The Nature of Consciousness:
Essays on the Unity of Mind and Matter
CONTENTS
Foreword by Deepak Chopra
acknowledgements
INTRODUCTION
The Hard Problem of Consciousness
1 The Nature of Mind
2 OnlyAwareness Is Aware
3 Panpsychism and the Consciousness-Only Model
4 The Inward-Facing Path: The Distinction between Consciousness andObjects
5 The Direct Path to Enlightenment
6 Self-Enquiry and Self-Remembering
7 The Experience of Being Aware
8 The Essence of Meditation
9 The Outward-Facing Path: Collapsing the Distinction betweenConsciousness and Objects
10 Existence Is Identical to Awareness
11 The White Radiance of Eternity
12 The Focusing of Consciousness
13 There Are No States of Consciousness
14 Wordsworth and the Longing for God
15 The Shared Medium of Mind
16 The Memory of Our Eternity
17 Consciousness’s Dream
18 The Search for Happiness
===
The Nature of Consciousness: Essays on the Unity of Mind and Matter Kindle Edition
by Rupert Spira (Author), Deepak Chopra (Foreword), & 1 more Format: Kindle Edition
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“I’ve gained deeper understanding listening to Rupert Spira than I have from any other exponent of modern spirituality. Reality is sending us a message we desperately need to hear, and at this moment no messenger surpasses Spira and the transformative words in his essays.”
—Deepak Chopra, author of You Are the Universe, Spiritual Solutions, and Super Brain
Our world culture is founded on the assumption that the Big Bang gave rise to matter, which in time evolved into the world, into which the body was born, inside which a brain appeared, out of which consciousness at some late stage developed. As a result of this “matter model,” most of us believe that consciousness is a property of the body. We feel that it is “I,” this body, that knows or is aware of the world. We believe and feel that the knowing with which we are aware of our experience is located in and shares the limits and destiny of the body. This is the fundamental presumption of mind and matter that underpins almost all our thoughts and feelings and is expressed in our activities and relationships. The Nature of Consciousness suggests that the matter model has outlived its function and is now destroying the very values it once sought to promote.
For many people, the debate as to the ultimate reality of the universe is an academic one, far removed from the concerns and demands of everyday life. After all, life happens independently of our models of it. However, The Nature of Consciousness will clearly show that the materialist paradigm is a philosophy of despair and, as such, the root cause of unhappiness in individuals. It is a philosophy of conflict and, as such, the root cause of hostilities between families, communities, and nations. Far from being abstract and philosophical, its implications touch each one of us directly and intimately.
An exploration of the nature of consciousness has the power to reveal the peace and happiness that truly lie at the heart of experience. Our experience never ceases to change, but the knowing element in all experience—consciousness, or what we call “I”—itself never changes. The knowing with which all experience is known is always the same knowing. Being the common, unchanging element in all experience, consciousness does not share the qualities of any particular experience: it is not qualified, conditioned, or limited by experience. The knowing with which a feeling of loneliness or sorrow is known is the same knowing with which the thought of a friend, the sight of a sunset, or the taste of ice cream is known. Just as a screen is never disturbed by the action in a movie, so consciousness is never disturbed by experience; thus it is inherently peaceful. The peace that is inherent in us—indeed that is us—is not dependent on the situations or conditions we find ourselves in.
In a series of essays that draw you, through your own direct experience, into an exploration of the nature of this knowing element that each of us calls “I,” The Nature of Consciousness posits that consciousness is the fundamental reality of the apparent duality of mind and matter. It shows that the overlooking or ignoring of this reality is the root cause of the existential unhappiness that pervades and motivates most people’s lives, as well as the wider conflicts that exist between communities and nations. Conversely, the book suggests that the recognition of the fundamental reality of consciousness is the first step in the quest for lasting happiness and the foundation for world peace.
Read lessThe Thomas Code: Solving the mystery of the Gospel of Thomas
Product description
Review
"The Nature of Consciousness is a major contribution to our understanding of who we are. This is a book which I am sure will become one of the great classics of our time. Please read it, because as we evolve we will all need to understand non-duality."
--Peter Fenwick, neuropsychologist and author of The Art of Dying and The Truth in the Light: An Investigation of Over 300 Near-Death Experiences
"The Nature of Consciousness is a remarkable book. You have only to see it and flip through a few pages to get a sense of the kind of writer Rupert Spira is, and the nature of his argument. The clean design inside and out reflects his creative sensitivity and mastery as a ceramic artist, and the paragraphs are well packed with syllables, sufficient vocabulary for a minutely argued demolition of the assumptions of the prevailing world culture. Perhaps never before has logical argument been brought so effectively and readably to a comprehensive investigation of consciousness."
--Tony Kendrew, ScienceAndNonduality.com
"I've gained deeper understanding listening to Rupert Spira than I have from any other exponent of modern spirituality. Reality is sending us a message we desperately need to hear, and at this moment no messenger surpasses Spira and the transformative words in his essays."
--Deepak Chopra, author of You Are the Universe, Spiritual Solutions, and Super Brain
"In these essays, Rupert Spira cracks the shell of materialism by elucidating the 'calamitous assumption that lies at the root of our materialistic culture, ' and he artistically and persuasively leads us to the universal antidote: the realization of the primacy of consciousness. As a scientist, I very much appreciate Rupert's pointing out that scientists will never truly succeed in their exploration of the world until they successfully investigate the nature of the subject known as 'I.'"
--Paul J. Mills, professor of family medicine and public health at the University of California, San Diego
"Rupert Spira guides his reader on a delightful journey of discovery that uncovers and reveals what the Kashmiri Masters have called 'the greatest secret, more hidden than the most concealed and yet more evident than the most evident of things, ' and that is consciousness itself. Rupert deserves to be congratulated for the clarity and sensitivity with which he presents the teachings of the ancient and modern Masters concerning consciousness, and his own deeply personal experience, in such a way that it can be both easily understood and applied."
--Mark Dyczkowski, author of The Doctrine of Vibration: An Analysis of the Doctrines and Practices of Kashmir Shaivism --This text refers to the paperback edition.
Book Description
The Nature of Consciousness challenges the prevailing materialist paradigm that is holding humanity back, suggesting that consciousness is the fundamental reality of the apparent duality of mind and matter, and that overlooking or ignoring this reality is the root cause of the suffering that pervades and motivates most people's lives, as well as the wider conflicts that exist between communities and nations. This comprehensive investigation will satisfy readers of all kinds, from the existentially minded to the rigorously scientific to the earnestly hopeful for peace. --This text refers to the paperback edition.
About the Author
From an early age, Rupert Spira was deeply interested in the nature of reality. At the age of seventeen he learned 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. Lucille introduced Spira 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. Spira lives in the UK and holds regular meetings and retreats in Europe and the United States. For further information, see www.rupertspira.com. --This text refers to the paperback edition.
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Product details
ASIN : B01LW3PL4Y
Publisher : Sahaja; 1st edition (1 June 2017)
Language : English
File size : 1065 KB
Text-to-Speech : Enabled
Screen Reader : Supported
Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
X-Ray : Not Enabled
Word Wise : Enabled
Print length : 232 pagesBest Sellers Rank: 129,899 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)42 in Religious Studies - Science & Religion
76 in Humanist Philosophy
98 in New Age Mysticism (Kindle Store)Customer Reviews:
4.7 out of 5 stars 285 ratings
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Rupert Spira
From 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 Krishnamenon, 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
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4.7 out of 5 stars
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Paul Ross
5.0 out of 5 stars A True Foundation of KnowledgeReviewed in Australia on 22 October 2019
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To a large degree, secular influences have shaped our contemporary western educational institutions insofar as these secular influences have given us an interpretive methodology to understand the world. If one were to trace the stages of these unfolding influences, one would invariably end up in the time of 18th-century European philosophy wherein Renaissance humanism was spreading like the plague.
In France, around 1751, a group of radical materialistic philosophers — debauched and immoral men — would go on to inspire the French Revolution with their united contempt of God and religion, coupled with their promotion of a secular humanistic/materialistic worldview. In fact, most of the secular materialistic humanism in the educational institutions of today can be directly traced to the writings and influence of these men. Not only have our educational institutions been influenced by 18th-century humanistic philosophers, but a particular methodology and way of interpreting the world around us has been set in stone.
Of course, the programming begins in our early years.
As one would expect, we are first exposed to the subtle influences of secular humanistic materialism in the early days of our education. Long before we can ponder our options, materialistic lenses are placed upon our eyes. These lenses cause us to see and understand the world through a particular worldview, and in this case, the worldview is filtered through materialistic secular humanism. It needs to be added that the phenomena of Christian education has not entirely escaped the influences of materialistic humanism, but that's a subject for another day.
