𝐍𝐨 𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐟 ~ Bernadette Roberts ~ Christian Mystics
Vložit
- čas přidán 6. 02. 2023
- This is a selection of some key pointers and teachings on the nature of no-self taken from various texts by Bernadette Roberts.
Bernadette Roberts (1931-2017) was born in California, and is a former Carmelite nun and contemplative in the Catholic tradition. She entered the Monastery of Discalced Carmelites in Alhambra, California when she was seventeen in January 1949. After eight and a half years of monastic life, Roberts left the cloister and returned to lay life where she pursued numerous studies and disciplines. She is best known for writing a series of books on her personal insights and experiences into the nature of non-self.
A list of Bernadette Robert books can be found here: www.thriftbooks.com/a/bernade...
__________________________________________
🙏 May whatever goodness arises from these readings/offerings be for the benefit of all sentient beings.
🎧 As a Buddhist nun, my intention with this channel is to offer these creative adaptations of spiritual teachings for the purpose of deepening spiritual understanding, contemplation, meditation, healing, devotion and relaxation for listeners. This channel is not monetized for profit through CZcams advertising revenue, and never will be. All the videos are strictly for educational purposes, not-for-profit and non-commercial. If ads appear on some videos it is because the music companies have the “right” to run ads for their profit if I have used copyrighted music.
“All the words, music, images, and graphics used in the video belong to their respective owners and I or this channel does not claim any right over them. This video is posted for educational and spiritual purposes only.
Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing."
When one is perfectly still-mind and body, silent and alone-there is no personality to speak of, thus personality is one's unique way of expression, it is what others see and know of us, nothing more or deeper than that.
The major problem with the notion of transformation is that it forever hangs on to some form of self and never lets it go. It perpetuates the notion that self gets better and better, more and more divine, when in truth, the divine increases in proportion as the self decreases or falls away. The notion of a divinized self only increases or inflates the self; for those who buy into this notion, the journey may well end in total disillusionment.
The assumption that the egoless condition, or union of self and God, is one's final goal and ultimate destiny is a great mistake. The unitive state is a hidden path in itself, a movement in its own right that ultimately leads to no-self (no true-self and no-union). In short, the unitive state is the hidden path to no-self.
It is yet another step to realize that God is beyond all subject and object and is Love without subject or object. This is the step beyond our highest experiences of love and union, a step in which self is not around to divide, separate, objectify or claim anything for itself.
This journey then, is nothing more, yet nothing less than a period of acclimating to a new way of seeing, a time of transition and revelation as it gradually comes upon "that" which remains when there is no self. this is not a journey for those who expect love and bliss, rather, it is for the hardy who have been tried by fire and have come to rest in a tough, immovable trust in "that" which lies beyond the known, beyond the self, beyond union and even beyond love and trust itself.
The onset of this second movement is characterized by the falling away of self and coming upon "that" which remains when it is gone. But this going-out is an upheaval, a complete turnabout of such proportions it cannot possibly be missed, under-emphasized, or sufficiently stressed as a major landmark in the contemplative life.
Both Christ and Buddha saw the passage as one of suffering, and basically found identical ways out. What they discovered and revealed to us was that each of us has within himself or herself a “stillpoint” - comparable, perhaps to the eye of a cyclone, a spot or center of calm, imperturbability, and non-movement.
Buddha articulated this central eye in negative terms as “emptiness” or “void”, a refuge from the swirling cyclone of endless suffering. Christ articulated the eye in more positive terms as the “Kingdom of God” or the “Spirit within”, a place of refuge and salvation from a suffering self.
For both of them, the easy out was first to find that still point and then, by attaching ourselves to it, by becoming one with it, to find a stabilizing, balanced anchor in our lives. After that, the cyclone is gradually drawn into the eye, and the suffering self comes to an end. And when there is no longer a cyclone, there is also no longer an eye.
As a Christian, I saw the no-self experience as the true nature of Christ’s death; the movement beyond even his oneness with the divine, the movement from God to Godhead. Though not articulated in contemplative literature, Christ dramatized this experience on the cross for all ages to see and ponder. Where Buddha described the experience, Christ manifested it without words; yet they both make the same statement and reveal the same truth - that ultimately, eternal life is beyond self or consciousness. After one has seen it manifested or heard it said, the only thing left is to experience it.
