Introduction

The Advaita Channel is the official RSS feed for the teachings of Francis Lucille. It is a multimedia channel featuring dialogues and updates as texts, MP3 audio and/or video clips. You can view it below, or subscribe using a news reader such as Google Reader, or by email.

The Advaita Channel

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Posted on: 2012-02-01 06:08:13

 Hi,

Posted on: 2012-01-27 08:55:34

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Posted on: 2011-12-29 20:09:31

Posted on: 2011-12-25 15:16:34

Posted on: 2011-12-02 05:32:55

Posted on: 2011-11-29 10:39:22

Posted on: 2011-11-16 22:20:28

Posted on: 2011-11-13 23:27:26

 You once said, correctly so, that there is no mind. No one has ever seen one. And yet, we (including you) mention the mind when you speak. You said, mind is the sensations, thoughts, perceptions and dreams. 
Obviously, these are separate things. 
I understand that these separate things are 'non separated' by consciousness. Meaning consciousness is their very fabric, so to speak...

Posted on: 2011-11-13 23:24:59

 Is it correct to say that "The personal mind is an impression that results from memory and the felt sense. Memory, when it is thought to be embodied, Francis, Is it correct to say that "The personal mind is an impression that results from memory and the felt sense. Memory, when it is thought to be embodied, gives the impression of a personal mind and the felt (embodied) sense in the body reinforces this."? What follows...

Posted on: 2011-11-11 18:22:57

 Question: Dear Francis I have been following some of your videoed satsangs and reading your books only for the last couple of months. You always emphasise the importance of deep, personal inquiry. As I am doing that I keep coming up with more and more questions and often I realize I got so tangled up in my mind that I come to a complete halt in frustration. And yet I also keep coming back to the teachings! I would be grateful for your comments on the following two questions which...

Posted on: 2011-11-08 09:50:10

 I m still feeling a fear in me to lose my consciousness because I have a form of epilepsy. How can I lose the fear of this unpredictable lost of control..? thank you very much peter

Dear Peter,
If you lose the fear of death, you will also lose the fear of epilepsy. Your medical condition is one thing, and the fear of losing control a totally different one. Ask yourself whether...

Posted on: 2011-11-06 20:03:27

Posted on: 2011-11-05 10:48:28

          Three new videos will be released each month. The 6 month ticket gives access to 20 videos over a 6 month period. Each video features a full satsang with Francis Lucille (average duration is approximately 1 hour 20 min for each video). The cost is $59.95 for 6 months.  The total number of views allowed during the 6 month period is 70, which averages to 3.5 views per video title for the 20 titles that will be released. You may subscribe to the Advaita Channel via e-mail to be kept informed of the release of each new video.

Subscribe to The Advaita Channel by Email. 

Whenever a new video is added to the playlist, the oldest video on the list gets removed. The oldest video is the one at the bottom of the list..

Posted on: 2011-11-03 08:15:31

 Dear Francis, The concept of "the other' seems so overwhelming and so hypnotyzing for (the concept of) me, that in company with others Oneness is completely blocked/out of sight. Do you have any advice for me? 

Posted on: 2011-11-03 00:22:52

Posted on: 2011-10-31 10:48:08

Posted on: 2011-10-27 16:50:35

Posted on: 2011-10-26 14:27:25

 Question: Dear Francis, I often read and hear that one has to surrender, to recognize divine in himself/herself, etc,etc. My question (and also my feeling) is that if we have no control even over our most mundane thoughts, how is it possible for us to surrender, or do this or that, no matter how desperate we are for that to happen? If recognition of non-dual existence is an act of grace, is not everything else so?...

Posted on: 2011-10-25 19:24:46

         Three new videos will be released each month. The 6 month ticket gives access to 20 videos over a 6 month period. Each video features a full satsang with Francis Lucille (average duration is approximately 1 hour 20 min for each video). The cost is $59.95 for 6 months.  The total number of views allowed during the 6 month period is 70, which averages to 3.5 views per video title for the 20 titles that will be released. You may subscribe to the Advaita Channel via e-mail to be kept informed of the release of each new video.

Posted on: 2011-10-15 13:51:18

 Schedule of upcoming events with Francis Lucille in the San Francisco Bay Area:

East Bay Open Circle

http://www.eastbayopencircle.org/

Oct. 19, 7:00pm, Dialogue, Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda, Berkeley

SAND Conference

http://www.scienceandnonduality.com/index.shtml

Embassy Suites San Rafael - Marin County
101 McInnis Parkway

San Rafael, CA 94903

Oct. 20, 2:00-6:00pm Workshop With Francis Lucille

Petaluma room

Oct 21,

8:00am - 9:00am

Novato room
Meditation guided by Francis Lucille

5:10pm - 5:45pm

San Rafael Ballroom

Plenary Session 2. Beyond Space and Time - Dialogue with Francis Lucille

Posted on: 2011-10-14 19:43:16

 Question: What is actually happening during a satsang? If there is no me, and no person to act, and no volition, then you are speaking to “my” Presence as “your” Presence. What is the mechanism for Presence to Presence communication?. Can one Presence then influence another Presence to act or see reality? I realize there is only one ultimate Presence or Awareness, hopefully I was able to communicate my question.

Posted on: 2011-10-13 06:46:55

 Name: Murray 

Location: Scotland

Question: I would like to apologise as I don't know how I should write this correctly. I have been having a lot of synchronicity in my life lately, and I have been having a lot of single events which I feel mean more than just the event itself. I have two examples which I would like to give you; firstly, I saw a bird sitting in the road, a I got closer to it, I was expecting it to fly away, as most birds usually do, but it stayed still. this got my attention so I stood watching the bird. I could see it was alive, but there was...

Posted on: 2011-09-27 10:29:06

        Three new videos will be released each month. The 6 month ticket gives access to 20 videos over a 6 month period. Each video features a full satsang with Francis Lucille (average duration is approximately 1 hour 20 min for each video). The cost is $59.95 for 6 months.  The total number of views allowed during the 6 month period is 70, which averages to 3.5 views per video title for the 20 titles that will be released. You may subscribe to the Advaita Channel via e-mail to be kept informed of the release of each new video.

Posted on: 2011-09-14 15:22:59

 Thank you for your answer! You say that "That which is perceived can tell us nothing about that which perceives". Yes but this does not mean that it's not possible that there is something generated in the brain that can't be perceived (e.g., the perceiver in chief), does not it? You say The brain cannot conceivably generate serendipitous events and miracles in the physical ...

Posted on: 2011-09-14 09:26:43

 Dear Mr. Lucille, In 2008 I had an experience that I\'d like to ask you about. I really need some kind of clarity!!! I don\'t want to waist your time with tons of details but prior to this experience, during the second part of 2007, I had a lot of stress. One night I was trying to relax and I ended up going out, getting drunk, and to make a long story short I cheated on my wife. Next morning, when I realized what I did, I told my wife. She forgave me...but I did not forgive myself. The next few months were crazy - the feelings of guilt, dissatisfaction with myself and life overall were huge. Soon after that I got sick and on top of everything I became extremely scared for my life and future. This continued for about a year... And then I came across E. Tolle\'s \"Power of Now\". I\'ve read it over and over again. Something started to shift. It was very powerful. I felt going deeper and deeper into all this stuff: reading, meditating, doing yoga and qigong, even switched my diet to Macrobiotics. Somehow all of it felt right. My illness and depression slowly went away...

Posted on: 2011-09-12 20:15:02

         Three new videos will be released each month. The 6 month ticket gives access to 20 videos over a 6 month period. Each video features a full satsang with Francis Lucille (average duration is approximately 1 hour 20 min for each video). The cost is $59.95 for 6 months.  The total number of views allowed during the 6 month period is 70, which averages to 3.5 views per video title for the 20 titles that will be released. You may subscribe to the Advaita Channel via e-mail to be kept informed of the release of each new video.

Posted on: 2011-09-06 18:40:57

 Name: Bruce 
Location: Michigan, U.S.A. 
Comments: Mr. Lucille, Something has revealed itself as the absolute one to a me it plays as. This is not a product of imagination. It is the very source of all it appears as and the source of the seeing that watches the play. There is nothing that it is not. It has kissed me and now it is everywhere shining as its self. I cannot take my eyes off of it and I am overwhelmed. It can speak as me...

Posted on: 2011-09-05 21:09:37

 Could you explain how it is possible to be established in the Self and at the same time live and act in this everyday world without an ego. I refer to the following from the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad. \"As long as there is duality, one sees the other, one hears the other, one smells the other, one speaks to the other, one thinks of the other, one knows the other; but when for the illumined soul the all is dissolved in the Self, who is there to be seen by whom, who is there to be smelt by whom, who is there to be heard by whom, who is there to be spoken to by whom, who is there to be thought of by whom, who is there to be known by whom?\" Does this not imply...

Posted on: 2011-09-04 07:41:20

Posted on: 2011-09-04 07:14:17

  Dear Francis May I put two questions to you? 1/Where is Consciousness when the body-mind is asleep and not dreaming, and where is Consciousness with regard to the human corpse? 2/ Can humans hurt Consciousness-the Universal Love-with their vicious, hurtful, ignorant thoughts and actions? Looking forward to your answers, Kati

Posted on: 2011-08-30 00:48:34

 We are testing a new, exciting way to attend Francis' satsangs: Video Conference.

This option is especially convenient for those who cannot attend the regular Temecula, CA dialogues

This webinar - satsang is limited to 98 participants, on a first come, first serve basis. The participants will be able to ask Francis questions live, and to see and hear Francis and whomever is asking a question. Windows and Mac OS are supported. You will need a broad band connection. If you would like to participate, just RSVP for this meetup:

http://www.meetup.com/Advaita/events/28330201/

You will then receive an invitation one day prior to the satsang with all the information you need to join. There is no charge for this meeting. Voluntary donations are welcome as a participation to the  expenses related to the organization of this event. The suggested donation is $15.

Posted on: 2011-08-25 23:11:54

        Three new videos will be released each month. The 6 month ticket gives access to 20 videos over a 6 month period. Each video features a full satsang with Francis Lucille (average duration is approximately 1 hour 20 min for each video). The cost is $59.95 for 6 months.  The total number of views allowed during the 6 month period is 70, which averages to 3.5 views per video title for the 20 titles that will be released. You may subscribe to the Advaita Channel via e-mail to be kept informed of the release of each new video.

Posted on: 2011-08-24 09:50:23

 The following meditation is a direct transcript from a recorded tape. There is a repetitiveness inherent to the spoken word  that is especially noticeable in this text. We have nevertheless decided to publish it in the hope that  in its simplicity and freshness it might be useful to some truth seekers. 

Posted on: 2011-08-23 07:09:35

 Dear Francis, I have heard you speak of joy, peace, enthusiasm and other such divine qualities as arising from \"awareness percieving itself,\" or to use some other words that I hope you would still agree with, Divine experiencing Itself. The statement, \"I and my Father are one,\" seems to articulate this experience, wherein the sage, knowing his or her true identity, sees that he or she is actually the Divine experiencing itself in its infinite variations. According to my understanding....

Posted on: 2011-08-20 15:37:19

 Dear Francis, my question is: how to be in a committed loving- relationship while feeling the freedom which I know I deeply am. I mean a relationship based on unconditional love , who we truly are, yet living a "conditioned" love, meaning We choose to be committed to unconditional love first of all, yet I choose you and not him, I am faithful to you and you choose me and are faithful to me...until the relationship feels good. In my experience the openess of unconditional love leaves space to jealousy..

Posted on: 2011-08-17 20:49:16

 There seems to be a fine line between a quite mind and a controlled mind. After many years of practice I\'m often able to completely suppress the words in my head. It\'s like I\'m the parent of a young child, a child who incessantly fills every moment with some commentary, always interrupting to offer some narrative, using words and concepts to describe the world. As a loving parent, I hold him close, and with love press my finger to his lips and ...

Posted on: 2011-08-12 22:45:15

 Name: Ivan 
Location: Galicia 
Question: Dear Francis: Few weeks ago I read somewhere that you can have a “glimpse” of the Self just after waking up, and I said to myself “it would be good if can detect that very moment and linger there”... But I coudn`t even remember to do so and I just said: “OK that´s not for me”, I didn´t give much importance to the fact and I keep on doing my things. Some days ago being asked by my girlfriend how I was sleeping lately (because she is away and she coudn´t sleep very well in those days) I told her that in the past nights....

Posted on: 2011-08-11 10:25:40

 Name: Jay 

Posted on: 2011-08-10 09:33:11

 Enlightenment is the direct revelation that consciousness is infinite, not the mere logical conclusion or inference of its infinity. The sole engine of this revelation is the love for the Absolute, an overwhelming desire for Truth, an all-trumping longing for the Divine.  This is the only necessary and sufficient condition for true awakening. It is the power  of this discovery that transmits itself in the teaching. Without this power, the logical arguments of non-dualism are just empty words. 

