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Ivan Frimmel presents

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Man, Know Thyself!

Who am I? - What Does it Really Mean?

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Why Should I Know Myself ?

Know Thyself !Know Thyself ! – – by knowing your Self all will be by knowing your Self all will be known to you.known to you. – Delphic oracle to Socrates. – Delphic oracle to Socrates.

If one has realized one’s Self here, truth is If one has realized one’s Self here, truth is fulfilled; if one does not realise one’s Self here, it fulfilled; if one does not realise one’s Self here, it is a supremely great loss. Reflecting upon the Self is a supremely great loss. Reflecting upon the Self in every experience the wise transcend this world in every experience the wise transcend this world and attain immortality. and attain immortality. – Upanishads.– Upanishads.

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There is some Absolute Entity, the eternal substratum of the consciousness by which this universe is pervaded, but which nothing pervades, which shining, all this universe shines by Its reflection... 

This is the innermost Self, the primeval Purusha, whose essence is the constant realisation  of infinite Bliss...

— Shankaracharya.

Quotes from Shankaracharya

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Sri Ramana Maharshi’s Teaching on Self-Enquiry

Ask yourself Ask yourself “Who am I?”“Who am I?” - and pursue this enquiry to its - and pursue this enquiry to its source. Knowing the pure Self is moksha, liberation from source. Knowing the pure Self is moksha, liberation from ignorance and suffering. ignorance and suffering. – – Sri Ramana Maharshi (1860 – 1950).Sri Ramana Maharshi (1860 – 1950).

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The Goal of the Spiritual / Mystic PathTo achieve a nondual way of experiencing this World, To achieve a nondual way of experiencing this World, Reality, Universe, God – i.e. a transpersonal Reality, Universe, God – i.e. a transpersonal experience of Nonduality, Oneness, Liberation, experience of Nonduality, Oneness, Liberation, Self-Realization, Enlightenment…Self-Realization, Enlightenment…

How to Achieve This Goal?The best way to achieve this Goal is by asking The best way to achieve this Goal is by asking and answering the question and answering the question

Who am I?Who am I? Why?In order to realize the nonduality of ‘I’ and ‘not-I’.In order to realize the nonduality of ‘I’ and ‘not-I’.

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The Objective of This Talk

By focusing on By focusing on two methods (or soteriologies)two methods (or soteriologies) for finding for finding the answer/s to this question, namely:the answer/s to this question, namely:

Via NegativaVia Negativa in Christian Mysticism, called in Christian Mysticism, called Neti-Neti Neti-Neti in in Hinduism,Hinduism, andand Sunyavada Sunyavada in Advaita Vedanta, Buddhism, in Advaita Vedanta, Buddhism, Cha’n & Zen; Cha’n & Zen;

ParadoxismParadoxism (my own philosophy): transcending the (my own philosophy): transcending the teachings of Via Negativa & Via Positiva –through Paradoxesteachings of Via Negativa & Via Positiva –through Paradoxes— into Sunyata, Voidness, Silence (the Silence & Emptiness — into Sunyata, Voidness, Silence (the Silence & Emptiness beyond all thoughts & mind).beyond all thoughts & mind).

To help you clarify and answer the question To help you clarify and answer the question

Who am I?Who am I? How?

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Outline of This Talk Various Eastern & Western concepts & definitions Various Eastern & Western concepts & definitions

of of Self, I, SoulSelf, I, Soul & soteriologies (ways of liberation) & soteriologies (ways of liberation)

Dualities to be understood & transcendedDualities to be understood & transcended

Some ideas & quotes about nonduality, oneness, Some ideas & quotes about nonduality, oneness, liberation & enlightenmentliberation & enlightenment

““Steps” to enlightenment (vidya, jnana, gnosis)Steps” to enlightenment (vidya, jnana, gnosis)

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Various Disciplines Dealing with Self

Philosophy & MetaphysicsPhilosophy & Metaphysics Plato, Plotinus, Spinoza, Fichte, Schelling, Hegel… Plato, Plotinus, Spinoza, Fichte, Schelling, Hegel…

PsychologyPsychology Freud, Jung, Maslow…Freud, Jung, Maslow…

Religion & MysticismReligion & Mysticism Western:Western: Judaism (Kabbalah), Christianity (Meister Judaism (Kabbalah), Christianity (Meister