It goes a long way to understand that the philosophy in question is not scientific. To tell the truth, it has nothing to do with science — or anything to do with truth for that matter. It's a metaphysical assumption, a model of interpretation — a belief regarding the nature of reality. Consequently, this very same philosophical assumption would give rise to Methodological Naturalism, a rule of interpretation that would go on to be inculcated into contemporary science itself. In essence, science had become poisoned and prejudiced by materialistic philosophy. This fact is clearly evident when one discovers that Methodological Naturalism was coined and introduced by a materialistic humanist in 1986.
Paul DeVries was not only a materialist, but he was also an anti-creationist. For Paul, getting Methodological Naturalism inculcated into science was a great leap forward for secular materialism. In effect, Methodological Naturalism is nothing more than the presumption of atheism. In short, atheism is assumed a priori. It's a default underpinning program that excludes agency, teleology, purpose, and God. It's a materialistic rule of interpretation that tells us to assume that there is no supernatural and no God. Essentially, the scientific community should always — and at all times — under all circumstances conduct their experiments and research upon the presumption of materialistic atheism whether it's true or not. It was an assumption that the greatest giants of the scientific revolution were not shackled by.
I'm of the opinion that all prior assumptions should be dropped. Materialistic atheism is an irrelevant philosophy in the honest search for truth. It's interesting to note that the founders of the scientific revolution assumed God a priori in their scientific research, whereas the science of today assumes a priori the non-existence of God. Of course, if one is looking for unprejudiced open-mindedness, or one wants to be at liberty to follow the evidence to wherever it may lead, the methodological assumption of the atheistic program is a shackle of enslavement. As it stands, the secular humanism of the Enlightenment, coupled with Paul DeVries recently imposed methodological rule, contribute immensely to the contemporary educational influences of our times.
In a nutshell, we are the victims of materialistic tyranny. Not surprisingly, it's no mystery that many of our young people are leaving their educational institutions infected by the insidious poisoning of materialistic atheism and moral relativism. When I was in school, I was not aware of what was going on, nor were the teachers, I suspect. We were all equally baptized in the spirit of the age — immersed in its ideas, influenced by its moral revolt against God.
— Paul
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colin benjamin
5.0 out of 5 stars An enjoyable expression of the nature of consciousness that accepts it as the ultimate realityReviewed in Australia on 1 March 2021
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Rupert Spira.solves the dualism debate a
In a growing literature of musings about the nature of consciousness ina delightful, thoughtful and all embracing unity of body,mind and spirit. This is free of lab experiments but full of meaning
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Robert Blunt
5.0 out of 5 stars More than worth the effortReviewed in Australia on 25 August 2019
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Not a feel good book to skim through, but a courageous effort to put the ineffable into words. There were parts where I would spend a day on one paragraph.
There is wonderful wisdom here in a form that enables you to own it but, as it should be, it calls for you to invest the effort.
I would highly recommend it to anyone wishing to explore the non dual nature of existence.
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TomD
5.0 out of 5 stars Direct and ClearReviewed in Australia on 17 February 2018
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All of Rupert's books offer the opportunity of moving to a clear understanding without the need to read the books that his teachers' have produced. We steal a march by going direct to Rupert who has done all the hard yards for us and additionally adds his further experience and knowledge as a high value added bonus. This book like all of his other books is a must read.
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Maria Dolhai
5.0 out of 5 stars Proficiency of "Knowing"Reviewed in Australia on 11 September 2017
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Positivity BRILLIANT !
Read it and experience the freedom Rupert Spira offers via his proficiency of "Knowing".
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JAzon
5.0 out of 5 stars THE BEST signpost there is to direct you towards Non-Duality!Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 6 April 2021
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Analogies, analogies, analogies!! - Rupert Spira uses them so good to explain deeply profound concepts.
For example in a statement like 'In the absence of that which you are not, that which you are is not', is a very deep statement that has such depth and intrinsic meaning, but when you explain the same with an analogy ie., 'In the absence of warmth, one cannot understand what being cold is'. The meaning of such intense concepts becomes so CLEAR! Rupert - my personal thank you for these ANALOGIES! (But, I still need an audiobook version of this please).
This book is a tough one to chew, and a laborious read. Previously, I thought 'Power of Now' by Eckhart Tolle was heavy, but once those concepts are internalized, this book will be help one to advance to the NEXT LEVEL! Truly, at this time Rupert is the best exponent of modern spirituality.
And for all those who complained about repetition of concepts in Spira series of books, I think its intrinsic by design by the author and it actually help me internalize and instill these understandings more deeply!
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Dr Vikas Pandey
5.0 out of 5 stars Simply beautifulReviewed in the United Kingdom on 26 January 2020
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I bought this the day after watching my first Rupert Spira YouTube video in June 2018. I tried reading it several times in 2018 but just could not assimilate the words despite having a reasonable nondual background. I then took it on holiday with my in July 2019 and could not stop reading it - certainly not the way that Rupert recommends reading this, but I could not stop. It opened something, I've read and watched a lot of Rupert Spira but this book is on another level. For me it is among the greatest works of nonduality of all 'time'.
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K2
5.0 out of 5 stars Beyond excellentReviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 June 2021
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For me, this is probably one of the best books I’ve ever read on the subject, who am I and why am I here. It is first class, beautifully written, so powerfully succinct with an impression that Rupert Spira is a man who has worked very hard in his search for Truth and has discovered it! His other work The Art of Peace and Happiness is of the same calibre. First class and for the serious student of any so called spiritual path this book is a probably one of the best. It’s a difficult read, it is repetitive in a way, but Rupert does that deliberately to hammer home, as if with a feather the Truths that evade us, the Truth that is beyond the mind, underneath thinking, and behind the lies of this illusory existence.
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Ms. L. Crosby
5.0 out of 5 stars I love the clarity of this bookReviewed in the United Kingdom on 13 September 2017
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I love the clarity of this book, and also those moments when the words trigger a stepping beyond into a longed-for wordlessness. It is a succinct presentation of Rupert’s teachings, very accessible and at the same time simply profound. I gave this book to a friend and his comment was that RS is hugely impressive as a teacher. I agree!
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Gracious
5.0 out of 5 stars Wow! beyond wordsReviewed in the United Kingdom on 18 May 2018
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Impressive and amazing, I have no more words. I have to put it down every now and then to meditate and cope with the overwhelmingly mind blowing revelations. Loving it! Thanks Rupert
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The Nature of Consciousness:
INTRODUCTION
The Hard Problem of Consciousness
1 The Nature of Mind
2 OnlyAwareness Is Aware
3 Panpsychism and the Consciousness-Only Model
4 The Inward-Facing Path: The Distinction between Consciousness andObjects
5 The Direct Path to Enlightenment
6 Self-Enquiry and Self-Remembering
7 The Experience of Being Aware
8 The Essence of Meditation
9 The Outward-Facing Path: Collapsing the Distinction betweenConsciousness and Objects
10 Existence Is Identical to Awareness
11 The White Radiance of Eternity
12 The Focusing of Consciousness
13 There Are No States of Consciousness
14 Wordsworth and the Longing for God
15 The Shared Medium of Mind
16 The Memory of Our Eternity
17 Consciousness’s Dream
18 The Search for Happiness
===
The Nature of Consciousness: Essays on the Unity of Mind and Matter Kindle Edition
by Rupert Spira (Author), Deepak Chopra (Foreword), & 1 more Format: Kindle Edition
4.7 out of 5 stars 285 ratings
See all formats and editions
Kindle
$0.00 This title and over 1 million more available with Kindle Unlimited$15.76 to buy
Paperback
$32.25
14 New from $32.25
Great on Kindle
Great Experience. Great Value.
Enjoy a great reading experience when you borrow the Kindle edition of this book with your Kindle Unlimited membership. Learn more about Great on Kindle, available in select categories.
“I’ve gained deeper understanding listening to Rupert Spira than I have from any other exponent of modern spirituality. Reality is sending us a message we desperately need to hear, and at this moment no messenger surpasses Spira and the transformative words in his essays.”
—Deepak Chopra, author of You Are the Universe, Spiritual Solutions, and Super Brain
Our world culture is founded on the assumption that the Big Bang gave rise to matter, which in time evolved into the world, into which the body was born, inside which a brain appeared, out of which consciousness at some late stage developed. As a result of this “matter model,” most of us believe that consciousness is a property of the body. We feel that it is “I,” this body, that knows or is aware of the world. We believe and feel that the knowing with which we are aware of our experience is located in and shares the limits and destiny of the body. This is the fundamental presumption of mind and matter that underpins almost all our thoughts and feelings and is expressed in our activities and relationships. The Nature of Consciousness suggests that the matter model has outlived its function and is now destroying the very values it once sought to promote.