Posted on: 2011-08-06 00:49:24

       Three new videos will be released each month. The 6 month ticket gives access to 20 videos over a 6 month period. Each video features a full satsang with Francis Lucille (average duration is approximately 1 hour 20 min for each video). The cost is $59.95 for 6 months.  The total number of views allowed during the 6 month period is 70, which averages to 3.5 views per video title for the 20 titles that will be released. You may subscribe to the Advaita Channel via e-mail to be kept informed of the release of each new video.

Posted on: 2011-08-04 17:29:59

 We are testing a new, exciting way to attend Francis' satsangs: Video Conference.

This option is especially convenient for those who cannot attend the regular Temecula, CA dialogues

This webinar - satsang is limited to 98 participants, on a first come, first serve basis. The participants will be able to ask Francis questions live, and to see and hear Francis and whomever is asking a question. Windows and Mac OS are supported. You will need a broad band connection. If you would like to participate, just RSVP for this meetup:

http://www.meetup.com/Advaita/events/28164761/

You will then receive an invitation one day prior to the satsang with all the information you need to join. There is no charge for this meeting. Voluntary donations are welcome as a participation to the  expenses related to the organization of this event. The suggested donation is $15.

Posted on: 2011-08-01 00:02:16

Posted on: 2011-07-29 20:04:41

Posted on: 2011-07-28 17:44:57

 Location: florida 
Question: when my mind exploded there was movement and extreme peace and what was seen took a vague background. Now with it's return so did all the images and the pain and suffering from this disability, pain is mind.. the world is in me and projected from me, and I perceive all my perceptions, none of these perceptions are real yet appear real to touch. so when speaking happens you said it is consciouseness speaking to consciousness, to me that is mind speaking to mind, and if mind...

Posted on: 2011-07-25 09:56:55

 Name: John 
Location: Lincoln, NM 
Question: Dear Francis, I often think of Divine Will, the will of God, as something I must open myself to, and then recieve the guidance it provides, that of tremendous power and direction. I have witnessed this often in my life, coming after a time of hardship or trial, a sudden, clear revelation and then direction, inspiration, and happiness. After reading Meister Eckhart, I see...

Posted on: 2011-07-21 08:43:40

   Three new videos will be released each month. The 6 month ticket gives access to 20 videos over a 6 month period. Each video features a full satsang with Francis Lucille (average duration is approximately 1 hour 20 min for each video). The cost is $59.95 for 6 months....

Posted on: 2011-07-15 18:15:45

 Three new videos will be released each month. The 6 month ticket gives access to 20 videos over a 6 month period. Each video features a full satsang with Francis Lucille (average duration is approximately 1 hour 20 min for each video). The cost is $59.95 for 6 months....

Posted on: 2011-07-03 03:53:15

  Three new videos will be released each month. The 6 month ticket gives access to 20 videos over a 6 month period. Each video features a full satsang with Francis Lucille (average duration is approximately 1 hour 20 min for each video). The cost is $59.95 for 6 months....

Posted on: 2011-06-30 00:25:21

 Name: Jay 
Location: Gadag, India 
Question: Dear Francis, I know this question follows very closely to my last. I must preface it briefly. It is about doubt, specifically doubt after the Truth has been seen in full clarity. After many smaller experiences, Truth revealed itself as my true identity beyond all doubts and remained there, effortlessly close and real. This unshakeable state persisted for six days, until I became very ill physically. It then waivered and left. I have recovered entirely, but the solidity I thought was final left. The sense of finality and sureness left. Doubts have returned...

Posted on: 2011-06-23 18:16:35

 Three new videos will be released each month. The 6 month ticket gives access to 20 videos over a 6 month period. Each video features a full satsang with Francis Lucille (average duration is approximately 1 hour 20 min for each video). The cost is $59.95 for 6 months....

Posted on: 2011-06-22 14:13:20

 Name: janice 
Location: Florida 
Question: Beloved Francis, I know that I am one self, the seed that contains all, through my self realization, the self shined forth by itself to itself without seeking my own self, there was only movement and seeing, nothing had a meaning to what was seen because the mind vanished! now the mind came back, knowing now I am not the mind or this body, I am the eteranl self, from the return of the mind confusion has set in, to whom does the talking? and to whom am I talking to when talking ...

Posted on: 2011-06-20 20:10:16

 I want some advice about living practically, having realized the truth about the Self and the limitations of the me-self.  The separateness is still abound, but the belief is wafer thin. The bundle of thoughts carried are also light.

I listen to your videos and other Advita ones till the deep reverberations are there.  There is cognizance of the thoughts of separateness that are here now that disturb the peace and simplicity.

 I want some advice about living practically.  What one does in this situation- to live it?

Posted on: 2011-06-16 06:56:21

 Name: Jay 
Location: Gadag, India 
Question: Dear Francis, I hope my questions do not sound poorly thought-out. Since there is, in fact, only one doer, can a sage be distinguished by his or her actions in the world? Judging from outward appearance only, it seems to me that literally anyone could be a called sage, since ultimately only the one doer exists and does actions. Thus one cannot distinguish between sage and non-sage. Yet it is difficult to see a great evil-doer as a sage. Would it be possible for one to be a sage, yet to act in ways that violate notions of justice and moral conduct? Of course, even...

Posted on: 2011-06-14 21:29:26

 Dear Francis,

A question that has been on my mind for a number of years and which I asked a number of teachers and (so-called ) enlightened people is: are you aware in the deep sleep state?
My notion of full realization, when one is fully cooked, full cirkel so to say is when one is aware in the deep sleep state, also during the day. Ramana calls it susupthi...

Posted on: 2011-06-11 19:52:28

   Three new videos will be released each month. The 6 month ticket gives access to 20 videos over a 6 month period. Each video features a full satsang with Francis Lucille (average duration is approximately 1 hour 20 min for each video). The cost is $59.95 for 6 months....

Posted on: 2011-06-10 18:19:37

 I believe I have heard you say that the mind cannot perceive consciousness, but that consciousness can perceive itself. I am confused about this. If consciousness can perceive itself, then this seems to imply that a part of my experience is the perception of consciousness. If this is so, which part of my experience is it? Also, I have had “glimpses” where apparently I was perceiving consciousness, or where I appeared to “know myself”. In these glimpses (if I remember correctly) there was still a focal point...

Posted on: 2011-06-10 06:55:58

 I find your thinking very interesting, the best i found in the new gurus. I would like to know why did you choose advaitan approach, negating krishnamurti teachings on no authority, no teachers, on remaining alone.?...

Posted on: 2011-06-02 15:04:00

  Three new videos will be released each month. The 6 month ticket gives access to 20 videos over a 6 month period. Each video features a full satsang with Francis Lucille (average duration is approximately 1 hour 20 min for each video). The cost is $59.95 for 6 months....

Posted on: 2011-05-25 08:50:05

 Three new videos will be released each month. The 6 month ticket gives access to 20 videos over a 6 month period. Each video features a full satsang with Francis Lucille (average duration is approximately 1 hour 20 min for each video). The cost is $59.95 for 6 months....

Posted on: 2011-05-17 11:13:05

 Three new videos will be released each month. The 6 month ticket gives access to 20 videos over a 6 month period. Each video features a full satsang with Francis Lucille (average duration is approximately 1 hour 20 min for each video). The cost is $59.95 for 6 months.

Posted on: 2011-05-09 01:22:06

 Three new videos will be released each month. The 6 month ticket gives access to 20 videos over a 6 month period. Each video features a full satsang with Francis Lucille (average duration is approximately 1 hour 20 min for each video). The cost is $59.95 for 6 months....

Posted on: 2011-04-26 10:34:14

  The Advaita Channel is now offering a Video-on-demand service for the satsangs with Francis Lucille. The service works well with most Internet connections, except dial ups. The sound and image quality is good, even on a large screen.Try it and watch our free video sample or subscribe and watch our latest release, It's All About Surrender.

Posted on: 2011-04-12 06:58:44

 Below is the url to the page where you can register for the interactive video webcast.
http://netinetimedia.com/event_francis_lucille.shtml 

Once you register you will receive instructions on how to log in and use the webex platform.

Posted on: 2011-04-11 10:31:18

 The Advaita Channel is now offering a Video-on-demand service for the satsangs with Francis Lucille. The service works well with most Internet connections, except dial ups. Try it and watch our free video, THE ART OF CUTTING CARROTS, or subscribe and watch our latest release, Only the Heart Truly Sees.

http://www.francislucille.com/pay_per_view_videos.html

Posted on: 2011-04-09 16:24:23

 Francis Lucille Satsang in Berkeley, CA

Sunday, April 10, 2011 at 4:00 PM

Northbrae Community Church - 941 The Alameda Berkeley, CA

Posted on: 2011-04-07 12:30:41

 Question: Dear Francis, When it is said that the jnani is free from the notion of "I," can he be said to have any sense of personal continuity, or are all notions of the "I" thought perfectly dead and gone to him? I have had an experience that is completely beyond all words. I mean completely. To even call it "spiritual" or "Truth" or "consciousness" is insufficient. No words applied and no concepts can describe it, not even those of spirituality.

Posted on: 2011-04-03 10:19:35

 The Advaita Channel is now offering a Video-on-demand service for the satsangs with Francis Lucille. The service works well with most Internet connections, except dial ups. Try it and watch our free video, THE ART OF CUTTING CARROTS, or subscribe and watch our latest release, THE KINGDOM OF SHIVA.

http://www.francislucille.com/pay_per_view_videos.html

Posted on: 2011-03-28 19:10:49

 Name: Martin 

Posted on: 2011-03-15 11:00:44

 Location: Florida 

Question: Dearest Francis, before I knew of the truth, I was someone who lost her identity thru much suffering from a misdiagnose which left this body partially disabled, not only was my identity gone but so were my attachments, I knew nothing of spirituality until 6 months ago, one day as I woke up I noticed that everything around me was peace, not just around me but in me and everywhere, I had no senses except for eyesite, everything that my eyes set on was there but they had no names to them, I felt as if my body was ...

Posted on: 2011-03-15 10:51:28

 Name: Jay 
Location: NM 
Question: Dear Francis, Thank you for your very clear answer. I don't mean to belabor this point. I understand very well what you say about the importance of experiential as opposed to theoretical understanding. The reason I ask this question is because it seems that no degree of happiness lasts forever, even when ignorance is not involved. I notice a continual cycle of opening and contraction, opening and contraction. Opening is marked by enthusiasm, joy, energy, and love. It follows a sustained trajectory ...

Posted on: 2011-03-15 10:34:26

s consciousness different than our ego or do we die to a greater consciousness ?

Posted on: 2011-03-13 07:49:58

 Name: Katherine 

Location: Buckingham, VA 
Question: Dear Francis, Where do thoughts originate? How do they come to appear in this mind that the seeming I experiences? With love and thanks, Kathy...

Posted on: 2011-03-13 07:13:43

  Name: charlotte

Location: Rochester, NY 
Question: When you die if you are not aware of the Greater Self, what then does your consciousness experience?

Posted on: 2011-03-13 06:41:22

 Name: Javier 
Location: Vitoria 
Question: Dear Francis, first sorry for my English, I love the path you teach and a question comes to the mind. what is really the difference between you and me? it is true that when a negative thought comes you simply disidentify with it and welcome, taking clear that it is only a temporary manifestation of the consciouness, a form arising? 

Posted on: 2011-03-13 06:31:23

 Name: Jay 
Location: NM 
Question: Dear Francis, How can one even know that one is in the absolute state? Such knowledge remains relative, for it exists only in contrast with its opposite, the relative state. Thus it seems that the absolute state is somehow a non-state, for it can have no opposite. It also seems that it cannot be gained anew, for what can be gained anew would still have an opposite. If it cannot be gained ...

Posted on: 2011-03-13 06:05:53

  I was a pupil many years ago of John Levy, we did no Yoga or meditation but worked in a group ,have you anything like this?

Posted on: 2011-03-05 09:29:03

 What is the causal body?

Posted on: 2011-01-03 20:05:44

 Name: Jay 

Question: Dear Francis, I have a question for you regarding something you told a questioner during a satsang that has been made into a video under the title, "The Perfume of Peace." In answering a question about whether it is possible to be aware of one's true nature as consciousness during daily activities, you say, "all impersonal desires strangely manifest." After much meditation and self enquiry, I began frequently experiencing states of enthusiasm where I saw my desires and yet remained minimally attached to them. I noticed how, because of the lack of attachment, I was able to act much more effectively in fulfilling them. Some even seemed to come effortlessly. BUT, bit by bit, I would become more and more attached to my desires...

Posted on: 2011-01-02 19:22:36

 Name: Lana   

Location: Madison Mississippi 

Question: Hi Francis: How do you work with a student who does not live near to you? Thank you. Lana....

Posted on: 2010-12-30 19:11:04

 Name: Gary Bramley 

Location: Orlando, FL 

Question: Dear Francis, Thank you for this virtual satsang! Follow up to question 214: The second question was poignant. It asks: 2. "If you could comment on the sometimes neutral or dead quality I find in attending to consciousness I would also appreciate that." Neutral or dead quality is bad news. It points to a mind created blank state. No juice there. Stay away. SEEK FREEDOM! This is all too familiar; however, I have been with it long enough to realize that this blank state ...

