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The Direct Path: A User Guide
Have you ever done non-dual inquiry and said to yourself, “I understand it intellectually, but I don’t feel it. It’s not my experience!” If so, The Direct Path , inspired by Sri Atmananda (Krishna Menon), could be for you. This book is the “missing manual” to the Direct Path. For the first time in print, Direct-Path inquiry is presented from beginning to end and beyond, in a user-friendly way. The core of the book is a set of forty experiments designed to help dissolve the most common non-dual sticking points, from simple to subtle. The experiments cover the world, the body, the mind, abstract objects, and witnessing awareness. You are taken step-by-step from the simple perception of a physical object all the way to the collapse of the witness into pure consciousness. Your takeaway is that there’s no experiential doubt that you and all things are awareness, openness, and love. Also included are three tables of contents, illustrations, an index, a section on teaching, and the notion of a “post-nondual realization.” This book can be utilized on its own or as a companion volume to the author’s Standing as Awareness .
248 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
325 people are currently reading
264 people want to read
About the author
Greg Goode
11 books42 followersGreg Goode is the author of highly regarded books in the contemplative spiritual field. He holds a doctorate in Philosophy from the University of Rochester. Greg grew up in multicultural Southern California. He lived in Panama for three years during his service with the U.S. Army, and lived in Germany for a year during graduate school. Greg currently lives in New York City with his wife, May.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
September 24, 2014
Greg Goode recently posted a cartoon by John Spooner of two doors on a cloud. A sign on one door read, “Heaven;” the other read, “Lecture about heaven.” The line for the lecture about heaven rivaled Starbucks on a Friday morning, but there wasn’t a single person waiting at the door to heaven.
Nothing could be more apt here.
Do you want to talk about awakening and get that warm cozy that you’re on some path and you’ve got that all covered, or do you no-kidding want to take the dive, head first, down the rabbit hole?
It’s up to you, but I don’t suggest you take this decision lightly. Make no mistake about it; Mr. Goode takes you gently and lovingly to the end of seeking, and indeed, to the end of you as a separate, suffering entity.
Now if you wish to discuss the subject, or merely listen or read passively, there are many venues available, and Greg Goode shuns none of them. In fact, he shuns no path and is the most open and accepting spiritual teacher I’ve come across so far.
THE DIRECT PATH is about direct experience. Mr. Goode takes you step by step through simple but very subtle and powerful exercises that move you from eliminating the concept of separation and objects in the perceived material world, to disassembling mental constructs such as the subconscious, emotions, states of mind, the mind itself, and every element, no matter how subtle, that is separate and therefore an object, until all that is left is pure awareness.
Mr. Goode is practical and objective, especially when it comes to his experiments. His extensive studies and education are clearly evident from his style, exposition and prose, but there’s an endearing quality to his writing that comes from the heart, and has no bearing on his scholastic accomplishments. At times—especially towards the end of the book—Greg Goode speaks about his personal experiences in an unassuming, and quite encouraging manner.
Fear not: when you’re done reading THE DIRECT PATH, you won’t vanish into thin air or suffer from sudden-onset dissociative disorder. In fact, Greg Goode functions very effectively in the world and is living testimony to the fact that this book will not result in anything “bad” or “dangerous" happening to you. THE DIRECT PATH IS safe to read, but only if you’re not intent on living in a metaphysical world of separateness.
A must read for any seeker.
Nothing could be more apt here.
Do you want to talk about awakening and get that warm cozy that you’re on some path and you’ve got that all covered, or do you no-kidding want to take the dive, head first, down the rabbit hole?
It’s up to you, but I don’t suggest you take this decision lightly. Make no mistake about it; Mr. Goode takes you gently and lovingly to the end of seeking, and indeed, to the end of you as a separate, suffering entity.
Now if you wish to discuss the subject, or merely listen or read passively, there are many venues available, and Greg Goode shuns none of them. In fact, he shuns no path and is the most open and accepting spiritual teacher I’ve come across so far.
THE DIRECT PATH is about direct experience. Mr. Goode takes you step by step through simple but very subtle and powerful exercises that move you from eliminating the concept of separation and objects in the perceived material world, to disassembling mental constructs such as the subconscious, emotions, states of mind, the mind itself, and every element, no matter how subtle, that is separate and therefore an object, until all that is left is pure awareness.
Mr. Goode is practical and objective, especially when it comes to his experiments. His extensive studies and education are clearly evident from his style, exposition and prose, but there’s an endearing quality to his writing that comes from the heart, and has no bearing on his scholastic accomplishments. At times—especially towards the end of the book—Greg Goode speaks about his personal experiences in an unassuming, and quite encouraging manner.