Eckhart, St John of the Cross), Islam, (Sufism: Kabir, Eckhart, St John of the Cross), Islam, (Sufism: Kabir, Rumi), New Age Mysticism…Rumi), New Age Mysticism…

Eastern:Eastern: Dvaita & Advaita Vedanta, Buddhism, Dvaita & Advaita Vedanta, Buddhism, Taoism…Taoism…

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Various Names for Self

Dualistic, relativistDualistic, relativist i, self, myself, ego, (English); ich (German); ek (Afrikaans); i, self, myself, ego, (English); ich (German); ek (Afrikaans);

ja – ja – Я Я (Slovak - Russian); atta (Pali); atman (Sanskrit)… (Slovak - Russian); atta (Pali); atman (Sanskrit)… body? emotions? mind? spirit? soul? monad?…body? emotions? mind? spirit? soul? monad?… true, authentic, genuine self…true, authentic, genuine self… relative subject, an object…relative subject, an object…

……as ‘opposed to’ other objects, world, not-i, Godas ‘opposed to’ other objects, world, not-i, God

Non-Dualistic, absolutistNon-Dualistic, absolutist I, Spirit, Soul, I Am, Absolute Subject, Light, Love…I, Spirit, Soul, I Am, Absolute Subject, Light, Love… Aham, Purusha, Atman, Paramatman, Supersoul… Aham, Purusha, Atman, Paramatman, Supersoul… Brahman, Buddha, One, One Mind, Buddha Mind, God, Brahman, Buddha, One, One Mind, Buddha Mind, God,

Absolute…Absolute…

……Unopposed, Single, Absolute SubjectUnopposed, Single, Absolute Subject

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Various Dictionary Definitions of Self

self (sèlf) noun; plural selves (sèlvz)

a person as an individual;

the total, essential or particular being, nature and essential qualities of a person, distinguishing one person from another; individuality;

one's consciousness of one's own being or identity; I, myself;

the innermost part, ego, consciousness, soul or spirit of a person; the inner being that I am;

one's own interests, welfare, or advantage…

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Various Western Concepts of Self Aristotle:Aristotle: soul soul is the vital principle, the immortal essence of the is the vital principle, the immortal essence of the

body, motivator of all vital & mental performances, incomplete body, motivator of all vital & mental performances, incomplete without the body…without the body…

St Augustine:St Augustine: soul soul is a spiritual substance added to the body in which is a spiritual substance added to the body in which it exists in a more or less accidental union…it exists in a more or less accidental union…

Descartes:Descartes: I amI am a simple, undecomposable, substantial I, intuitively a simple, undecomposable, substantial I, intuitively known; known; “I think therefore I am”“I think therefore I am”……

Kant to Schopenhauer: Kant to Schopenhauer: ichich – the ultimate, conscious subject; often – the ultimate, conscious subject; often process, not substance; consciousness; noumenon…process, not substance; consciousness; noumenon…

Hume: Hume: like the Buddhist doctrine of like the Buddhist doctrine of anatta = no-selfanatta = no-self,, Hume also Hume also denied selfdenied self:: he said that he said that “apart from a bundle of successive “apart from a bundle of successive perceptions, nothing justifying the concept of perceptions, nothing justifying the concept of self self can be discerned by can be discerned by introspection”introspection”……

Fichte:Fichte: Absolute EgoAbsolute Ego:: the the EgoEgo or or SubjectSubject prior to its differentiation prior to its differentiation into empirical (historical) self and not-self…into empirical (historical) self and not-self…

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Various Dictionary Definitions of Self-realization

The Webster’s Dictionary defines Self-realizationism as: The Webster’s Dictionary defines Self-realizationism as:

"The ethical theory that the highest good for man consists in realizing or "The ethical theory that the highest good for man consists in realizing or fulfilling himself usually on the assumption that he has certain inborn abilities fulfilling himself usually on the assumption that he has certain inborn abilities constituting his real or ideal self.“constituting his real or ideal self.“

Webster’s defines Self-realization as: Webster’s defines Self-realization as:

"The fulfillment by oneself of the possibilities of one’s character or "The fulfillment by oneself of the possibilities of one’s character or personality."personality."

