Pray without Ceasing

A questioner asks about the difference between relating to sound rather than sight. Rupert responds that distance is overlaid by thought with sound, but that a localised perspective is required for sight, which leads to the belief that consciousness is located behind the eyes.

A woman asks about why some people die young. Rupert responds that he doesn't know why, but a rational answer would not dispel our grief. Relief can only come by turning towards anger and grief.

A woman asks what effect trauma has on the separate self and on the recognition of our true nature. Rupert suggests that a focus on trauma exacerbates the sense of separation but ultimately has no impact on the recognition of who we are.

A questioner asks about the Mary and Jane analogy and whether Mary represents God. Rupert responds that yes, Mary represents infinite consciousness, and Jane is all of us.

A questioner asks if it is necessary to develop a separate self before understanding our true nature, like an infant that then separates from their parents. Rupert responds that John Smith does not have to play the part of King Lear to know himself.

A woman asks about what happens in dissociation and how it relates to consciousness. Rupert speaks of how a part of ourself splits off from circumstances it finds unbearable, which is reflected universally in the idea of consciousness splitting off into apparently separate entities.

A woman asks about where we go when we dissociate, and why we don’t remember. Rupert elaborates on the impact of dissociation on relationships, whereby something is triggered thirty years after the original trauma.

A woman asks if deep sleep, like meditation, is not something we do but is what we are. Rupert responds yes, it is the finite mind that divides experience into the waking, dreaming, and deep sleep states, and that we don't really fall asleep but the activities of thinking, sensing and perceiving fall away.

A questioner asks about how we recognise when we are operating from ego. Rupert responds that if actions come from a sense of lack, that is an indication of arising from ego and suggests pausing and asking if reactions to the current experience come from lack or a love of truth.

A woman who had to be hospitalised during retreat expresses her heartfelt gratitude to Rupert and all the participants for their love and support, which she felt so strongly. She said all her questions have evaporated

A man says that the recognition that everything is awareness makes him feel lonely. Rupert asks him if he has experienced love, friendship and connection, and suggests that this shared being could dissipate the sense of loneliness.

A woman asks a question about the book The Way of the Pilgrim and the idea of unceasing prayer. Rupert speaks of his own early practices, such as praying without ceasing, until he realised it was not about literal repetition but an attitude of the heart, which evolved from there to the recognition that God and our being is the same.

A man says that for him this recognition revealed the duality and futility of romantic love, and he doesn't know how to have that kind of relationship anymore. Rupert suggests that there is no need to give up on romantic love, only the need to derive happiness from another.

A questioner asks about the difference between relating to sound rather than sight. Rupert responds that distance is overlaid by thought with sound, but that a localised perspective is required for sight, which leads to the belief that consciousness is located behind the eyes.

A woman asks about why some people die young. Rupert responds that he doesn't know why, but a rational answer would not dispel our grief. Relief can only come by turning towards anger and grief.

A woman asks what effect trauma has on the separate self and on the recognition of our true nature. Rupert suggests that a focus on trauma exacerbates the sense of separation but ultimately has no impact on the recognition of who we are.

A questioner asks about the Mary and Jane analogy and whether Mary represents God. Rupert responds that yes, Mary represents infinite consciousness, and Jane is all of us.

A questioner asks if it is necessary to develop a separate self before understanding our true nature, like an infant that then separates from their parents. Rupert responds that John Smith does not have to play the part of King Lear to know himself.

A woman asks about what happens in dissociation and how it relates to consciousness. Rupert speaks of how a part of ourself splits off from circumstances it finds unbearable, which is reflected universally in the idea of consciousness splitting off into apparently separate entities.

A woman asks about where we go when we dissociate, and why we don’t remember. Rupert elaborates on the impact of dissociation on relationships, whereby something is triggered thirty years after the original trauma.

A woman asks if deep sleep, like meditation, is not something we do but is what we are. Rupert responds yes, it is the finite mind that divides experience into the waking, dreaming, and deep sleep states, and that we don't really fall asleep but the activities of thinking, sensing and perceiving fall away.

A questioner asks about how we recognise when we are operating from ego. Rupert responds that if actions come from a sense of lack, that is an indication of arising from ego and suggests pausing and asking if reactions to the current experience come from lack or a love of truth.

A woman who had to be hospitalised during retreat expresses her heartfelt gratitude to Rupert and all the participants for their love and support, which she felt so strongly. She said all her questions have evaporated

A man says that the recognition that everything is awareness makes him feel lonely. Rupert asks him if he has experienced love, friendship and connection, and suggests that this shared being could dissipate the sense of loneliness.

A woman asks a question about the book The Way of the Pilgrim and the idea of unceasing prayer. Rupert speaks of his own early practices, such as praying without ceasing, until he realised it was not about literal repetition but an attitude of the heart, which evolved from there to the recognition that God and our being is the same.

A man says that for him this recognition revealed the duality and futility of romantic love, and he doesn't know how to have that kind of relationship anymore. Rupert suggests that there is no need to give up on romantic love, only the need to derive happiness from another.