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Presence: The Art of Peace and Happiness
Volume I of Presence is arranged in six sections in which Rupert explores, and invites us to explore, our true nature, the nature of peace, happiness and love, the origin of the separate self, the body, the world and experience. Gently, yet remorselessly concepts and misconceptions are dissolved until it is seen that there is only Presence 'simultaneously being and knowing itself' - and we are no different from that Presence.
"Your self, aware presence, knows no resistance to any appearance and, as such, is happiness itself; like the empty space of a room it cannot be disturbed and is, therefore, peace itself; like this page, it is intimately one with whatever appears on it and is thus love itself; and like water that is not affected by the shape of a wave, it is pure freedom. Causeless joy, imperturbable peace, love that knows no opposite and freedom at the heart of all experience….this is your ever-present nature under all circumstances." Rupert Spira
"Presence is a profound and luminous book with great power and is obviously the fruit of many years of contemplation. These two volumes together are a relentless and utterly thorough examination of the nature of experience, exploring every square centimeter of the territory with absolute excellence and ruthlessly precise analysis. Their astuteness and clarity will be extremely exciting to those readers who are ready for the next steps in lifting the veil of separation and I suspect it will become a spiritual classic that readers will savour slowly and return to again and again."
Victoria Ritchie Former Manager of Watkins Bookshop and Editor for Eckhart Tolle
"Your self, aware presence, knows no resistance to any appearance and, as such, is happiness itself; like the empty space of a room it cannot be disturbed and is, therefore, peace itself; like this page, it is intimately one with whatever appears on it and is thus love itself; and like water that is not affected by the shape of a wave, it is pure freedom. Causeless joy, imperturbable peace, love that knows no opposite and freedom at the heart of all experience….this is your ever-present nature under all circumstances." Rupert Spira
"Presence is a profound and luminous book with great power and is obviously the fruit of many years of contemplation. These two volumes together are a relentless and utterly thorough examination of the nature of experience, exploring every square centimeter of the territory with absolute excellence and ruthlessly precise analysis. Their astuteness and clarity will be extremely exciting to those readers who are ready for the next steps in lifting the veil of separation and I suspect it will become a spiritual classic that readers will savour slowly and return to again and again."
Victoria Ritchie Former Manager of Watkins Bookshop and Editor for Eckhart Tolle
200 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 7, 2011
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856 people want to read
About the author
Rupert Spira
52 books565 followersFrom an early age Rupert Spira was deeply interested in the nature of reality. At the age of seventeen he learnt to meditate, and began a twenty-year period of study and practice in the classical Advaita Vedanta tradition under the guidance of Dr. Francis Roles and Shantananda Saraswati, the Shankaracharya of the north of India. During this time he immersed himself in the teachings of P. D. Ouspensky, Krishnamurti, Rumi, Ramana Maharshi, Nisargadatta and Robert Adams, until he met his teacher, Francis Lucille, in 1997. Francis introduced Rupert to the Direct Path teachings of Atmananda Krishna Menon, the Tantric tradition of Kashmir Shaivism (which he had received from his teacher, Jean Klein), and, more importantly, directly indicated to him the true nature of experience. Rupert lives in the UK and holds regular meetings and retreats in Europe and the USA.
www.rupertspira.com
www.rupertspira.com
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
September 17, 2020
On my second reading and definitely worth reading more than once—or over and over again as a form of contemplation. This book provides very direct and accessible pointing to non-dual truth.
I feel that Spira ought to give credit somewhere in the text, perhaps in a Preface or Introduction, to the tradition of Advaita Vedanta, and the other non-dual traditions (such as Kashmir Shaivism, Sufism and Ouspensky) that have informed his work. Nevertheless, the way he expresses his understanding and leads others into it, gleaned from these various traditions, in plain, simple English, without any Sanskrit, Arabic, or other intimidating language or association with anything religious (or what people assume is religious according to a narrow understanding of that term), and relying only on what can be verified by direct personal observation, is a very effective method. This is why I feel very inclined to suggest his work as an introduction or preliminary reading before getting into traditional Advaita Vedanta. It definitely helped me make the right connections and to see how what had seemed difficult, abstruse and somehow beyond my grasp is really very familiar and already known—closer than our own breath!—but only veiled by long-practised ignorance in the form of all sorts of unexamined assumptions about the nature of experience and reality. Simply looking closely in an unbiased way at our actual experience, as he exhorts us to do, dissolves those conditioned assumptions, ushering in a fresh and vastly more satisfying view.