However, such dictionary explanations are not really very enlightening for However, such dictionary explanations are not really very enlightening for anyone on the spiritual path. This is not really surprising, since the scholarly anyone on the spiritual path. This is not really surprising, since the scholarly interpretation of what constitutes the Self is not really on the same level as the interpretation of what constitutes the Self is not really on the same level as the interpretations of our Philosophers. While dictionaries normally refer to the interpretations of our Philosophers. While dictionaries normally refer to the entire person, the individual, or to a person in his best normal physical and entire person, the individual, or to a person in his best normal physical and mental condition, philosophers refer to the Self as Pure Consciousness, Pure mental condition, philosophers refer to the Self as Pure Consciousness, Pure Awareness, Pure Beingness, Atman, or even God. Awareness, Pure Beingness, Atman, or even God.

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Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Body Needs

Security Needs

Social Needs

Ego Needs

Cognitive, Aesthetic & Spiritual Needs

Self-actualization

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Transcending Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Body Needs

Security Needs

Social Needs

Ego Needs

Cognitive, Aesthetic & Spiritual Needs

Self-actualization

Self TranscendenceZero “Point”Transformation

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What verbal symbol do you think best expresses THIS Reality?

Reality, Ultimate Reality, It, This, That, Thusness, Suchness, One, Mind, One Mind, Buddha Mind, I, I am, Self, God, Spirit, Tao, Brahman, Jahweh, Allah, Infinity, Infinite Intelligence, Absolute, Energy, Universe, Presence, Omnipresence, Absence, Void, Sunyata, Emptiness, Nothing, Aum, Silence…?

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What numerical symbol do you think best expresses THIS Reality?

00 – Zero? – Zero? 11 – One? – One? 2 2 – Two?– Two? 33 – Three? – Three? ?? – Many? If many, how many? – Many? If many, how many? ∞ ∞ – – Infinity? Infinity?

Infinitely large number / space / long time?Infinitely large number / space / long time? Infinitely small number / space / short time?Infinitely small number / space / short time?

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And what pictorial symbol do you think best expresses THIS Reality?

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

∞∞

etc.

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Any Other Symbol?

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Dualities to be understood… …and transcended Duality of PerceptionDuality of Perception

I & objects;I & objects; objects & objectsobjects & objects

Duality of Cognition (and Language)Duality of Cognition (and Language) subject & objectsubject & object good & bad; right & wrong; true & false; love & hate; light & darkness...good & bad; right & wrong; true & false; love & hate; light & darkness...

Duality of I & not-I Duality of I & not-I I & not-I; I & you; I & others; I & the world I & not-I; I & you; I & others; I & the world I & my body; I & my feelings; I & my mind; I & my soul…I & my body; I & my feelings; I & my mind; I & my soul… I & GodI & God

Duality of Absolute & relative Duality of Absolute & relative Noumenon & phenomenaNoumenon & phenomena God & the world God & the world Creator & creationCreator & creation Non-duality & dualityNon-duality & duality

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How to Transcend All Conceptual Dualities?

Thesis Antithesis

Synthesis

Great Synthesis = Ultimate Nondual Reality = Tao = Nirvana = Silence

Thesis

Antithesis Thesis Antithesis

SynthesisAntithesisThesis

Synthesis

By Integration & Transcendence of “Opposites” (Complementaries):

Thesis + Antithesis = Synthesis (Integration)

Synthesis

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Various Names for Non-Dual Experience Vedanta, Hinduism, YogaVedanta, Hinduism, Yoga

Samadhi (Self-Absorption), or Moksha (Liberation)Samadhi (Self-Absorption), or Moksha (Liberation) Self-Realization, God-RealizationSelf-Realization, God-Realization

BuddhismBuddhism Kensho (‘no-self’ realization), Moksha (Liberation)Kensho (‘no-self’ realization), Moksha (Liberation) Enlightenment, Nirvana, Satori (Zen)Enlightenment, Nirvana, Satori (Zen)

TaoismTaoism Wu Wei (non-dual action); The Ultimate Tao Wu Wei (non-dual action); The Ultimate Tao

MysticismMysticism Cosmic Consciousness (Richard Bucke)Cosmic Consciousness (Richard Bucke) Objective Consciousness (Gurdijeff)Objective Consciousness (Gurdijeff) Fana (Sufism)Fana (Sufism) Ascension to Light, Illumination, Liberation Ascension to Light, Illumination, Liberation Oneness, At-one-ment, Union with GodOneness, At-one-ment, Union with God

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Quotes about Non-duality As long as you tarry in dualism how can you realise Oneness? –Seng-Ts’an

Non-dual PerceptionNon-dual Perception The eye that I see God with is the same eye God sees with.The eye that I see God with is the same eye God sees with. – – Meister Eckhart.Meister Eckhart.

