All Guidance Makes a Concession to the Separate Self

"A woman says that meditation brought up a lot of difficult, unexpected emotions. Rupert speaks of the analogy of creatures in the well that are exposed when the light of the sun shines into the well. "

A man asks if it is not human to have likes, dislikes and desires as human beings. Rupert explains that of course, we have preferences, but not to allow happiness to depend on getting what we like or dislike.

A man asks about concessions to the separate self in the teachings and mentions the Upanishads. Rupert speaks of the fact that whatever is written down or spoken is already a concession to the separate self.

A woman says that every glimpse of understanding seems to be followed by its opposite as a feeling of loss. Then she realised that whatever comes up, it is as it is. Rupert suggests that what usually keeps these feelings at bay is dissipated in understanding, so they tend to come up when the resistance is no longer there.

A woman wonders about the gifts that come out of seemingly difficult experiences and asks about those that happen on behalf of the separate self versus on behalf of the whole. Rupert responds that we are free to interpret the events of our life, which determine our response and can either open us up or close us down.

A questioner asks about the use of the term 'soul'. Rupert responds that the soul is the fullest expression, the entire content, of the finite mind.

A woman asks about the two approaches: jnani and bahkti. Rupert describes the ways in which they are essentially the same, using the Mary and Jane analogy, or the inward and outward paths.

A man asks about living in the present moment and trauma, and slowing down and stopping thoughts. Rupert responds that what is being described – calming or stopping thoughts – is the progressive approach, which differs from the direct path that is being taught here.

A woman asks for clarification on discrepancies between non-duality and Christian mysticism. Rupert refers to the meditations on surrender of the body to God's being.

A questioner asks if there is a way to help or heal innocents, like children and animals. Rupert suggests that we can all express the love that we know and feel as the best way to serve and share God's being.

A man describes the experience of the feelings of agelessness and of being aged. Rupert explains that the assumption is that time is real for awareness, in which there is no experience of time.

A woman new to the teachings asks how to take a step back from feelings to awareness. Rupert gives her some first-hand guidance on stepping back in increments.

With this understanding, a man who has overcome years of depression says he still suffers from insomnia. Rupert suggests that insomnia is a form of resistance to being awake and to try to completely surrender to being awake, without any resistance.

A woman asks about the fear of death, which causes her a great deal of anxiety. Rupert suggests that we not try to get rid of the fear of death but spend more time being with our being rather than our thoughts, sensations and perceptions.