Posted on: 2010-12-30 18:58:22

 Name: Michael 

Location: Chicago, IL 

Question: Dear Francis, Could you please clarify today's answer regarding a mind created blank state? I'm not sure if I have found myself in such a state, as I seemingly have lost interest in everything, and events just seem to pass by without any kind of reaction on my part. I frequently notice that blocks of time have passed by without me even being aware of them until later when the mind seems to come back and no matter how hard I try, I can't even remember "being there" during that period. If this is a mind ...

Posted on: 2010-12-30 18:41:43

 Name: Robert 

Location: The Netherlands 

Question: Dear Francis, I was raised up in the sixties in a Christian surrounding and when I was about 15 years old I became heavily scared by the idea of the existence of hell. I’ve done nearly everything to escape from that horrible idea and fear. So I ‘became’ an atheist, I visited mediums, red hundreds of spiritual books and finally I discovered Advaita. The fear became a little less, but it never disappeared completely. For example, I recently did an experiment. In the local library I picked up a book...

Posted on: 2010-12-29 15:36:15

  Name: Murray 

Location: East Aurora NY 

Question: Dear Francis, I know myself as consciousness. Although I don't live in constant recognition of this it is true that I can turn attention to this consciousness whenever it occurs to me to do so, and it occurs to me to do so several times a day. I am deeply grateful for the Grace that has brought me to this. And within this I find that sometimes the taste of consciousness is very sweet but at other times it is quite neutral; there is almost a deadness to it. Also I quite frequently experience psychological pain-- usually triggered by seeing the suffering in others, particularly in my daughter. You speak of permanent abidance in peace...

Posted on: 2010-12-28 18:10:24

 Name: Patricia 

Location: Indiana 

Question: Waiting. Waiting without waiting. Waiting with out waiting but also with tension when the fly lands on sticky paper..lol. Oh joy, Reading the poem by Thayumanavar, this one cannot but wonder, when having stepped away from not wondering of course, why it is that having experienced the non-experince, god, godhead,whatever, life itself really, and also the container of life, this...

Posted on: 2010-12-28 17:59:36

 This is a follow-up question on the "Direct Path.”

Dear Francis, thank you for your clear, enlightening and specific answers to my rather abstract questions.

However, your previous comment, “…your premise is not true: if pain and avoidance of pain (…) were the cause of ignorance, sages should be in ignorance…” shows me that I have been misunderstood with what I meant with ‘resistance to pain,’ which I like to clarify below...

Posted on: 2010-12-26 20:48:21

Posted on: 2010-12-25 15:39:47

  In all people, as soon as the ego-sense known as ‘I’ arises to

afflict them,
the world-illusion, manifesting as multiplicity, follows along behind.
Who might have the power to describe the vastness
of the ocean of misery that grows out of this:
as flesh; as the body; as the intellectual faculties;
as the inner and the outer; as the all-pervasive...

Posted on: 2010-12-21 21:21:08

  Video: a full length dialogue with Francis Lucille on Vimeo

Posted on: 2010-12-18 19:16:11

 I am having a problem , I am a student and I have screwed up my grades ..if I think about future I see that I have to work hard to get a job or something ..but I am unable to do so ..I am driven by feelings and habits ...so the habit of postponing and not giving attention to studies may lead to be harmful for me .
what should I do ?....

Posted on: 2010-12-18 18:38:40

 Name: Jay 

Question: Dear Francis, My question is about the sense object, the arts, and my search for truth. I am wondering, how should one relate to sense objects while still upholding Truth, and is it even possible to engage with sense objects while one is indifferent to them, like a sage is supposed to be? In the world I find so many opportunities to indulge desires for sensuality! I, for one, listen to much music, and have good knowledge and understanding of jazz and several other genres. Are the desires to listen to music, or say, to watch a movie...

Posted on: 2010-12-18 17:48:32

 Location: Carlsbad

Question: Dear Francis,

When you see A hurting B, what are you going to do?

1 Tell A to stop or ask A why?

2 Call the police?

3 Leave them to take care of whatever issue themselves?...

Posted on: 2010-12-17 19:49:41

 Location: CO 

Question: Dear Francis, Is the jnani perfectly free from thoughts? Or does he still have them from time to time? Does he occasionally get caught up in the world, and then have to stop and allow his true identity to return? Or is he free permanently, no matter what happens? Thank you for speaking words of Truth. Kindest regards, Franklin...

Posted on: 2010-12-15 16:05:38

 Name: ganesh 

Location: holland, alkmaar (near amsterdam) 

Question: dear Francis, I have a question about meditation. In your book 'the perfume of silence' you write: "Don't let your mind rest upon any object. In this sense, meditation requires a kind of vigilance. The only place to rest is the Self. When we create a sensation in the body to rest on, we create a pseudo self, a pseudo 'me'." In my experience there is often a comfortable, burning sensation...

Posted on: 2010-12-14 19:46:54

 Location: Washington DC 

Question: Dear Francis, About 10 days ago I had an awakening experience when I saw that the "I" is a just a conjured up mind-sensation. I knew this for a long time intellectually, but somehow didn't seem to 'take it seriously' before. Now I see that it is almost ridiculous to think there is a ghost entity behind living. However, I am still puzzled. I don't know what "this", which is what is left, is. Various Advaita teachers talk about this is "Awareness". I do not have the sense of "this" being awareness. Nor do I understand why the talk about identifying with this "Awareness". I have just disidentified with an imagined entity. Identification...

Posted on: 2010-12-14 19:38:43

 Location: italy 

Question: dear Francis, in my heart I know that any name is but a concept. So my first name, Viola, is also a concept that my parents passed on to me out of their mind. I know my first name is just a name for my social identity, which I didn't even choose myself, so it is not even my concept! Yet, paradoxically, I would like to receive a new name from my guru...

Posted on: 2010-12-14 19:22:41

 Name: Bhasha 

Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands 

Question: Dear Francis, I really ask myself this question: Don't you perpetuate of looking for realisation, enlightenment, truth, love - in the future, when you suggest that a guru is needed to realize one Self? Is it not only possible right here right now? I love your expression of truth and thought I needed to meet you, but is that so? Loving you Bhasha...

Posted on: 2010-12-14 05:13:41

 Location: South Korea 

Question 1: Dear Francis, I lead a Nonduality discussion group. Recently there was a discussion on the illusory dualistic world, and I came upon a question I'v been turning over in my head ever since: If there is only Oneness, and separateness is illusory, how can the illusion of separation exist within the Oneness? 

Dear Zach,

The illusion of separation exists within the Oneness just as it exists within the night dream. Upon waking up, it becomes obvious that all the apparently sepa...

Posted on: 2010-12-13 13:22:22

 Question: Dear Francis, You write in Answer 164, 'There is no individual, separate consciousness, to whom sitting or anger could occur. Whatever is perceived, anger or anything else, is always really perceived by the only real consciousness there is, which is universal and divine.' I know this is the crux of your teaching (and of all non-dual traditions), and, after decades of contemplating it, through thinking and...

Posted on: 2010-12-12 13:22:27

 Location: Austin 

Question: Dear Francis, Are meditation disciplines like focusing on one's breath for sustained periods useful for self-realization? I ask because I have had several sustained periods of the Absolute state, or rather, non-state. These came about through my sadhana of focusing on the space between thoughts whenever I can in my daily life. I know that this was the Absolute state because there was no entity to analyze it or to assert it as being the "final" state. It just was, undivided. But I now find my mind constantly wandering. I still have some sense being the witness consciousness, rather than any object within it, yet there has returned a sense of limitation an individuality, and thus worries and fears. One thing I have never done as sadhana is a highly regular, daily meditation practice, such as samatha or zazen. I have read sages such as Ramana Maharshi and Krishna Menon suggest that such practices ...

Posted on: 2010-12-11 20:50:13

 Location: Spain 

Question: I saw your fascinating interview on conscious TV. My question is on free will. I agree that we can't control our thoughts, for example only thinking beautiful thoughts, and I understand how that points to us having no free will. My question is this: If you ask me to think of a most beautiful moment in my life, or to think of a beach, I can do it. I don't know how long I can sustain this "beach imagery" in my ...

Posted on: 2010-12-08 05:24:35

 Question: What is God to the non-dualist?

Dear Ryan, 

It depends on what you mean by "non-dualist". 

If you are referring to an individual, one who sees himself as a "non-dualist", as different from one who is a "dualist" for instance, I have no clue about what God is to that one, we would have to ...

Posted on: 2010-12-03 10:31:07

 Name: Marco 

Location: Italy 

Question: Dear Francis, after some years of seeking my true nature, at the beginning of september I had a very clear glimpse of what I am. Suddenly it was clear that I'm awareness, I am knowing-presence. Before this realization I was convinced of being the knowing-presence, but I was still waiting for some kind of confirmation. I was waiting to "perceive" this knowing-presence that I am to be sure of being that!! Suddenly it was clear what now sounds really obvious: I cannot perceive the knowing-presence that I am, because I AM THAT. Everything I can perceive cannot be the knowing-presence that I am...

Posted on: 2010-12-01 16:34:02

 Location: Maryland 

Posted on: 2010-12-01 10:56:25

 Name: Rogelio 

Location: Spain 

Question: Hello, Mr. Lucille, Thank you for your time. I feel I´m seriously stuck in a loop, so any comment would be greatly appreciated. My current experience is not one of finding a real "I", but one of complete dissapearence of a "subject". Scary situation. I´ll ellaborate: When I look at any "object", let´s say a tree, I have the certainty that there´s nobody looking at it from "here". No subject at all. The tree is an arising in consciousness and it does it on its own accord, so to speak.Of course, there are lots of thoughts related to my this body/mind, but if a thought appears claiming the ownership of the perception, it is obvious that the thought is just another perception. There´s this magical display arising in Consciousness, a whole world of short-lived subjects and objects , but it feels like I´m watching a movie. I don´t feel there´s a cristalyzed "I" inside of it as an actor, nor outside as an observer. So right now, all there is is Consciousness appearing to "nobody".

Posted on: 2010-11-12 22:12:31

Location: CO 

Question: Dear Mr. Lucille, While practicing meditation on the "I" thought, I have begun to experience sensations of great fear. It comes about like a sharp terror whenever the thought of "I" exists all by itself. When I feel this terror, I back down and stop meditating on the "I", or I divert my mind into some sort of distraction emanating from my ego/personality. This provides some relief, and I feel more at peace leading my life as it normally is. But I also know that I have not found the final Truth. Deep down I sense that in order to find this Truth, I must see this deep terror all the way through. However, I feel like doing this would be to step into the complete abyss, the equivalent of jumping off a cliff and dying. I am utterly terrified. Must I go through this experience? I have read your story on your homepage, and it seems that you did, and I have read of very similar stories from other teachers as well. Should I sit down try to bring about this experience, or does this just hold the fear at bay? (I think of the Buddha sitting down for his final meditation prior to his enlightenment.) Is such a final confrontation needed? Or should I just wait for the fear to surface? Do "I" have any say at all in confronting the fear? The fear is great. Writing this question seems like it might even be an escape. 

Posted on: 2010-11-05 08:45:15

 Question: I daily deal with people full of hate for anyone that is not the same color or religion as them. Most of these people are set in their ways and have a do not bother me with the facts attitude, my mind is made up. I have tried to get some people to look past their narrow view of the world but with little success. As an individual, should I mind my own business or keep trying?

Posted on: 2010-11-05 01:38:54

 Name: Theresa 

Location: Toronto, Canada 

Question: Dear Francis, I have been a keen follower of your teachings or the last several months and I would like to express my gratitude to you because your teachings have cleared up many of my misunderstandings about practice and enlightenment. In your answer to the question "Is there evidence of a limited consciousness?", you said there are two types of experiments: the experience through which we perceive an object (type 1) and the experience through which we directly experience consciousness (type 2). If I understand your teachings correctly, we know that we are conscious (knowing) and we know that consciousness exists...

Posted on: 2010-11-05 01:00:21

  Location: NM 

Question: Dear Francis, I have a question for you about desire. Please forgive the length. I notice that whenever I feel fear, it is the result of the possibility that some desire I have will not be fulfilled, be it a small desire for some sort of pleasure, or a large or instinctual desire, such as my body's desire to avoid pain or death. Through following various teachings, I have had several powerful experiences of sensing that the physical body to which "my" eyes belong is not truly me. This has led to feelings of peace in which I find that my desires do not seem as strong. After these experiences I notice that some desires are even fulfilled effortlessly...

Posted on: 2010-11-02 06:25:41

 Name: Patricia 

Location: Indiana 

Question: Inquiry and "Primary I" -- Dear Francis, reading a posted question about inquiry and your answer, it is just too difficult not to ask this question regarding my own seeing, or lack of. Primary I has just always seemed to have simply appeared from nowhere, from void, or whatever it is most proper to call this. Void is this which is Source but without any felt/seen/detected qualities “at all” , not even consciousness, or truth, or love (which continues to pull out emotions object or energies of deep angst...