Of course, this is exactly what traditional Advaita Vedanta also does, but I think there are many people who would be willing to read Rupert Spira who would baulk at something they see as arcane Indian philosophy, and associated with Hinduism. These people are infinitely better off reading Spira than reading dumbed-down and ineffectual neo-pseudo-Advaita. This is leaving aside that the Direct Path, which Spira teaches (as was taught by Atmananda Krishna Menon, Jean Klein and his own teacher, Francis Lucille), while based in AV, differs from it in its intention to be more direct (as the name suggests!). That is, to take pure awareness as the starting point. (To explain this difference properly goes beyond a Goodreads review). I think it's clear that there are positives and negatives in this approach as compared to traditional AV, and the positives apply only for those who are already highly receptive, intellectually sharp and able to grasp subtlety (which has nothing necessarily to do with academic ability or disposition), and highly motivated to "cut to the chase" without anything in the way of step-by-step pedagogical supports. In other words, those who are already highly qualified.
So as much Spira's work, and that of other Direct Path teachers, could be said to be for the many for the reasons already noted, it's paradoxically only for the few, as has always been the case with all forms of non-dual teaching. (This is not principally due to elitism, although elitism has sometimes been a factor, but to the majority self-excluding due to lack of interest. This remains the case today when the material is widely and often freely available). So it comes as no surprise that the usual prerequisites as stipulated by Advaita Vedanta are dispensed with. I suppose it's assumed that only those who are sufficiently, i.e. minimally, qualified will have the interest and the motivation to pursue the teaching. But it's also explicitly stated that the Direct Path aims to first awaken the awareness of being pure awareness and that after that comes the long, or rather, endless, process of assimilating this understanding into daily life. This is another way of saying that the qualities that are traditionally seen by AV as prerequisites are gradually incorporated into the personality as a result of sustained contemplation, in light of understanding oneself as pure awareness, according to the DP.
I think it would be a great shame for anyone interested in non-duality to omit pursuing the glorious, millennia-old tradition that undergirds Spira's teaching (referring to AV here, which seems to be dominant, while acknowledging his other influences), as this can only add richness, depth and clarity. I believe that while Spira's work is of very high quality as a "pointing-out" method, he has done a disservice to his readers, and to the traditions themselves, in not being more upfront about the influences that shaped his own understanding and making these available to others. I suppose he thinks he has good reasons for that, and it's obviously a considered decision, perhaps not wanting to alienate the tentative, skeptical or "religion"-averse, secular-minded reader, but I feel it's a serious omission. It creates an impression, correct or incorrect, that he wants to appropriate all credit for himself, while standing on the shoulders of spiritual giants.
To this I must add the criticism that he charges money for his teaching, above and beyond what is necessary for hire of venues etc. which violates the traditional approach of making the teaching freely available, with any material contributions being of a strictly voluntary nature. Of course it's necessary to charge money for books and he does make segments of his talks from retreats freely available on You Tube. But why only segments, with full video talks requiring payment? Online group video mentoring seems overpriced given the number of attendees. Perhaps here one needs to acknowledge the fact that Western culture doesn't understand the need to provide support for those who dedicate themselves to spiritual teaching, as is the case in India, such that some feel that set fees need to be charged. I can't agree with this at all, since set fees totally ignore the fact of extreme socio-economic inequality which means that the same fee represents loose change for some and is totally prohibitive for others. It's similar to regressive taxation and it's simply not acceptable in the current climate in particular to be indifferent to such realities, only adding to social injustice. If a teacher really needs to support themselves via some kind of fee it ought to be on a voluntary basis only according to what each person can afford, if anything. No one should be excluded due to inability to pay. If this isn't enough, then the teacher can get a regular day job and teach part-time. I can't know what is in the heart of Spira or anyone else, so I'm not levelling this as a condemnation of his character. I just feel compelled to state my own view on these matters. While it's inescapable that we inhabit a ruthless capitalist order, the intersection of capitalist "values" with spirituality can never be a healthy one, given that capitalism involves a repudiation of anything that can be considered genuine spirituality.
