Da Free John: "I" is the Body of Life

Talks and Essays on the Art and Science of Equanimity and the Self-Transcending Process of Radical Understanding

Dawn Horse Press, 1981

Amazon.com

Publisher’s Presentation:

Consider the “I” and understand. “I” is Narcissus, the self-contraction, or the avoidance of relationship. “I” does not know what anything is. “I” is not an observer that is utterly separate from anything. “I” is, therefore, incapable of ultimate knowledge. “I” is the body. “I” is the context of ordinary association with phenomena. “I” is itself part of the total world of phenomena. “I” is the activity of contraction, separation, and independence. “I” is the effort to be different from and immune to the limitations of phenomenal existence. “I” seeks independent self-satisfaction via forms of knowledge and experience. “I” cannot be satisfied, fulfilled, or released. “I” is itself and inherently a problem. “I” is an inappropriate and futile action in relation to the conditions of phenomenal existence. There is no ultimate option except to understand the “I.” Such understanding, made operative in the context of every moment of phenomenal existence, is free of the dilemma or inherent problem of Narcissus, or the futile effort of “I” to achieve independence, immunity, ultimate satisfaction, perfect fulfillment, complete knowledge, total experience, or permanent release. In every moment the “I” is understood and directly transcended, the body is released from the illusion, the problem, and the activity of “I.” Therefore, in every moment of active understanding, the independent “I” dissolves – by becoming identical to the body. Apart from present understanding, “I” is not transcended, and the bodily Realization of the Radiant Spiritual Divine is impossible. Apart from understanding, the “I” is the basis of all knowledge and experience. Understanding is the Wisdom of the seventh or free stage of life. Therefore, consider the “I” and understand.

JOB’s Comment:

The titles of Jones’s books are not always easy to understand in themselves, without familiarity with his teaching. Some are hard to understand even with such familiarity.