Posted on: 2010-11-02 05:50:06

 Name: josephine 

Location: Holland 

Question: Dear Francis, When i listened to your video's i recognized the same deep silence beneath your words, what you call Presence, also when i heard you play the flute so purely on a video i felt a deep resonance and recognition. A week or so ago, mind was quiet and with inquiry a vortex of love, beauty and truth started to pull me in, unfortunately mind became active because it knew this was going to mean its death. So attention was pulled back into the body/mind...

Posted on: 2010-10-25 19:56:58

 Name: Peter 

Location: Santa Ana California 

Comments: Dear Francis, Whenever you ask us to examine being/consciousnes, you say that there is no evidence for it to be limited, and that, in truth, it is unlimited. This is where I seem to fall off the cart! I am still convinced that consciousness is limited to the body-mind. The consciousness that is typing this now does indeed seem to be very...

Posted on: 2010-10-25 18:59:57

 Name: John 

Location: Lincoln, NM 

Question: Dear Francis, Since the beginning of my spiritual quandaries several years ago (I have mainly followed the teachings of Ramana Maharshi), I have noticed some gradual though powerful changes in my life. My question for you involves predestiny, or as Maharshi puts it, prarabdha karma. (My practices have been contemplating the sense of "I" daily, enquiring "who am I," and choosing to surrender the outcomes...

Posted on: 2010-10-21 19:46:14

 1 How can I be absolutely sure that I am doing the self-enquiry/self-abidance/awareness watching awareness practice right? For me the best ‘practice’ to date is a mix of sitting still, being silent, being aware of ordinary awareness, “do not think about being, you are” (Ramana Maharshi). There is not one way and a sure way supposes external validation which by definition is relative. Therefore the ‘sure’ way is that of Faith, silence, stillness, abidance along the way. Correct? 

Posted on: 2010-10-21 00:45:47

Location: Sydney, Australia 

Question: Dear Francis, I wrote to you a while ago asking for examples of experiments regarding universal consciousness but no answer has appeared on your site. That is fine. I noticed that you have suggested previously that devising such experiments should be an exercise left to the enquirer, so perhaps that is why you have not answered. However, I also found an example (I think it was in your book "Eternity Know") in which you suggest that a dog may respond differently depending on the stand you are taking when you approach it. But I am not entirely clear even with this seemingly simple example you have given. Is in not true that by taking the stand of considering your consciousness to be universal, you are in fact taking a mental stand (ie. a belief), which is therefore still personally based, and therefore doesn't really test the hypothesis at all? I realise that this would imply that such an experiment is not possible unless one is already self-realised, and yet you assert that it can be done, so would I be right to assume that this "taking a stand" is not just adopting (or at least attempting to adopt) the belief mentally? One thing that you seem to do in many of your answers is to draw a clear distinction between the Universal Self and the personal self, seeming to negate the possibility of being somewhere between these two or a mixture of the two ie. partly universally identified and partly personally identified. Is this a misunderstanding on my part? If so, then perhaps "taking a stand" would in effect be shifting our identification more towards one than the other? With Gratitude, Graham

Posted on: 2010-10-20 00:38:53

 Name: Chris 

Location: Florida 

Question: Greets Francis, In a video of yours, you asked one of your guests to imagine what it would be like to have a monologue with other people or to imagine that others were none other than your very self. About a month later when reading a book by Ramana Maharshi, I came across a passage where he said "I do not see anyone outside of myself, therefore, I have no disciples." If this is in fact true, how would you go about pointing this out to someone or helping them see it? Much Bests, Chris

Posted on: 2010-10-19 01:40:14

 Name: Jay 

Location: Albuquerque 

Question: Dear Francis, Thank you so much for readily taking questions, especially ones that can be long, like this. My question involves a dilemma that has bothered me for a long time, almost for the entire time I have been on the spiritual path. It is this: among those persons who are what we call "self-realized," are there varying levels of self-realization (as in, partially realized compared to fully realized, for example) and do certain lifestyle choices imply certain levels realization? My struggle started when I read about the four levels of enlightenment in Theravada Buddhism—stream-enterer, once-returner, non-returner, and arhat. Each is said to lead to progressively greater levels of renunciation and abandonment, until finally, at the final stage, the arhat must leave family life if he or she hasn't already because at this stage he or she has perfectly eliminated all attachments, thus rendering him or her unable to carry on with the responsibilities of family, household, career, etc. In this tradition, one generally becomes a monk, leaving behind the family, etc, before the arhat stage...

Posted on: 2010-10-18 00:21:21

 According to your teaching, when I become "aware of Awareness," as the undeniable "I Am Presence" in me, is this only "a glimpse," or is this the "final & full glimpse" that you call Enlightenment? If this is not the final glimpse, how is this glimpse any different from Enlightenment? 

Love,
Bedri

Posted on: 2010-10-17 23:25:15

 Location: Wisconsin 

Question: Dear Francis, How do I reconcile these seemingly conflicting teachings? On one hand, you suggest that we 'welcome the totality of our experience' - and that rings true in me. But, there is also sage advice in the Yoga Sutras suggesting that we 'replace a negative thought with a positive thought' . Doesn't that imply that we be less than welcoming with what arises in the mind? How can I welcome something and also replace it with something "better". It's as contrary seeming to me as the message that 'the mind is everything, what we think we become' as opposed to the realization that 'we are not the mind'. Can you help to clarify these concepts for me? With deepest gratitude, Sally

Posted on: 2010-10-15 01:01:26

Location: New York City 

Question: Hi Francis, I have been regularly (even "strenuously") following the guidelines of Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj by focussing on the "I Am" several times daily. As suggested, I merely contemplate the existence of the "I Am" prior to the emergence of conceptual notions such as "I am this or that---". Theoretically, at least, the "I Am" will eventually dissolve, as it were, revealing the Absolute, or what I prefer to call "Oneness". Although Nis employed this method himself, as suggested by his own Guru, I find a good deal of contention and debate concerning this or, for that matter, any "prescriptive" path or technique employed in the service of "self-realization". Could you kindly share your views on this issue; I'm quite conflicted at this point. Many thanks. In Love and Peace, Don 

Posted on: 2010-10-11 17:15:04

FIVE DAYS OF AN EXCITING AND STIMULATING CONFERENCE

4:30pm-6:30pm
San Rafael Ballroom

Posted on: 2010-10-11 16:54:19

 EAST BAY OPEN CIRCLE

Posted on: 2010-10-11 01:59:50

 Location: Belgium 

Posted on: 2010-10-10 01:32:36

 Location: Boulder USA 

Posted on: 2010-10-06 23:29:13

Location: Colorado USA 

Question: Dear Francis, In your recent exchange with students around the issue of what qualifies one to be a teacher, you mentioned one of the conditions being a recognition of the “universal law of infinite supply” and that “all desires should spontaneously materialize due to the absence of attachment.” Later in the thread, you wrote: “The signs of sahaja Samadhi are unbroken peace and happiness and the fulfillment of all desires in a display of divine energies.” I’m wondering if you could expand a bit on this relationship between spiritual and material abundance? What is the “universal law of infinite supply” and how does it work? And in relation to “desires spontaneously materializing”: what is the source of these “desires”; and to whom do they materialize, i.e. who enjoys them? Most generally: is the appearance of “limited resources” in all cases simply a result of ignorance, of perception still clouded by dualistic assumptions? with appreciation & gratitude, Elizabeth

Posted on: 2010-10-06 00:28:29

Location: Singapore 

Question: I who see my body and everything else, where am I? Beloved, Dear Francis, first and foremost I bow to you in utmost humility. [I do this to anyone whom I feel that he is a Jnani] My question is: I , who see my body and everything else, where am I? Interestingly though, last year there was an occasion where I was in the toilet, and while adjusting my hair infront of a mirror, suddenly I begin to be aware that I see my reflection in the mirror and I see my body, but I who see both the reflection of my body in the mirror and my physical body, I don't know where it is! Meaning I don't know where am I, I don't know where I am looking from. Then I took up an invitation of enquiry : "Can seer be seen?" , I rephrase it into "Can I be seen?" because my mind does not work well with "Can seer be seen?". I believe it is the same question as I believe what it is asking is "Can I who sees everything be seen".And my findings from the enquiry "Can I be seen?" is this: I who sees my body and everything else cannot be found! cannot be seen! And to me it's a paradox because usually we equate cannot be found as absent or don't exist, however I cannot deny the existence of seer, yet it cannot be found or located. My conclusion is: Seer exist or seeing take place but seer cannot be seen or be found. Dear Francis, this is my own findings and I ask for your advice and guidance, my question is 1) So what now? 2) And what has the knowledge of not knowing where I am, got to do with enlightenment? Because it is quite a joke that I can see my body but I don't know where am I, LoL. Thank you so much and Much Love to you Peter Singapore Namaste

Posted on: 2010-10-04 22:44:26

 Location: Virginia Beach, Virginia 

Question: Dear Francis: What is "grace"? Does it exist? Does it move? Does it have attributes? Can I (this body/mind) receive it? Can I bestow it? 

Posted on: 2010-10-03 09:50:18

Location: Gatineau, Canada 

Question: Dear Francis, You teach that we have to be open to the possibility that consciousness is unlimited then live from that perspective and see what happens. Could you please give as many examples as possible for how to think from that perspective, feel from that perspective and act from that perspective. Thank you Aziz

Posted on: 2010-10-02 08:58:33

 Location: Indiana 
Question: Dear Francis. In direct experience of Void ( if this can be called experience, since what was then called consciousness could not go there), great curiosity and great fear were also experienced. Seeking was the result for awhile. Now there is “this” unmoving space which cannot be doubted, yet there remains unnecessary “reaction” to all the constant movement of that which at core is unmoving, ha, and a second later there is the seeing of the reaction that was unnecessary...

Posted on: 2010-10-01 13:59:39

 Location: Istanbul, Turkey 

Question: Dear Francis, This long question relates to Enlightenment and Knowledge. Few of the last words of my previous teacher, Dan Eltzroth, before he passed away were, "Bedri, you are already enlightened." It is indeed my direct experience that "Awareness that I AM" knows Itself, and when there is living in surrender to That Truth, to that Silent Knowing that I AM, instead of living in belief to thoughts/feelings that sometimes claim the contrary, I would agree with Dan that Enlightenment is my natural non-state because the Knowledge of Who I Am cannot be forgotten and is eternally present...

Posted on: 2010-09-30 12:47:42

 Question: Dear Francis, 3 years ago, I read through a Jean Klein book and was taken by a love with the truth shared. I've been reading your answers and watching the videos. I am grateful for all the beauty of the answers, which ring true and carry me into a selfless space. I am 26. My sincere spiritual journey began 5 years ago, and has carried me through many interests. At this point I feel disillusioned with all of them, except maybe these teachings. The following paragraph may sound very dim and bemoaning but I want to describe where I'm at. In the last two years, I feel like I am losing a zest for everything...

Posted on: 2010-09-29 16:22:15

 Location: Temecula, California 

Question: Francis, I am stuck in an illusion somewhere. Can you please comment on and show the true nature of thought and questions? All I seem to want to do is overcome my mind and its thoughts/incessant questionings. Its like my mind is continuously working to put itself in a better state of consciousness. I feel like I must explore everything at the deepest level of thought to really "know". I feel like I need to be in a world that I understand fully. This discovery process feels like work, drudgery and exhaustion sometimes. I feel trapped by my own thoughts and pressured. It seems that automatic thoughts and questionings appear without consciously creating them. Some thoughts/questionings protect us, and others are harmful and it can be disconcerting because I never know if a "negative" thought/question will come that I will have to deal with. And many of the same ones I do not know how to deal with and this creates psychological suffering. I keep hearing that thought and everything else that exists arises in consciousness. But isn't this just a thought? Isnt the experience of being just a thought? Isn't awareness a thought? Isn't "doing something" a thought? Is it not true that any state we are in as human beings just a processing of information- a thought? Isn't a "realization" a thought? Anything we affirm or say to be true or something we perceive to "know"... Arent these all really just thoughts and not the real being, the core at the deepest most authentic level? Is thought just how we exist/experience the physical world? With that being said, are we trying to reach a point of no-mind? During no-mind moments it is peaceful because it is blank but this doesnt feel like truly living and engaging and having a full experience. Can we become attached to thoughts and if so how can we dissolve this attachment? We wouldnt need the mind if we really "knew" right? The mind just appears to make judgements on what is (or appears to be). But why would this mechanism be necessary if we already have the answers within us? I suppose in the end that without thought I do not feel safe and protected. (This may be ego talking) We keep asking the same questions because we feel the answers must be important to our well-being. Im saying in my mind, "Know, dont think." But isnt the thought or concept of knowing not actually knowing? You wouldnt have to think if you knew. Wouldnt the thought of it be just that... a thought and not the actual experience of knowing? Is that experience of knowing in the present also just a ever present thought? What is the role of thought and how can we be at peace with it? (whether its a transcendent thought or whatever- as long as it dissolves the incessant questioning) Thank you again for your clarifications on this. Much Love, Steven

Posted on: 2010-09-27 05:49:24

 Where is the blindspot?  Even though I've had glimpses of apperception, true nature, I find there is a flatness to it.