However, I don't want these misgivings to prevent anyone from reading Spira's work. The bottom line is that I think anyone who wants to understand themselves and the nature of reality will benefit enormously. Spira's work is a great way to get started on the path and may well take some all the way. In the end, it's not what we've read or heard but what we directly realise that matters when it comes to non-duality. Once that realisation occurs, any further reading is simply for deepening pleasure and appreciation.
I feel that Spira ought to give credit somewhere in the text, perhaps in a Preface or Introduction, to the tradition of Advaita Vedanta, and the other non-dual traditions (such as Kashmir Shaivism, Sufism and Ouspensky) that have informed his work. Nevertheless, the way he expresses his understanding and leads others into it, gleaned from these various traditions, in plain, simple English, without any Sanskrit, Arabic, or other intimidating language or association with anything religious (or what people assume is religious according to a narrow understanding of that term), and relying only on what can be verified by direct personal observation, is a very effective method. This is why I feel very inclined to suggest his work as an introduction or preliminary reading before getting into traditional Advaita Vedanta. It definitely helped me make the right connections and to see how what had seemed difficult, abstruse and somehow beyond my grasp is really very familiar and already known—closer than our own breath!—but only veiled by long-practised ignorance in the form of all sorts of unexamined assumptions about the nature of experience and reality. Simply looking closely in an unbiased way at our actual experience, as he exhorts us to do, dissolves those conditioned assumptions, ushering in a fresh and vastly more satisfying view.
Of course, this is exactly what traditional Advaita Vedanta also does, but I think there are many people who would be willing to read Rupert Spira who would baulk at something they see as arcane Indian philosophy, and associated with Hinduism. These people are infinitely better off reading Spira than reading dumbed-down and ineffectual neo-pseudo-Advaita. This is leaving aside that the Direct Path, which Spira teaches (as was taught by Atmananda Krishna Menon, Jean Klein and his own teacher, Francis Lucille), while based in AV, differs from it in its intention to be more direct (as the name suggests!). That is, to take pure awareness as the starting point. (To explain this difference properly goes beyond a Goodreads review). I think it's clear that there are positives and negatives in this approach as compared to traditional AV, and the positives apply only for those who are already highly receptive, intellectually sharp and able to grasp subtlety (which has nothing necessarily to do with academic ability or disposition), and highly motivated to "cut to the chase" without anything in the way of step-by-step pedagogical supports. In other words, those who are already highly qualified.
So as much Spira's work, and that of other Direct Path teachers, could be said to be for the many for the reasons already noted, it's paradoxically only for the few, as has always been the case with all forms of non-dual teaching. (This is not principally due to elitism, although elitism has sometimes been a factor, but to the majority self-excluding due to lack of interest. This remains the case today when the material is widely and often freely available). So it comes as no surprise that the usual prerequisites as stipulated by Advaita Vedanta are dispensed with. I suppose it's assumed that only those who are sufficiently, i.e. minimally, qualified will have the interest and the motivation to pursue the teaching. But it's also explicitly stated that the Direct Path aims to first awaken the awareness of being pure awareness and that after that comes the long, or rather, endless, process of assimilating this understanding into daily life. This is another way of saying that the qualities that are traditionally seen by AV as prerequisites are gradually incorporated into the personality as a result of sustained contemplation, in light of understanding oneself as pure awareness, according to the DP.