Non-dual ThinkingNon-dual Thinking I never think – my thoughts think for me. I never think – my thoughts think for me. – Lamartine. – Lamartine.

Non-dual ActionNon-dual Action The Tao is constant and no-action (wu-wei) – and yet The Tao is constant and no-action (wu-wei) – and yet

nothing remains undone.nothing remains undone. – Tao Te Ching. – Tao Te Ching. He, who in action sees inaction, and action in inaction – He, who in action sees inaction, and action in inaction –

he is wise among men, he is a yogin, and he has he is wise among men, he is a yogin, and he has accomplished his work.accomplished his work. – Bhagavad Gita. – Bhagavad Gita.

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Three Types of Knowledge

Symbolic:Symbolic: knowing or inference about A knowing or inference about A …dualistic.…dualistic.

from a “map”, sign, hearsay, tradition, book, picture… from a “map”, sign, hearsay, tradition, book, picture…

Intimate:Intimate: direct perception of Adirect perception of A … …still dualistic.still dualistic.

actually seeing, feeling, tasting, hearing, smelling A… actually seeing, feeling, tasting, hearing, smelling A…

Perfect:Perfect: being Abeing A (“territory”) (“territory”) … nondual.… nondual.

I am…I am…

The “map” is not the “territory”. –The “map” is not the “territory”. – Korzybski. Korzybski.

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Two Ways of Realizing True (No) Self

DualisticDualistic ((Common perception, cognition & action)Common perception, cognition & action) I + I + NotNot-I = All-I = All

Dualistic Vedanta, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Dualistic Vedanta, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Nicol C. Campbell’s School of Truth, Theosophy…Nicol C. Campbell’s School of Truth, Theosophy…

Non-DualisticNon-Dualistic ((Nondual perception, cognition & action)Nondual perception, cognition & action)

Via Positiva: Via Positiva: expanding / inflating sense of Self to expanding / inflating sense of Self to ∞∞ II = ∞ = ∞

Vedanta…Vedanta…

Via Negativa: Via Negativa: colapsing / reducing sense of Self to 0 colapsing / reducing sense of Self to 0 II = 0 = 0

Advaita Vedanta (Neti-Neti), Christian Mysticism, Advaita Vedanta (Neti-Neti), Christian Mysticism, Sufism, Taoism, Mahayana Buddhism (anatta = no-self), Sufism, Taoism, Mahayana Buddhism (anatta = no-self), Cha’n, Zen (no-way, no-mind, no-action)…Cha’n, Zen (no-way, no-mind, no-action)…

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Various Soteriologies (methods or “medicines” to end human suffering)

Materialistic: Communism, Capitalism…Materialistic: Communism, Capitalism… Religious: Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish, Christian… Religious: Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish, Christian… Mystical: Kabbalah, Sufism, Rosicrucianism, Theosophy, Mystical: Kabbalah, Sufism, Rosicrucianism, Theosophy,

Christian Science, Yoga, Taoism, Ch’an, Zen…Christian Science, Yoga, Taoism, Ch’an, Zen… In most religious and mystical traditions, great emphasis is placed In most religious and mystical traditions, great emphasis is placed

on on Knowing ThyselfKnowing Thyself as the way of deliverance, liberation of man as the way of deliverance, liberation of man from ignorance and suffering.from ignorance and suffering.

so·te·ri·ol·o·gy (so-tîr´ê-òl¹e-jê) nounThe theological doctrine of salvation, especially as effected by Jesus, but here also meanimg: by other saviours (“doctors”) like Buddha, Mohammed, Sri Ramana Maharshi, HPB, MBE, Osho…

From Greek sotêrion, deliverance from earthly suffering and ignorance; sotêr savior + logy study of.

