Understanding ‘I Am’ as Prior to Identity

"When you say ‘I am’ is the highest knowledge, how does this relate to my sense of being a particular person with a history and identity? Rupert says: ‘The statement “I am” exists prior to all qualifications. Before you can say “I am tired” or “I am confused,” the simple “I am” must already be present. This “I am” is not the experience of being a person – it’s the experience of simply being, which is then qualified or coloured by the content of experience. When you remove all the temporary qualities – your thoughts, feelings, sensations, your history, your identity – what remains is pure being, the simple knowledge “I am”. This “I am” doesn’t belong to you; rather, you are a temporary colouring of the “I am”. Your essential self is this pure, unqualified “I am”, which is infinite being itself.’"

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

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