identification is not a problem

We often come to believe that identification is a major obstacle to realizing nonduality or enlightenment. Surely it is necessary to recognize that identification with the body, personality, cultural setting (actually all identification) is only a temporary appearance. It is also necessary to realize that there is a nondual reality that cannot be temporary and is who we are “before, throughout, and after” all identifications. But it is a mistake to believe that enlightenment or nonduality is about losing individual identification or shedding personality, which gives these bodies unique expressions and appearances. When you know who you are beyond the human appearance, identifications are lovely and can be enjoyed freely. No need to attempt to shed the personality or any kind of identification. Don’t believe teachings that suggest the appearance and sensation of individual human expression needs to “fall away”. Trying to let go of individuality is a never-ending trap. The appearance and sensation of separation or individuality does not impede the recognition of nonduality or the realization that what you are is already spiritual enlightenment itself.

We could say that there is no such thing as enlightenment or we could say that enlightenment is what we call this moment. This moment is always here now, enlightenment is always here now. Another way to say this is that there is no past and future, only this moment now. Past and future are mental constructs deeply engrained in the human brain. There is actually only this moment and the assumption of time is based on appearances moving and changing form in this moment. Since there is only this moment we don’t need to use the term moment to describe it. Moment tends to spark a mental image of something like a container that is holding all the appearances of the world. Like everything arises within this moment. But that is still using the mind to build a framework for something that has no framework, no boundaries, no location. What we call this moment is actually enlightenment itself, which is actually what we are already.

Since what we are is already this moment, which is already enlightenment itself, the appearance of individuality or the experience of a personality doesn’t actually obstruct nonduality. Enlightenment includes all individual identification, it includes absolutely everything as it appears already. Nonduality can be perfectly “known” and “experienced” while individual identification flows as full as ever. Even closer, enlightenment can be realized to be this moment, the “self” on which individuality appears. If what we are is water with no boundary and no location, and enlightenment is the realization that we are this boundless “body” of water, then individuality is simply a reflection appearing on the “surface” of what we are.