Coming to Wholeness

1. Suffering arises from inner separation, not outer.

The key separation we experience is actually on the inside , not between us and the outside world.

Inner division. Many believe suffering comes from feeling separate from the world or others. However, the core issue is an internal separation: the small 'I' feels separate from the vastness of Awareness. This inner division creates tension and limits our experience of well-being.

Healing within. When we address and heal this inner separation, our relationship with the outer world naturally transforms. The feeling of being separate from others or creation diminishes as we become more whole within ourselves. This internal integration is the foundation for experiencing true connection and peace.

Undivided experience. Wholeness Work provides a direct path back to this state of undivided experiencing. By dissolving the internal boundaries created by the small 'I's, we return to our natural state of wholeness. This process allows solutions and well-being to emerge effortlessly from the deepest levels of our being.

2. The 'I' is a small, located contraction of consciousness.

Who would have thought that when we think of ‘I,’ at the unconscious level, we’re accessing a small place in space?

Unconscious location. When we say "I" am aware of something, this "I" is not just a concept; it's experienced unconsciously as a specific, small location in space. This location varies for each person, often felt in or around the head or body. This small 'I' is a contracted version of our full consciousness.

Limited perspective. Operating from this small, contracted 'I' means we try to navigate life, solve problems, and experience joy from a limited perspective. It's like trying to lift a heavy suitcase with a clenched fist – tiring and inefficient. This unconscious contraction is a drain on our system.

Formation of the 'I'. This small sense of self likely forms through modeling others and through early experiences where we are pointed to or addressed in a way that localizes our sense of being. For example, a parent pointing and saying "YOU!" can unconsciously create a localized sense of self.

3. Awareness is our vast, unbounded, true nature.

Surely who I am wouldn’t be any less than that.

Effortless capacity. Awareness is the natural, effortless capacity to notice that is present throughout our body and the space all around us. Unlike the small 'I', Awareness has no discernible edge or boundary in our experience. It is vast, open, and includes everything.

Beyond the small self. While the small 'I' is a useful construct for functioning in the world, it is not who we fundamentally are. Our true nature is this full field of Awareness, which is infinitely more expansive and resourceful than the contracted 'I'. Accessing this full space is key to unlocking our potential.

Undamaged presence. Awareness is like a mirror or compost: it can receive all experiences, no matter how difficult or unpleasant, without being damaged. It remains neutral and capable of transforming everything it encounters into richness and new life. This inherent capacity for inclusion and transformation is always available to us.

4. Wholeness Work dissolves inner separation through integration.

The simple exercise you just did finding and dissolving the ‘I’s, is a direct way back to this experience of wholeness—or of undivided experiencing.

Merging with Awareness. Wholeness Work facilitates integration, the process where something separate becomes one again. The small 'I', which is separate from the full field of Awareness, is invited to open, relax, and dissolve into and as this vast consciousness. This is not a loss, but a return to fullness.

Natural unfolding. This integration is not forced; it happens naturally when Awareness is present in the same area as the sensation of the 'I'. The contracted part knows how to relax on its own, much like a clenched fist naturally opens when tension is released. The wisdom for integration lies in the meeting of sensation and Awareness.

Increasing wholeness. Each time an 'I' integrates, the field of Awareness feels richer and fuller. The energy that was bound up in the contraction is released and becomes available to the whole system. This process leads to a gradual, yet profound, increase in our experience of wholeness and well-being.

5. Limiting beliefs are held by the 'I' and dissolve with it.

Distortions of reality and limiting beliefs are held in place by these small separate ‘I’s.

Filters on reality. The small 'I' is itself a distortion of our true nature, and it holds beliefs and assumptions that create filters over our experience of reality. These limiting beliefs, often unconscious, powerfully influence our behavior and create our emotional responses. They restrict our view of what's possible.

Effortless release. The remarkable benefit of Wholeness Work is that we don't need to identify or analyze these limiting beliefs. By finding the small 'I' and inviting it to dissolve, the beliefs and distortions it held also melt away. This is why people often report seeing the world more clearly or feeling free from old patterns without consciously working on them.

Beyond analysis. Unlike methods that focus on changing beliefs or interpretations, Wholeness Work goes directly to the underlying structure holding them in place. Dissolving the 'I' releases the energy and perspective bound within it, allowing our system to naturally align with a more resourceful and accurate experience of reality.

6. The Basic Process transforms issues by integrating the 'I' chain.

The reason transforming an issue can be easier and more complete than expected is that we’re going directly to the source of what has been holding a problem or stress orientation in place—the small self.

Targeting the root. The Basic Process applies the principles of finding and dissolving the 'I' to specific life issues. By identifying the feeling response associated with an issue and then finding the chain of 'I's that perceive this feeling, we access the core structure maintaining the problem. This is more effective than just working with the feeling itself.

Layered transformation. We often have multiple layers of 'I's, like nested dolls, each perceiving the one before it. Finding and integrating this chain, starting from the outermost 'I', leads to a deeper and more complete transformation. Integrating these layers releases more fundamental contractions and their associated limiting beliefs.

Issue dissolution. Once the 'I' chain is integrated, the original feeling response associated with the issue is also invited to integrate with Awareness. This often results in the issue losing its emotional charge or even disappearing entirely. The problem isn't solved; the internal structure that created it has dissolved.

