Take the Understanding Deeply Into Your Heart

A woman shares her experience of ‘I am’ and a sense of separation. What she prefers is ‘there is’. Rupert suggests that when he says ‘I am’ that she substitute it with the feeling of being.

A woman asks why there is so much emphasis on the Shiva aspect of the teaching instead of the Shakti. Rupert says that it is true that he typically becomes aware of being on the inside before focusing on being on the outside. But he hopes that the teaching is balanced.

A woman asks what consciousness is. Rupert responds that it is everything. Shakti is consciousness at rest; Shiva is consciousness in motion.

A man asks about this quote by Ramakrishna: “Do not seek illumination unless you seek it as a man whose hair is on fire and seeks a pond.” Rupert suggests it means that one should not seek illumination unless one seeks it with the same passion and intensity as one whose hair is on fire seeks a pond. But he doesn’t agree with this statement. Some seek with a quietness.

A woman from Milan thanks Rupert for the retreat and asks about how to connect with others. Rupert refers her to others in her community.

A woman asks about how to immerse the Pathless Path into society. Rupert shares some thoughts and affirms that it is indeed the age of the Pathless Path.

A man asks if his spiritual practice is in line with self-enquiry. Rupert suggests that there are many ways to engage in self-enquiry.

A woman asks about wanting to share this understanding with a partner, after having heard from another teacher that she first has to work through some trauma. Rupert suggests that she not wait until she has overcome her feeling of abandonment. Since you are aware of it, you won’t repeat this cycle.

A woman asks if feeling happiness in the body is a trace of being. Rupert suggests that when we get in touch with the peace of being, there is a profound relaxation that is then felt in the body. Rupert says it is an echo, an expression of true nature in the body.

A man shares that he has an intellectual acceptance of non-duality and wonders if, given his issues with addiction and mental health, he should dive deep into difficult feelings. Rupert suggests he doesn’t have to go after them, but if they come up, then face the feelings.

A man asks how to move the understanding from his head to his heart. Rupert suggests he contemplate the understanding deeply. Don't just listen to it and think about it, but really take it deeply into yourself. Take the understanding into more than just your mind.

A woman asks Rupert to elaborate on the 'I am' as expressed by Nisgardatta and Ramana Maharshi. Rupert responds, using the analogy of Turner's painting of the moon and the white paper. He then addresses it another way using the analogy of the prison door.

A woman asks if it’s possible to rewrite King Lear’s story. If so, what are the components to make it effective? Rupert suggests that King Lear is not upset over suffering the events of his story; it is because he has forgotten who he truly is.

A woman asks if prayer has any effect on healing. Rupert shares his favourite prayer, given to Francis Roles by the Shankaracharaya of northern India. She asks again if it has an effect.