There Is No Body Distinct from Mind
- Duration: Video: 1 hour, 6 minutes, and 54 seconds / Audio: 1 hour, 6 minutes, and 54 seconds
- Recorded on: Jun 6, 2022
- Event: Seven Day Retreat at The Vedanta – 3rd to 10th June 2022
A woman wants to understand how to relate to suffering to end it for all beings. She suggests that universal consciousness is ambivalent, but that it’s only the human heart that is empathetic. Rupert suggests that universal consciousness doesn't know about our suffering. It only knows suffering in the form of our finite minds. Compassion happens when our finite minds become transparent to our shared being, consciousness. The only way to be free of suffering is to go to that place in yourself which is already inherently free.
A man who came to non-duality via quantum physics, asks about a comment made by Bernardo Kastrup, 'I'm not there yet.' He asks about integrating his daily life more with his understanding. Rupert responds that Bernardo exhibits so many of the qualities of this understanding and perhaps he's not the best judge of his own spiritual maturity. He further suggests abiding as the presence of awareness, again and again, throughout the day. Take a pause and rest there.
A woman asks, ‘What is forgiveness?’ Rupert suggests that forgiveness is the recognition that ultimately there is nobody there to forgive and nobody there to offer forgiveness. Rupert leads her in self-enquiry to explore the one that needs forgiveness.
A man, who was an atheist, has found non-duality and feels a shift. He asks about destiny and karma. Rupert suggests that you are not destined to awaken because what you are is already wide awake. As for karma, it exists to explain the conditioning of the mind, but awakening has nothing to do with karma. He leads the questioner in self-enquiry.
A woman wonders about evil. Rupert suggests that the nature of consciousness is peace because it is whole and lacking nothing. When it localises itself as our finite mind, it seems to become a fragment and gives up its wholeness and innate peace. However, it leaves a trace of itself in the mind, which is the golden thread that brings the finite mind back to itself.
A woman asks about why there is creation. Rupert suggests because consciousness is not just a void, it is full of potential. Its impetus is to create for the same reason an artist creates or a couple has a child. It is to make love on the inside, manifest on the outside.
A man asks about the faculty of hearing and whether there is a danger in gratifying or indulging the senses. Rupert suggests the question is not whether or not we should enjoy the world but why are we motivated to do so. Is it due to lack or shame? Are we trying to get rid of that feeling? Then we are indulging our senses to numb these feelings. In which case, we can pause and contemplate the one who feels this way. However, if there is a sense of fulfilment, peace and joy, we may enjoy sensory experiences such as a meal with a friend, and there is no danger of indulgence leading to addiction.
A woman wants to check her understanding of the finite mind, matter and choice. She wonders about the relationship of a particular mind and body. Rupert shares a poem by William Blake to elucidate the relationship – there is no body distinct from mind.
A woman asks, ‘What is a belief?’ Rupert suggests that a belief is a thought that has a counterpart in feeling. That is why the separate self is so tenacious – it is made of thought and feeling. The belief in Santa Claus is just a thought, and a new thought ends the belief. Rupert leads her in self-enquiry.
A woman wants to understand how to relate to suffering to end it for all beings. She suggests that universal consciousness is ambivalent, but that it’s only the human heart that is empathetic. Rupert suggests that universal consciousness doesn't know about our suffering. It only knows suffering in the form of our finite minds. Compassion happens when our finite minds become transparent to our shared being, consciousness. The only way to be free of suffering is to go to that place in yourself which is already inherently free.
A man who came to non-duality via quantum physics, asks about a comment made by Bernardo Kastrup, 'I'm not there yet.' He asks about integrating his daily life more with his understanding. Rupert responds that Bernardo exhibits so many of the qualities of this understanding and perhaps he's not the best judge of his own spiritual maturity. He further suggests abiding as the presence of awareness, again and again, throughout the day. Take a pause and rest there.
A woman asks, ‘What is forgiveness?’ Rupert suggests that forgiveness is the recognition that ultimately there is nobody there to forgive and nobody there to offer forgiveness. Rupert leads her in self-enquiry to explore the one that needs forgiveness.
A man, who was an atheist, has found non-duality and feels a shift. He asks about destiny and karma. Rupert suggests that you are not destined to awaken because what you are is already wide awake. As for karma, it exists to explain the conditioning of the mind, but awakening has nothing to do with karma. He leads the questioner in self-enquiry.
A woman wonders about evil. Rupert suggests that the nature of consciousness is peace because it is whole and lacking nothing. When it localises itself as our finite mind, it seems to become a fragment and gives up its wholeness and innate peace. However, it leaves a trace of itself in the mind, which is the golden thread that brings the finite mind back to itself.
A woman asks about why there is creation. Rupert suggests because consciousness is not just a void, it is full of potential. Its impetus is to create for the same reason an artist creates or a couple has a child. It is to make love on the inside, manifest on the outside.
A man asks about the faculty of hearing and whether there is a danger in gratifying or indulging the senses. Rupert suggests the question is not whether or not we should enjoy the world but why are we motivated to do so. Is it due to lack or shame? Are we trying to get rid of that feeling? Then we are indulging our senses to numb these feelings. In which case, we can pause and contemplate the one who feels this way. However, if there is a sense of fulfilment, peace and joy, we may enjoy sensory experiences such as a meal with a friend, and there is no danger of indulgence leading to addiction.
A woman wants to check her understanding of the finite mind, matter and choice. She wonders about the relationship of a particular mind and body. Rupert shares a poem by William Blake to elucidate the relationship – there is no body distinct from mind.
A woman asks, ‘What is a belief?’ Rupert suggests that a belief is a thought that has a counterpart in feeling. That is why the separate self is so tenacious – it is made of thought and feeling. The belief in Santa Claus is just a thought, and a new thought ends the belief. Rupert leads her in self-enquiry.