Posted on: 2010-09-26 09:49:25

 In my case, I am handicapped by the what I call as broken brain, two stroke like incidences, as I informed you earlier makes it difficult to visit my teacher.  As you said earlier, the teacher appears sometimes unannounced.  J. K was my first eye opener after the nervous breakdown in 1979; and your logic and pointers hit some marks inside of me, I having a logical scientific mind that also is moved by grace.
All my glimpses happened while contemplating, in satasngs  or in chantings.  Somehow the Guru aspect that is a part of my upbringing never took a place in me...

Posted on: 2010-09-24 12:01:08

 Question: Francis, To quote Ramesh Balsekar " Seeing it is none other than being it". My question: How does "Being It" fully flower into the experience of oneself as the ULTIMATE non-dual Consciousness? It feels so common place "so ordinary" How does it unfold in the body-mind vehicle? How did it happen for you?? i realise that each individual b0dy-mind mechanism is a unique expression of consciousness and unfolds accordingly but is there any general progression?? Is being present in the conscious waking state enough?? How do the higher steps of Patanjali's Yoga fit in here? ( e.g. pratyahara, dharana, dhyana ). Currently my non-effort of Beingness is only in my full conscious waking state allowing consciousness to move as it will. thank you, Francis

Posted on: 2010-09-24 00:26:31

 Is there anything "personal" or "non-automatic" about this body?

Posted on: 2010-09-22 10:02:10

 I have a question about a long standing "issue" that has been occurring. Since about 15 years ago, when I first felt attracted to someone of the same sex (a man), "being gay" has been something that I've worried a lot about -- mainly due to the usual concerns about "what will people think of me", etc.

Posted on: 2010-09-21 10:25:25

 Comment:

great question.

unsatisfactory answer.

perhaps it comes down to differences in amygdala responsiveness to illusions?

Reply:

The point is that the reality of consciousness....

Posted on: 2010-09-21 04:53:48

 i have two questions, one revolves around judgement, at my workplace there is alot of judgement going around, and although its not very bad, it can be very tiring, is there a way to not get involved in this game, or should one play along knowing its all not true? My second question is, if there is no-one and no choice, am i/ we powerless against jugdement?

Posted on: 2010-09-20 06:23:15

 You keep saying that we and everything we perceive is not real. Do you mean "not permanent"? Since Consciousness is real, and we and everything else is simply Consciousness in form, then we must all be real, however temporarily. I recognize that time is simply a perception, like dropping a coconut on my toe is a perception, but they are real in the moment. Would you kindly elucidate?

Posted on: 2010-09-19 01:36:10

Posted on: 2010-09-17 19:13:15

Posted on: 2010-09-17 00:10:53

 Everything is done not by one "Universal Doer", but that of natural, spontaneous, and automatic stimulus responsive conditions to the unfolding environment from moment to moment. "I" wonder if "you" say to seekers "there is only one doer" as way of pointing away from the nonexistence personal chooser or is this "One doer" evident in "your" experience? Of course it's all words, stories, and bullshit. Truth is everywhere as everything so it doesn't stand anywhere particular, therefore the question is as irrelevant as the answer, but something is moving to ask.

Posted on: 2010-09-16 00:47:11

 Why all this purgatory "DARK NIGHT OF THE SOUL" torture. WHY I think always in terms of attainment be it ENLIGHTENMENT or WORLDLY SUCCESS? Thank u for WHAT YOU ARE so that we can be WHAT WE ARE.

Posted on: 2010-09-15 06:47:31

 Is there any benefit to the practices of Kriya Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, pranayama and Chi Gong??? Why are they practiced if the recognition of ourselves as "Awareness itself " is the Goal?? I am an advanced student.

Posted on: 2010-09-12 23:31:22

  I notice that you occasionally speak of sages and non-sages. At the same time, you consistently point to the absence of separation, the absence of individual entities. I think you can see my question coming: if there are no individual entities -- just the one Consciousness -- in what sense can you say, "This one is a sage," and "This one is not a sage"? Doesn't the distinction between sage and non-sage presuppose that they exist as distinct, separate entities? I would be grateful if you could clear up my confusion over this apparent contradiction. Sincerely, Michael

Posted on: 2010-09-08 17:37:35

 Hello Francis, I have got enlightened about 2 months ago or at least I believe I have. Can you please help me verify if that is correct? One big problem that I have right now is that I have no one to tell the truth to. If you could tell me what I have to do to start talking to people I would appreciate it very much.

Posted on: 2010-09-07 06:28:20

 The humor and spontaneity of Truth shine in this newly released DVD ($25) by Francis Lucille. Also available as a HD Blue Ray disk ($30)

Posted on: 2010-09-06 14:57:15

 About 20 years ago I spontaneously experienced a day of peace beyond all understanding, which of course gave me endless motivation to seek its return. Based on answers you gave in earlier posts, this may have been the grace of my (to me unknown) teacher/guru. Since then I have had some "difficult" life circumstances, but also an awareness that these were valuable for my growth, and largely now accepted and released. More recently I have felt motivated to accelerate my seeking, mainly through intensified meditation and exploration of teachings of this nature. I have occasional experiences that seem to indicate that I am heading in the direction of the "goal" eg. periods of mental peacefulness, being deeply moved by acts of compassion and by the beauty of nature. However, I now feel the need to convince my mind of the likelihood that it is illusory. You mentioned in a much earlier post the possibility of performing experiments (of a subjective nature) based on the hypotheses that there either is or isn't such a thing as universal consciousness. I am certainly open to the possibility that consciousness is universal, for example based on the seemingly objective evidence of the "Global Consciousness Project", and the occasional personal experience of seemingly telepathic connection in close relationships. Of course it would be more powerfully convincing to design and carry out one's own experiment. But I am struggling to conceive of any such experiments. Would you be able to provide one or two examples?

Posted on: 2010-09-06 11:50:16

  Enjoy the perfume of Silence and the sweetness of like minded Friends gathered to celebrate Truth, Love and Beauty in the serene De Luz Hills near Temecula, CA. This retreat was scheduled right after the Science and Nonduality Conference to allow for participants to attend both events.There are still spots available for this retreat. Due to the increasing number of participants, we suggest that you check on availability before making travel arrangements and that you RSVP by joining our new Meetup group at 

http://www.meetup.com/Advaita/

We look forward to seeing you soon in Temecula.

Posted on: 2010-09-04 19:57:01

 As I become more and more established in the nondual 'perspective' I find my motivation to write has dried up, as it feels like writing books in a dream and possibly a pointless activity to tell 'stories' that must necessarily reflect duality. I still carry on with normal daily activities, but the thing I thought was my 'calling' or true vocation, to write, has become challenged. I don't know any other solution than to wait for the answer to this apparent dilemma to just appear, through no longer writing or just continuing to write, should the activity resume. I wonder whether you can shed any light on this? How does one combine creative endeavour with nonduality? Is it just a passing phase that it should seem pointless? And if I continue to write, does this imply that universal consciousness has something to say about things other than nonduality?

Posted on: 2010-09-02 13:53:10

 Dear Francis, I am examining the idea that there is no perceivable distance between the Seer and the seen and that this is what causes me to mistakenly identify myself as my experience. If I want to know my True Self which I am told is boundless Peace and causeless Joy, is it simply enough to observe Reality as the Seer? Do I ultimately "identify" as the Seer by simply repeating the process of witnessing What Is over and over again until it is all I know?

Posted on: 2010-08-31 01:20:55

 My question has to do with the meaning and nature of silence. Regarding sound or noise in everyday experience, the absence of sound we call silence. A horn or whistle blows. The absence of these noises we call silence. I speak. My not-speaking is silence. But what about so-called thoughts? We speak of "quieting" our thoughts, as if thoughts were sound in the same sense that horns and whistles and the human voice are sounds. But thoughts are not things that are "heard" in this sense. There is nothing aural about thoughts, except insofar as we do sometimes "speak" thoughts inwardly to ourselves. But we don't "hear" our thoughts in the same sense that we "hear" our voice, do we? So what is "silence" in this sense of that which contrasts to thought? Is silence metaphorical in this sense? It would seem that it is, which is a kind of metaphysical hint at the non-duality that embraces silence and form, or, if you will, emptiness and form. For, if we can't say clearly what the absence of thought is (that is, "silence" only refers to it obliquely), then perhaps there is no final distinction between silence and form...that they are, in truth, the same thing! I love the phrase "silence beyond silence," because silence just doesn't seem to get at what silence is really about! Perhaps "emptiness," "the void" are other feeble attempts to express the same reality. I hope I have been clear over a rather subtle issue..

Posted on: 2010-08-31 00:49:22

 An e-book version of Francis Lucille's book TRUTH LOVE BEAUTY is now available on Kindle for $9.99. You can read it on your Kindle, but also on your Iphone, Ipad, or computer (Mac or PC) by downloading the Kindle application.

Posted on: 2010-08-29 01:39:18

 Can you please speak to the apparent relationship with a particular body mind? It seems that a particular body mind called Greg is always present, and what I perceive seems limited to what I think can be perceived by Greg. For example, when Greg goes to sleep the world disappears. Why is this? What is going on?

Posted on: 2010-08-27 18:02:49

 The Science and Nonduality Conference has been created to provide an arena where various aspects of nonduality can be explored, discussed, and experienced. It will take place in San Rafael, California, in October 2010. Part seminar, part festival, part conference, this event explores how science combines with meditation, philosophy, art, music, dance, and entheogens to point the way to nondual experience, to aid in integrating nonduality into daily life, and to deepen the understanding of a fundamental nondual reality.
Francis will take questions from the audience during the 4:30 Plenary Session on Saturday, October 23, 2010.

A 7 day retreat with Francis Lucille in Temecula will follow the Conference, beginning on Monday, October 25, 2010.

Posted on: 2010-08-26 00:48:54

 Hi Francis, I'm not entirely clear on the teaching that phenomena occur but, to paraphrase the Buddha, to "no one". For example, let us suppose the emotion of "anger" appears. Now, although I recognize clearly that this body and all its physical and emotional components do not exist independently of Awareness, how then is anger perceived or felt. The self-righteous, powerful, and almost instantaneous arising of anger is famialiar to, presumably, almost everyone. How then is this emotion "felt", and by whom. Is it some undifferentiaited cloud of feeling manifesting in the cosmos, an amorphous "angerness", if you will? If not, how can this (or any other) emotion "be felt, but by no one"? In the midst of relative clarity, as it were, this issue has been a major stickng point---perhaps you can clarify?

Posted on: 2010-08-24 23:48:09

 Dear Francis, i have noticed recently a few questions on judgement. I have practiced the work of Byron Katie, and althought the judgement of others has largely subsided, the judgements still come back, and sometimes they are very strong, i would like to ask you; A; Is there a way to totally and once and for all cease all judgement B; Why does judgement have so much power C; Why does judgement return

Posted on: 2010-08-24 20:41:35

 Watch an excerpt from this new DVD/BD. 

Posted on: 2010-08-24 01:39:55

 Dear Francis In your book Eternity Now you say that after realization "People...that used to exert a strong appeal on us are now met with indifference" (foreword); also that "radical change" occurs, even in relation to one's family (page 10). Could you please enlarge on what you mean by this, please? Particularly with regard to one's family

Posted on: 2010-08-23 11:21:51

 An e-book version of Francis Lucille's book THE PERFUME OF SILENCE is now available on Kindle for $9.99. You can read it on your Kindle, but also on your Iphone, Ipad, or computer (Mac or PC) by downloading the Kindle application.

Posted on: 2010-08-22 00:17:17

Francis, I heard you speak about the horror movie during the Conscious TV interview. We enjoy watching the tragedy from the safety of our sofa with chips and the coke zero because it reminds us of our repose (or words to that effect.) I've yet to hear you say that everything is of the hand of God, but I think your reference to the tragic theatrical play and the safety of the sofa just said it. Is that so?

Posted on: 2010-08-20 00:11:50

 It seems that all of our senses lead inward until they converge in the physical brain where a 'picture' of the outside world is finally assembled. Since we have no apparent mechanism for projecting that picture, how is it that the world then appears to be outside of us?

Posted on: 2010-08-16 09:18:19

 Dear Francis, I enjoy the simple inner state of non-dual being most of the time. However, I find that there are still residuals of bodily patterns, such as tensions and fidgeting from time to time. When I attend to these they cease as long as I am vigilant and deliberately include them in my global experience.. How do you permanently relieve or resolve these? Do you recommend bodywork, such as massage, etc.?

