The One Constant Factor

"Who am I if I’m not my identity? How do I know if I’m identified or not? It feels like there’s no I right now – I feel like I don’t exist. Rupert says: ‘If you didn’t exist, you wouldn’t be having an experience. You obviously are present. You’ve been saying “I” more than any other word – don’t pretend “I” is not present. What do you mean by “I”? You’ve used it your whole life; it must refer to something. No thought has remained consistently present, no sensation, no perception. The only element of your experience that has never wavered is “I”. It runs through waking, dreaming, deep sleep. The “I” that wanted ice cream at five years old is the same “I” now. The fact of being aware is the golden thread that runs through your experience – it’s the only stable, consistent element. You’ve overlooked it because you’re exclusively fascinated by what you’re aware of. Being and awareness are the same thing – the presence of that which is aware. Strictly speaking it has no qualities, but with reference to the agitation of your mind, you can call it peace; with reference to your suffering, you can call it happiness. If you discover this, it will not only cure your current sorrow – it will give you access to the peace of your true nature for the rest of your life.’"

From event 21 - 28 November, 2025 Seven-Day Retreat at The Vedanta, 21–28 November 2025

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