For many people, the debate as to the ultimate reality of the universe is an academic one, far removed from the concerns and demands of everyday life. After all, life happens independently of our models of it. However, The Nature of Consciousness will clearly show that the materialist paradigm is a philosophy of despair and, as such, the root cause of unhappiness in individuals. It is a philosophy of conflict and, as such, the root cause of hostilities between families, communities, and nations. Far from being abstract and philosophical, its implications touch each one of us directly and intimately.
An exploration of the nature of consciousness has the power to reveal the peace and happiness that truly lie at the heart of experience. Our experience never ceases to change, but the knowing element in all experience—consciousness, or what we call “I”—itself never changes. The knowing with which all experience is known is always the same knowing. Being the common, unchanging element in all experience, consciousness does not share the qualities of any particular experience: it is not qualified, conditioned, or limited by experience. The knowing with which a feeling of loneliness or sorrow is known is the same knowing with which the thought of a friend, the sight of a sunset, or the taste of ice cream is known. Just as a screen is never disturbed by the action in a movie, so consciousness is never disturbed by experience; thus it is inherently peaceful. The peace that is inherent in us—indeed that is us—is not dependent on the situations or conditions we find ourselves in.
In a series of essays that draw you, through your own direct experience, into an exploration of the nature of this knowing element that each of us calls “I,” The Nature of Consciousness posits that consciousness is the fundamental reality of the apparent duality of mind and matter. It shows that the overlooking or ignoring of this reality is the root cause of the existential unhappiness that pervades and motivates most people’s lives, as well as the wider conflicts that exist between communities and nations. Conversely, the book suggests that the recognition of the fundamental reality of consciousness is the first step in the quest for lasting happiness and the foundation for world peace.
Read lessThe Thomas Code: Solving the mystery of the Gospel of Thomas
Product description
Review
"The Nature of Consciousness is a major contribution to our understanding of who we are. This is a book which I am sure will become one of the great classics of our time. Please read it, because as we evolve we will all need to understand non-duality."
--Peter Fenwick, neuropsychologist and author of The Art of Dying and The Truth in the Light: An Investigation of Over 300 Near-Death Experiences
"The Nature of Consciousness is a remarkable book. You have only to see it and flip through a few pages to get a sense of the kind of writer Rupert Spira is, and the nature of his argument. The clean design inside and out reflects his creative sensitivity and mastery as a ceramic artist, and the paragraphs are well packed with syllables, sufficient vocabulary for a minutely argued demolition of the assumptions of the prevailing world culture. Perhaps never before has logical argument been brought so effectively and readably to a comprehensive investigation of consciousness."
--Tony Kendrew, ScienceAndNonduality.com
"I've gained deeper understanding listening to Rupert Spira than I have from any other exponent of modern spirituality. Reality is sending us a message we desperately need to hear, and at this moment no messenger surpasses Spira and the transformative words in his essays."
--Deepak Chopra, author of You Are the Universe, Spiritual Solutions, and Super Brain
"In these essays, Rupert Spira cracks the shell of materialism by elucidating the 'calamitous assumption that lies at the root of our materialistic culture, ' and he artistically and persuasively leads us to the universal antidote: the realization of the primacy of consciousness. As a scientist, I very much appreciate Rupert's pointing out that scientists will never truly succeed in their exploration of the world until they successfully investigate the nature of the subject known as 'I.'"
--Paul J. Mills, professor of family medicine and public health at the University of California, San Diego
"Rupert Spira guides his reader on a delightful journey of discovery that uncovers and reveals what the Kashmiri Masters have called 'the greatest secret, more hidden than the most concealed and yet more evident than the most evident of things, ' and that is consciousness itself. Rupert deserves to be congratulated for the clarity and sensitivity with which he presents the teachings of the ancient and modern Masters concerning consciousness, and his own deeply personal experience, in such a way that it can be both easily understood and applied."
--Mark Dyczkowski, author of The Doctrine of Vibration: An Analysis of the Doctrines and Practices of Kashmir Shaivism --This text refers to the paperback edition.
Book Description
The Nature of Consciousness challenges the prevailing materialist paradigm that is holding humanity back, suggesting that consciousness is the fundamental reality of the apparent duality of mind and matter, and that overlooking or ignoring this reality is the root cause of the suffering that pervades and motivates most people's lives, as well as the wider conflicts that exist between communities and nations. This comprehensive investigation will satisfy readers of all kinds, from the existentially minded to the rigorously scientific to the earnestly hopeful for peace. --This text refers to the paperback edition.
About the Author
From an early age, Rupert Spira was deeply interested in the nature of reality. At the age of seventeen he learned 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. Lucille introduced Spira 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. Spira lives in the UK and holds regular meetings and retreats in Europe and the United States. For further information, see www.rupertspira.com. --This text refers to the paperback edition.
Read less
Product details
ASIN : B01LW3PL4Y
Publisher : Sahaja; 1st edition (1 June 2017)
Language : English
File size : 1065 KB
Text-to-Speech : Enabled
Screen Reader : Supported
Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
X-Ray : Not Enabled
Word Wise : Enabled
Print length : 232 pagesBest Sellers Rank: 129,899 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)42 in Religious Studies - Science & Religion
76 in Humanist Philosophy
98 in New Age Mysticism (Kindle Store)Customer Reviews:
4.7 out of 5 stars 285 ratings
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
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Rupert Spira
From 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 Krishnamenon, 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
Read less
4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
285 global ratings
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4 star 11%
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Paul Ross
5.0 out of 5 stars A True Foundation of KnowledgeReviewed in Australia on 22 October 2019
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To a large degree, secular influences have shaped our contemporary western educational institutions insofar as these secular influences have given us an interpretive methodology to understand the world. If one were to trace the stages of these unfolding influences, one would invariably end up in the time of 18th-century European philosophy wherein Renaissance humanism was spreading like the plague.
In France, around 1751, a group of radical materialistic philosophers — debauched and immoral men — would go on to inspire the French Revolution with their united contempt of God and religion, coupled with their promotion of a secular humanistic/materialistic worldview. In fact, most of the secular materialistic humanism in the educational institutions of today can be directly traced to the writings and influence of these men. Not only have our educational institutions been influenced by 18th-century humanistic philosophers, but a particular methodology and way of interpreting the world around us has been set in stone.
Of course, the programming begins in our early years.
As one would expect, we are first exposed to the subtle influences of secular humanistic materialism in the early days of our education. Long before we can ponder our options, materialistic lenses are placed upon our eyes. These lenses cause us to see and understand the world through a particular worldview, and in this case, the worldview is filtered through materialistic secular humanism. It needs to be added that the phenomena of Christian education has not entirely escaped the influences of materialistic humanism, but that's a subject for another day.
It goes a long way to understand that the philosophy in question is not scientific. To tell the truth, it has nothing to do with science — or anything to do with truth for that matter. It's a metaphysical assumption, a model of interpretation — a belief regarding the nature of reality. Consequently, this very same philosophical assumption would give rise to Methodological Naturalism, a rule of interpretation that would go on to be inculcated into contemporary science itself. In essence, science had become poisoned and prejudiced by materialistic philosophy. This fact is clearly evident when one discovers that Methodological Naturalism was coined and introduced by a materialistic humanist in 1986.
Paul DeVries was not only a materialist, but he was also an anti-creationist. For Paul, getting Methodological Naturalism inculcated into science was a great leap forward for secular materialism. In effect, Methodological Naturalism is nothing more than the presumption of atheism. In short, atheism is assumed a priori. It's a default underpinning program that excludes agency, teleology, purpose, and God. It's a materialistic rule of interpretation that tells us to assume that there is no supernatural and no God. Essentially, the scientific community should always — and at all times — under all circumstances conduct their experiments and research upon the presumption of materialistic atheism whether it's true or not. It was an assumption that the greatest giants of the scientific revolution were not shackled by.
I'm of the opinion that all prior assumptions should be dropped. Materialistic atheism is an irrelevant philosophy in the honest search for truth. It's interesting to note that the founders of the scientific revolution assumed God a priori in their scientific research, whereas the science of today assumes a priori the non-existence of God. Of course, if one is looking for unprejudiced open-mindedness, or one wants to be at liberty to follow the evidence to wherever it may lead, the methodological assumption of the atheistic program is a shackle of enslavement. As it stands, the secular humanism of the Enlightenment, coupled with Paul DeVries recently imposed methodological rule, contribute immensely to the contemporary educational influences of our times.