I think it would be a great shame for anyone interested in non-duality to omit pursuing the glorious, millennia-old tradition that undergirds Spira's teaching (referring to AV here, which seems to be dominant, while acknowledging his other influences), as this can only add richness, depth and clarity. I believe that while Spira's work is of very high quality as a "pointing-out" method, he has done a disservice to his readers, and to the traditions themselves, in not being more upfront about the influences that shaped his own understanding and making these available to others. I suppose he thinks he has good reasons for that, and it's obviously a considered decision, perhaps not wanting to alienate the tentative, skeptical or "religion"-averse, secular-minded reader, but I feel it's a serious omission. It creates an impression, correct or incorrect, that he wants to appropriate all credit for himself, while standing on the shoulders of spiritual giants.
To this I must add the criticism that he charges money for his teaching, above and beyond what is necessary for hire of venues etc. which violates the traditional approach of making the teaching freely available, with any material contributions being of a strictly voluntary nature. Of course it's necessary to charge money for books and he does make segments of his talks from retreats freely available on You Tube. But why only segments, with full video talks requiring payment? Online group video mentoring seems overpriced given the number of attendees. Perhaps here one needs to acknowledge the fact that Western culture doesn't understand the need to provide support for those who dedicate themselves to spiritual teaching, as is the case in India, such that some feel that set fees need to be charged. I can't agree with this at all, since set fees totally ignore the fact of extreme socio-economic inequality which means that the same fee represents loose change for some and is totally prohibitive for others. It's similar to regressive taxation and it's simply not acceptable in the current climate in particular to be indifferent to such realities, only adding to social injustice. If a teacher really needs to support themselves via some kind of fee it ought to be on a voluntary basis only according to what each person can afford, if anything. No one should be excluded due to inability to pay. If this isn't enough, then the teacher can get a regular day job and teach part-time. I can't know what is in the heart of Spira or anyone else, so I'm not levelling this as a condemnation of his character. I just feel compelled to state my own view on these matters. While it's inescapable that we inhabit a ruthless capitalist order, the intersection of capitalist "values" with spirituality can never be a healthy one, given that capitalism involves a repudiation of anything that can be considered genuine spirituality.
However, I don't want these misgivings to prevent anyone from reading Spira's work. The bottom line is that I think anyone who wants to understand themselves and the nature of reality will benefit enormously. Spira's work is a great way to get started on the path and may well take some all the way. In the end, it's not what we've read or heard but what we directly realise that matters when it comes to non-duality. Once that realisation occurs, any further reading is simply for deepening pleasure and appreciation.
February 22, 2021
Brilliant book about the practice of non-dualism. Needs to be read slowly in order to absorb the teachings. A book to be read more than once in order to fully comprehend all that is being said here.
April 8, 2019
Beautiful book! This was the second of Rupert Spira’s books that I have read this year and I would say the more challenging of the two. It frequently took 2 to 3 times of reading a paragraph or passage to grasp its meaning. I would like to read this again after a period of time has passed while implementing the teachings. I am sure my understanding would be much improved and deepened.
July 8, 2017
Pretty concise but dense like uranium
October 3, 2018
The material in this book needs to be contemplated very deeply. It's clear that Rupert talks about this stuff from his direct experience, but doesn't make much sense for someone without the same living experience.
He claims that a separate self is just a thought. In fact, he says that it is not even an entity, but something that we do actively. It is an activity of avoiding and seeking and tells us that we can stop doing it. But what is lacking from this book, is the instructions for how to actually do it, how to actually stop thinking ourselves into existence.
He also tells what happiness is from a nondual perspective. It is supposed to be our natural state, beneath all the resisting and seeking that goes on and on. What if real happiness comes after we stop seeking it in the future, embrace the present moment fully and surrender everything. Sounds paradoxical, doesn't it?
To really appreciate the material in this book, I think that one should have an ego-death. That is what Rupert Spira didn't say and what I would add to his beautiful phrasings and smart metaphors. The Presence, our real identity, as he calls it, reveals itself after lots of contemplation on the nature of existence. This is a serious spiritual practice, that requires discipline and hard work, at least from my perspective.
