Peace Growing Stronger

The content of experience need not be changed or controlled. Just take a step back into the silent presence of being. Being need not be stilled by effort or practice, or fulfilled by objects or relationships. It is already at peace and everything it could ever be. The spiritual path, in whatever tradition, consists of two simple steps: to disengage with the content of experience and recognise the inherently silent presence of being; to turn back towards experience again, but to infuse every aspect of our life with the inherent peace of being. The first step, turning away from content, is what’s traditionally referred to as meditation or prayer. The second step, infusing activities and relationships with the inherent peace of our being, is just our ordinary everyday life. In time, distinction between meditation and everyday life diminishes. We remain in being, as being, both in the absence and presence of experience.

A man expresses confusion about the concept that awareness is the only doer in the universe. It seems that life is a movie without conscious actors, leaving him feeling contracted and without relief. Rupert clarifies that it’s not that there are no conscious actors but rather that consciousness is universal and shared by all. This realisation is not only good but the ultimate news for humanity, revealing our true nature as something infinite and not limited to the body and mind.

A woman asks whether mental illnesses such as Alzheimer’s impact our ability to be aware. Rupert shares the example of his mother, whose thoughts became fragmented in her final days. Yet, he emphasises, whether her thoughts were clear or confused, the single light of pure knowing illuminated her mind just like the sunlight that shines equally in every room.

A woman describes her experience of peace growing within her. Rupert compares it to sunlight in the morning getting brighter and brighter. He explains that the sun isn’t really growing brighter; it is always shining with the same brightness. The peace of our being is always the same, but as the clouds of thoughts and feelings get weaker, the peace seems to grow stronger. He adds that it is beautiful that she feels this.

A woman reflects on her father’s unexpected death, which brings her fear of death closer than ever before. She ponders whether awareness has a beginning, as with the Big Bang. Rupert invites her to enquire deeply, asking if she has ever witnessed awareness turning on or off. He then suggests she build a model of reality for herself based on the only experience she can be certain of – her being.

A man expresses his anxiety about others’ judgments, which leaves him feeling a deep sense of lack. Rupert explains that those who judge or speak badly of us are, in fact, our friends, though they may not know it. He uses the example of great tennis players, Federer and Nadal, whose rivalry helped them both grow. He advises the man to allow friends, enemies, and all circumstances to be his best friends, reminding him that what once devastated or saddened him can now be turned into fuel for his joy and peace.

A woman expresses her intuition that her current work is not aligned with her heart’s desire, but she fears letting go of safety and control. Rupert encourages her to shed any notion of a spiritual persona and step into the world with energy, love, and enthusiasm, trusting her heart and embodying her understanding in life.

A man asks why, upon waking from a dream, the dream seems to have been random and lacking coherence. Rupert responds that although dreams may seem random to the waking mind, they have an internal coherence and deeper significance. He suggests that the waking state, too, has an underlying pattern that our minds may not fully grasp.

A woman struggling with old habits of identifying as a separate self, seeks guidance on navigating blind spots. Rupert explains that life and friends reveal these blind spots, and that awareness is enough to help dissolve them. He suggests that simply being aware of these habits, without trying to change them, allows them to lose strength.

A man asks about using the breath in meditation. Rupert explains that giving our attention to the breath – a neutral, transparent, peaceful object – is a valid approach when experience is too intense for a Direct Path approach. Once the mind is steadied on the breath, we can then ask, ‘who is aware of the breath?’ This enquiry then leads us back to our true nature.

The content of experience need not be changed or controlled. Just take a step back into the silent presence of being. Being need not be stilled by effort or practice, or fulfilled by objects or relationships. It is already at peace and everything it could ever be. The spiritual path, in whatever tradition, consists of two simple steps: to disengage with the content of experience and recognise the inherently silent presence of being; to turn back towards experience again, but to infuse every aspect of our life with the inherent peace of being. The first step, turning away from content, is what’s traditionally referred to as meditation or prayer. The second step, infusing activities and relationships with the inherent peace of our being, is just our ordinary everyday life. In time, distinction between meditation and everyday life diminishes. We remain in being, as being, both in the absence and presence of experience.

A man expresses confusion about the concept that awareness is the only doer in the universe. It seems that life is a movie without conscious actors, leaving him feeling contracted and without relief. Rupert clarifies that it’s not that there are no conscious actors but rather that consciousness is universal and shared by all. This realisation is not only good but the ultimate news for humanity, revealing our true nature as something infinite and not limited to the body and mind.

A woman asks whether mental illnesses such as Alzheimer’s impact our ability to be aware. Rupert shares the example of his mother, whose thoughts became fragmented in her final days. Yet, he emphasises, whether her thoughts were clear or confused, the single light of pure knowing illuminated her mind just like the sunlight that shines equally in every room.

A woman describes her experience of peace growing within her. Rupert compares it to sunlight in the morning getting brighter and brighter. He explains that the sun isn’t really growing brighter; it is always shining with the same brightness. The peace of our being is always the same, but as the clouds of thoughts and feelings get weaker, the peace seems to grow stronger. He adds that it is beautiful that she feels this.

A woman reflects on her father’s unexpected death, which brings her fear of death closer than ever before. She ponders whether awareness has a beginning, as with the Big Bang. Rupert invites her to enquire deeply, asking if she has ever witnessed awareness turning on or off. He then suggests she build a model of reality for herself based on the only experience she can be certain of – her being.

A man expresses his anxiety about others’ judgments, which leaves him feeling a deep sense of lack. Rupert explains that those who judge or speak badly of us are, in fact, our friends, though they may not know it. He uses the example of great tennis players, Federer and Nadal, whose rivalry helped them both grow. He advises the man to allow friends, enemies, and all circumstances to be his best friends, reminding him that what once devastated or saddened him can now be turned into fuel for his joy and peace.

A woman expresses her intuition that her current work is not aligned with her heart’s desire, but she fears letting go of safety and control. Rupert encourages her to shed any notion of a spiritual persona and step into the world with energy, love, and enthusiasm, trusting her heart and embodying her understanding in life.

A man asks why, upon waking from a dream, the dream seems to have been random and lacking coherence. Rupert responds that although dreams may seem random to the waking mind, they have an internal coherence and deeper significance. He suggests that the waking state, too, has an underlying pattern that our minds may not fully grasp.

A woman struggling with old habits of identifying as a separate self, seeks guidance on navigating blind spots. Rupert explains that life and friends reveal these blind spots, and that awareness is enough to help dissolve them. He suggests that simply being aware of these habits, without trying to change them, allows them to lose strength.

A man asks about using the breath in meditation. Rupert explains that giving our attention to the breath – a neutral, transparent, peaceful object – is a valid approach when experience is too intense for a Direct Path approach. Once the mind is steadied on the breath, we can then ask, ‘who is aware of the breath?’ This enquiry then leads us back to our true nature.