In a nutshell, we are the victims of materialistic tyranny. Not surprisingly, it's no mystery that many of our young people are leaving their educational institutions infected by the insidious poisoning of materialistic atheism and moral relativism. When I was in school, I was not aware of what was going on, nor were the teachers, I suspect. We were all equally baptized in the spirit of the age — immersed in its ideas, influenced by its moral revolt against God.
— Paul
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colin benjamin
5.0 out of 5 stars An enjoyable expression of the nature of consciousness that accepts it as the ultimate realityReviewed in Australia on 1 March 2021
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Rupert Spira.solves the dualism debate a
In a growing literature of musings about the nature of consciousness ina delightful, thoughtful and all embracing unity of body,mind and spirit. This is free of lab experiments but full of meaning
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Robert Blunt
5.0 out of 5 stars More than worth the effortReviewed in Australia on 25 August 2019
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Not a feel good book to skim through, but a courageous effort to put the ineffable into words. There were parts where I would spend a day on one paragraph.
There is wonderful wisdom here in a form that enables you to own it but, as it should be, it calls for you to invest the effort.
I would highly recommend it to anyone wishing to explore the non dual nature of existence.
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TomD
5.0 out of 5 stars Direct and ClearReviewed in Australia on 17 February 2018
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All of Rupert's books offer the opportunity of moving to a clear understanding without the need to read the books that his teachers' have produced. We steal a march by going direct to Rupert who has done all the hard yards for us and additionally adds his further experience and knowledge as a high value added bonus. This book like all of his other books is a must read.
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Maria Dolhai
5.0 out of 5 stars Proficiency of "Knowing"Reviewed in Australia on 11 September 2017
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Positivity BRILLIANT !
Read it and experience the freedom Rupert Spira offers via his proficiency of "Knowing".
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JAzon
5.0 out of 5 stars THE BEST signpost there is to direct you towards Non-Duality!Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 6 April 2021
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Analogies, analogies, analogies!! - Rupert Spira uses them so good to explain deeply profound concepts.
For example in a statement like 'In the absence of that which you are not, that which you are is not', is a very deep statement that has such depth and intrinsic meaning, but when you explain the same with an analogy ie., 'In the absence of warmth, one cannot understand what being cold is'. The meaning of such intense concepts becomes so CLEAR! Rupert - my personal thank you for these ANALOGIES! (But, I still need an audiobook version of this please).
This book is a tough one to chew, and a laborious read. Previously, I thought 'Power of Now' by Eckhart Tolle was heavy, but once those concepts are internalized, this book will be help one to advance to the NEXT LEVEL! Truly, at this time Rupert is the best exponent of modern spirituality.
And for all those who complained about repetition of concepts in Spira series of books, I think its intrinsic by design by the author and it actually help me internalize and instill these understandings more deeply!
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Dr Vikas Pandey
5.0 out of 5 stars Simply beautifulReviewed in the United Kingdom on 26 January 2020
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I bought this the day after watching my first Rupert Spira YouTube video in June 2018. I tried reading it several times in 2018 but just could not assimilate the words despite having a reasonable nondual background. I then took it on holiday with my in July 2019 and could not stop reading it - certainly not the way that Rupert recommends reading this, but I could not stop. It opened something, I've read and watched a lot of Rupert Spira but this book is on another level. For me it is among the greatest works of nonduality of all 'time'.
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K2
5.0 out of 5 stars Beyond excellentReviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 June 2021
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For me, this is probably one of the best books I’ve ever read on the subject, who am I and why am I here. It is first class, beautifully written, so powerfully succinct with an impression that Rupert Spira is a man who has worked very hard in his search for Truth and has discovered it! His other work The Art of Peace and Happiness is of the same calibre. First class and for the serious student of any so called spiritual path this book is a probably one of the best. It’s a difficult read, it is repetitive in a way, but Rupert does that deliberately to hammer home, as if with a feather the Truths that evade us, the Truth that is beyond the mind, underneath thinking, and behind the lies of this illusory existence.
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Ms. L. Crosby
5.0 out of 5 stars I love the clarity of this bookReviewed in the United Kingdom on 13 September 2017
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I love the clarity of this book, and also those moments when the words trigger a stepping beyond into a longed-for wordlessness. It is a succinct presentation of Rupert’s teachings, very accessible and at the same time simply profound. I gave this book to a friend and his comment was that RS is hugely impressive as a teacher. I agree!
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Gracious
5.0 out of 5 stars Wow! beyond wordsReviewed in the United Kingdom on 18 May 2018
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Impressive and amazing, I have no more words. I have to put it down every now and then to meditate and cope with the overwhelmingly mind blowing revelations. Loving it! Thanks Rupert
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The Nature of Consciousness:
Essays on the Unity of Mind and Matter
by Rupert Spira (Goodreads Author)
4.57 · Rating details · 368 ratings · 40 reviews
Our world culture is founded on the belief that consciousness is derived from matter, giving rise to the materialistic assumption that informs almost every aspect of our lives and is the root cause of the suffering within individuals, the conflicts between communities and nations, and the degradation of our environment. The Nature of Consciousness exposes the fallacy of this belief and suggests that the recognition of the presence, the primacy and the nature of consciousness is the prerequisite for any new paradigm that is to address these issues at their core. (less)
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Sep 22, 2017Robert rated it it was amazing
Shelves: re-readers
** NB - this is a long review, but this is the important piece: if you are interested in self-growth, spirituality, and understanding the nature of the world and your self, please, please read this book.**
What would happen if someone came along and proved the existence of God?
Not much, probably.
At first.
Now, I’m not talking about a booming voice from the sky. That’s a demonstration of God, not proof. And we’ve tried that kind of thing before. Resurrecting the dead and materializing objects out of thin air mostly just gets you in trouble.
No, I’m talking about proof in the mathematical sense, in the system of logic that science is supposed to be based on: philosophical proof.
I’m talking about solving the ontological problem that Western philosophers have been wrestling with for a few thousand years. You’d have to admit that would be pretty significant. At the crux of the attempt at such a thing is the primary dilemma: the question of how consciousness arises from matter. This is historically known as the “hard question of consciousness”. Many people agree that if you can conclusively solve this, you either prove or disprove the existence of spirit, and therefore, God.
You’re going to hear me get pretty excited in this review, and I’m going to make some seemingly outlandish comparisons. But the reason is this: I think Rupert Spira has just written such a proof.
I realize that I am going to come across as over-the-top. I have thought a little about how I can write about the importance of this book without you thinking that I’m just in an irrational fever. But in the end, I see that this is unavoidable, so I’m just going to go ahead and say what I think. But know that I do not write this lightly or out of impulsivity. This book may be – could be (should be?) – one of the most important books of this era.
You know that excitement you feel when you first come across a truly great idea? When you first started to understand Eckhart or Katie? Rupert is not only certainly in this league, but he performs something almost miraculous here: he explains himself using the language and parameters of logic, philosophy, and science. He has used the language of the world to undo itself in the most impressive feat of pure intelligence that I’ve ever witnessed. I have this sense that if people could possibly read and follow what he is saying in this book, it will tip us over the edge of the paradigm that needs to shift: the paradigm of materialism. This might be what we are waiting for, and who.
I mean, I’m not a betting man, but I will gladly wager a few thousand dollars that in 20 years this book will be considered a culturally significant artefact on a global scale. But I will also concede that historically, it often takes us more than a few decades to collectively recognize genius. And let’s be clear that without using that word lightly, I believe this is a work of true genius. It took us a while to catch on to Buddha, to Gallileo, but less time for Einstein – you just never know how open we are, or how sensitive is the 99th monkey. Wouldn’t it be nice if more of us could hear the voices of pure sanity, even when they fly in the face of what we know?
There are different types of genius. Some genius is insightful and creative in a particular domain, such as in music, math or sport. And then there is the genius that somehow makes essential connections across domains, creating new directions of thought that transcend and synthesize often disparate realms. Da Vinci and Shakespeare come to mind. Now, see? You’re thinking that I’ve gone way overboard. I know it. You’re thinking that Rob is just fallen in love with something and these comparisons are ludicrous. And all I can say is: let’s wait and see. Katie may be the enlightened “World Teacher” but she never wrote with pure logic – her voice is one of experience and poetry (not to downplay that!). And Eckhart is a Buddha for our age, but precisely because his teaching is so accessible to so many (which is his brilliance) does it mean that he avoids the meatier challenge of picking the whole system apart with our trickiest and most essential tool: words. Most enlightened beings avoid the philosophical argument. Buddha and Jesus sure did. But that means we are left with metaphor and interpretation. But Rupert goes right into the heart of it. People have often said, “If Eckhart is the what, then Katie is the how.” And I would like to offer this addendum: “Then Rupert is the why”.
Why is it an actual, scientific fact that matter’s essence is a consciousness that unifies all things?