Fear not: when you’re done reading THE DIRECT PATH, you won’t vanish into thin air or suffer from sudden-onset dissociative disorder. In fact, Greg Goode functions very effectively in the world and is living testimony to the fact that this book will not result in anything “bad” or “dangerous" happening to you. THE DIRECT PATH IS safe to read, but only if you’re not intent on living in a metaphysical world of separateness.
A must read for any seeker.
October 31, 2017
Brilliant look at non duality from another view point
Greg exposes the unreality of the material and existent world through skill full techniques. I initially found this book boring and irrelevant when I read it, but it was only after I went deeper into non duality and Advaita did I realise that these concepts had built a solid base of knowledge that allowed me to gain a deeper experiential understanding of what was being taught. This truly is a masterpiece and an invaluable aid, but it will only be apparent with time. I'm hoping to get an audio book version so that I can listen to it more often. It's an easy read if you know enough about non duality to invest the te and patience to do the exercises.
Greg exposes the unreality of the material and existent world through skill full techniques. I initially found this book boring and irrelevant when I read it, but it was only after I went deeper into non duality and Advaita did I realise that these concepts had built a solid base of knowledge that allowed me to gain a deeper experiential understanding of what was being taught. This truly is a masterpiece and an invaluable aid, but it will only be apparent with time. I'm hoping to get an audio book version so that I can listen to it more often. It's an easy read if you know enough about non duality to invest the te and patience to do the exercises.
August 3, 2021
A very thorough and profound inquiry into experience. Perhaps the pinnacle of non-dual inquiry.
Advaitic in flavor, but somewhat compatible with Buddhist views (the author is familiar with, and as co-written a book on, Buddhism).
Highly recommended, along side with Rupert Spira and Francis Lucille.
Advaitic in flavor, but somewhat compatible with Buddhist views (the author is familiar with, and as co-written a book on, Buddhism).
Highly recommended, along side with Rupert Spira and Francis Lucille.
November 18, 2018
Very interested and practical book for experiencing and internalising the "here and now", perceptions and non duality.
November 20, 2023
Nothing useful Here
Lots of words but nothing meaningful or useful. Lends credence to the notion that non-duality cannot be taught, only experienced,
Lots of words but nothing meaningful or useful. Lends credence to the notion that non-duality cannot be taught, only experienced,
April 10, 2025
wow this book is really bad and actually throws me off my path a bit. im deep in nonduality and my spiritual path and i guess it just cannot be taught in the way hes trying to, which feels like an intellectualized/logical dubiously experiential material scientific route. I appreciate that he is trying to get people to examine how they perceive reality and their subjective point of view. But the series of questions are confusing, and the awareness meditation at the beginning feels circular (hey develop awareness before we analyze something to figure out something about awareness)
also he has never defined awareness but keeps asking if things are outside it. well no. by definition all things are within awareness as awareness is like ground zero and nothing exists outside of it. the questions are really bad and perhaps I’m not smart enough to connect most of the questions or points cohesively together- they often make no sense. Is there a separate perceiver? Are you smelling smell? But back to the witnessing awareness that is there. etc. Arent I this separate perceiver, the witnessing awareness?? I’ll give this benefit of the doubt that these are on someones path but they definitely irritated me and aren’t on mine.
He’s ultimately trying to show theres no objective us vs them, we use our senses to figure out what things are like so there is no true separateness and these senses are interpreted and thought labels names language etc resolved it all into distinct things. Ok cool well since thought is often built upon these thought is also not real. This doesn’t help me in my life, I’m not going to go around sharing 2+2=4 is a thought and therefore not objective. It doesnt help me feel into navigating relationships for that same reason. Telling people things didnt actually occur isn’t a solution to resolving conflict and sure this is maybe true but it makes things strangely logical shenanigans to me. He didnt mention this as a thing to do but see my brain already goes there as what this book is leading me to. Humans have decided on a consistent thing amongst themselves and that doesn’t feel addressed.
maybe it gets better, stopped at 35%. will skim the rest
not suggested for advanced or beginners, bad/confusing for both. unless u take it as a beginner beginner to anything and have never thought about or felt your existence at all and want some primers on philosophy maaaybe and through a logical lens (that is actually illogical for me) that feels dead rather than a truly felt feeling aliveness and spiritual lens to be able to live it. It tries to be technical in an area that can’t apply.