It is far more than the discovery of life without a self. The immediate, inevitable result is an emergence into a new dimension of knowing and being that entails a difficult and prolonged readjustment. The reflexive mechanism of the mind -or whatever it is that allows us to be self-conscious - is cut off or permanently suspended so the mind is ever after held in a fixed now moment out of which it cannot move in its uninterrupted gaze upon the Unknown.
A point is reached where the self is so completely aligned with the still-point that it can no longer be moved, even in its first movements, from this center. It can no longer be tested by any force or trial, nor moved by the winds of change, and at this point the self has obviously outworn its function; it is no longer needed or useful, and life can go on without it.
We are ready to move on, to go beyond the self, beyond even its most intimate union with God, and this is where we enter yet another new life- a life best categorized, perhaps, as a life without a self.
The truest communication with God is absolute, total silence; there is not a single word in existence that can convey this communication.
In some ways, all our experiences of God are beyond belief, because all conceptual beliefs pale when compared to the experiential reality.
Only God is love, and for this love to be fully realized self must step aside. And not only do we not need a self to love God, but for the same reason we do not need a mind to know this, for that in us which knows God, is God.
The last bit is startling and beautiful 🙇🏼♀️ for that in us which knows God is God. 🙇🏼♀️
❤❤❤
I'm suffering, near the 'eye' of my own samsaric karma. It's SO terribly disorienting being so near the tranquility yet unable to quite 'grasp' the stillness.
The music of your prayer helps me to breathe and notice 🙏🏼🧘🏼♂️
🌍🌎🌏🕊️
What a profound jewel again, dear Jayasara! It shows once more, despite all the seemingly different mythological and spiritual paths - all is ONE. I was and still am deeply touched by this beautifully read masterpiece. Heartfelt gratitude to you. 🙏🏻❤
This is very profound and I find myself returning to its message. It comforts and soothes me as I journey along this path 🙏
By gratitude for this particular unexpected gift is profound. I used to read Bernadette Roberts many years ago. Hearing your voice reading her words is like an arrow to my heart. It landed!
"For that in us which knows God, is God". Great quote to end on!
Sigh…❤
Thank you for this timely teaching. It has help me understand deeply my own journey over the past nine years of intense challenges of illness, loss and grief. For me to have found peace at the most devastating times is reflected in these teachings. As my journey hasn’t been of bliss and love, I concluded that I was mistaken but indeed no. Grateful and nourished.Bless you. ❤❤❤
This was a revelation for me. Christ’s sacrifice on the cross was moving beyond the self.
Pure and simple. Such clarity and devotion to Truth is utterly compelling❤
🌀 Bernadette was a dear friend. There was great pleasure in following her teachings in Southern California for years.
Wonderful to know. Thanks for sharing.
I've read three of her books, without necessarily understanding them. I'd like to have met her and experienced her ideas in person. Apparently, or according to an article online, she was very forthright... would be interested in your ideas ....
@@sohara.... Greetings, Sohara: Thanks for your request. My experience with Bernadette was very positive. But like yourself, I too found her material to be quite heavy at times, even heady, as well. I did understand quite a bit of her wisdom, but there were significant gaps that left many of her insights incomplete for me. Bernadette could be challenging to many people who didn't understand her. Yes, she was a great lady, but had a unique personality!
If you'd like to go deeper in the lineage of "no-self" ("Come to rest in That which lies beyond the self" ... (beyond the illusory self, beyond the separate sense of self)), I can heartily recommend a fabulous presenter of the essentials of the perennial wisdom, a simple, humble man with no "accoutrement." And this is Rupert Spira of Oxford, England who does frequent worldwide retreats. He is an incredible example of one that clearly and lovingly unifies the essential wisdom of the ages. I have found his 'direct path' approach very clear in regards to a 'no-self" understanding. It's possible that Rupert may not appeal to you, but if you'd like to check out his website, it is www.rupertspira.com!
Best wishes, Sohara! - J
You your voice your calmness has helped me navigate through unbearable pain.
Thank you.