Wouldn’t it be just fucking the coolest thing if someone could finally do what Socrates, Kant, Descartes, St.Anselm, and all the existential and ontological philosophers of the past could never quite get right? In just a few short dozen pages or so, Rupert presents the most airtight, rigidly logical and fiercely factual ontological argument that - to my knowledge – has ever been presented in the Western world. I’m sorry, I want to not sound overly dramatic here, but holy shit folks! Imagine how it felt to be the few physicists who appreciated Einstein’s newly published paper on the general theory of relativity? That’s how I feel.
I’ll admit: maybe this is just me. I’m a strange person. But I’m not stupid. At least not in this realm of thought! But I’m also far from a world authority, I admit. However, this man not only expresses but embodies the truths we have been talking circles around in a way that has shifted my life. Obviously, I don’t expect anyone else to have this reaction to his work. But I see that some people have.
I don’t know what else I can say here but I see that my singular motivation is this: to essentially beg you to read this book and try to understand it. It is important.
This is not just about those of us in “spiritual” pursuits. This is a book that scientists and academic philosophers need to read. And because it is intellectual in its language and logical in its presentation it might just be that the thinkers that inform the rest of the world might grasp some of these ideas and shift the platform upon which the rest of the planet rests.
I realized at the beginning of this book that this is not a “spiritual” book as I was expecting. It is a philosophical treatise. It is (at least the earlier parts of it) an academic work that I feel is akin to nailing pages to the door of the establishment. He is explaining the very old philosophy of nonduality – of advaita Vedanta, but in a way that starts from pure experience, not from belief or mysticism. If ever there was the case of a writer “blowing my mind” it’s this. It is so logical, so left brained, so elegant. It’s just incredible.
Clearly I have drank the Kool-Aid of Rupert Spira. And I will do anything I can do in my own power to meet and speak with this remarkable individual. I mean, if the Buddha or Jesus were alive, wouldn’t you want to hang with them? I’ve met Eckhart, I’ve met Katie. I even went to Ramana’s ashram, but he was long gone. But currently anyway, this feels more personal. Not that he would, but if Rupert tells me to cast away my nets, I’m pretty sure I’d follow him. All the ideas that I stand for, that I have tried to express in my own writings and research (and failed pathetically at!) he nimbly and easily speaks.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m cancelling the rest of my plans for the next while so I can re-read his work.
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Jan 29, 2018Emma rated it it was amazing
This book is outstanding. I can’t even for a moment begin to convey how incredible it is, words fall short.
If you are a seeker of truth read it. If you are not a seeker of truth, read it and find the truth anyway.
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Apr 20, 2021Linda McKenzie rated it it was amazing
Spira's best book yet. Very simply, if you have a burning need to really understand the nondual nature of reality, this book is a must. And by "understand" I don't mean just intellectual knowledge. It's not possible to have intellectual knowledge of nondual reality, since it transcends the intellect. The book is one long guided introspection that uses words very skilfully to point to that which can only be known directly, non-conceptually. And it's all in very clear, plain English that almost anyone could understand. You feel yourself slipping into a very clear, obvious awareness of being awareness quite effortlessly while reading it. Like Spira's previous books, it's one to take slowly and contemplatively.
Spira also addresses here some common misconceptions and seemingly gnarly issues that crop up for many on this path. He's rendered a great service to all genuine seekers of nondual truth by demystifying it and making it as simple, clear and accessible as it could be without sacrificing depth. (less)
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Apr 22, 2021Chetan Narang rated it really liked it
Shelves: spirituality, philosophy
The directness with which Rupert Spira has discussed all of this text is nothing short of a remarkable achievement.
I can definitely see that this book is easily a candidate for being the source for some of the most misinterpreted quotes ever. And that's ironical considering the fact that a significant purpose of this book is the correction of the more prevalent misinterpretations of our time.
But how it works out is how it works out. (less)
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Jul 15, 2021Jared Archbold rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
Wow
This is the most profound spiritual book I've ever read. I highlighted so many passages there's barely any text left unhighlighted (less)
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Feb 10, 2019John rated it really liked it
An exceptionally important book to read. The book is exceptionally repetitious, and could easily have been written in much less than 100 pages. It draws from several Indian traditions, including J. Krishnamurti, and the tantric traditions of Kasmir Shavism, Dzogchen Buddhism. It attempts to be a step by step logical approach to the nature of consciousness. However there are several significant non sequiturs in his logic, as well as some false assumptions, which lead to nebulous conclusions. It almost feels as though the author already had pre-drawn conclusions and attempted a logical path to reach those conclusions. I still feel that it is still valuable, in the sense that it allows the reader to reach new understandings about the nature of consciousness, and that some of the conclusions are not too far off the mark. Just be aware that, although it all sounds quite logical and complicated, based on my own very intense reading, background understanding, and logical progression, it actually is not. As always, each reader must come to his/her own conclusions, which may be even more profound than that which is expressed by the author.
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Mar 27, 2019Martin rated it it was amazing
Shelves: spirituality, favourites
Rupert in his book - The Nature of Consciousness dives into fundamental questions about the universe, the nature of experience and like in all his other books, offers a very clear and direct description of the subject. He does an amazing job describing the indescribable through simple analogies that everyone can relate to. The Nature of Consciousness will challenge the mindset of many readers but for some, it will offer a clear confirmation of everyday experience. For materialists, if read with an open mind, it will surely shake your entire belief system and make you question your interpretation of reality.
Read for the second time now. One of my favorite books on nonduality and consciousness. (less)
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Mar 10, 2018Phil Calandra rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
"The Nature of Consciousness....." is one of the most comprehensive and compelling books written on Advaita Vedenta Philosophy. From my prospective many questions have been answered that other books have failed to address. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this is not an easy book but must be read slowly and diligently; however, in my opinion, it is not beyond the comprehension of the average reader. I would highly recommend it. (less)
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Aug 25, 2018Paul rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
Talk about getting real!
This book addresses the question of what is real, what is true, what is this here/now we are experiencing, better than any other writing available. Strong statement, I realize. Every key point written here is verifiable in your own experience. Read this, go to the author’s website and YouTube channel for more, and see for yourself!
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Oct 06, 2018Stephen Wachter rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
Revolution
Long held beliefs incrementally change as the rule, but seem to evaporate instantly as Spira unveils a flipped paradigm for science and humanity. “Of course, of course”, was my inner narrative as I arrived, right side up at the end of his book.
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Jul 12, 2017Carole Brooks Platt rated it really liked it
I'll be writing a blog post on this book shortly. (less)
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Feb 11, 2021Jacqueline rated it really liked it
Shelves: 20-21-sept-thru-june
I am....
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Mar 05, 2019Jakob rated it it was amazing
What is real? This book puts forth the non-dual worldview, with consciousness as the only tangible reality. It battles the assumptions of matter and world and a separate entity within it called yourself, and through diligent looking at only what we know, agues that consciousness is all that exists, and we are all aspects of that same undivided infinite consciousness.
Rupert Spira is one of the clearest teachers of non-duality, and I highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to figure out who they are and what reality is. This book puts into words things that I've wanted to express but couldn't find the words to.
I've taken off one star from my review because it feels repetitive at times, and because my Kindle version was poorly formatted. But with this much clarity and depth, including citations from poets and religious traditions which were greatly appreciated, it's never the less as clear an expounding of non-duality as I've found. I made notes on evey other page when I had that Yes, this rings so true-feeling.
"Our longing for love comes from the intuition of our shared being. It is the longing that resides in the hearts of all apparently separate selves to be divested of their separateness and returned to their original wholeness or oneness. Love is the experience of that oneness of being."
"The knowledge 'I am' that shines in each of our minds and that remains present throughout all experience is the same light of pure knowing, refracted into an apparent multiplicity and diversity of minds. Just as the space in all buildings is the same unlimited space,seemingly divided into a multiplicity and diversity of spaces of different shapes and sizes, so the knowing that shines in each of our minds is the same knowing, only seemingly divided into a multiplicity and diversity of minds by its reflection in numerous bodies".
"The mind can never find, let alone describe, the reality that it seeks, for it is itself the very activity that seems to divide that reality into a multiplicity and diversity of objects and selves, each with its own name and form that can be described in language".
There are people who will scoff at words such as these. I know because I was one. If they dare take the leap beyond their assumptions of the world, there is an abundance of peace that is very hard to describe in words. Rupert Spira does it as well as anyone I've read. (less)
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May 17, 2021David McDonald rated it really liked it
A fantastic but flawed piece of philosophy, from the very start Spira lays out an interesting but misguided interpretation of consciousness; playing the sceptic game but not taking his scepticism far enough.