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Advaita Vedanta Soteriology

SPIRITUALPERSONALITY

INTELLECTUALPERSONALITY

EMOTIONALPERSONALITY

PHYSICALPERSONALITY

CONTEMPLATOR THINKER FEELER ACTOR

INTELLECT

PERCEIVER

MIND BODY

A t m a n

Self-Realization (Vidya, Jnana, Knowledge):1. Nondual Universal Consciousness is All There Is2. Brahman = Nondual Universal Consciousness3. Atman (Individual Self) = Brahman4. Atman = Nondual Universal Consciousness = Brahman = All There Is

Avi

dya

(igno

ranc

e):

Atm

an’s

ide

ntifi

catio

n w

ith n

am

e &

for

m,

inte

llect

, m

ind,

bod

y (e

go)

…

SUBTLE THOUGHTS GROSS THOUGHTS FEELINGS ACTIONS PERCEPTS

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Quotes from Vedanta

Brihad-Aryanyaka UpanishadBrihad-Aryanyaka Upanishad Aham Brahma AsmiAham Brahma Asmi – I am Brahman, the Infinite – I am Brahman, the Infinite Aham Eva IdamAham Eva Idam – I am indeed This – I am indeed This SarvosmiSarvosmi – I am all that is – I am all that is

Chandogya UpanishadChandogya Upanishad Tat Tvam AsiTat Tvam Asi – That Art Thou – That Art Thou

Isa UpanishadIsa Upanishad Yas Tvam Asi Soham AsiYas Tvam Asi Soham Asi – You are indeed “I am” – You are indeed “I am” SohamSoham – I am He – I am He

Mundaka UpanishadMundaka Upanishad Idam Sarvam AsiIdam Sarvam Asi – You are all This – You are all This

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Quote from Chandogya Uphanishad

That which is the finest essence – this whole That which is the finest essence – this whole world has it as its soul. That is reality. That world has it as its soul. That is reality. That is Atman. That art thou. Tat Tvam Asi.is Atman. That art thou. Tat Tvam Asi.

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Buddhist Soteriology Buddha’s Way of “Salvation”, Liberation and Transcendence of Dualities

LIBERATION (MOKSHA) NON-DUALITY (ADVAITA)

ENLIGHTENMENT (SATORI) EMPTINESS, VOIDNESS (SUNYATA)

REALISATION OF NO-SELF (ANATTA)Going beyond the mind, witnessing the mind

PURE CONSCIOUSNESS, I, TRUE SELF, SILENCE

ATTRACTIONCravingLiking

ClingingSeekingHopingLoving

REPULSIONRejectingDislikingResistingAvoiding

DespairingHating

DEFILEMENTS (KILESAS)DUE TO UNCONSCIOUS IDENTIFICATION OF SELF WITH THE MIND - BODY MANIFESTING AS SELFISHNESS, ILLUSION (MAYA), DUALITY (DVAITA)

RESULTING IN SUFFERING (DUKHA)

QUENCHING OF DEFILEMENTSBY CONSTANT MINDFULNESS

Bringing Unconsciousness to Consciousness

QUENCHING OF DEFILEMENTSBY CONSTANT MINDFULNESS

Bringing Unconsciousness to Consciousness

CONFUSION & DELUSION

The ‘Witness’ or ‘Nirguna Brahman’ of Vedanta,‘Father’ of Christianity,‘Buddha-mind’ of Ch’an,‘One’ of Mysticism, ‘Absolute’ or ‘Noumenon’ of Philosophy, etc.

(PH

EN

OM

EN

A)

(NO

UM

EN

ON

)

RE

LA

TIV

EA

BS

OL

UT

E

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Quotes from Buddhist Mysticism

The One Mind alone is the Buddha, and there is no The One Mind alone is the Buddha, and there is no distinction between the Buddha and sentient being, only distinction between the Buddha and sentient being, only that sentient beings are attached to form and so seek to that sentient beings are attached to form and so seek to attain Budhahood externally. By the very seeking they lose attain Budhahood externally. By the very seeking they lose it, for that is using the Buddha to seek Buddha, and using it, for that is using the Buddha to seek Buddha, and using the Mind to grasp Mind.the Mind to grasp Mind.

- Huang - Huang PoPo

If you run away from the Void, you can never be free from If you run away from the Void, you can never be free from it; if you search for the Void, you can never reach it.it; if you search for the Void, you can never reach it.