In short, I think that Rupert Spira did a great job communicating his nondual teachings in his unique and non-mystical way.
He claims that a separate self is just a thought. In fact, he says that it is not even an entity, but something that we do actively. It is an activity of avoiding and seeking and tells us that we can stop doing it. But what is lacking from this book, is the instructions for how to actually do it, how to actually stop thinking ourselves into existence.
He also tells what happiness is from a nondual perspective. It is supposed to be our natural state, beneath all the resisting and seeking that goes on and on. What if real happiness comes after we stop seeking it in the future, embrace the present moment fully and surrender everything. Sounds paradoxical, doesn't it?
To really appreciate the material in this book, I think that one should have an ego-death. That is what Rupert Spira didn't say and what I would add to his beautiful phrasings and smart metaphors. The Presence, our real identity, as he calls it, reveals itself after lots of contemplation on the nature of existence. This is a serious spiritual practice, that requires discipline and hard work, at least from my perspective.
In short, I think that Rupert Spira did a great job communicating his nondual teachings in his unique and non-mystical way.
May 19, 2017
Spira communicates his experience of non-duality with a logic and precision that feels almost mathematical to me. It is genius of the most important kind: that which brings insight and draws us to our own awareness. However, his writing may come across as dry, so it is not an 'easy' read. Would not recommend to most people. But with attentiveness to his detail and patience for one's own cognitive comfort zone being pushed, this is transformative. There is a lucidity here that is unparalleled in the often overly poetic and language-stumping nature of non-dual experience.
I feel very blessed that I have come across him in the same year I found Jan Frazier and I thank my friend Madeleine for both!
I feel very blessed that I have come across him in the same year I found Jan Frazier and I thank my friend Madeleine for both!
February 27, 2018
Aparokshanubhuti - Direct Experience
Rupert has provided a lot of clarity on the concept of aparokshanubhuti - Self knowing itself. Something which mind cannot reach through. Singular devotion alone will result in having the grace to know the Self through itself - words being only pointers to the truth. This book is essential part of Nididhyasana- habit breaker for disassociation with thoughts identifying one to the separate self. A process of deconstruction of mind or dissolution into the heart of experience.
Rupert has provided a lot of clarity on the concept of aparokshanubhuti - Self knowing itself. Something which mind cannot reach through. Singular devotion alone will result in having the grace to know the Self through itself - words being only pointers to the truth. This book is essential part of Nididhyasana- habit breaker for disassociation with thoughts identifying one to the separate self. A process of deconstruction of mind or dissolution into the heart of experience.
March 14, 2014
Rupert is a superb teacher of the the direct path to Non-duality.
October 28, 2024
Bloody good
February 18, 2020
This is a book for someone who has already begun to experience a conscious journey that allows them to differentiate the mind from the presence or conscience ... Rupert Spira strives so that the reader can have precise references and explanations full of wonderful analogies that allow him to understand a deeper level of consciousness where everything works as I am, not as one more character of the mind, but as the true and essential I am ... Rupert's inspiration and his explanations help us delve deeper of consciousness, finding ourselves in "the other", finding ourselves as unity and at the same time the space where everything has permission to happen. An extraordinary book to read many times.
October 12, 2017
This book takes you on a journey of "Aware Presence". It makes you delve into yourself, to be Aware of your presence and develops your ability become peaceful and happy. It is not a self help book but one that forces you to go deep into your mind to reveal the barriers that are within. Sequester yourself for this very engaging, soul searching journey to your state of "Aware Presence".
February 15, 2019
Clean, precise words
It’s not very often I can read in almost one set. This book is light in reading and greatly structured in a way which takes you with it and walks you through. Thx!
It’s not very often I can read in almost one set. This book is light in reading and greatly structured in a way which takes you with it and walks you through. Thx!
January 6, 2014
Second reading. Rupert Spira writes superbly and has the power to take us to the experience the mystics and sages of all ages and traditions have discovered.