Spira addresses the “mind/matter first” problem by pointing out that everything happens within consciousness (mind), and therefore matter is an unjustified assertion. On page 17, Spira says;
"Any intellectually rigorous and honest model of experience must start with awareness, and indeed never stray from it. To start anywhere else is to start with an assumption"
I would amend "To start is to assume", that is, ANY investigation has to unjustifiably assume that something exists, we (colloquially) exist and that 'we' can make investigations of that 'something'
To pretend otherwise is to be guilty of the very thing Spira is blaming the materialist of doing.
Continuing on, Spira also just assumes consciousness (or awareness) exists. His justification: "We all experience it". Consider someone pointing out assumptions in the mind first hypothesis (like Spira does with the material first hypothesis) as follow;
"There is no such thing as consciousness, there is only chemicals performing reactions and those reactions we identify as consciousness." Any attempt to say "that only happens within a mind" can be retorted (just as Spira does with materialists) by saying "I don't believe in minds or consciousness, I only believe in chemical reactions"
And so on...
Lastly, my biggest contention within this philosophy is that it's unfalsifiable, that is, how would a non-materialistic universe be differentiated from a materialistic one?
With all that said, as a modern theological/spiritual work, this book shines bright. If you are looking for an easily digestible but applicable exploration into Advaita Vedenta Philosophy, look no further, just don't expect its ontology to be respected outside of faith-based communities. (less)
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Apr 10, 2021Marcel Armstrong rated it really liked it · review of another edition
Hammers in the Understanding
Rupert does an incredible feat putting into words an otherwise ineffable experience. For realizing one's true nature - the nature of consciousness - must be experienced firsthand. Mere intellectual or conceptual understanding will not suffice. This book is a rare gem for those meditators out there to get an articulate formulation of what happens in meditation. And for those who do not meditate, perhaps this book will stir an impulse within to begin the journey.
Rupert has a clearly defined framework for which he bases the consciousness-only model of reality for the individual and indeed all of existence. Ultimately, the interior content of mind and exterior content of matter are reconciled as being and arising from the same source of consciousness.
In these essays, Rupert does repeat his conceptualizations over and over again in different ways. If they are not easily grasped at first, this method does hammer them in.
All in all, this is book is truly remarkable in the scope of its content and depth of its explanations. It has corroborated my experiences in meditation in words, and has compelled me to go deeper into my nature as consciousness. (less)
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Feb 04, 2020Srinath rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
May be I should have read this book earlier. May be not. Explaining consciousness is impossible in English. Any language is made for duality as explained by Ruper Spira himself . But in this book I think he comes the closest to explaining it. He removes mysticism from spirituality. His explanations remove any doubt that consciousness/spirituality is a myth.
Swami Vivekanda's works brought spirituality to the world in the 19th/20th centuries. May be Rupert Spira's works will do the same for us.
One read is not enough for this work. May be it is the new age Bhagavadgita. To be read, implemented (both as a meditation and practice), and realized every single day (using dualist words to express even though time may not exist in pure consciousness) (less)
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Nov 30, 2018William A Black rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
A new articulation of familiar themes
An arresting (or liberating) exposition on fundamental assumptions that form the basis of our current global culture and civilization brilliantly argued and logically presented. This book, and related works, hold the potential to transform the dominant intellectual and metaphysical status quo.
I felt some frustration in the implication that there are only three teachers, one school of Hinduism and one practice that are worthy of mention. Others are passed over with scarcely more than a nod and a wave of the hand.
Nonetheless, this book is a milestone in metaphysics. (less)
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Mar 28, 2022Evan rated it liked it
Have you ever read a book & recognized that even if you jumped right back into it after finishing, you still wouldn't grasp it all?
That was the case for me reading the Nature of Consciousness. While I enjoyed the book, I finished it with many basic questions about my own faith and the role of meditation in it.
This is deep water, but absolutely worthwhile. Expect some serious depth if you decide to pick this one up. (less)
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Apr 09, 2022Neal Javia added it
Shelves: indian-phil-yoga
One of my favorite books. I love Rupert Spira for his clarity. Many writers dabble in obscurantism, which is a form of cowardice because they know that they don't have anything profound to say. Obscurantism is done to write off criticism as a misinterpretation. Rupert Spira, on the other hand, is one of the clearest communicators, and his teachings shine a light on the highest advaita perennial wisdom.
One criticism is that the essays are repetitive. The book could have been written in 50 or fewe ...more
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Feb 11, 2021Pam Reeves rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
All We Need to Know
Rupert Spira clearly and simply explains reality, existence, life and all the hard and paradoxical things we spend lifetimes trying to understand in this book. Every page resonated and I carry his message/ teaching with me throughout my days. It is a life-changing book.
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Nov 05, 2019Christy ofthewoods rated it liked it · review of another edition
Very important information, however, felt a little repetitive at times which made me bored, (was probably just me but I feel like a video of him talking about this would be better than a book) and also, if I heard the movie screen analogy one more time I was gonna pull my hair out, lol.
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Jan 07, 2021Everett Grandy rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
Bear naked consciousness
Such is need and often not wanted. To lay bear ones own ignorance before ones own ignorance. Take I,mine,they, theirs, it, take objectiveness out of this and all seeking of cognition of self. It's only a matter of ...Will. Hear (less)
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Mar 27, 2022Jodi Kramer rated it it was amazing
The most life-altering book I have EVER read. My mind has been blown on many levels. This spurred on an entire spiritual awakening for me. If there is 1 book I will ever recommend to any human being it is this one.
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Jan 29, 2019Egil rated it it was amazing
«To research the ultimate nature of reality without first know the essential nature of our own mind, is the madness from which our culture is suffering.»
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Nov 02, 2019Gretchen rated it really liked it
Important concepts for everyone to understand: awareness/consciousness. Four stars for repetition. Five stars for Spira’s understanding of reality.
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Dec 28, 2019Dusica rated it it was amazing
This is one of the best books I read in a while. I highly recommend it to those on a spiritual path of non-duality.
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Jan 31, 2021Laurie rated it it was ok
Complicated
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Feb 20, 2021Alan Boyle rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
Great book 📖 👌
Great 👍 book highly recommended, you need to read it slowly for it to sink in.it took me a couple of weeks reading but well worth the time invested
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Feb 28, 2021Merlijn Jansen rated it did not like it
Interesting subject but I found it to be written so badly to be unreadable.
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Jan 07, 2022AdLAR rated it really liked it
Spira's guide to overcome the materialistic subject-object duality and elevate the understanding of awareness. (less)
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by Rupert Spira (Goodreads Author)
4.57 · Rating details · 368 ratings · 40 reviews
Our world culture is founded on the belief that consciousness is derived from matter, giving rise to the materialistic assumption that informs almost every aspect of our lives and is the root cause of the suffering within individuals, the conflicts between communities and nations, and the degradation of our environment. The Nature of Consciousness exposes the fallacy of this belief and suggests that the recognition of the presence, the primacy and the nature of consciousness is the prerequisite for any new paradigm that is to address these issues at their core. (less)
GET A COPYKobo
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Paperback, 205 pages
Published June 1st 2017 by Sahaja
ISBN
1684030005 (ISBN13: 9781684030002)
Edition Language
English
Other Editions (2)
All Editions | Add a New Edition | Combine...Less DetailEdit Details
Write a review
Sep 22, 2017Robert rated it it was amazing
Shelves: re-readers
** NB - this is a long review, but this is the important piece: if you are interested in self-growth, spirituality, and understanding the nature of the world and your self, please, please read this book.**
What would happen if someone came along and proved the existence of God?
Not much, probably.
At first.
Now, I’m not talking about a booming voice from the sky. That’s a demonstration of God, not proof. And we’ve tried that kind of thing before. Resurrecting the dead and materializing objects out of thin air mostly just gets you in trouble.
No, I’m talking about proof in the mathematical sense, in the system of logic that science is supposed to be based on: philosophical proof.
I’m talking about solving the ontological problem that Western philosophers have been wrestling with for a few thousand years. You’d have to admit that would be pretty significant. At the crux of the attempt at such a thing is the primary dilemma: the question of how consciousness arises from matter. This is historically known as the “hard question of consciousness”. Many people agree that if you can conclusively solve this, you either prove or disprove the existence of spirit, and therefore, God.
You’re going to hear me get pretty excited in this review, and I’m going to make some seemingly outlandish comparisons. But the reason is this: I think Rupert Spira has just written such a proof.
I realize that I am going to come across as over-the-top. I have thought a little about how I can write about the importance of this book without you thinking that I’m just in an irrational fever. But in the end, I see that this is unavoidable, so I’m just going to go ahead and say what I think. But know that I do not write this lightly or out of impulsivity. This book may be – could be (should be?) – one of the most important books of this era.
