In some traditions the term ‘neti neti’ is used to stop the mind and is interpreted as "not two." IOW, when looking at something--anything--the mind thinks/says "not two." Perhaps the eyes see a table, and the thought "not two" implies that the observer/observed dichotomy is an illusion. The "not two" acts like a knife to cut through the illusion. This mental reminder eventually sinks below the verbal/intellectual habit of thinking that anything is separate from what is looking, and it sometimes propels the questioner into a state of not-knowing.
Neti neti can therefore be used either in the form of questioning the idea of separateness or directly cutting through the illusion of separateness by denying that twoness is valid. Either approach can lead to falling into the void and waking up. It will depend upon which approach is most appealing to you. Some people use the thought "not this, not that" in the same way as "not two."
By using this technique some people cut through the idea of body, mind, spirit, essence, thingness, separateness, and everything else and end up in a state of empty silent awareness through which all kinds of realizations may occur.
The neti neti approach can be very effective for some people. As Seng'stan (the third patriarch of Chinese Zen) stated in his "Verses on the Faith Mind:"
"To come directly into harmony with this (ultimate) reality
just simply say when doubt arises 'Not two.'
In this 'not two' nothing is separate,
nothing is excluded.
No matter when or where,
enlightenment is entering this truth.
And this truth is beyond extension or
diminution in time or space;
in it a single thought is ten thousand years.
Emptiness here, Emptiness there,
but the infinite universe stands
always before your eyes.
Infinitely large and infinitely small;
no difference, for definitions have vanished
and no boundaries are seen.
So too with Being and non-Being.
Don't waste time in doubts and arguments
that have nothing to do with this.
One thing, all things:
move among and intermingle
without distinction.
To live in this realization
is to be without anxiety about non-perfection.
To live in this faith is the road to non-duality,
Because the non-dual is one with the trusting mind.
Words!
The Way is beyond language.
For in it there is
no yesterday
no tomorrow
no today.
(translated by Richard Clarke)
Neti neti is only one of numerous "skillful methods" that humans use to wake up and discover the truth. ATA, attending the actual, is another way. Mindfulness, simply watching everything that arises, is another way. Questioning "Who am I?" is another way. Most humans are sound asleep and living in a dream. The goal-less goal is to wake up and discover the living truth. If Jane Doe wakes up, she realizes that there was never a Jane Doe. When the Buddha woke up, he said, "Lo and behold, in all the universe I am the only one." Jesus said, "I and my Father are one." Nisargadata said, "I am THAT." They were all saying the same thing. Cheers.
Neti neti can therefore be used either in the form of questioning the idea of separateness or directly cutting through the illusion of separateness by denying that twoness is valid. Either approach can lead to falling into the void and waking up. It will depend upon which approach is most appealing to you. Some people use the thought "not this, not that" in the same way as "not two."
By using this technique some people cut through the idea of body, mind, spirit, essence, thingness, separateness, and everything else and end up in a state of empty silent awareness through which all kinds of realizations may occur.
The neti neti approach can be very effective for some people. As Seng'stan (the third patriarch of Chinese Zen) stated in his "Verses on the Faith Mind:"
"To come directly into harmony with this (ultimate) reality
just simply say when doubt arises 'Not two.'
In this 'not two' nothing is separate,
nothing is excluded.
No matter when or where,
enlightenment is entering this truth.
And this truth is beyond extension or
diminution in time or space;
in it a single thought is ten thousand years.
Emptiness here, Emptiness there,
but the infinite universe stands
always before your eyes.
Infinitely large and infinitely small;
no difference, for definitions have vanished
and no boundaries are seen.
So too with Being and non-Being.
Don't waste time in doubts and arguments
that have nothing to do with this.
One thing, all things:
move among and intermingle
without distinction.
To live in this realization
is to be without anxiety about non-perfection.
To live in this faith is the road to non-duality,
Because the non-dual is one with the trusting mind.
Words!
The Way is beyond language.
For in it there is
no yesterday
no tomorrow
no today.
(translated by Richard Clarke)
Neti neti is only one of numerous "skillful methods" that humans use to wake up and discover the truth. ATA, attending the actual, is another way. Mindfulness, simply watching everything that arises, is another way. Questioning "Who am I?" is another way. Most humans are sound asleep and living in a dream. The goal-less goal is to wake up and discover the living truth. If Jane Doe wakes up, she realizes that there was never a Jane Doe. When the Buddha woke up, he said, "Lo and behold, in all the universe I am the only one." Jesus said, "I and my Father are one." Nisargadata said, "I am THAT." They were all saying the same thing. Cheers.
