Reflected Consciousness—Don’t Be Misled by the Implicit Dualism of this View!

10 thoughts on “Reflected Consciousness—Don’t Be Misled by the Implicit Dualism of this View!”

1. This discussion highlights why Shabda (Words of the Wise, Vedanta) is the only Pramana (means of revealing) for Awareness whereas an example (Drshtanta, Upamana, moon/bowl) is not.
   There is no example possible for Awareness as there is nothing like it, other than it, or within it (Sajaatiya, Vijaatiya, Svagat Bheda Rahitam). Therefore each example will be limited (inadequate) in one way or the other.
   Then why use an example at all? well, only for assimilation of Oneness revealed by Vedanta.
   However, every teacher must take the extra caution that Francis takes here to point out the limitation of the moon/bowl example.

2. In neuroscience they call it phenomenal consciousness vs meta consciousness… Agency needs a barrier or illusory separation so I would say yes.. Self reflection needs the illusion of objects

3. Thank you

4. This 'moon and the reflection of it in the pot filled with water -metaphor' is used in Viveka Chudamani. This writing also says: the reflection is made of reality. There is no difference according to this writing. Metaphors are used because of the non-object character of the subject that is spoken about. As a clumsy help. Any such metaphor, a representation of that which is not an object as an object, crashes at some point when approached with logic. The not so logical effect of this metaphor when read was in my case that any time i catch myself in an attempt to approach Awareness as if it is an object this metaphor reminded me to take a step back. Some kind of reversal effect. It does not hinder me that in this metaphor Awareness is represented as an object. That part is ignored. To me it looks like its about how you interpret it. Your explanation of the wrong interpretation is helpfull to me and appreciated.

5. My Brian hurts LOL

6. Dear Francis,
   I love you ❤
   I can feel myself being more open to teachings which come through you, and because of your sincerity, these teachings strike me at places which were inaccessible to me, even when doing honest investigations myself.
   Thank you so very much.

7. Very important clarification. I know that great teachers as Swami Sarvapriyananda uses the metaphor of reflected consciousness but as Francis explain it was for many years very miss leading for me. The proposition of Non duality is that only Consciousness exists and what we call objects is what consciousness appears to be when it is seen through the lens of our sense organs. The work la of Bernardo Kastrup are very clarifying in that matter.

8. my left ear really enjoyed this video

9. "Everything is made of the 'moon'; There is only the moon."
   A fun way to put it.
   Thank you!
   💙🙏💙

10. There are no objects. Objects are concepts referring to one of the ways in which awareness appears/manifests to itself and from itself.

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