You know that excitement you feel when you first come across a truly great idea? When you first started to understand Eckhart or Katie? Rupert is not only certainly in this league, but he performs something almost miraculous here: he explains himself using the language and parameters of logic, philosophy, and science. He has used the language of the world to undo itself in the most impressive feat of pure intelligence that I’ve ever witnessed. I have this sense that if people could possibly read and follow what he is saying in this book, it will tip us over the edge of the paradigm that needs to shift: the paradigm of materialism. This might be what we are waiting for, and who.
I mean, I’m not a betting man, but I will gladly wager a few thousand dollars that in 20 years this book will be considered a culturally significant artefact on a global scale. But I will also concede that historically, it often takes us more than a few decades to collectively recognize genius. And let’s be clear that without using that word lightly, I believe this is a work of true genius. It took us a while to catch on to Buddha, to Gallileo, but less time for Einstein – you just never know how open we are, or how sensitive is the 99th monkey. Wouldn’t it be nice if more of us could hear the voices of pure sanity, even when they fly in the face of what we know?
There are different types of genius. Some genius is insightful and creative in a particular domain, such as in music, math or sport. And then there is the genius that somehow makes essential connections across domains, creating new directions of thought that transcend and synthesize often disparate realms. Da Vinci and Shakespeare come to mind. Now, see? You’re thinking that I’ve gone way overboard. I know it. You’re thinking that Rob is just fallen in love with something and these comparisons are ludicrous. And all I can say is: let’s wait and see. Katie may be the enlightened “World Teacher” but she never wrote with pure logic – her voice is one of experience and poetry (not to downplay that!). And Eckhart is a Buddha for our age, but precisely because his teaching is so accessible to so many (which is his brilliance) does it mean that he avoids the meatier challenge of picking the whole system apart with our trickiest and most essential tool: words. Most enlightened beings avoid the philosophical argument. Buddha and Jesus sure did. But that means we are left with metaphor and interpretation. But Rupert goes right into the heart of it. People have often said, “If Eckhart is the what, then Katie is the how.” And I would like to offer this addendum: “Then Rupert is the why”.
Why is it an actual, scientific fact that matter’s essence is a consciousness that unifies all things?
Wouldn’t it be just fucking the coolest thing if someone could finally do what Socrates, Kant, Descartes, St.Anselm, and all the existential and ontological philosophers of the past could never quite get right? In just a few short dozen pages or so, Rupert presents the most airtight, rigidly logical and fiercely factual ontological argument that - to my knowledge – has ever been presented in the Western world. I’m sorry, I want to not sound overly dramatic here, but holy shit folks! Imagine how it felt to be the few physicists who appreciated Einstein’s newly published paper on the general theory of relativity? That’s how I feel.
I’ll admit: maybe this is just me. I’m a strange person. But I’m not stupid. At least not in this realm of thought! But I’m also far from a world authority, I admit. However, this man not only expresses but embodies the truths we have been talking circles around in a way that has shifted my life. Obviously, I don’t expect anyone else to have this reaction to his work. But I see that some people have.
I don’t know what else I can say here but I see that my singular motivation is this: to essentially beg you to read this book and try to understand it. It is important.
This is not just about those of us in “spiritual” pursuits. This is a book that scientists and academic philosophers need to read. And because it is intellectual in its language and logical in its presentation it might just be that the thinkers that inform the rest of the world might grasp some of these ideas and shift the platform upon which the rest of the planet rests.
I realized at the beginning of this book that this is not a “spiritual” book as I was expecting. It is a philosophical treatise. It is (at least the earlier parts of it) an academic work that I feel is akin to nailing pages to the door of the establishment. He is explaining the very old philosophy of nonduality – of advaita Vedanta, but in a way that starts from pure experience, not from belief or mysticism. If ever there was the case of a writer “blowing my mind” it’s this. It is so logical, so left brained, so elegant. It’s just incredible.
Clearly I have drank the Kool-Aid of Rupert Spira. And I will do anything I can do in my own power to meet and speak with this remarkable individual. I mean, if the Buddha or Jesus were alive, wouldn’t you want to hang with them? I’ve met Eckhart, I’ve met Katie. I even went to Ramana’s ashram, but he was long gone. But currently anyway, this feels more personal. Not that he would, but if Rupert tells me to cast away my nets, I’m pretty sure I’d follow him. All the ideas that I stand for, that I have tried to express in my own writings and research (and failed pathetically at!) he nimbly and easily speaks.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m cancelling the rest of my plans for the next while so I can re-read his work.
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Jan 29, 2018Emma rated it it was amazing
This book is outstanding. I can’t even for a moment begin to convey how incredible it is, words fall short.
If you are a seeker of truth read it. If you are not a seeker of truth, read it and find the truth anyway.
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Apr 20, 2021Linda McKenzie rated it it was amazing
Spira's best book yet. Very simply, if you have a burning need to really understand the nondual nature of reality, this book is a must. And by "understand" I don't mean just intellectual knowledge. It's not possible to have intellectual knowledge of nondual reality, since it transcends the intellect. The book is one long guided introspection that uses words very skilfully to point to that which can only be known directly, non-conceptually. And it's all in very clear, plain English that almost anyone could understand. You feel yourself slipping into a very clear, obvious awareness of being awareness quite effortlessly while reading it. Like Spira's previous books, it's one to take slowly and contemplatively.
Spira also addresses here some common misconceptions and seemingly gnarly issues that crop up for many on this path. He's rendered a great service to all genuine seekers of nondual truth by demystifying it and making it as simple, clear and accessible as it could be without sacrificing depth. (less)
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Apr 22, 2021Chetan Narang rated it really liked it
Shelves: spirituality, philosophy
The directness with which Rupert Spira has discussed all of this text is nothing short of a remarkable achievement.
I can definitely see that this book is easily a candidate for being the source for some of the most misinterpreted quotes ever. And that's ironical considering the fact that a significant purpose of this book is the correction of the more prevalent misinterpretations of our time.
But how it works out is how it works out. (less)
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Jul 15, 2021Jared Archbold rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
Wow
This is the most profound spiritual book I've ever read. I highlighted so many passages there's barely any text left unhighlighted (less)
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Feb 10, 2019John rated it really liked it
An exceptionally important book to read. The book is exceptionally repetitious, and could easily have been written in much less than 100 pages. It draws from several Indian traditions, including J. Krishnamurti, and the tantric traditions of Kasmir Shavism, Dzogchen Buddhism. It attempts to be a step by step logical approach to the nature of consciousness. However there are several significant non sequiturs in his logic, as well as some false assumptions, which lead to nebulous conclusions. It almost feels as though the author already had pre-drawn conclusions and attempted a logical path to reach those conclusions. I still feel that it is still valuable, in the sense that it allows the reader to reach new understandings about the nature of consciousness, and that some of the conclusions are not too far off the mark. Just be aware that, although it all sounds quite logical and complicated, based on my own very intense reading, background understanding, and logical progression, it actually is not. As always, each reader must come to his/her own conclusions, which may be even more profound than that which is expressed by the author.
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Mar 27, 2019Martin rated it it was amazing
Shelves: spirituality, favourites
Rupert in his book - The Nature of Consciousness dives into fundamental questions about the universe, the nature of experience and like in all his other books, offers a very clear and direct description of the subject. He does an amazing job describing the indescribable through simple analogies that everyone can relate to. The Nature of Consciousness will challenge the mindset of many readers but for some, it will offer a clear confirmation of everyday experience. For materialists, if read with an open mind, it will surely shake your entire belief system and make you question your interpretation of reality.
Read for the second time now. One of my favorite books on nonduality and consciousness. (less)
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Mar 10, 2018Phil Calandra rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
"The Nature of Consciousness....." is one of the most comprehensive and compelling books written on Advaita Vedenta Philosophy. From my prospective many questions have been answered that other books have failed to address. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this is not an easy book but must be read slowly and diligently; however, in my opinion, it is not beyond the comprehension of the average reader. I would highly recommend it. (less)
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Aug 25, 2018Paul rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
Talk about getting real!
This book addresses the question of what is real, what is true, what is this here/now we are experiencing, better than any other writing available. Strong statement, I realize. Every key point written here is verifiable in your own experience. Read this, go to the author’s website and YouTube channel for more, and see for yourself!
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Oct 06, 2018Stephen Wachter rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
Revolution
Long held beliefs incrementally change as the rule, but seem to evaporate instantly as Spira unveils a flipped paradigm for science and humanity. “Of course, of course”, was my inner narrative as I arrived, right side up at the end of his book.