7. The Meditation Format offers effortless daily integration.

This version of Wholeness Work makes it easy to give our detail-oriented minds a rest, and go to restorative spaces—and it still works!

Simple scan. The Meditation Format is a streamlined version for daily practice. Instead of starting with a specific issue, you simply do a body-mind scan and begin with whatever sensation, thought, or image emerges. This removes the need to "find something to work on," making the practice effortless.

Quick integration. In this format, you find the first 'I' associated with the initial sensation and immediately check if it welcomes integration. If it does, you proceed with integration. If not, you find the next 'I' until one welcomes integration. This allows for rapid access to the restorative integration phase.

Restorative practice. The Meditation Format is deeply relaxing and replenishing for the nervous system. It provides the benefits of traditional meditation while also facilitating deep-level transformation. Regular practice leads to subtle yet dependable shifts in well-being and a more integrated way of being in the world.

8. Shift attention from meaning to sensation quality for integration.

Trying to integrate meaning with Awareness is like trying to mix salt with love.

Beyond labels. A crucial key in Wholeness Work is shifting attention from the meaning or interpretation we give to an experience (like "sad" or "angry") to its direct sensation quality (like "heavy" or "prickly"). Meanings are overlays; sensation is the direct experience, closer to how a baby perceives.

Accessing direct experience. When we notice an emotion or interpretation, we acknowledge it, then gently shift focus to the physical sensation in that location. For example, if feeling "hurt," we sense the warmth, pressure, or vibration in the area. This shift is essential because Awareness operates at the level of direct experience.

Enabling transformation. Integration cannot happen at the level of meaning or interpretation. By attending to the sensation quality, we connect with the fundamental energy of the experience. This energy, when met by Awareness, naturally knows how to dissolve and integrate, free from the constraints of our conceptual understanding.

9. Reactions and distractions are opportunities for deeper work.

Everything that had been getting in our way actually supports the meditation process.

Welcome everything. In Wholeness Work, there are no distractions or resistances; everything that emerges is welcome and can be included. If you feel confused, frustrated, or notice mind chatter, these are simply reactions or other aspects of your experience presenting themselves.

Shift focus to the reaction. When a reaction occurs, you shift your attention to it and ask, "Where is the 'one who' is confused/frustrated/thinking this thought?" You then notice its location, sensation quality, and invite it to integrate. This process transforms the habitual reaction pattern itself.

Deeper integration. Including reactions doesn't derail the process; it makes it deeper. These reactions often represent fundamental, habitual ways of responding to life. Integrating them releases the energy bound in these patterns, increasing emotional intelligence and freeing up energy for the whole system.

10. Integration naturally happens in one of three directions.

The lock has a structure and is designed to open a particular way.

Matching the structure. Integration, the merging of the 'I' or sensation with Awareness, can happen in different ways. While the initial invitation is often for the 'I' to dissolve into and as Awareness, there are two other primary directions that may fit better depending on the inner structure of the contraction.

Three directions:

• Direction 1: The 'I' dissolves into and as Awareness (outward flow).
• Direction 2: Awareness opens into and as the 'I' (inward flow, dissolving boundaries).
• Direction 3: The Awareness already present wakes up to itself in the location of the 'I' (collapse of subject-object, no movement).

Effortless fit. You don't need to figure out which direction is right; you simply offer the invitations and sense which one feels natural and effortless for the system in that moment. The knowing is in the meeting of Awareness and the sensation. Over time, the direction that fits may change as your system evolves.

11. Wholeness Work leads to a fundamental shift in being.

We gradually experience ourselves as alive presence throughout our physical bodies and the space around.

Beyond problem-solving. The effects of Wholeness Work extend beyond resolving specific issues; they lead to a pervasive change in our fundamental way of being. As 'I's dissolve, we become more present as Awareness, experiencing ourselves as alive presence throughout our body and the space around us.

Increased capacity. This shift results in increased capacity for:

• Being naturally present in life.
• Connecting more fully with others.
• Finding solutions more instinctively.
• Experiencing effortless humor and a lighter perspective.

Undivided presence. This is a shift from a divided presence (small 'I' separate from Awareness) to an undivided presence. It's not about getting into a temporary "good state," but about integrating the structure of our being so that well-being becomes our natural state, accessible in each moment.

12. Common spiritual myths can hinder genuine awakening.

All spiritual practice must be directed to the removal of the husk and the revelation of the kernel.

Misleading ideas. Certain common ideas in spiritual circles, while well-intentioned, can inadvertently create obstacles to genuine, lasting awakening. These myths often involve misunderstandings about the nature of the self, awareness, and the process of transformation. Recognizing these can help clear the path.

Examples of myths:

• Awakening cannot be achieved through steps or intention.
• The small self is an illusion and should be ignored.
• Awakening is a single, dramatic event.
• Awareness must be experienced as vast or blissful.
• We must "trick the mind" or detach from thoughts.

Direct path. Wholeness Work offers a direct, step-by-step process that counters these myths by working directly with the actual structure of our experience. It shows that the small self exists in experience and must be included, that awakening is a gradual process, and that all experiences, including thoughts and reactions, can be integrated.

Last updated: July 10, 2025