- Niu-tou Fa-- Niu-tou Fa-YungYung

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Quotes from Ch’an Buddhism & Taoism

Chuang TzuChuang Tzu It is because there is “is” that there is “is not”; It is because there is “is” that there is “is not”;

it is because there is “is not” that there is “is”.it is because there is “is not” that there is “is”.

Yung Chia, Yung Chia, Song of EnlightenmentSong of Enlightenment Have you not seen a man of Tao at his ease, in Have you not seen a man of Tao at his ease, in

his non-active (wu-wei) state who neither his non-active (wu-wei) state who neither suppresses thoughts nor seeks the real?suppresses thoughts nor seeks the real?

Huang PoHuang Po That which asked the question is the Mind; Only That which asked the question is the Mind; Only

Mind is; Mind is the Buddha and the cessation of Mind is; Mind is the Buddha and the cessation of conceptual thought is The Way.conceptual thought is The Way.

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Christian Soteriology Holy TrinityHoly Trinity: Father = Christ (Son) = Holy Spirit: Father = Christ (Son) = Holy Spirit

God sent Himself in the person of His Son, Jesus God sent Himself in the person of His Son, Jesus Christ, to Christ, to save us from sin with His blood by sacrificing His save us from sin with His blood by sacrificing His

Life for us, and to offer us Salvation: Eternal Life.Life for us, and to offer us Salvation: Eternal Life.

All we need to do is repent, accept Jesus Christ as All we need to do is repent, accept Jesus Christ as our savior and Holy Spirit as our Guide, and our savior and Holy Spirit as our Guide, and strive to strive to

do God’s Will: do God’s Will: Thy Will Be Done - not mine.Thy Will Be Done - not mine.

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Quote from Christianity

Jesus said to them: Jesus said to them: When you make your eye When you make your eye single, the two as one, the inner as the outer, single, the two as one, the inner as the outer, and the outer as the inner, and the above as and the outer as the inner, and the above as the below, and when you make the male and the below, and when you make the male and the female into a single one… then you shall the female into a single one… then you shall enter the Kingdom.enter the Kingdom.

– – Gospel according to Thomas.Gospel according to Thomas.

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Quote from Sufi Mysticism

Clothe thyself in the garment of nothingness Clothe thyself in the garment of nothingness and drink the cup of self-annihilation. and drink the cup of self-annihilation.

- Attar, 12- Attar, 12thth Century Persian Sufi Mystic Century Persian Sufi Mystic

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Quotes from Christian Mysticism Meister EckhartMeister Eckhart

The eye that I see God with is the same eye The eye that I see God with is the same eye God sees with.God sees with.

As long as I am this or that, or have this or As long as I am this or that, or have this or that, I am not all things and have not all that, I am not all things and have not all things. Become pure till you neither are nor things. Become pure till you neither are nor have this or that; then you are omnipresent, have this or that; then you are omnipresent, and, being neither this nor that, are all things.and, being neither this nor that, are all things.

St John of the CrossSt John of the Cross In order to arrive at being everything, desire to In order to arrive at being everything, desire to

be nothing.be nothing.

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“Steps” to Enlightenment, Satori, Knowledge of Self, Vidya, Jnana Ordinary, unenightened person, ajnaniOrdinary, unenightened person, ajnani

I am my name, gender, nationality, I am my name, gender, nationality, personality, body, emotions, mind, personality, body, emotions, mind, intellect, soul, ego; feeling and thinking intellect, soul, ego; feeling and thinking “I” & “mine” (selfishness) v. “others” “I” & “mine” (selfishness) v. “others”

Deliverance, Enlightenment, Satori, Deliverance, Enlightenment, Satori, Self-Realisation, Moksha, Liberation…Self-Realisation, Moksha, Liberation… I am no-thing; there is no “i”; no-selfI am no-thing; there is no “i”; no-self

I am / is not a thing or objectI am / is not a thing or object

Enlightened person, jnaniEnlightened person, jnani I am Everything, Self, One, One Self, I am Everything, Self, One, One Self,

One-with-All, Love, Witness, Being… One-with-All, Love, Witness, Being…

Zero Point

one,self, ego,

i

I,Self,One,

Paradox(Nothing-in-and as-Everything)

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When & How do I “find” my Self ? When I stop “looking for myself” as an object that When I stop “looking for myself” as an object that

can be lost and found – simply because there is no can be lost and found – simply because there is no such thing or objectsuch thing or object

