The Transparency of Things

'Consciousness is naturally one with all things. It is one with the totality of experience. However, at times, Consciousness contracts itself, shrinks itself into a body, and this self-contraction requires constant maintenance. Left without maintenance, the self-contraction gradually unwinds and Consciousness returns to its natural condition.'
Rupert Spira

About

A collection of contemplative essays and conversations, the purpose of which is to look clearly and simply at the nature of experience, without any attempt to change it.

These contemplations lead us gently but directly to see that our essential nature is neither a body nor a mind. It is the conscious Presence that is aware of this current experience. As such, it is nothing that can be experienced as an object, and yet it is undeniably present.

However, these contemplations go much further than this. As we take our stand knowingly as this conscious Presence that we always already are, and reconsider the objects of the body, mind and world, we find that they do not simply appear to this Presence; they appear within it. Further exploration reveals that they do not simply appear within this Presence but as this Presence.

Finally we are led to see that it is in fact this very Presence itself that takes the shape of our experience from moment to moment whilst always remaining only itself. We see that our experience is and has only ever been one seamless totality, with no separate entities or objects anywhere to be found.

Endorsements

'A transparent book by a transparent being.'
– Francis Lucille, author of Eternity Now, The Perfume of Silence and Truth Love Beauty.

'Recognition of our true nature does not need studious reading of spiritual texts, years of meditation practice, or deep devotion to a teacher. We need only the willingness to engage in a rigorously honest investigation into the nature of awareness itself—not an intellectual investigation, but a personal investigation into what we truly are. In The Transparency of Things, Rupert Spira not only distils the essence of this inquiry into everyday language; he does so without reference to any metaphysics or esoteric doctrines. He appeals only to our direct experience, encouraging the reader to dive into the personal investigation of what it means to be aware. If you do, you will find yourself tasting the realization enjoyed by the awakened ones throughout the ages.'
– Peter Russell, author of The Global Brain and From Science to God.
 

Amazon Reviews

★★★★★  One of the best teachers on non-duality today
Greta, reviewed in the United States on 27 July 2017
One of the best teachers on non-duality today. He gives me hope, inspired action and a feeling of love. This teaching is so important in our world, we must find who we truly are in order to honestly change the world for the better. Thank you Rupert Spira for being here. 

★★★★★  There is no unnecessary verbiage. Rarely is a paragraph more than one …
James Bryant, Reviewed in the United States on 12 July 2017
It's highly likely that if you are here you are familiar with Rupert's YouTube videos. In some ways, especially in the way of clarity, I find this book to be even more clear and precise than his talks. How can that be? In his writing every single word is there to help simplify or clarify. That's it. There is no unnecessary verbiage. Rarely is a paragraph more than one or two sentences long, clarifying further each point, each step in his explanation. This is not mere writing; it's poetry. If Rupert's pointing touches you and yet you still feel a need for some deeper understanding, please don't hesitate to purchase this book.

★★★★★  The Completion of All Non-Duality Teachings
Michael Pursley, reviewed in the United States on 28 March 2017
I have been a seeker for truth for many decades, including many years with an enlightened guru, many long, silent retreats in many parts of the world, and of course, reading countless books, ancient and new. I am very grateful for this. However, looking back I can see many teachers and spiritual books that actually held me back by increasing my confusion. Poorly written, some with lack of complete understanding provided no resolution and the seeking continued. That is why it was so wonderful to find someone who has realized the truth as well as the intelligence and skill to describe it. With this book, as well as his excellent videos available on YouTube, Rupert Spira escorts the reader down the path of Self-inquiry so that we discover these truths. He goes right to the core of direct experience by examining the cause of suffering and the means of its ending by way of examining our common habits of thinking about our bodies, feelings, personality and the world. He explores every side of this subject thoroughly, leaving the reader with a clearer understanding of 'Who I Am' without getting bogged down with the normal misunderstanding of some teachings that promote more dogma and practices without end. If you have ever longed for someone to simply tell you the truth in a way that is clear, logical and understandable, this is it.

★★★★★ The best book of over 70 books on Spirituality I've ever read. Already resulted in less searching and more peace!
Michael Kenoyer, reviewed in the United States on 17 October 2016
Looked through my previously purchased Kindle Books on Spirituality and counted 73 books in my 'search'. Including two or three of Rupert's previous books. I have also migrated from Eckhart Tolle, Byron Katie, Adyashanti, Mukti, Michael Singer and finally Rupert Spira. I attended 3 of Adyashanti and Mukti's silent retreats as well as 3 of Rupert's non-silent retreats. This is over about a 6-year period. I have read or listened to pretty much all those authors have produced and have found Rupert's teachings to be by far the most clear and beneficial. And I find his teaching to continue to improve, with his latest book to be so much clearer and beneficial in ending the search for what is already there. I would give it 10 stars if I could.

★★★★★ A masterpiece of non-duality
Jeroen Koolbergen, reviewed in the Netherlands on 14 April 2018
Clear, intelligent, concise, irreducible, inspiring and extremely illuminating. No more needs to be said about this book.