Read the Power of Now or Adyashanti. Infinitely more real and scientific to me and guides me exactly there, beyond the intellect (which is dual!)
this book created infinitely more questions than answered any on many levels- partly due to the confusing way it was written (had trouble understanding just grammatically what it was saying- whats the subject n context per sentence and the string of logic between statements?? there seems like a huge gap unlike those other books mentioned.) truly surprised at the number of 5 stars feels like emperor’s new clothes.
"Goode's work is not for everyone, especially those already in touch with the sacred, direct experience of awareness in the body and mind. His path is intellectual, so if you’ve already tasted the truth in a more direct, embodied way, it might feel frustrating or confusing to go back through this logical, conceptual lens."
dont mean to be particularly harsh and I’m sure hes a lovely human and maybe has some good books and perhaps actually there but this super did not work for me.
also he has never defined awareness but keeps asking if things are outside it. well no. by definition all things are within awareness as awareness is like ground zero and nothing exists outside of it. the questions are really bad and perhaps I’m not smart enough to connect most of the questions or points cohesively together- they often make no sense. Is there a separate perceiver? Are you smelling smell? But back to the witnessing awareness that is there. etc. Arent I this separate perceiver, the witnessing awareness?? I’ll give this benefit of the doubt that these are on someones path but they definitely irritated me and aren’t on mine.
He’s ultimately trying to show theres no objective us vs them, we use our senses to figure out what things are like so there is no true separateness and these senses are interpreted and thought labels names language etc resolved it all into distinct things. Ok cool well since thought is often built upon these thought is also not real. This doesn’t help me in my life, I’m not going to go around sharing 2+2=4 is a thought and therefore not objective. It doesnt help me feel into navigating relationships for that same reason. Telling people things didnt actually occur isn’t a solution to resolving conflict and sure this is maybe true but it makes things strangely logical shenanigans to me. He didnt mention this as a thing to do but see my brain already goes there as what this book is leading me to. Humans have decided on a consistent thing amongst themselves and that doesn’t feel addressed.
maybe it gets better, stopped at 35%. will skim the rest
not suggested for advanced or beginners, bad/confusing for both. unless u take it as a beginner beginner to anything and have never thought about or felt your existence at all and want some primers on philosophy maaaybe and through a logical lens (that is actually illogical for me) that feels dead rather than a truly felt feeling aliveness and spiritual lens to be able to live it. It tries to be technical in an area that can’t apply.
Read the Power of Now or Adyashanti. Infinitely more real and scientific to me and guides me exactly there, beyond the intellect (which is dual!)
this book created infinitely more questions than answered any on many levels- partly due to the confusing way it was written (had trouble understanding just grammatically what it was saying- whats the subject n context per sentence and the string of logic between statements?? there seems like a huge gap unlike those other books mentioned.) truly surprised at the number of 5 stars feels like emperor’s new clothes.
"Goode's work is not for everyone, especially those already in touch with the sacred, direct experience of awareness in the body and mind. His path is intellectual, so if you’ve already tasted the truth in a more direct, embodied way, it might feel frustrating or confusing to go back through this logical, conceptual lens."
dont mean to be particularly harsh and I’m sure hes a lovely human and maybe has some good books and perhaps actually there but this super did not work for me.
January 4, 2025
The Direct Path: Over Before It Began
The Direct Path: A User's Guide
By: Greg Goode
I feel like I am waisting my time with this book. The author starts out by saying he will prove that everything is awareness, and that nothing exists seperately and independantly from one another. He explains that he will prove nondualism is correct through a series of exercises.
I was already having my doubts about this author, but on page 46 of the introduction to his book, I am coming to the conclusion that this book is more than likely a waste of time. On page 46 he says that before each exercise, (exercises that are supposed to prove that I am not seperate from anything,) that I should do these 5 things:
1 Take a deep breath slowly. Exhale slowly, all the way. Take another deep breath. Exhale all the way. Now take three-quarters of a deep breath and exhale as you normally would.
2 Close your eyes. Notice that there might be sounds, sensations, feelings and thoughts arising, but that YOU, the witnessing awareness to which these things are arising, are always already present. 3 Notice that you are this clarity. You are present whether there are objects arising or not. If there are objects, you are already there as THAT which knows the presence of the objects. If there are no objects, you are already there as THAT which knows the absenceabsence of the objects. Regardless of the presence or absence of objects, you are there.
4 Notice that you are not an observed object at all, but the open, spacious, brilliant clarity in which objects arise. You cannot grasp or hold this clarity, for it is the very spaciousness in which grasping arises.
