The occasion for this conversation with Rupert Spira is the publication of Rhonda Byrne's latest book, ‘The Greatest Secret’, which she feels is the most important one she has written. She sent an advance copy to Rupert.
They talk about this book, their own spiritual journeys, teachers such as Robert Adams and Francis Lucille whom they have both been influenced by, the activity of teaching itself and how they came to do it.
Rhonda Byrne's 'Secret' series of books and films has sold phenomenally well, and reached an enormous number of people. Her background is in media and broadcasting, so she had the tools and skillset to present her message to reach the widest possible audience.
Like Rupert, who was for many years a successful ceramic artist with an abiding interest from an early age in spiritual matters, Rhonda never imagined she would find herself called to share her realisation, born from a time of despair, when, overwhelmed by a perfect storm of difficulties, she had no option but to surrender. Rupert describes two similar such moments, at different stages in his life, which led him further into the non-dual understanding.
The discussion also covers what Rupert calls 'the art of teaching'. He uses an evocative image of everyone lost in the 'forest of experience', and it is the teacher's job to find where each person is lost, and then start to walk back home with them. He says teachers don't have an infinite storehouse of knowledge, but they tailor their formless understanding to the questions asked of them.
You can listen to this episode on the Rupert Spira Podcast.
https://rupertspira.libsyn.com/episode-17-rhonda-byrne
If you liked this conversation, we think you'll like the conversation Rupert had with Mark Matousek
