Month: December 2023
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Three Metaphysical Samskaras
In addition to “lower down” psychological samskaras like “I am unlovable” and “I am alone” (for more, see, e.g., here and here), there are at least three prominent “higher up” metaphysical samskaras that I would like to discuss here: namely, I am the doer, I am the knower, and I am the experiencer. Let’s explore…
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Living Without Intrusive Experiences
One of the nice things about Atmananda’s Direct Path teaching is that one starts to experience the lack of intrusiveness. How can there be intrusive thoughts when they’re all occurring in the space of (manifest) awareness–which is to say: in you? Or what about intrusive or unwanted feelings–how could that bit of discrimination be held…
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Flipped Into, Dipped In, And Drench With Universal Consciousness
Atmananda’s teaching, often referred to as the Direct Path or the Direct Method, elegantly shows that everything is Consciousness. Essentially, what one discovers through various prakriti–or lines of inquiry–is that any experience that appeared to be outside of Consciousness necessarily is within Consciousness. To offer up two metaphors: First, you may find that what was…
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Inertia And Sadhana
The predominant force in human life could be said to be inertia. Energy easily dissipates, spreading out. Days wind down in desuetude. You go to sit down and fall into a rabbit hole called “YouTube.” You listen to a parent over the phone and feel drained afterward. You make a resolution or set an intention…
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Just Be Quiet
The nondual teaching often whispers, “Just be quiet.” When thoughts subside, your senses might open up. Sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and touches may all feel crisper, quieter, more beautiful. The heart may pour forth in simple gratitude. Your dog might crawl into your lap and you might start crying. Contentment like this is a pointer…
Andrew Taggart, Ph.D. 