A sincere thank you for this wonderful reading 💜
Peace Profound to those who are suffering 🌹 Much gratitude for this reading. Thank you ❤️
This is the highest truth, beyond doctrine, beyond self, as far as I have been able to learn. This does not negate the value of lesser teachings, which serve to prepare the mind for its own dissolution. Not everyone ought to leave behind the dualities of the lower teachers, because not everyone is ready for such difficult reality.
So beautiful to see Christians transcend the taboos of their tradition. ❤
Wow. I'm continually astounded in gratitude by such spiritual gems to be found here on CZcams 🙏
Glory to God in the Highest ❤🙏🏽
Thank you, thank you thank you ❤❤❤
Thank you Samaneri! 🙏✨❤
Beyond expression...Beyond words ..Beyond Love
For THAT that knows GOD in us is GOD.
Lillian was just so great!! Thus is an amazing reading!!
Wow simply beautiful and thank you SJ. I am going to listen to it again.
And again, and again, and again❣️❣️❣️
Thank you for the reading in the comments as well ❤
Thank You! Thank You!
How lucid! Lovely ❤🌹
Such clarity - very helpful- thankyou!
Thank you ❤for this beautiful gift 🙏🏻🙏🏻
thank you for your efforts to free us from our suffering, bless you
Thank you lovingly. The end quotes so beautifully describe the state of deep sleep or the Sushupti 3rd state of consciousness in advaita vedanta. Not aware that we are still alive, yet in complete peace and happiness of unknowingness. The beauty of it is that we are all embraced by it, all living beings when we deep sleep regardless of how powerful and destructive the ‘Me/Myself/&I’ can be in the wake state. Thank you again for enlightening us with your videos
Wow, this is amazing that Bernadette has appeared on this channel. She has remained relatively unknown but I was lucky enough to find her "Experience of No-Self" in 1991 and she has stayed with me throughout my life. A great disppointment was the lost book she wrote (against) re-incarnation, that would have been absolutely facinating. Apparently a dodgy old floppy disc was the cause.
Thank you for this marvelous Christian and Buddhist blended awareness. Just as we all reach for the same God, all Truth, no matter what brand of religion, is One. Whether we profess a certain religion or not, when we are open to Truth, It comes in so many delicious, unexpected flavors.
This is incredible ❤ thank you 😶🙏🏻
This is so timely and beautiful. I must wait till i can be still and listen. But im impatient, for it.
This is so profound. How many of us really, sincerely are willing to let go of the self? We have become so acclimated to it. And a " long difficult period of adjustment" must certainly ensue.
Beautiful ❤️
❤
Beyond comment,,,,, Thank You
Thank you 😊
Beautiful ❤
Thank you for including Bernadette Roberts in your recordings. She is one of my greatest influences on the path to that elusive no self. This is a great excerpt. As a great sutra, it can be listened to or read over and over. When the search is over, the void or voids is difficult at times, and this is where Bernadette's words are such balm.
Hi,
Do you know why she rejected reincarnation?
Wow.
,,of course,,straight and clean,,,,Thanks God for that,,,it 's right there/here !!
Pranaam sister. Om Shanti
I am eternally grateful for you for making this channel. I have been destroying myself for years, trying to keep my head above water, attempting to understand this world. Your presence and the words of these masters have shattered my delusions of separateness. Now i see God everywhere and in everyone. Absolutely transformational. ❤ Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Profound is the silence that is reality
🙏
Thank you! As a conflicted Christian who is finding more resonance in Buddhism and Advaita, this is very helpful in integrating these 🙏🏼💚
I love Jesus but I also love Lord Krishna. 💐🙇🏼♀️❤️🙏🏻💐
Conflicted Christian is the best way to put it. This helped me too.
I really feel I want to comment after reading your words but feel I may fall short attempting to express myself. I have come from an historic faith based religion also and over time, contemplation, searching and enquiry found that all I wanted was the truth and a practical way to know this now, not when I am dead or dying.