Posted on: 2010-08-13 16:34:53

 I would like to ask you what it is that comes up when I ask myself Who I am - and then I move from knowing I am not the body, I am not the mind, and I realize that I am not those things, and this realization does not feel of intellect only, like it used to, but a deep one - but then as I continue to look for the Source and go deeper, I can almost feel it, I do feel it, the thoughts are extinguished - for a fleeting moment before they come back again, I am silent, I am quiet, it all disappears, I become one with Oneness - and then I feel a little foggy, like there is still a thin veil I have not been able to lift even though I came ever so close to it ... like there is something still separating me from knowing myself. What is this veil and how I can lift it ? How can it be lifted ? I realize and remember the words of Ramana's that the moment comes when all the effort ceases and that's when the Realization happens, effortlessly. I also remember his words that the mind needs to be pure for it to happen, or it happens with Grace, or with the Guru's grace. All these words seem contradictory in some sense and then they are not. The shamans would describe such teachings as "the skillful means". We are not to have desires but then only this desire which needs to be pure, strong, without doubt and unwavering - I feel I may have some weakness in that department - or yet another :) - but then I do have a strong desire to know myself ... stronger than anything... Can you help me with this ?

Posted on: 2010-08-11 18:03:37

 I would like to ask you what it is that comes up when I ask myself Who I am - and then I move from knowing I am not the body, I am not the mind, and I realize that I am not those things, and this realization does not feel of intellect only, like it used to, but a deep one - but then as I continue to look for the Source and go deeper, I can almost feel it, I do feel it, the thoughts are extinguished - for a fleeting moment before they come back again, I am silent, I am quiet, it all disappears, I become one with Oneness - and then I feel a little foggy, like there is still a thin veil I have not been able to lift even though I came ever so close to it ... like there is something still separating me from knowing myself. What is this veil and how I can lift it ? How can it be lifted ? I realize and remember the words of Ramana's that the moment comes when all the effort ceases and that's when the Realization happens, effortlessly. I also remember his words that the mind needs to be pure for it to happen, or it happens with Grace, or with the Guru's grace. All these words seem contradictory in some sense and then they are not. The shamans would describe such teachings as "the skillful means". We are not to have desires but then only this desire which needs to be pure, strong, without doubt and unwavering - I feel I may have some weakness in that department - or yet another :) - but then I do have a strong desire to know myself ... stronger than anything... Can you help me with this ?

Posted on: 2010-08-08 07:27:48

 Dear Francis,

If I may leave a question:

What is according to your understanding meant by Grace of the Guru?

Thank you for your wisdom and time.

Most affectionately,

Jeroen

Dear Jeroen,

Posted on: 2010-08-04 20:32:41

 There are still spots available for the summer retreat with Francis Lucille in Temecula, CA. Due to the increasing number of participants, we suggest that you check on availability before making travel arrangements and that you RSVP by joining our new Meetup group at 

http://www.meetup.com/Advaita/

We look forward to seeing soon you in Temecula.

Posted on: 2010-08-03 03:37:49

 Dear Francis,

many things happened to me since I wrote you last time. I'm not sure where to begin, there are many things that cannot be really named.
I guess I had the experience of enlightenment, of nothingness. It is as if I look at the world, including me, that comes from nothing. I don't know how
to call it, nothingness is about the closest to a word I can find. But it is not dark and dead, it is alive.
If I now go through some teachings I used to read and follow, I can see how it might be pointing to this, but it has nothing to do with the experience.

Posted on: 2010-06-27 01:03:37

 Hello Francis,
Where should one stand on political issues?
I'm from Toronto Canada, and they're holding the G20 summit here; there is so much talk about it. It's pretty scary at times. Both sides are getting armed. When I watch the news reports you can see the hostility beneath all the propriety. The counter cultural side even uses words like: Press for Truth. They talk about educating police, and awakening them to the truth. But to me, that's not the truth at all, it's their version of the truth. When you watch the mainstream media it's the total opposite; it's the counter cultural side that needs to be educated. Does one have to take a side and make a stand?

Nicholas

Posted on: 2010-06-26 16:22:45

 Location: Tampa, Florida 

Posted on: 2010-06-23 22:16:00

 Location: uk 

Question: I can see that I am awareness and understand that all things come and go within this awareness but sometimes "things" seem so solid. For example there is a coffe table nearby which looks solid and it is quite heavy, so is the coffe table made out of awareness? How can awareness seem so solid and heavy? Also, is this computer made out of awareness? Or is it just appearance in this worldly dream? Thanks for your time. Cliff

Posted on: 2010-06-23 15:44:17

The Silence of the Heart

Francis Lucille

Ottawa, Canada

2000

 

Our silence in meditation is not the silence of the mind.  It is the silence of the heart.

 

Posted on: 2010-06-16 16:44:12

 Dear Francis,

Posted on: 2010-06-15 08:03:06

 Although there are no more residential spots left for the German-English bilingual retreat (the current count is 42 participants), we have decided to open a few non-residential spots. There are many nice resort hotels in the area, and the meals can be taken at the retreat center.

For reservations contact Udo

udolandow@showdvision.com

For info on the retreat, visit the following link;

http://www.meetup.com/Advaita/calendar/12584543/?from=list&offset=0

Posted on: 2010-06-10 08:51:04

 Dear Francis,

I am living in a very different world where the lives of everyone else make
 no sense, yet my life makes no sense to me either....

Posted on: 2010-06-07 13:55:45

 Question: Can action be done without an impluse of a thought? Recently, I observed on myself that whenever I take some course of action, be it something spontaneous, or something planned, I can feel how thoughts arise in me, and they tell me what to do. It is very strange, because it doesn't feel really like a thought, it's more like an impulse, a recommendation. It is hard to give it a name. Anyway, does an enlightened being experience this? I can't imagine how you can exist in a meaningful way, unless I have something that tells me what to do. I guess it might be possible, for example when I do something using a reflex, I don't think about catching a ball when someone tosses it to me. Is this the way it feels? But then there is another concern: if I live from moment to moment, how can I know how to act with respect to the future?

Posted on: 2010-06-05 09:05:35

Location: Australia 

Question: I have read a lot about non duality & dreams. So do we mean that even the power of Masters such as Jesus, Buddha, Ramtha & all the other ascended Masters are futile as they are all in the dreams & illusions? in other words there is no point in following them? They are good only for those who are asleep... Please clarify 

Posted on: 2010-05-27 12:33:31

Dear Francis,
Can you tell me... Do we owe something to our parents? My seeking very often ‘hurts’ them. When I say I am going to a hermitage or to see a teacher: they worry, especially my mother. It seems that the right thing for me hurts them. Often, I think about moving away, quite far. In truth (I have very much guilt about thinking this) I would very much like to be apart from them, and not hear from them, and get rid of many of my possessions.  

Posted on: 2010-05-24 01:45:02

 Location: Istanbul Francis answers the following question: when you awakened, (or later enlightened) has your Understanding that Consciousness is Universal and Divine came from an unshakeable Knowledge, and does it ever waver as time passes, thus allowing conflict (ignorance) enter your mind associated with the belief of being a separate, individual Consciousness. In other words, is "unshakable Peace," possible in this world?

Posted on: 2010-05-20 01:12:42

 Francis Lucille on consciousness. Excerpt from "Everything is a miracle", a new Blue Ray Disk. Click on the following link to buy the full HD disk. http://francislucille.com/publications.html#HD_Blue_Ray_Videos

Posted on: 2010-05-06 11:13:46

 A few days ago, a conversation took place on Facebook following an Advaita Channel article on the required qualifications for a teacher. There were some errors in the posting of this thread due to the fact that the conversation was taking place on different websites. The following is the entire thread.

Posted on: 2010-04-27 23:59:26

 Dear Francis, I have been listening to your satsangs and am quite happy to be in contact with you. I read quite a lot of Sri Ramanamaharshi's works. I have one question that has been bothering me lately. Hope you can take some time to answer. 

I understand that my life if an extended dream. But one thing that I am trying to understand is that my dreams always consists of the same or similar surroundings. ( same faces, same workplace etc ). Where as my...

Posted on: 2010-04-25 20:24:34

 When one is established in the impersonal Awareness, having gone beyond the distinction of teacher and student, but at the same time acknowledging the importance of it on the relative plane, what makes such a one qualified/ready to guide others on the Direct Path, as there isn't really a formal transmission involved, as far as I understand it?

Posted on: 2010-04-08 21:13:38

 Name: Thalia 

Posted on: 2010-03-31 10:07:26

 Excerpt from the new upcoming  HD (Blue Ray) Video "HAPPY AND FREE,  LOOKING AT THE SKY" Dialogues with Francis Lucille. To purchase this video, click here.

Posted on: 2010-03-25 01:56:46

Posted on: 2010-03-22 08:12:15

 Location: Barcelona

You said in Barcelona that compassion is one of the aspects of love. I would like to ask which is the role played by beauty in relation to love, transcendence, God. Thanks

Posted on: 2010-03-19 21:26:38

 Location: Sweeden

 I had been thinking about something similar, that is, if one does not achieve liberation during the "life" of the body, does it automatically occur upon death of the body and mind (brain). You answered the latest inquiry by saying: "death doesn't imply liberation" and "the letting go of the body in death presents an opportunity for the realization of our true self"

That being said, if liberation upon death is not a given and upon death the opportunity for realization of one's true self is not taken (you imply this possibility), what happens? ...

Posted on: 2010-03-19 09:10:34

 Location: Sweden 

Question: Hello Francis, My question is short and concise: When consciousness leaves and the body dies, only the Absolute prevails. If the destiny of a jnani and a normal individual is the same - why enlightenment? If the idea of reincarnation is false, what is the use? Then there literally is no liberation in enlightenment; there is liberation in death.

Posted on: 2010-03-15 08:24:00

 Dear Francis,

In response to Question 165, you state that " Consciousness is the reality of our experience, that which truly perceives it. If there is only one reality, consiousness must also be the substance of everything". 

Can you  please explain the logic here more clearly? Why can't consciousness experience something that is "physical matter"? 

Posted on: 2010-03-11 11:03:40

 Location: Japan 

Posted on: 2010-03-04 00:26:30

 Location: Forest Hills, NY 

Question: Hi Francis, I'm a recently retired pharmacologist with more than ample time to indulge my decades-long interest in non-duality. The result has been a blur of books, websites, videos, and CDs running the gamut from Shankara to Wei Wu Wei to Douglas Harding, etc. My ultimate question remains, lo these many years "How do I bridge the (apparent) gap between a deep intellectual understanding of Oneness and my inability to realize the truth experientially. I've just finished "Eternity Now", and I'd like to pose a more specific, less grandiose question. My wife and I recently attended a meeting held by a teacher in London. Assuming you're familiar with his work, you understand that he is a non-dual "purist", as it...

Posted on: 2010-03-02 21:17:58

 Location: California 

Question: Dear Francis, Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions, it is very much appreciated. During meditation I’ve come across a situation in which I relax deeply and I have almost no bodily sensations or thoughts. Then the question arises, Who am I? And the question seems to dissolve; it feels non-sensical, as if “I” was a concept with no real referent. I have heard you explain that this could be yet another object called emptiness (I thought this might be an example because the feeling of “I” comes back after a while). At other times, I have a quite spontaneous feeling of expansion, joy and satisfaction with no particular...

Posted on: 2010-03-02 10:39:48

 Location: Pakistan 

Question: Hi Francis, Thank you so much for answering all our questions. It is wonderful to read your answers and 'be pointed in the right direction', if i may call it that. I have a couple of questions (which are probably very silly, but have been on my mind for a while): 1. What is the difference between personality and ego? As I understand, one has to see through the ego or mind to come to a realization of our true selves. But most enlightened masters or sages do have their own styles, teaching way, mannerisms, etc. Does one retain a personality after enlightenment, and if so, what does it mean if one has no self and is only

Posted on: 2010-03-01 07:59:43

Comments: dear Francis... thank you for your graciousness to answer any odd ball question, as I have seen on your website. Therein lies my question. I have been somewhat upset after reading some questions and answers. My true experiences of freedom are, of course, utterly simple, devoid of any knowledge about the intricacies of consciousness, awareness, etc. And in my life search for union, to meet the other, and lose the apparent separation, I have 'looked' for that state in others. Indeed, I have felt...

Posted on: 2010-02-28 05:54:31

 When the goal, happiness, is lost sight of, there is practice, work, "staying with", "noticing". Not a bad thing, for it eventually will restore the perfume of Presence, happiness. I sometimes give the same advice to one who still believes to be a doer. 

But this may take time, whereas...

Posted on: 2010-02-27 08:59:36

 Location: Belgium 

Question: I understand that one needs to be very motivated to find Truth. I sometimes think I am not motivated enough or not disciplined enough. What to do?

Posted on: 2010-02-24 21:14:23

 Location: London 

Question: Since attending a meditation retreat ten years ago and experiencing some very powerful energetic feelings which made me sure of being a part of the whole, I now have a constant inner sound like a distant whistle which increases when I shut my eyes. I also get pressure in my head and when I meditate I feel (or imagine) a cleansing process. Despite this I over eat (Binge) and still get tangled up in thoughts. It seems that I do not have any power to change my bad habits. Is the case that I am not an individual so I do not have any choice but to live in a way that is unhealty for my body and mind?