When I know that When I know that I am not a thingI am not a thing & yet & yet I amI am:: Right Now & Here, As-I-am-Now-and-HereRight Now & Here, As-I-am-Now-and-Here

By realizing that I am already Self-Realized & By realizing that I am already Self-Realized & Enlightened, Void, Empty of Self - and that nothing Enlightened, Void, Empty of Self - and that nothing needsneeds to be done or to be done or cancan be done about it be done about it

By relinquishing the thoughts that By relinquishing the thoughts that “I don’t know “I don’t know who I am”,who I am”, that that “I am not Self-Realized or “I am not Self-Realized or Enlightened” Enlightened” and thatand that “I must do something to “I must do something to become Realized or Enlightened, in time”…become Realized or Enlightened, in time”…

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So, Who or What am I?

I am No-thing I am No-thing I am Absolute Subject, I-less-I, One-AllI am Absolute Subject, I-less-I, One-All Since I am Absolute Subject, I can never see, feel, Since I am Absolute Subject, I can never see, feel,

smell, hear, experience, or know ‘myself’ as an smell, hear, experience, or know ‘myself’ as an object of my own Self-Knowing or Experience, object of my own Self-Knowing or Experience,

in fact:in fact: I am NOTI am NOT (I am not a ‘thing’) – (I am not a ‘thing’) – and yet I amand yet I am I am Timeless, Absolute Non-Being-BeingI am Timeless, Absolute Non-Being-Being I am who I am & as I am, Eternally Here & Now… I am who I am & as I am, Eternally Here & Now…

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Finally, Who or What am I?

I am a I am a PARADOXPARADOX: : 1. I am NOT1. I am NOT and and yet I amyet I am

2. I am All THIS, I am All, One 2. I am All THIS, I am All, One 3. I am Nothing & I am Everything3. I am Nothing & I am Everything

If If I am-not-a-thing (I am-not-a-thing (II = 0) = 0)

andand ifif THIS HERE Is Everything There IsTHIS HERE Is Everything There Is

then

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Why are you so unhappy?

Why are you so unhappy?Why are you so unhappy?

Because 99,9 per centBecause 99,9 per cent

of everything you thinkof everything you think

and everything you doand everything you do

is for yourself—is for yourself—

and there isn’t one.and there isn’t one.

From Ask the Awakened by Wei WuWei

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Quote about Striving to Get to Where You Already Are

Even if you go through all the stages of a Boddhisattva’s Even if you go through all the stages of a Boddhisattva’s progress towards Buddhahood, one by one, when at last, in a progress towards Buddhahood, one by one, when at last, in a single flash you attain a full realization, you will only be single flash you attain a full realization, you will only be realizing the Buddha-Nature which has been with you all the realizing the Buddha-Nature which has been with you all the time – and by all the foregoing stages you will have added to time – and by all the foregoing stages you will have added to it NOTHING AT ALL. it NOTHING AT ALL.

You will come to look upon all those aeons of work and You will come to look upon all those aeons of work and achievement as no better than unreal actions performed in a achievement as no better than unreal actions performed in a dream.dream. - Huang Po - Huang Po

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And now, after all this talking

Who I truly am, my deepest essence, is Who I truly am, my deepest essence, is inexpressible (in words, numbers, pictures inexpressible (in words, numbers, pictures

or any other symbols), so the best “answer” or any other symbols), so the best “answer”

to the question to the question Who am I, really?Who am I, really?

is SILENCE.is SILENCE.

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Final Quotes

The deepest truth cannot, like other objects of The deepest truth cannot, like other objects of study, be put into words: from long intercourse study, be put into words: from long intercourse and close intimacy with the facts, it comes and close intimacy with the facts, it comes suddenly into existence…suddenly into existence… – Plato. – Plato.

Be still, and know that I am God.Be still, and know that I am God. – Psalms. – Psalms.

Those who know don’t speak – those who speak Those who know don’t speak – those who speak don’t know. – don’t know. – Zen.Zen.

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Thank YouThank You

Ivan FrimmelIvan Frimmel

Cell: 082-454-0311Cell: 082-454-0311

E-mail: E-mail: ivan.frimmel@nanhua.co.zaivan.frimmel@nanhua.co.za