December 3, 2012
An astonishing book; luminous, self-illuminating, beautiful and very rigorous. Proceeds gently, carefully, like a well-led meditation.
December 18, 2015
Straight to the point, succinct and highly effective. A great book.
September 17, 2016
It's beautiful...
October 30, 2017
Beautiful piece of art! Directs your attention to your current raw experience and invites you to abide as Presence only.
November 18, 2020
Being my second read from Rupert Spira, The Art of Peace and Happiness, the first of two volumes in his Presence series, inundated me with the same wave of presence I felt whilst reading through The Transparency of Things. This calming and soothing effect is to me, a paramount facet to really taking in the expressions conveyed by Rupert, for it is in this contemplative state that we find ourself most receptive to understanding and integrating the essence of these oh so eloquent articulations. What I very much appreciated were the distinguished sections of the book that led into one another in an expansive fashion, integrating the notions aforementioned and incorporating them into further analysis. This sense of progression in the writing is a terrific means of cutting through the generally repetitive nature of its contents while keeping the reflections particularly fresh in their presentation.
Rupert Spira's brilliant knack for articulating these esoteric notions is prevalent throughout, for it is in its neat presentation that these contemplations are stunningly lucid in their capacity to convey the deeply profound essence they behold. Much like his orations, the same reknowned manner of speech is reflected to a tee, which makes receiving his perspective all the more easier, which is of paramount benefit given the nature of what is being spoken of here; the analogies, metaphors and guided investigations/meditations are wonderfully illustrative and effective in imbuing presence, thus, naturally inducing serenity and tranquility in reading.
With countless excerpts left highlighted - it is quite difficult to pin point what exactly I appreciated most, although what does come to mind was Rupert's correlations on how thinking, feeling, and perceiving, when harmonised intimately with Truth, are reflected through the experiences of understanding, love, and beauty, with all of them ultimately reflecting a single holistic essence merely refracting in these three forms. This for me, along with reflections to the nature of Peace, Happiness and Love were exquisite expressions in clear service of the author's intention, moments where that sense of presence was affirmed time and time again.
As the Sufis say: "Wherever the eye falls, there is the face of God" - this, was most definitely the case throughout Presence, Volume I, so now, I look forward to reading Volume II wholeheartedly; thank you Rupert!
Five stars (*****)
Rupert Spira's brilliant knack for articulating these esoteric notions is prevalent throughout, for it is in its neat presentation that these contemplations are stunningly lucid in their capacity to convey the deeply profound essence they behold. Much like his orations, the same reknowned manner of speech is reflected to a tee, which makes receiving his perspective all the more easier, which is of paramount benefit given the nature of what is being spoken of here; the analogies, metaphors and guided investigations/meditations are wonderfully illustrative and effective in imbuing presence, thus, naturally inducing serenity and tranquility in reading.
With countless excerpts left highlighted - it is quite difficult to pin point what exactly I appreciated most, although what does come to mind was Rupert's correlations on how thinking, feeling, and perceiving, when harmonised intimately with Truth, are reflected through the experiences of understanding, love, and beauty, with all of them ultimately reflecting a single holistic essence merely refracting in these three forms. This for me, along with reflections to the nature of Peace, Happiness and Love were exquisite expressions in clear service of the author's intention, moments where that sense of presence was affirmed time and time again.
As the Sufis say: "Wherever the eye falls, there is the face of God" - this, was most definitely the case throughout Presence, Volume I, so now, I look forward to reading Volume II wholeheartedly; thank you Rupert!
Five stars (*****)
March 11, 2021
This is an attempt to dissolve the small self into the large Self. The attempt is taken from many different perspectives, sometimes repetitive, but the gems of wisdom make it a worthwhile read.
Some quotes:
The belief that we were born, that we change, evolve, grow old and die is simply a belief to which the vast majority of humanity subscribe without realising that they are doing so. It is the religion of our culture.
For this reason our self is said to be infinite. Our culture, which has lost touch with this deeper understanding of our true identity, tends to think that infinite means indefinitely extended in space, whereas in fact it means without any finite, observable qualities or dimensions, and therefore not located within three dimensions of space
Wherever the eye falls, there is the face of God.’
Love is not selective; only thinking is. Love is simply the felt understanding that our experience is not made up of two essential entities – a separate, inside self and a separate, outside object, other or world. Love is the collapse or dissolution of this apparent duality, or rather it is the felt understanding that the duality never existed in the first place
This is the primary division of experience into two apparent entities – the self and the world – that veils the natural condition of all experience – love. For this reason, the imaginary inside self is always on a mission to secure love in the imaginary outside world.
All objects of the body and mind are temporary, and yet everyone seeks permanent peace and happiness. Hence the vast majority of humanity is seeking for permanent peace and happiness in a temporary object –
. An artist tries to represent – to re-present or present again – a vision of experience that evokes its reality, to make something that has the power within it to draw the viewer into its own reality.
These are the only three options that are available to us – ‘I am something’, ‘I am nothing’ and ‘I am everything’ – and we are free at every moment to choose where we stand. Depending on our choice, our experience will mirror whatever position we choose. Experience will seem to confirm our stand.
Some quotes:
The belief that we were born, that we change, evolve, grow old and die is simply a belief to which the vast majority of humanity subscribe without realising that they are doing so. It is the religion of our culture.
For this reason our self is said to be infinite. Our culture, which has lost touch with this deeper understanding of our true identity, tends to think that infinite means indefinitely extended in space, whereas in fact it means without any finite, observable qualities or dimensions, and therefore not located within three dimensions of space
Wherever the eye falls, there is the face of God.’
Love is not selective; only thinking is. Love is simply the felt understanding that our experience is not made up of two essential entities – a separate, inside self and a separate, outside object, other or world. Love is the collapse or dissolution of this apparent duality, or rather it is the felt understanding that the duality never existed in the first place
This is the primary division of experience into two apparent entities – the self and the world – that veils the natural condition of all experience – love. For this reason, the imaginary inside self is always on a mission to secure love in the imaginary outside world.
All objects of the body and mind are temporary, and yet everyone seeks permanent peace and happiness. Hence the vast majority of humanity is seeking for permanent peace and happiness in a temporary object –
. An artist tries to represent – to re-present or present again – a vision of experience that evokes its reality, to make something that has the power within it to draw the viewer into its own reality.
These are the only three options that are available to us – ‘I am something’, ‘I am nothing’ and ‘I am everything’ – and we are free at every moment to choose where we stand. Depending on our choice, our experience will mirror whatever position we choose. Experience will seem to confirm our stand.
June 29, 2024
A path home, beyond metaphysics
This Rupert Spira book can help the reader get past the quagmire that is the intellectual study of spiritual subjects, in favor of the actual experience to which all the spiritual systems point. Read this piece-by-piece and meditate on the words so that they go deeper into your understanding, so that you can ‘feel’ them. This book will help show you that YOU don’t have an experience, you ARE experience.
This Rupert Spira book can help the reader get past the quagmire that is the intellectual study of spiritual subjects, in favor of the actual experience to which all the spiritual systems point. Read this piece-by-piece and meditate on the words so that they go deeper into your understanding, so that you can ‘feel’ them. This book will help show you that YOU don’t have an experience, you ARE experience.
Read
January 20, 2022I don’t want to give this a star rating because I didn’t finish it. I was reading it very slowly. I liked the message but didn’t it easy to absorb what he was saying. The book was automatically returned to the library before I could finish it and I haven’t gone back to it. I did watch some of his youtube videos though and found some very valuable insights there.
February 18, 2025
An eye opening experience
Most of the literature in thus stream deals with the intellectual understanding. Rupert addresses the feeling element and perception in a very hands-on manner. His suggested experiments in the body related concepts chapter is truly an experiential eye ! opener. Thank you for a memorable experience!
Most of the literature in thus stream deals with the intellectual understanding. Rupert addresses the feeling element and perception in a very hands-on manner. His suggested experiments in the body related concepts chapter is truly an experiential eye ! opener. Thank you for a memorable experience!
June 18, 2020
One of the best "direct path" books I've yet read. He is a consummate teacher, leading me as the student ever forward. Looking forward to rereading this book many times. I have found my teacher. Only disappointment is that the book is not available in an audio format.
March 14, 2021
Full of love
As with all of his works Rupert writes with love and devotion to the reader. His use of analogies to express the message is second to none.
As with all of his works Rupert writes with love and devotion to the reader. His use of analogies to express the message is second to none.
October 16, 2024
Simple but profound
August 14, 2025
Hermoso y esclarecedor.
February 26, 2015
PRESENCE: THE ART OF PEACE AND HAPPINESS is traditional non-duality teaching from beginning to end.
Rarely do were hear anything new, and each word Rupert Spira chooses has the stamp of approval of non-dual lingo.
Rupert Spira continuously repeats his points, often using the same words. He keeps saying, “In other words,” but rarely does he actually use other words. It’s admittedly difficult to do when you’re saying the same thing over and over again.
He is fond of that tired analogy I’ve heard so many teachers use: the one of the screen being awareness and every “thing” being but an image that appears on it. I guess that resonates well for most people, but for some reason, it never did anything for me.
Every now and then, there are sentences worthy of highlighting. On a few occasions, some passages are downright beautiful.
There is nothing personal or humorous in his writing and that makes it hard for me to relate. I’ve heard most of what he writes said in almost exactly the same way by his teacher, Dr. Francis Roles, and his teacher’s teacher, Jean Klein.
Rupert Spira does cover some rather new and bold territory, however, when he gets into a description of awakening.
Additionally, he also has a unique approach for a technique, but it isn’t unfolded completely until the end.
Readers should be made aware of this gold pot at the end of the rainbow, otherwise they may tire of the repetition and drop the book before they’ve gained the few novel insights it has to offer.
Beautiful, poetic, but not very original...If I hadn’t read so many books that say almost the exact same thing, I’d probably be giving PRESENCE: THE ART OF PEACE AND HAPPINESS five stars.
Rarely do were hear anything new, and each word Rupert Spira chooses has the stamp of approval of non-dual lingo.
Rupert Spira continuously repeats his points, often using the same words. He keeps saying, “In other words,” but rarely does he actually use other words. It’s admittedly difficult to do when you’re saying the same thing over and over again.
He is fond of that tired analogy I’ve heard so many teachers use: the one of the screen being awareness and every “thing” being but an image that appears on it. I guess that resonates well for most people, but for some reason, it never did anything for me.
Every now and then, there are sentences worthy of highlighting. On a few occasions, some passages are downright beautiful.
There is nothing personal or humorous in his writing and that makes it hard for me to relate. I’ve heard most of what he writes said in almost exactly the same way by his teacher, Dr. Francis Roles, and his teacher’s teacher, Jean Klein.
Rupert Spira does cover some rather new and bold territory, however, when he gets into a description of awakening.
Additionally, he also has a unique approach for a technique, but it isn’t unfolded completely until the end.
Readers should be made aware of this gold pot at the end of the rainbow, otherwise they may tire of the repetition and drop the book before they’ve gained the few novel insights it has to offer.
Beautiful, poetic, but not very original...If I hadn’t read so many books that say almost the exact same thing, I’d probably be giving PRESENCE: THE ART OF PEACE AND HAPPINESS five stars.
October 15, 2014
The metaphor of the room - repeated over and over - is not helpful to those who are really seeking liberation through disentanglement from perception. Perception itself is where the suffering of identification begins. I would suggest that the author take some time contemplating the coma state and perhaps talking to those who have returned from THAT as to what the ultimate reality beyond mind is.
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June 4, 2024Anything by Rupert Spira is excellent. I have several books by Rupert and although I have already read them, I often pick them up and randomly choose a page(s) to read.
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