Living In Peace In the Midst of Experience

A man comments on the difficulty of the exercise on shared being in which those we dislike are brought into the same space as those we love. Rupert, using the analogy of creatures in the well, responds that the exercise is meant to stir things up to be seen.

A woman asks about pain and the consciousness-only understanding. Rupert responds that if he has a headache, he takes paracetamol and does whatever is appropriate to relieve the pain.

A questioner asks about differences between ego, separate self and personality. Rupert explains that the finite mind is the activity of thinking and perceiving, the separate self is the belief that is all we are, and the personality is the flavour of that activity.

A questioner asks if it is worthwhile to improve the finite mind with things like the enneagram, or is that a diversion? Rupert responds that it is important to realign our mind with this understanding, but not a prerequisite for recognition of one's true nature. The enneagram is a useful tool to notice patterns.

A man asks how we can live in a world in peace as long as animals are tortured and killed. Ruperts replies that as long as we live in a world ruled by the ego, this kind of behavior happens, and only an understanding of our true nature can fundamentally change our behaviour towards others and animals.

A woman describes a horrifying nightmare she had the night before and asks about acceptance of the whole spectrum of experience, even evil. Rupert suggested that it is a kind of gift when things we have not acknowledged come up to be seen.

A woman asks if, given that there are so many male teachers who are realised, this work is harder for mothers because of the strength of attachment. Rupert elaborates that the depth of love felt for a child is appropriate regardless of gender, but it represents no barrier to the recognition of one's true nature.

A man, who says he woke up feeling sad and wanted to get rid of it, asks how to see clearly during these feelings. Rupert suggests he may wait for it to go, but to wait without hope because what is waited for is already present.

A woman, who says she was reluctant to say much about the retreat to family and friends, realises she would like to share the teachings. Rupert suggests if no one asks, there's no reason to bring it up, but that it is not always necessary to speak of this to convey the understanding.

A woman says she can get the consciousness-only model, but understanding time and memories is difficult to grasp. Rupert uses the passage of time in dreams as a means to explain the appearance and reality of time and guides her in self-enquiry to see if she can find the past or the future.

Using the analogy of Mary the dreamer and Jane the dream character, a woman asks if there is anything Jane can do to work on her habits, or is it all just happening. Rupert elaborates that the nature of our mind is freedom, but the mistake is thinking that freedom is of and for a person.

A man comments on the difficulty of the exercise on shared being in which those we dislike are brought into the same space as those we love. Rupert, using the analogy of creatures in the well, responds that the exercise is meant to stir things up to be seen.

A woman asks about pain and the consciousness-only understanding. Rupert responds that if he has a headache, he takes paracetamol and does whatever is appropriate to relieve the pain.

A questioner asks about differences between ego, separate self and personality. Rupert explains that the finite mind is the activity of thinking and perceiving, the separate self is the belief that is all we are, and the personality is the flavour of that activity.

A questioner asks if it is worthwhile to improve the finite mind with things like the enneagram, or is that a diversion? Rupert responds that it is important to realign our mind with this understanding, but not a prerequisite for recognition of one's true nature. The enneagram is a useful tool to notice patterns.

A man asks how we can live in a world in peace as long as animals are tortured and killed. Ruperts replies that as long as we live in a world ruled by the ego, this kind of behavior happens, and only an understanding of our true nature can fundamentally change our behaviour towards others and animals.

A woman describes a horrifying nightmare she had the night before and asks about acceptance of the whole spectrum of experience, even evil. Rupert suggested that it is a kind of gift when things we have not acknowledged come up to be seen.

A woman asks if, given that there are so many male teachers who are realised, this work is harder for mothers because of the strength of attachment. Rupert elaborates that the depth of love felt for a child is appropriate regardless of gender, but it represents no barrier to the recognition of one's true nature.

A man, who says he woke up feeling sad and wanted to get rid of it, asks how to see clearly during these feelings. Rupert suggests he may wait for it to go, but to wait without hope because what is waited for is already present.

A woman, who says she was reluctant to say much about the retreat to family and friends, realises she would like to share the teachings. Rupert suggests if no one asks, there's no reason to bring it up, but that it is not always necessary to speak of this to convey the understanding.

A woman says she can get the consciousness-only model, but understanding time and memories is difficult to grasp. Rupert uses the passage of time in dreams as a means to explain the appearance and reality of time and guides her in self-enquiry to see if she can find the past or the future.

Using the analogy of Mary the dreamer and Jane the dream character, a woman asks if there is anything Jane can do to work on her habits, or is it all just happening. Rupert elaborates that the nature of our mind is freedom, but the mistake is thinking that freedom is of and for a person.