Dealing with Difficult Neighbours from the media The 'I Am' of Everyone

What do we refer to when we say, ‘I am’? The fact of simply being before being is qualified by experience. The divine presence is the ‘I am’ of everyone. We need not nor can we do anything special to become this divine presence – we are already that, although we may not have noticed because we have allowed this presence within to become entangled with experience and seem to become a personal being, without ever ceasing to be itself. We need to recognise experientially our true nature. Just sound the divine name, ‘I am’, once quietly and allow yourself to be drawn into that to which it refers. Sink ever more deeply into that until you feel yourself as that. In time, experience loses its capacity to veil this divine presence we essentially are. Although we may still undergo formal meditation or prayer periods, there is decreasing difference between such times and everyday life.

A question about the mechanism of resistance. Rupert answers that the mechanism of resistance is a thought: ‘That should not be happening.’ All our suffering psychological or emotional suffering is contained within that thought, ‘I don’t like what is happening.’ What would happen to your suffering if we simply said ‘yes’ to it?

A man reports having isolated himself from the world in line with his interpretation of Rupert’s teaching that happiness should not be sought in relationships. Rupert clarifies that he never meant to recommend such isolation. He expresses regret for this misunderstanding. It’s essential, Rupert suggests, to occasionally retreat to the simple fact of being – this can be done a few times a day through periods of formal meditation. However, we also must to return to being while engaged in activities and relationships.

A conversation about the diverse approaches Rupert recommends for healing trauma. Rupert mentions that he might give completely different answers to the various people who approach him because their starting points vary. Both trauma therapy and yoga meditations may be appropriate, depending on the individual’s situation.

A woman expresses the desire to stop trying to be spiritual. Rupert replies that she is spot on. While trying has served her well up to this point, she is right, one can only try to be what they are not. All she needs to do is recognise what she is and simply be it. ‘You’ve already arrived at being your self.’ When you arrive at the Caribbean, go to the beach; don’t stay on the bus. Stop trying; be that, stand as that.

A question is raised about how good or bad karma might influence our next life. Rupert explains that karma is essentially the concept of cause and effect. No thought, no feeling, no action is independent. Karma forms a causal chain linking all our thoughts, feelings and actions. At the deepest level – the level of being – we are not subject to karma. We are already free from karma.

A man who is endeavouring to making a living from what he loves – creating art – asks about money. Rupert responds that aspiring to be an artist is a legitimate desire. He encourages the man to consider all the pros and cons, along with his financial situation, as he tries to make it as an artist. Rupert shares that when he was younger, he too had decided to be an artist and admits he was reckless – but he worked hard, was fortunate, and ultimately succeeded.

A question about Rupert’s urging to keep the ‘I am’ sacred. Rupert explains that by saying this, he is encouraging us to keep our being free from becoming tarnished by experience, to not allow our essence to be limited by experience.

A man enquires about how to explain non-duality to his young daughter in order to give her a sense of the oneness of being. Rupert shares that his next children’s book, The Blue Sky of Being, will be perfect for her. He advises the man to, rather than telling his daughter about non-duality, ask her questions that will elicit her understanding. In this way, he can help provide a pathway to exploring her experience.

What do we refer to when we say, ‘I am’? The fact of simply being before being is qualified by experience. The divine presence is the ‘I am’ of everyone. We need not nor can we do anything special to become this divine presence – we are already that, although we may not have noticed because we have allowed this presence within to become entangled with experience and seem to become a personal being, without ever ceasing to be itself. We need to recognise experientially our true nature. Just sound the divine name, ‘I am’, once quietly and allow yourself to be drawn into that to which it refers. Sink ever more deeply into that until you feel yourself as that. In time, experience loses its capacity to veil this divine presence we essentially are. Although we may still undergo formal meditation or prayer periods, there is decreasing difference between such times and everyday life.

A question about the mechanism of resistance. Rupert answers that the mechanism of resistance is a thought: ‘That should not be happening.’ All our suffering psychological or emotional suffering is contained within that thought, ‘I don’t like what is happening.’ What would happen to your suffering if we simply said ‘yes’ to it?

A man reports having isolated himself from the world in line with his interpretation of Rupert’s teaching that happiness should not be sought in relationships. Rupert clarifies that he never meant to recommend such isolation. He expresses regret for this misunderstanding. It’s essential, Rupert suggests, to occasionally retreat to the simple fact of being – this can be done a few times a day through periods of formal meditation. However, we also must to return to being while engaged in activities and relationships.

A conversation about the diverse approaches Rupert recommends for healing trauma. Rupert mentions that he might give completely different answers to the various people who approach him because their starting points vary. Both trauma therapy and yoga meditations may be appropriate, depending on the individual’s situation.

A woman expresses the desire to stop trying to be spiritual. Rupert replies that she is spot on. While trying has served her well up to this point, she is right, one can only try to be what they are not. All she needs to do is recognise what she is and simply be it. ‘You’ve already arrived at being your self.’ When you arrive at the Caribbean, go to the beach; don’t stay on the bus. Stop trying; be that, stand as that.

A question is raised about how good or bad karma might influence our next life. Rupert explains that karma is essentially the concept of cause and effect. No thought, no feeling, no action is independent. Karma forms a causal chain linking all our thoughts, feelings and actions. At the deepest level – the level of being – we are not subject to karma. We are already free from karma.

A man who is endeavouring to making a living from what he loves – creating art – asks about money. Rupert responds that aspiring to be an artist is a legitimate desire. He encourages the man to consider all the pros and cons, along with his financial situation, as he tries to make it as an artist. Rupert shares that when he was younger, he too had decided to be an artist and admits he was reckless – but he worked hard, was fortunate, and ultimately succeeded.

A question about Rupert’s urging to keep the ‘I am’ sacred. Rupert explains that by saying this, he is encouraging us to keep our being free from becoming tarnished by experience, to not allow our essence to be limited by experience.

A man enquires about how to explain non-duality to his young daughter in order to give her a sense of the oneness of being. Rupert shares that his next children’s book, The Blue Sky of Being, will be perfect for her. He advises the man to, rather than telling his daughter about non-duality, ask her questions that will elicit her understanding. In this way, he can help provide a pathway to exploring her experience.