Posted on: 2010-02-23 10:32:49

Location: Ojai, California 

Question: Dear Francis, First, thank you for taking the time and care to answer questions. It is a wonderful gift. I have been seeking for many years. And my question is about seeking: doesn't seeking perpetuate division, the belief in a separate self? I feel incomplete, un-whole. So, I begin seeking wholeness. I am here. And wholeness or liberation are 'out there'--in the future. It seems to me that liberation is either now or not at all and that seeking prevents the result I am trying to achieve. Yet I cannot...

Posted on: 2010-02-18 07:57:18

 Location: Cork 

Question: Francis, my questions have to do with the sense of 'me', the sense of me is felt very easily and I have the feeling that it is the same sense of the ' I am', is it a necessity to distinguish between the two? Also, I have read Nisargaddata, and he recommends 'holding on to the sense of I AM'; if this is practiced, is it the me holding on to the me? And is there goal to this action? Wouldn't that make it a dual practice? Thank you so much, LLoyd

Posted on: 2010-02-16 21:18:38

 Location: New Delhi, India 

Question: Dear Francis, The defining characteristic of the way I now experience the world is spontanaeity. I do things and have thoughts, but there is no sense of choosing. In your experience, is spontaneous action the normal way that humans behave in the world? Is the feeling that one is making a choice inconsequential and unnecessary? Sincerely, Brian

Posted on: 2010-02-15 06:46:12

English, Text

Location: Maine, USA 

Question: Dear Francis, Why does Presence choose "to temporarily ignore itself by playing the game of ignorance"? Do we really have no control over anything? Blessings to all, Sattva

Posted on: 2010-02-14 11:46:00

Posted on: 2010-02-14 11:08:34

English, Text

Location: India 

Posted on: 2010-02-12 20:33:03

English, Text

Location: Girona - Spain 

Question: Dear Francis: Here are Shankara's four pre-requisites to qualify for the spiritual life: 1. Discrimination; 2. Renunciation; 3. Earnestness (intense desire for liberation, and 4. A group of six attainments (tranquility of mind, control of the senses, cessation of senses, forbearance of the pairs of opposites, concentration, and faith). At the other end of the spectrum (and we are still at the phenomenal or empirical level), if in our midst we find someone exhibiting the following characteristics: pettiness, small-mindedness (the opposite of magnanimity), resentment, vindictivenes, insolence, passion and pride (we could call these the six counter-attainments), 1. Can a person with these character traits be still called a truth-seeker? 2. Can such a "person" be possibly redeemed? 3. Is there a limit to the patience and forbearance of a spiritual teacher? 

Posted on: 2010-02-11 11:07:12

English, Text

Location: Mexico City 

Question: Hello Francis I have found great interest in your teachings, I wish you were my teacher, living teacher, not book or Internet, but I guess this forms of communication are the very next thing. =) My name is Carlo Mauricio, I am 32 years old, I was born in San Diego CA. an have always lived in Tijuana, and now I am living in the capitol Mexico City. Hope you can be over here some day with a lecture, or maybe I can catch one up north in California when I go up there again. This are my questions Francis: What is this receptacle if we can use that word where everything is happening inside of it, like form, inward outward...

Posted on: 2010-02-09 23:02:44

English, Text

Location: Maryland 

Question: Satyan Nadeen is quoted as saying that enlightment is a lottery. My question is whether attaining a sustained awakened state has anything to do with intention, devotion, or earnest effort? Does the individual have any choice about it at all?

Posted on: 2010-02-08 20:37:58

English, Text

Location: Philadelphia, PA 

Question: I "think" of Brahman as equivalent to a unified field of energy. That is, that all things in the universe are expressions of it, including consciousness. We, as sentient beings, have the "gift" of witnessing it and as such are Natures most forward expression of knowing itself. The more we pull away the separative fog of ego, the less conflict and more peace we shall live. Is my thinking in line with traditional Advaita philosophy and do you see any falseness in where I'm pointing?

Posted on: 2010-02-06 10:30:35

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Location: california 

Question: Hi Francis....I would so much appreciate it if you could tell me how I can confidently know that the universe is composed of love, when sometimes, I experience peace and harmony, and other times I experience the contracted fear that comes with identification with body and form, yet the experience of this all pervading love has not yet revealed itself. Thank you so much for your time and wisdom!

Posted on: 2010-02-06 10:02:55

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Location: Seattle 

Question: Hi Francis, Sorry for the long question, but it's something I've been mulling over for a while now. Thanks! According to the Direct Path, as I understand it, the self gets folded into consciousness, on the one hand, and external objects get folded into thoughts, which in turn get folded into consciousness, on the other. The result is that: all there is is consciousness. Folding external objects into thoughts and then into consciousness means that what we naively regard as external objects do not have independent existence. This is where I, and I'm sure many others, have a problem. There is an extraordinary coordination between various perceptions, between those of different agents, between those of the same agent at different times, and between different sensations of the same agent at the same time. Mary can tell me about a new statue in the park, and I can go there and... 

Posted on: 2010-02-04 18:26:34

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Hi Francis!

Happy happy christmas, first of all:) 

I hope you have a moment for this little question, that has been bothering me..

As there is more presence in this space, it seems like at times life can give you a shock, and because that peace is available always, by "going there" it seems like one uses that as a shock absorber, and i´m pretty sure that is a sort of spiritual bypassing, or escape.

at the same time, if that peace is real, and one can 

Posted on: 2010-02-03 19:34:57

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Location: minnsesota 

Question: Francis, I often hear you speak of the neccessity of earnestness. I feel all my actions are aimed at the benefit of the entity I believe myself to be. I can give lip service to the concept of selfless action without intention as put forth in the Bhagavad Gita but there would still be the intention of reaping the rewards that this is supposed to bring. ramana proscribed this type of action also but he also said only a jnani can be a karmic yogi. That seems to be a precise summation of the student's position. He is saying if you are selfless you can perform selfless actions so it seems any attempt at realization is self centered and would enhance the sense of self. so how to develop this ...

Posted on: 2010-02-02 21:11:16

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Location: Greece, Athens 

Question: Dear Francis, I don't even know what I'm asking for, but I'll try to put it into words and you might underestand my question better than me. When I'm looking to find myself I can't find anything. I find a "nothingness" in which everything appears. I wouldn't even call this empty space since it's dimensionless. I can understand that or better: see that, if I look honestly. Seeing that does not give me peace though, I don't feel that I've always been that (shouldn't I?), and I don't know if that nothingness is actually "me" since I feel...

Posted on: 2010-01-23 06:47:41

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Dear Francis,

If it's true that everyone has had an experience of awakening, though some of chosen to ignore it, then there is no excuse for ignorance (?) Please comment. Thank you.

Posted on: 2010-01-20 05:52:49

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Location: uk 

Question: Having experienced an expansion of the heart and grief from the loss of my 25 year old son, I would like to know your thoughts on what happens when the physical body falls away; do we retain any of the personality we had, memories, emotions, love? While I guess much of this has to do with the mind, I would like to know what happens.

Posted on: 2010-01-19 03:20:04

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Location: Spain 

Question: Hello, Francis. My question relates the waking state and the "I Am", a concept which, I think, has different meanings in the different traditions. I use it to describe the pure feeling of being, of existence, that appears in the waking state before getting identified with thoughts, names, body, mental processes, etc. and disappears in deep sleep. I think this was the way Nisargadatta used it, too. There´s something that confuses me. Most teachers use to speak about the Truth from the waking state´s standpoint only and, as the ...

Posted on: 2010-01-17 04:58:26

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Location: Brooklyn, NY 

Question: How do "I" slip past Awareness as an object of thought to Awareness Alive and Subjective? I know that "I" can do nothing. I know that Awareness cannot be attained because It already is. Is it ego to practice being Awareness? Ego does not exist either. I feel that I am at "the gateless gate". How does one slip past it, past dualism, at last?

Posted on: 2010-01-16 09:55:44

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Location: New Jersey, USA 

Question: Dear Francis, I recently discovered your site after many years of seeking. Some kind of understanding about the nature of things has occurred, certainly in the realm of thought but also sometimes experientially. The abiding with this nature of things is mostly erratic. One thought that drags me into the mire is an emotional addiction involving food and excessive eating. I am working with... 

Posted on: 2010-01-10 05:49:31

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Dear Francis,

Thank you very much for giving me your address. What a beautiful way of starting the new year.

Some time ago I sent you a question to which no answer ever appeared on your website. Probably there was an error and my question did not reach you, or perhaps you had some reason not to answer. The question was about one Bernadette Roberts, who is a Christian mystic, and who to her astonishment discovered that what is regarded as the final 'stage' in her tradition -- which she thinks is the same as the Sat-Chid-Ananda of the Advaitins -- dropped away one day, swallowing up and dissolving

Posted on: 2010-01-03 22:48:13

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Location: East Aurora, New York 

Question: Dear Francis, It has been stated that Brahman and Atman are one. I wonder though, does this mean they are the same? I know the Atman that is myself and I sense that it is the same Atman that is every other one. But the knower (Atman) "in me" does not know the experience of all beings and hence seems not to be equivalent to the universal Brahman which I presume includes the experience of the entire universe. As a wave... 

Posted on: 2010-01-03 02:23:52

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Location: Cape Coral, FL 

Question: Do you think a non-dualistic view of the world leads the individual to passivity in the face of the world\'s suffering?

Posted on: 2009-12-24 03:54:10

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Location: Tampa 

Question: Francis, I sit here wondering if I have the trust in my understanding of the state I am. Since about a year the Atmavichara is going on, and my ego is not on firm grounds any more and I have an understanding of homeliness and peace with me. But the distrust and lack of faith swirl around often. When they subside infrequently , there it is, such happiness. Atmavichara, inquiry continues amidst health problems ( brain) and the medications. But it is OK. Then, I decided to do the inquiry on ...

Posted on: 2009-12-20 03:01:42

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Dear Formless,

Posted on: 2009-12-19 20:43:59

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Location: Dubai 

Question: I understand that you had the opportunity to meet sages in India. How was your experience and what made you to preach this ancient old vedic advaita. Rgds Ram

Posted on: 2009-12-18 00:44:26

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Location: indonesia 

Question: Dear Francis, 

1. Is there any God? 

There is only one God

2. Do you know something about the universe? 

Very little...

Posted on: 2009-12-18 00:31:01

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Location: Bogota, Colombia 

Question: I am aware of mind activity; random thoughts: images and sounds, or a song playing in my head. When I observe this, I have a few interpretations: the mind creates a sense of separation: when the mind is happening (thought running or a song playing) it seems that this creates a private space that can't be shared directly with anyone else; I am the only one that "hears" the song that is sounding in my head. It is as if the activity of the mind serves the purpose of making me abandon the present moment, making me disconnect from life, from reality, and withdrawing to this private psychic space. It seems as if the energy that could ...

Posted on: 2009-12-17 14:13:24

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The following is a question asked by Francis as a follow up on Q. 116

Dear William,

I believe we are now in agreement on the answers to your five questions, which would imply a de facto agreement on a wide variety of related issues. I was wondering whether there was an area where your and my experience or understanding would diverge, when I remembered something you said : " I spoke of individual consciousness and likened it to a drop of the ocean; the latter being Consciousness as such (two “meanings”)."

To clarify my incertitude, could you please answer the following question: in your experience and understanding, is the consciousness that really perceives these words  the individual consciousness, or is it the Consciousness as such?

Posted on: 2009-12-16 09:07:53

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Location: San Rafael, CA 

Question: Francis, I am troubled by something that might seem elementary for someone who has been investigating spiritual matters for over 40 years. It is evidfent if we investigate our own experience that everthying we ever experience, whether "internal" or "external", is experienced by or within consciousnes. Consciousness is, then, the a priori reality of our human experience. Clearly, realizing this most profoundly leads to a life radically transformed by freedom from any sense of limitation. However, to go on to state, as you and all other non-dual teachers do, that consciousness is the a priori reality of all existence, would seem to be an extrapolation, not directly supported by direct experience. The fact that we, as human beings, can never experience anything outside of consiousness does neither mean that there is nothing outside of consciousnes, nor that consciousness...

Posted on: 2009-12-15 20:08:51

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Location: Shanghai, CN 

Question: Hello, Francis. I am stuck. I have been following Ramana Maharshi's teachings of self inquiry, and, at first, I was amazed by how quickly I was able to let go of thoughts. There was one instance in which I experienced being part of something so grand, but then it disappeared. Although it was brief, it was enough to fill me with such elation. I knew it was real, that this oneness existed, that all this here that I'd been living through up to this point didn't matter. That none of this mattered, and I wanted to laugh because it was so clear, how much I couldn't see that all made sense, and how much most of us can't see...

