The Eternal and Infinite Nature of the Self with Rupert Spira

Program Number: 3598

This teacher of non-dualism sheds light on the essential teachings of what is known as “the direct path.” Almost everybody believes that whatever it is we are seeing is something that is outside ourselves. This leads to a most vexing question for science: How is consciousness derived from the brain? No neurologist or brain surgeon has ever found consciousness in the brain. Spira tells us, “The non-dual traditions, in general, suggest that consciousness is not derived from the brain. It’s not a product of matter. In the nondual traditions consciousness is the primary and fundamental reality. Everything is derived from consciousness. Consciousness is not derived from things.” He acknowledges how our “perceived” experience is undeniably real. However, when we investigate that experience more deeply we will see the dream nature of our perception. The essential question to be asked is: “What is it that knows or is aware of my experience?” This experience of our essential nature is available to us at any moment. We don’t have to “practice” to get there. It is not something “exotic” to our being. He says, “The peace for which we long, the fulfillment we [seek] lives in our own being. It’s accessible, available to everybody in their own being.” (hosted by Justine Willis Toms)

Bio

Rupert Spira is a pre-eminent nondual teacher. At an early age he was deeply interested in the nature of reality. At 17 he learned to meditate and began a 20-year period of study and practice in the classical Advaita Vedanta tradition. During this time he immersed himself in the teachings of P.O. Ouspensky, Krishnamurti, Rumi, Ramana Maharshi, and others until he met his teacher, Francis Lucille, in 1997. There he was introduced to what is known as the Direct Path. Spira lives in the United Kingdom and holds regular meetings and retreats in Europe and the United States.

Rupert Spira is the author of many books and audio programs including:

• Presence, Volume I: The Art of Peace and Happiness and Presence (Sahaja Publications 2016)
• Presence, Volume II: The Intimacy of All Experience (Sahaja Publications 2016)
• The Transparency of Things: Contemplating the Nature of Experience (Sahaja Publications 2016)

To learn more about the work of Rupert Spira go to www.rupertspira.com.

Topics Explored in This Dialogue

• How nondual teachings do not hold the belief that mind or consciousness is derived from matter
• Whatever it is that is aware of a thought is not itself a thought and sensation is not itself aware
• How does the realization of the nondual nature of reality improve our life
• What is the nature of love
• How matter (the material universe) is a way of seeing, but is not something that is seen
• To understand the nature of the world, we first have to understand the nature of the mind through which the world is perceived
• How there is room for individuality yet the essence of each mind is shared
• How a sense of lack and fear of death enhance our sense of separateness
• How all thoughts, perceptions, and sensations appear and disappear but our essential being is always in the same innocent, fresh, pristine, wide open condition
• Why there is no progression in realizing our essential nature; we can experience it at any moment

Host: Justine Willis Toms         Interview Date: 10/26/2016        Program Number: 3598