Our Fundamental Nature

In this meditation, we are encouraged to explore our true nature beyond thinking, feeling, sensing and perceiving. We are asked to enquire, 'What am I without these activities?'. Our essential self, our fundamental nature, is pure being, or being aware. While thinking and perceiving are temporary additions to our core self, they don't define us. The practice of meditation, or prayer, is about recognising and abiding in this state of pure being. By discerning the screen amidst the movie, we can discern our true self amidst the activities of the mind. Similarly, we can view our experiences with pure awareness, realising that the common factor is the transparent light of knowing. Returning to our being is like coming back home after a busy day, finding refuge in the peace that is always present.

A man, who has been suffering from depression, recounts all he has tried and failed to get out of his depression and self-hatred and asks for help. Rupert responds that the main thing is to know that there is something in you, right now, that is at peace. It may seem theoretical, but it is important to know.

A woman found herself in a situation surrounded by psychotic people and was distressed that she could not apply her understanding to this terrifying, depressing situation. She started to remember 'I am' and neti-neti, but it all felt like theory and inaccessible. Rupert suggests that these are extremely challenging circumstances, so a tough test for remaining established in your true nature.

A woman shares a sudden experience of non-localisation. She wonders if this is a step along the way. Rupert responds that if we go all the way back through experience to being, there is no form, age, gender or location. This can be difficult under certain circumstances, such as when in public, when we lose our normal reference points.

A woman, who practised mantra meditation for decades, is confused because she feels that mantra helps the nervous system; we truly need it beyond being aware of being aware. Rupert suggests that right in the middle of activity, we can ask 'Am I aware?' which takes us back to the fact of being. We don't need a mantra to go there, which is a preliminary practice that can help with anxiety.

A man quotes a physicist who refutes that objects never actually touch each other. He also asks about dissociation. Rupert quotes Rumi and suggests that two friends never really meet, referring to the non-dual aspect of physics. In friendship, we cease being a person. Rupert discusses infancy and childhood without touch, and the experience of dissociation.

A woman says that her response to 'Who am I?' is that she is her daughter's mother. Rupert says she was herself before she had her daughter. Her daughter may be precious, but she is not essential to what she is. What she is is prior to any relationship. 'I' is what we always are, our primary experience.

A woman asks about making practical decisions that are not driven by ego. Rupert asks her what activities she is interested in, and if her health allows zoom activities like meetings and meditations, then gradually spend time with other people. He suggests creating a safe environment rather than making choices and decisions when stressed.

A man with Asperger's Syndrome asks why some are born into this kind of situation. The man says he finds it hard to be in the world. Rupert suggests that there are two types of confidence: the first is in one's own abilities; the second is derived from our being. The first is a brittle confidence – if our skills change, confidence diminishes. The second is an unshakeable confidence and is not susceptible to others' opinions.

A man, who is new to the teaching, asks about the mind, feelings, decisions and consciousness, which he can't quite comprehend as aspects of consciousness. Rupert suggests that the mind is informed by the nature of consciousness. It doesn't tell it what to think.

In this meditation, we are encouraged to explore our true nature beyond thinking, feeling, sensing and perceiving. We are asked to enquire, 'What am I without these activities?'. Our essential self, our fundamental nature, is pure being, or being aware. While thinking and perceiving are temporary additions to our core self, they don't define us. The practice of meditation, or prayer, is about recognising and abiding in this state of pure being. By discerning the screen amidst the movie, we can discern our true self amidst the activities of the mind. Similarly, we can view our experiences with pure awareness, realising that the common factor is the transparent light of knowing. Returning to our being is like coming back home after a busy day, finding refuge in the peace that is always present.

A man, who has been suffering from depression, recounts all he has tried and failed to get out of his depression and self-hatred and asks for help. Rupert responds that the main thing is to know that there is something in you, right now, that is at peace. It may seem theoretical, but it is important to know.

A woman found herself in a situation surrounded by psychotic people and was distressed that she could not apply her understanding to this terrifying, depressing situation. She started to remember 'I am' and neti-neti, but it all felt like theory and inaccessible. Rupert suggests that these are extremely challenging circumstances, so a tough test for remaining established in your true nature.

A woman shares a sudden experience of non-localisation. She wonders if this is a step along the way. Rupert responds that if we go all the way back through experience to being, there is no form, age, gender or location. This can be difficult under certain circumstances, such as when in public, when we lose our normal reference points.

A woman, who practised mantra meditation for decades, is confused because she feels that mantra helps the nervous system; we truly need it beyond being aware of being aware. Rupert suggests that right in the middle of activity, we can ask 'Am I aware?' which takes us back to the fact of being. We don't need a mantra to go there, which is a preliminary practice that can help with anxiety.

A man quotes a physicist who refutes that objects never actually touch each other. He also asks about dissociation. Rupert quotes Rumi and suggests that two friends never really meet, referring to the non-dual aspect of physics. In friendship, we cease being a person. Rupert discusses infancy and childhood without touch, and the experience of dissociation.

A woman says that her response to 'Who am I?' is that she is her daughter's mother. Rupert says she was herself before she had her daughter. Her daughter may be precious, but she is not essential to what she is. What she is is prior to any relationship. 'I' is what we always are, our primary experience.

A woman asks about making practical decisions that are not driven by ego. Rupert asks her what activities she is interested in, and if her health allows zoom activities like meetings and meditations, then gradually spend time with other people. He suggests creating a safe environment rather than making choices and decisions when stressed.

A man with Asperger's Syndrome asks why some are born into this kind of situation. The man says he finds it hard to be in the world. Rupert suggests that there are two types of confidence: the first is in one's own abilities; the second is derived from our being. The first is a brittle confidence – if our skills change, confidence diminishes. The second is an unshakeable confidence and is not susceptible to others' opinions.

A man, who is new to the teaching, asks about the mind, feelings, decisions and consciousness, which he can't quite comprehend as aspects of consciousness. Rupert suggests that the mind is informed by the nature of consciousness. It doesn't tell it what to think.