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Jul 12, 2017Carole Brooks Platt rated it really liked it
I'll be writing a blog post on this book shortly. (less)
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Feb 11, 2021Jacqueline rated it really liked it
Shelves: 20-21-sept-thru-june
I am....
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Mar 05, 2019Jakob rated it it was amazing
What is real? This book puts forth the non-dual worldview, with consciousness as the only tangible reality. It battles the assumptions of matter and world and a separate entity within it called yourself, and through diligent looking at only what we know, agues that consciousness is all that exists, and we are all aspects of that same undivided infinite consciousness.
Rupert Spira is one of the clearest teachers of non-duality, and I highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to figure out who they are and what reality is. This book puts into words things that I've wanted to express but couldn't find the words to.
I've taken off one star from my review because it feels repetitive at times, and because my Kindle version was poorly formatted. But with this much clarity and depth, including citations from poets and religious traditions which were greatly appreciated, it's never the less as clear an expounding of non-duality as I've found. I made notes on evey other page when I had that Yes, this rings so true-feeling.
"Our longing for love comes from the intuition of our shared being. It is the longing that resides in the hearts of all apparently separate selves to be divested of their separateness and returned to their original wholeness or oneness. Love is the experience of that oneness of being."
"The knowledge 'I am' that shines in each of our minds and that remains present throughout all experience is the same light of pure knowing, refracted into an apparent multiplicity and diversity of minds. Just as the space in all buildings is the same unlimited space,seemingly divided into a multiplicity and diversity of spaces of different shapes and sizes, so the knowing that shines in each of our minds is the same knowing, only seemingly divided into a multiplicity and diversity of minds by its reflection in numerous bodies".
"The mind can never find, let alone describe, the reality that it seeks, for it is itself the very activity that seems to divide that reality into a multiplicity and diversity of objects and selves, each with its own name and form that can be described in language".
There are people who will scoff at words such as these. I know because I was one. If they dare take the leap beyond their assumptions of the world, there is an abundance of peace that is very hard to describe in words. Rupert Spira does it as well as anyone I've read. (less)
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May 17, 2021David McDonald rated it really liked it
A fantastic but flawed piece of philosophy, from the very start Spira lays out an interesting but misguided interpretation of consciousness; playing the sceptic game but not taking his scepticism far enough.
Spira addresses the “mind/matter first” problem by pointing out that everything happens within consciousness (mind), and therefore matter is an unjustified assertion. On page 17, Spira says;
"Any intellectually rigorous and honest model of experience must start with awareness, and indeed never stray from it. To start anywhere else is to start with an assumption"
I would amend "To start is to assume", that is, ANY investigation has to unjustifiably assume that something exists, we (colloquially) exist and that 'we' can make investigations of that 'something'
To pretend otherwise is to be guilty of the very thing Spira is blaming the materialist of doing.
Continuing on, Spira also just assumes consciousness (or awareness) exists. His justification: "We all experience it". Consider someone pointing out assumptions in the mind first hypothesis (like Spira does with the material first hypothesis) as follow;
"There is no such thing as consciousness, there is only chemicals performing reactions and those reactions we identify as consciousness." Any attempt to say "that only happens within a mind" can be retorted (just as Spira does with materialists) by saying "I don't believe in minds or consciousness, I only believe in chemical reactions"
And so on...
Lastly, my biggest contention within this philosophy is that it's unfalsifiable, that is, how would a non-materialistic universe be differentiated from a materialistic one?
With all that said, as a modern theological/spiritual work, this book shines bright. If you are looking for an easily digestible but applicable exploration into Advaita Vedenta Philosophy, look no further, just don't expect its ontology to be respected outside of faith-based communities. (less)
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Apr 10, 2021Marcel Armstrong rated it really liked it · review of another edition
Hammers in the Understanding
Rupert does an incredible feat putting into words an otherwise ineffable experience. For realizing one's true nature - the nature of consciousness - must be experienced firsthand. Mere intellectual or conceptual understanding will not suffice. This book is a rare gem for those meditators out there to get an articulate formulation of what happens in meditation. And for those who do not meditate, perhaps this book will stir an impulse within to begin the journey.
Rupert has a clearly defined framework for which he bases the consciousness-only model of reality for the individual and indeed all of existence. Ultimately, the interior content of mind and exterior content of matter are reconciled as being and arising from the same source of consciousness.
In these essays, Rupert does repeat his conceptualizations over and over again in different ways. If they are not easily grasped at first, this method does hammer them in.
All in all, this is book is truly remarkable in the scope of its content and depth of its explanations. It has corroborated my experiences in meditation in words, and has compelled me to go deeper into my nature as consciousness. (less)
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Feb 04, 2020Srinath rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
May be I should have read this book earlier. May be not. Explaining consciousness is impossible in English. Any language is made for duality as explained by Ruper Spira himself . But in this book I think he comes the closest to explaining it. He removes mysticism from spirituality. His explanations remove any doubt that consciousness/spirituality is a myth.
Swami Vivekanda's works brought spirituality to the world in the 19th/20th centuries. May be Rupert Spira's works will do the same for us.
One read is not enough for this work. May be it is the new age Bhagavadgita. To be read, implemented (both as a meditation and practice), and realized every single day (using dualist words to express even though time may not exist in pure consciousness) (less)
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Nov 30, 2018William A Black rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
A new articulation of familiar themes
An arresting (or liberating) exposition on fundamental assumptions that form the basis of our current global culture and civilization brilliantly argued and logically presented. This book, and related works, hold the potential to transform the dominant intellectual and metaphysical status quo.
I felt some frustration in the implication that there are only three teachers, one school of Hinduism and one practice that are worthy of mention. Others are passed over with scarcely more than a nod and a wave of the hand.
Nonetheless, this book is a milestone in metaphysics. (less)
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Mar 28, 2022Evan rated it liked it
Have you ever read a book & recognized that even if you jumped right back into it after finishing, you still wouldn't grasp it all?
That was the case for me reading the Nature of Consciousness. While I enjoyed the book, I finished it with many basic questions about my own faith and the role of meditation in it.
This is deep water, but absolutely worthwhile. Expect some serious depth if you decide to pick this one up. (less)
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Apr 09, 2022Neal Javia added it
Shelves: indian-phil-yoga
One of my favorite books. I love Rupert Spira for his clarity. Many writers dabble in obscurantism, which is a form of cowardice because they know that they don't have anything profound to say. Obscurantism is done to write off criticism as a misinterpretation. Rupert Spira, on the other hand, is one of the clearest communicators, and his teachings shine a light on the highest advaita perennial wisdom.
One criticism is that the essays are repetitive. The book could have been written in 50 or fewe ...more
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Feb 11, 2021Pam Reeves rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
All We Need to Know
Rupert Spira clearly and simply explains reality, existence, life and all the hard and paradoxical things we spend lifetimes trying to understand in this book. Every page resonated and I carry his message/ teaching with me throughout my days. It is a life-changing book.
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Nov 05, 2019Christy ofthewoods rated it liked it · review of another edition
Very important information, however, felt a little repetitive at times which made me bored, (was probably just me but I feel like a video of him talking about this would be better than a book) and also, if I heard the movie screen analogy one more time I was gonna pull my hair out, lol.
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Jan 07, 2021Everett Grandy rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
Bear naked consciousness
Such is need and often not wanted. To lay bear ones own ignorance before ones own ignorance. Take I,mine,they, theirs, it, take objectiveness out of this and all seeking of cognition of self. It's only a matter of ...Will. Hear (less)
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Mar 27, 2022Jodi Kramer rated it it was amazing
The most life-altering book I have EVER read. My mind has been blown on many levels. This spurred on an entire spiritual awakening for me. If there is 1 book I will ever recommend to any human being it is this one.
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Jan 29, 2019Egil rated it it was amazing
«To research the ultimate nature of reality without first know the essential nature of our own mind, is the madness from which our culture is suffering.»
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Nov 02, 2019Gretchen rated it really liked it
Important concepts for everyone to understand: awareness/consciousness. Four stars for repetition. Five stars for Spira’s understanding of reality.
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Dec 28, 2019Dusica rated it it was amazing
This is one of the best books I read in a while. I highly recommend it to those on a spiritual path of non-duality.
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Jan 31, 2021Laurie rated it it was ok
Complicated
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Feb 20, 2021Alan Boyle rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
Great book 📖 👌
Great 👍 book highly recommended, you need to read it slowly for it to sink in.it took me a couple of weeks reading but well worth the time invested
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Feb 28, 2021Merlijn Jansen rated it did not like it
Interesting subject but I found it to be written so badly to be unreadable.
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Jan 07, 2022AdLAR rated it really liked it
Spira's guide to overcome the materialistic subject-object duality and elevate the understanding of awareness. (less)
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