Posted on: 2009-12-15 05:17:42

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Location: Chicago, USA 

Question: Dear Francis, Is there something beyond, or prior to, Consciousness? I am referring to the seeming lack of Consciousness during deep sleep, or when one is under anesthesia where there is a lapse of Consciousness/Awareness. It is only after waking or coming out of anesthesia that one seems to be able to say that they were unconscious. In other words, consciousness seems to recognize its own absence only in retrospect. If I am not conscious of the fact that I am sleeping or unconscious due to anesthesia, is consciousness then only a temporary state? If there is more, how does one realize it? Can you please give your thoughts on this? I apologize if this has been answered before. I have only recently discovered your teachings, so I am therefore not completely familiar with all of them, but I am very grateful for what I have read and watched so far. Thanks, Mike

Posted on: 2009-12-14 16:55:32

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This answers replaces the previous answer Q. 123  which was misleading due to an inadvertent logical error. My gratitude goes to William for making me aware of it and my apologies to all readers for the confusion it created.The following is the edited version.

Dear Mr. Lucille,

Posted on: 2009-12-12 06:23:42

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Dear Francis:

Posted on: 2009-12-11 20:47:50

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Location: Manitoba, Canada 

Posted on: 2009-12-11 20:24:55

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Location: Bucharest, Romania 

Question: Dear Francis, I have sent you a letter a few weeks ago. I did not receive an answer to it yet, but since this is a continuation of that first letter, if you ever get around to it, I will be content if you just answer to this letter. In your book you say: “The world does not exist as an object that is separate or distinct from awareness.” Can you please help me see if the understanding (experience) I wrote bellow is pointing to the right direction? And whether it is or not, can you point me the way to go deeper? -Whatever I see or experience is an expression of my senses. The...

Posted on: 2009-12-10 10:44:44

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Location: Ballarat, Australia 

Question: I have been thinking a lot lately about the nature of reality and the implications on every day societal interactions. I am always intrigued by our conformist nature, our desire to fit in and the levels to which this is taken, especially in modern day western society. It's not fitting in or conformism I am questioning, because I don't neccessarily think that wanting to be like those you idolize for traits you love is a bad thing. What I am questioning is the out of control egotism and abuse of the human desire for community. I believe that we do create our own realities individually and collectively, but I am curious to know what you think about the tendency for human society to be idea imperialistic, to try to control other's realities to suit their own the best.

Posted on: 2009-12-10 10:13:28

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Location: NY, US 

Question: You say that we have no control over thoughts but what about the use of mantras during which other thoughts stop and the mantra goes on continuously? Other thoughts are stopped; that is, controlled. People control their thoughts all the time by suppression of anything they don\'t want to think about. There seems to be thought control going on all the time. People make themselves happy by remembering something good which happened or they can make themselves sad and depressed by thinking about something bad which happened. The Dalai Lama has said that the only freedom which human beings have is the freedom to choose what to allow into our mind streams. This entails the ability to control thoughts. The Buddhist practice of metta, loving kindness, is based...

Posted on: 2009-12-10 08:13:41

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Question:

1. Dear Mr. Lucille, An admirer of your doctrine and method has told me that you deny that there is such a thing as the ego at any level of reality, be it at the level of the Absolute or the Self, or that of relativity and contingency. And he makes a distinction between his relative existence as a human being, which – true enough - has its ultimate reality in the Self, and that of the ego which, he claims, has no such claim to reality at all. What is more, he claims that the ego is a completely empty, psychological concept, a figment, so to speak, of the imagination. And yet, when I asked him, what is meant by your injunction: “Surrender!” or what, in other words, he thinks he is asked to surrender, he says that it is surrender “From the constricting...

Posted on: 2009-12-10 06:50:55

Location: Maine, USA 

Question: Dear Francis, Will you please tell us why you are vegetarian? Thank you and thank you for your kindness and generosity, Sattva

Dear Sattva,

Posted on: 2009-12-09 13:19:07

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Francis

Posted on: 2009-12-07 21:30:29

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Location: Sydney, Australia 

Question: Can you explain to me how you know this is all an illusion, how we arrived at being a human being and then told it is an illusion, that our ego's are an illusion, that we are not the body or the mind, that I am that? And what is 'that' and how do you know that is that? If consciousness is all there is, how do you know that? Stephen Wolinsky says the only reason we believe we are here is because we have a brain and a nervous system that buys into the senses, how do you know that? Why do you feel the way you do and I don't, and how do I get what you've got? Don't tell me I already have it, because presently I don't feel it and don't know what you are talking about? Please explain!!! Thank you from a very long term seeker.

Posted on: 2009-12-07 21:14:22

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Location: Dorset,UK 

Question: Dear Francis, In Eternity Now you speak of there being no evidence for a material world outside of awareness and that the body along with the rest of the world is made out of sensory perceptions. If something is being perceived does it not then have a certain "reality"of its own in order to be perceived? If something is locked away in a vault for 100 years we could know from eye witness testimonies know, that it is the same object when it is uncovered 100 years later. Our intelligence tells us that it remained in the vault during the intervening period, outside of anyone's conscious perceptions. Does this not then prove that it existed "outside of awareness" for...

Posted on: 2009-12-06 07:50:26

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Location: Amsterdam, Holland 

Question: Beloved Francis, There are two great theories regarding the external world in Vedanta : Is the empirical world the mental vritti objectified, or is the objective world a reality which the vritti receives and reports to the jiva? 

Posted on: 2009-12-05 09:40:16

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Question: Dear Francis, An apparent object arises in consciousness, for example, a sound. I ask the question 'What knows this sound?' I trust that asking this question leads to some kind of falling back into the true I, silence or subjectivity - that which is unknowable. I am then left with two questions: 1)What happens to appearence when the perceiver falls back into itself as the unmanifest? 2)In the original inquiry there appears to remain some fundamental duality operating between the unmanifest and the manifest with a privileging of the unmanifest over the manifest. If this is the case is the use of the question 'What is experiencing this?' enough to dissolve this apparent duality as it seems to privilege the unmanifest over the manifest? Could it be

Posted on: 2009-11-27 07:26:01

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Would it be fair to say that spirituality can become a trap. In that we can spend a great deal of our lives cooped up and trying to 'get it'. The contrast of the spiritual path seems to be the 'worldly' person. Someone with a DESIRE to go out and make something. That desire to create and do seems to be completely in tune with sexual desire as well. It seems like when I'm looking for God I'm deader than I am if I WANT something. 

Posted on: 2009-11-24 05:56:50

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Location: Barcelona, Spain 

Question: Dear Francis, all these questions about awakening and enlightenment, being present... all refer to people living with a body. You can stand as awareness more or less frequently, but you still eat, feel the temperature of the air, sleep... All this is temporary and lasts as the brain lasts. What happens when the body dies? Do you know it for sure?

Posted on: 2009-11-24 05:35:33

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Location: Northern California 

Question: Hi Francis, Last night I invited the king in and looked for the "I". What became apparent was that the "I" is not local to this body. The body became unreal, and all that was there was "me". Thought was happening. What was "me" hides within the body or seems to, appearing to be a person thinking. As the "me" outside of the body, things appeared to happen in front of me, and within me, as if a stage play was going on and "I" am both the theater and the director. Everything else, actors, scenes, dialog seemed to be conjured out of my imagination. When the physical body opened its eyes again, the awareness seemed...

Posted on: 2009-11-18 10:10:19

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Location: Shanghai, China 

Question: A couple of nights ago, I woke up in a panic. My mind was touching such a profound and powerful truth, and I quickly pushed it away. I was frightened. I wasn't ready. When I meditate, this is the very state I am trying to achieve, isn't it? I feel so frustrated because I know that the only way I will ever be truly free of the suffering I have attracted in my life is by going to that place, and yet, a couple nights ago it didn't feel like anything I have expected or wanted. There was such a deep and

Posted on: 2009-11-18 09:48:08

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Hello Francis,

Can seeking be dangerous, can it come close to madness?

Like with the poet Rimbaud, or Nietzsche for example. The image of the sage is someone sitting peacefully and blissfully, and sometimes I get to thinking that some seekers are TRYING to be peaceful. It seems like the way can be very intense, uneasy, and passionate, more like the poets or artists. Can you comment on this?

Posted on: 2009-11-16 19:35:18

 Dear Francis: 

English, Text

Location: India

I’m not sure if you respond to random emails but I will shoot it anyways knowing that it is sincere. 

I have a couple of questions for you and I wonder if you would have the time to respond:

Dear Sudhakar,

Here are your questions and my answers

1. We are not what we experience; that much is clear. We experience our body-mind as much as we experience the world “outside” of us. This means that...

Posted on: 2009-11-15 23:35:14

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Location: New York 

Question: Dear Francis, I am awareness and all the sensing and thinking is myself through the objects defined as this mind and this body (at least from my understanding from Atma Darshan of Shree Khrishna Menon). The awareness that is reading now these words is aware of something else than the awareness that is writing them now? Or is the Francis Lucille just a mentation in the awareness that is writing this email and any reply to it is born from the same awareness that wrote them in this text box now? 

Posted on: 2009-11-14 08:26:55

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Location: Barcelona, Spain 

Question: Dear Francis. When I was a child, I used to think, when in bed before sleeping, "how is it possible that the Universe has come into existence? If something exists, something else is the originating cause". Going backwards, I always arrived (and I still arrive now) to a conclusion: "something exists from ever. But this is impossible to my logic... so nothing exists." Many times I felt, just for an instant, a sudden vacuum when 

Posted on: 2009-11-13 18:01:04

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Location: uk 

Question: Dear Francis, I was on the progressive path for many years untill discovering finally this more direct and simple and obvious way, but I have a lot of conditioning from the progressive path and just human conditioning, about being nice etc etc.... Do you have any advice on finding the balance, I seem to become withdrawn a lot when there are challenges with my close family and...

Posted on: 2009-11-13 17:46:59

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Location: Nagpur, India 

Question: Dear Francis, I understand from the basic tenets of Advaita that no efforts/practice (as they are in time & space) e.g. holding on to the 'I' consciousness, be oneself, meditation etc. are required to be done (or not done) (as there is no doer) in order to realize our true nature. The advaita seed of understanding implanted in the consciousness (and forgotten) is bound to bear fruit sooner or later automatically. However, I notice that various kinds of practices are advised by advaita teachers. Please will you explain the apparent paradox. What is your opinion? Or is the undestanding flawed? 

Posted on: 2009-11-11 10:19:02

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Question: Hello Francis:  I am looking for direct experience now. I love someone, now he is gone overseas for four months. The love which comes through me, for him, is no different than loving "God." How do I access that love for "me" to be that love and live that love every day? I mainly seem to be aware of it when directly, "in love" in his presence. I am not where you are Francis, yet, regarding projections, and my mind requires understanding, especially the subconscious, which is often disturbed, especially at night. Thank you. Patricia.

Posted on: 2009-11-08 22:20:38

Posted on: 2009-11-07 02:34:03

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Have you had any experience with individuals who have "awakened" while taking medication, and does "self-realization" generally result in resolution of emotional difficulties?

Posted on: 2009-11-06 06:45:19

 Born around 515 BC., Parmenides, was a citizen of Elea, a small town in the south of Italy.  His poem "On Reality" was probably comprised of three parts of which we have only the first two largely intact.

  The first part takes the form of an allegorical poem in which we see the poet, impelled by a strong desire, travel toward the domain of the Goddess, in a chariot pulled by powerful runners.  After unveiling their faces for him, the Maidens of light guide him to the "threshold where the roads of Night and of Day converge", and he is allowed to cross it as a result of their intercession.  He is then welcomed with benevolence by the Goddess who takes his right hand in hers and commences her teaching...

Posted on: 2009-11-06 06:38:44

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Question: What is your core teaching? I am right now seeing glimpses of witnessing. I guess my ego is still lurking behind the witnessing state. How can the witnessing state gets transcended ? (I know how implies a method, and back again in the mind ..). 

Posted on: 2009-11-03 10:01:09

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Question: During Satsang today I had an experience, one that I've had before, in your presence, that I have a question about. As you were talking about the hot seat and about surrendering, something that I have been practicing a lot lately, I once again had this intense bodily sensation of expanding, of opening up. It was a blissful feeling, electric almost, and I had remembered you telling me when this happened before and It scared me a little that I was "stopping" it and...

Posted on: 2009-11-02 10:46:15

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Jean Klein never meant for the world to be an illusion pure and simple, for the world as an experience is undeniable. What he meant was that a world existing independently from consciousness is an illusion. But as an expression of reality, or consciouness, the world is real. Jean Klein’s teachings are at the crossroads of Advaita and Tantrism (Kashmiri Shaivism) and the latter tradition emphasizes the reality of the world, and the...

Posted on: 2009-10-31 12:01:34

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There is only one Reality.

Posted on: 2009-10-31 11:45:52

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Question: Dear Francis I found your videos recently and felt a strong emotional connection with a lot of what you say. It was a relief because I had just left an organisation which teaches Advaita after having been a member for about thirty years. I left in the summer, after a few years of discomfort. I think it was mainly because I felt that the teachings were being rammed into us in a dogmatic way. 

Posted on: 2009-10-31 10:59:52

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If this life is a dream, an illusion, then what are your views about the year 2012 & catastrophic events to happen for planet earth? I mean shouldn't we still play the game & do something about it? Cheers Victor