5 Notice that there are no walls to this clarity, no edges to YOU. You are borderless. You are not contained by anything. You are limitless.
So basically, he wants me to BELIEVE that I am not seperate from anything, before he PROVES that I am not seperate from everything...wait, what? I thought the whole point of the book was to simply prove that nondualism is a correct argument through exercises and experiments; and not to expect me to BELIEVE before doing the exercises and experiments. If I truly believed, I wouldn't be reading the flipping book in the first place.
I am seriously doubting this author's credibility
The Direct Path: A User's Guide
By: Greg Goode
I feel like I am waisting my time with this book. The author starts out by saying he will prove that everything is awareness, and that nothing exists seperately and independantly from one another. He explains that he will prove nondualism is correct through a series of exercises.
I was already having my doubts about this author, but on page 46 of the introduction to his book, I am coming to the conclusion that this book is more than likely a waste of time. On page 46 he says that before each exercise, (exercises that are supposed to prove that I am not seperate from anything,) that I should do these 5 things:
1 Take a deep breath slowly. Exhale slowly, all the way. Take another deep breath. Exhale all the way. Now take three-quarters of a deep breath and exhale as you normally would.
2 Close your eyes. Notice that there might be sounds, sensations, feelings and thoughts arising, but that YOU, the witnessing awareness to which these things are arising, are always already present. 3 Notice that you are this clarity. You are present whether there are objects arising or not. If there are objects, you are already there as THAT which knows the presence of the objects. If there are no objects, you are already there as THAT which knows the absenceabsence of the objects. Regardless of the presence or absence of objects, you are there.
4 Notice that you are not an observed object at all, but the open, spacious, brilliant clarity in which objects arise. You cannot grasp or hold this clarity, for it is the very spaciousness in which grasping arises.
5 Notice that there are no walls to this clarity, no edges to YOU. You are borderless. You are not contained by anything. You are limitless.
So basically, he wants me to BELIEVE that I am not seperate from anything, before he PROVES that I am not seperate from everything...wait, what? I thought the whole point of the book was to simply prove that nondualism is a correct argument through exercises and experiments; and not to expect me to BELIEVE before doing the exercises and experiments. If I truly believed, I wouldn't be reading the flipping book in the first place.
I am seriously doubting this author's credibility
April 10, 2023
Maybe for a Novice
A modern restatement of the Buddha’s Four Noble Truths: Life is suffering. The cause of suffering is craving. The end of suffering comes with an end to craving. There is a path which leads one away from craving and suffering—It is the Eightfold Path, which includes the notions of right attention, right contemplation. These are fancy expressions for simply silently looking, observing, awakening. Yes, challenging to do. But, it can be accomplished. This author offers a primer to some of that in a modern package. From this, go back to the Vinjana Bhairava Tantra, more than 100 techniques to awareness—awakeness. Or, just simply sit silently, look, observe, wake up!
A modern restatement of the Buddha’s Four Noble Truths: Life is suffering. The cause of suffering is craving. The end of suffering comes with an end to craving. There is a path which leads one away from craving and suffering—It is the Eightfold Path, which includes the notions of right attention, right contemplation. These are fancy expressions for simply silently looking, observing, awakening. Yes, challenging to do. But, it can be accomplished. This author offers a primer to some of that in a modern package. From this, go back to the Vinjana Bhairava Tantra, more than 100 techniques to awareness—awakeness. Or, just simply sit silently, look, observe, wake up!
June 12, 2022
Experiments to prove non-duality
I am in my journey of finding more teaching about high-quality and this book is one of the pages that will help me understand.
The beginning and the end were interesting. The middle experiments are the best but after exploring the hearing, I think I have done enough.
I don't know why I give it 4 stars but I think this book can be improved.
I am in my journey of finding more teaching about high-quality and this book is one of the pages that will help me understand.
The beginning and the end were interesting. The middle experiments are the best but after exploring the hearing, I think I have done enough.
I don't know why I give it 4 stars but I think this book can be improved.
February 16, 2021
Awakening
An eye opener and I don't mean physical. This teaching will allow you if you so allow, you to clean out your mental closet of temporal conditioning leaving only one precious garment, witnessing awareness. Blessings
An eye opener and I don't mean physical. This teaching will allow you if you so allow, you to clean out your mental closet of temporal conditioning leaving only one precious garment, witnessing awareness. Blessings
April 28, 2023
An experiential manual for awakening.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews