Standing as Awareness: The Direct Path

by Greg Goode, Jerry Katz (Foreword)

Inspired by Sri Atmananda (Krishna Menon), the Direct Path is a pathless path. It simply articulates the being of you and the world as loving, open, clear awareness. If this truth is realized as your experience, then nothing need be done. The path disappears, and life is lived in sweetness and celebration! But if there are still questions or doubts, the Direct Path contains unique and powerful resources that stabilize this truth as your everyday reality. This is a revised edition of the book, expanded to add chapters on the Direct Path in addition to its selection of dialogs from a decade of Nondual Dinner gatherings. The first three chapters unfold the basics of the Direct Path, such as standing as awareness, being in love with awareness, and exploring awareness. Included are several experiments that help establish your everyday experience as awareness, always and already. The dialogs cover questions such as the desire for enlightenment experiences, the relationship between the brain and awareness, the question of nondually correct language, the belief in physical and mental objects, the idea of having a sage's experience, and more.

Genres: Philosophy, Spirituality, Nonfiction, Self Help, Eastern Philosophy

114 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2009

About the author

Greg 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.

Reviews

[William Arsenis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read through this book as I would any other work of nonfiction. I was curious and therefore proceeded at a normal pace from beginning to end.


As I was reading, I had the sense that I was missing the essence, but that didn't slow me down...not at first.


Then I read the entire book all over again. This time in a quiet place. Sipping each word like a delicious, but scalding elixir.


I took my time with each experiment, repeating it over and over again until the message clicked.


This could very well be the last non-fiction book on the subject you’ll ever read. It’s entirely up to you.


Need I say more?

[Dean Paradiso · Rating 4 out of 5]

A small but concise and powerful look at nonduality and enlightenment through the practical path of Direct Experience. A must for anyone interested in practical explorations into nonduality.

[Thomas R Jaeger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent and helpful!

This little book will save seekers years if searching. I don't usually care for question answer format, but it really works in this case

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

bought through Amazon. Excellent!

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This (audio) book is an intriguing exploration of self-inquiry and non-dual awareness. Having read other Buddhist-inspired works, I found many of the concepts familiar, which added a sense of resonance to the material. Goode’s approach feels both personal and profound, making it easy to connect with the essence of his teachings.

That said, some sections felt like unsolvable logic puzzles—almost like riddles for the mind to dissolve rather than solve. While this occasionally left me scratching my head, it also highlighted the paradoxical beauty of non-dual philosophy.

Overall, I really enjoyed this short audiobook. Its brevity and clarity (for the most part) made it a digestible yet meaningful listen. I’d recommend it to those who enjoy diving deep into the mysteries of awareness and existence, with the patience to embrace moments of puzzlement along the way.

[Everett Grandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Becoming awake while dreaming

Eye opened or closed ... "direct path " and "standing in awareness" are perfect fertilizers for semi dormant ... Consciousness. Awakening "is" yours, it will be found in know other location. Hear

[Karthik Mahadevan · Rating 5 out of 5]

a great explanation of awareness

I liked Greg Goode’s approach to peeling off the layers in understanding non dualism . It is one of the best reads on the topic

[Tom Day · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not sure I can say this is would be a critically acclaimed 5* written book but it's very clear, practical and plain and it's 5* for it's effectiveness on me.

[Larry Branch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like to think of myself as this an that. Turning towards the nature of what I refer to as "I" is an awakening. This book is a great guide for a fun exploration. I have been follower of Rupert Spira on YouTube for a while. This book gives some deeper insight in Advita Vedanta and the direct path with out the religious indoctrination. Just left one religion do not need another.