what we ARE!  It is referred to 
variously as Atmabhavana, (the essential constant feeling of Self), 
Atmanishta (the existential essence of Self) and/or Aham Sphoorti (the 
unbroken, incessant flow of ‘I,’ ‘I,’ ‘I.’), among other descriptions.  
       In light of this, it becomes evident that when the Mind is set aside 
(either disengaged or ignored), what remains over is the essence of Self, 
which has always been there, yet is almost constantly diverted by the Mind.  
Note the phrase ‘almost constantly’--it is ‘almost’ so because the times 
that it isn’t being diverted, the individual is in fact experiencing various 
levels of [innate] euphoria--i.e. joy, happiness, well-being, etc.  Now, 
these feelings of well-being are ordinarily attributed to being the result 
of fulfilling various sensual desires or other matters concerning the ego in 
the world.  However, whatever good feelings are experienced, are themselves 
actually made possible by the Self.  That is, only the Self can generate 
such feelings.  This factor alone should serve to inspire one to pursue the 
discipline of yoga; for, the pursuit of happiness is the central theme and 
impetus in the Heart of all sentient beings. 
	However, regardless to what extent it may appear that we pursue 
a given thing or not, we are in truth the essence of pure Being and are 
therefore--despite extremely convincing appearances to the contrary--in 
reality ‘doing nothing.’  This raises an important point and is worhwhile 
elaborating.
 	The idea of 'doing nothing' is in fact the ultimate reality behind 
the life play of every sentient being.  Beneath the dramatic world appearance, 
the Absolute Condition is changeless Peace.  It is an eternal stable state 
of pure Existence and pure Consciousness which, as a result, confers  
pure Bliss.
        The drama of the world appearance is a mysterious and unfathomable 
manifestation [somehow] emanating the Absolute Substratum.  The ‘science’ 
of metaphysics reveals that in fact there can be no resolution or intrinsic 
understanding of this manifestation.  Therefore it is best that we meet it 
moment to moment, act according to what we feel is best in our Heart and 
question it no further.  For if we attempt to live according to its ideal 
relative dictates, it will--as it always has--enslave us in its vicious 
circular trap of ever-changing and wider-challenging parameters.  
       If, by definition, the source, the sustenance and the outcome of 
every action is the Infinite Absolute, there can be no isolated weight, 
meaning, or effect associated with any action in particular.  This is why it 
is said that nothing, per se, is happening anywhere, anytime.  The Infinite, 
before, during and after the fact, absorbs every thought, word and deed.  
Thus the Phenomenal is itself the Noumenal.  The Relative is itself 
the Absolute.
       This is the gist of the Non-dual Perennial Philosophy, which is, 
in turn, the gist of the Ageless Wisdom Teachings.

                *             *             *             *

Depending on one’s development, the whole or only part of this work may 
be necessary to assimilate before the breakthrough insight into the 
[everpresent] state of Self-realization is in fact unfurled.  In light of 
this, it would be appropriate to quote from the Introduction to the classic 
Vedantic treatise, YOGA VASISHTHA, translated by Swami Venkatesananda, 
which states: 
     "The text abounds in repetitions which are, however, not 
      repetitious.  If you do not like (or need) repetition, then 
      read just this one verse:
           This world appearance is a confusion.  I think it would be 
           better not to let the mind dwell on it, but to ignore it.  (I.3.2)

     "This verse occurs several times in the scripture and it seems to 
      be the very essence of the teaching. If that is not quite clear to 
      you now, read the scripture. The numerous ways in which this 
      truth is revealed will help open your mind."

The essence of this work--and indeed, the whole of the Non-dual core of 
the Ageless Wisdom Teachings--has been already imparted.  The likelihood 
is, however, that only a mental seed has been planted and so needs further 
nourishment and tending.  Therefore, let's now explore it in further detail.

                 _____________________________________


                      CHAPTER ONE:  THE PREMISE


Regardless of what we think, say, or do, the perfection of Freedom 
was, is and always will be who and what we really are.

Such observation follows the advent of Self-realization.  Through it, the 
individual discovers that s/he has been all along naturally and innately free, 
and therefore enlightened (Self-realized).  This condition or state is seen 
to be one's living essence which, upon reflection, may be alluded to as 
infinite consciousness existing as pure vibration...unalloyed, self-contained, 
everpresent.  Or, more simply, it is one’s natural state, unencumbered by 
thought.  
       Conversely, prior to such awakening, the psycho-dynamic 
experience of the individual is one of bewilderment, paradox and an inner 
self-defined attitude that he yet dwells in a fundamental state of ignorance.  
However, as Self-realization later reveals, this is all contrived in and 
through the Mind.  Although prior to that, it can only be taken as an 
hypothesis.  Thus typically thrives what is discovered in hindsight to be 
the thinnest veil of thoughts blocking and/or distorting the perception of 
our true Self, by their creating and then sustaining ideas of 'isolation,' 
'bondage' and ‘ignorance,’ and through these, begets 'suffering'--where in 
fact nothing of the kind is ever really in existence!
      Thus, prior to Self-realization, there seems to exist what therefore 
must be regarded as 'the appearance of a problem.'  And, within the 
structure of this appearance, it tends to present itself as a major one.  
What has caused this?  Although a number of factors may be considered, 
essentially it’s our thinking that leads us into believing we're bound and 
limited, and therefore suffering.  


                         
 
                            (continued)

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