I may not like the truth, but just bring it on! I was not ready for the truth with so much excess garbage / luggage from past beliefs, ideas, books I had read and just deluded imagination. This excess stuff blocks the path of self enquiry and has zero purpose and cannot contribute in any way. I set fire to the books and each beleif was examined and then let go of over time. As i said i don't find expressing this easy, So many great western and eastern teachers / guides that can help with discovery, uncovering the truth that you are, It will be your experience, kind of, and I found that faith has no place when asking the truth to shine, I wish you the very best. ( I am hesitating to push the send button but will do so anyway)
@@nzbtjnzbtj8162 thank you, I appreciate you putting into words what is difficulty you articulate. Yes the old words and constructs are falling away, I've come to realise that the journey is to trust this undoing and unknowing and to follow the instinct of the heart as it gently draws me into silence and surrender. This CZcams channel is immensely helpful in this journey
🙏❤️❤️❤️
Thank you so much for your channel. I really appreciate your videos. Would you consider reading selected Bible passages?
🙏❤️
"That in us which knows God IS God" has already been said in the history of Mysticism, but it is still so incredibly powerful...
💚🔥🏴thankyou
Wow
❤❤❤
So as i learned meditation ive had many many synchronicities in my daily life and precognitive dreams. I didnt do much to exoerience these things either. I dont feel like i jad to meditate for a long time. I appreciate all these experiences, but wondering is there something deeper than this?
🙏❣️🙏❣️🙏❣️🙏❣️🙏❣️
She seems to say that bliss is not a part or experience of this journey into no-self yet without Grace, without bliss and joy and the peace beyond describing it certainly would seem nightmarish as someone else here has said. It may be perhaps that the Christian view point puts more emphasis on suffering rather than the end of suffering. Still such wisdom and truth in these words so beautifully spoken. Thank you.
Please be aware that this reading is just a small sample of her writings and experiences. She certainly experienced a lot of bliss and love when she was in a unitive state, which she had thought was the Ultimate. She was not prepared for the collapse and disappearance of the self that occured as a stage moment, and this disorientated and frightened her, until she developed wisdom to integrate it. It took many years of acclimating and investigating and letting the process unfold naturally. Of course the ultimate bliss is complete freedom from the self. But this bliss is not one that comes and goes, nor does it involve a subject-object relationship with the Divine. Hope that helps to clarify a bit. You might find it useful to read more of her writings from different stages of her journey.
@@marie-anne7365 Bernadette detailed her path to awakening to the ultimate non-self reality in great detail in her books. One doesn't have to die a physical death to realise this; it is immanent here and now.
@@marie-anne7365 These are all questions that remain in the logical- rational conceptual realm. Direct insight transcends language and is seen by the intuitive Heart. Hence the reason many authentically realised beings prefer to remain silent. Words often corrupt and diminish the Truth; particularly when clung to by those who do not understand.
@@SamaneriJayasara what do you think of "radical" non duality that Tony Parsons speaks of?
@@SamaneriJayasara Thank you for this beautiful reading. Which of her books is this excerpt from?
Feeling like it is Bernadette speaking to us from the other side…..
How come the more I meditate the More sensitive I become to anger? Please anyone any advice 🙏
Me too! Maybe it's just that anger, righteousness and conflict are all part of the human experience of life. In meditation we get closer to the still 'centre of the cyclone'. 🌪️ 💖
@@steveminto yes absolutely.
I also realized that the anger and frustration were always there I didn't see them before now with the power of meditation I can see them clearly.
Hi, when you start cleaning dirty glass with the water, all dirt will come to the surface and easily to be acknowledged. Don't worry, it will pass.
Still, you can use two indicators for your meditation. First, does your anger now stay longer than before? Second, is your anger stronger and rougher than before and continue to get stronger by time? If both the answers are yes. You should find a good meditation teacher to discuss it, perhaps there is something wrong with your meditation. Have a good day.🙏
@staypeace5955
My anger is shortlived, but intense! Am going to *assume a virtue,* as Shakespeare said ... - and in this case, the virtue will be healing, that *I am healed.*
Am mentioning this in case it's helpful to anyone else ....
*There has to be an easy solution!* if love is all there is, and asking for what we want, assuming we already have it is a reasonable prayer, Matthew 14. And as God is love, and love is all there is, then love gives us that in which we have faith. 😉
Does anyone know the name of this artwork?
Du går tjejen!
This is Truth. Tat Tvam Asi
Infinite gratitude Beloveds 🙏🤍🌿🕊🕯
💐❤️🙏🏻🥺
🙏❤️
🙏