Presence, Volume I

1. Our true nature is aware Presence, not a limited self

Our self is like an open, empty space, but a knowing or aware space that, like the space of the room, is inherently free of resistance.

Unlimited and unlocated. Our true nature is not a limited, separate entity inside the body, but rather an aware Presence that pervades all experience. This Presence is inherently free, open, and without boundaries. It is the knowing element in all experience, yet cannot be found as an object or located in space.

Beyond body and mind. Unlike the body and mind, which appear and disappear, our essential being is ever-present and unchanging. It is the constant witness to all thoughts, feelings, sensations, and perceptions, without being limited by them. This aware Presence is what we truly are, prior to any identification with temporary appearances.

2. Peace, happiness, and love are inherent in our being

Happiness is not a state of the mind or body, although it is often mistaken for such. Of course, pleasant experiences of the mind and body come and go, but happiness itself has nothing to do with pleasant experiences.

Natural state of being. Peace, happiness, and love are not states to be achieved or experiences to be sought after. They are the inherent qualities of our true nature as aware Presence. When we recognize our essential being, we discover that these qualities are always present, regardless of external circumstances or mental states.

Beyond opposites. Unlike fleeting pleasant experiences, the happiness of our true nature is not dependent on conditions or subject to change. It is the backdrop against which all experiences arise and subside. This happiness is not the opposite of unhappiness, but rather the ground of all experience, encompassing both pleasant and unpleasant states without being affected by them.

3. The separate self is an illusion created by thought

The separate self is not an entity; it is an activity, not an entity.

Thought-created identity. The belief in being a separate, limited self is the result of thought identifying our true nature with the body and mind. This creates an imaginary entity that seems to be located inside the body, separate from the world and others. However, upon investigation, this separate self cannot be found as an actual entity.

Activity of seeking. The separate self is not a thing, but rather an ongoing activity of resisting the present moment and seeking fulfillment in an imaginary future. This activity is fueled by the belief that peace and happiness are not present now and must be found elsewhere. Recognizing this illusion is the key to ending the search and discovering the ever-present peace of our true nature.

4. Experience is a seamless, intimate totality

Experience is always only one seamless, intimate totality. Only a thought appears to split it up into different categories of experience, such as mind, body and world, each made out of a different substance.

Non-dual reality. Our direct experience, prior to conceptual interpretation, is a unified whole without division. There is no separation between subject and object, self and other, or inside and outside. All apparent divisions are created by thought superimposing concepts onto the seamless fabric of experience.

Intimacy of being. This undivided nature of experience is the essence of love and intimacy. When we recognize the non-dual nature of reality, we discover that there is no distance or separation between ourselves and any aspect of experience. Everything is equally close, equally intimate, as it is all made of the same substance – our aware Presence.

5. Self-inquiry reveals our true nature as Awareness

Self-enquiry is, for the mind, a process of investigation and exploration which naturally gives way to what is, from the newly established position of the witness, an unveiling of apparent limitations, giving way in its turn to simply abiding as the only self there is.

Direct investigation. Self-inquiry is the process of turning attention back towards its source, investigating the nature of the "I" thought and feeling. This involves questioning our assumptions about who and what we are, and directly examining our experience to see if there is actually a separate, limited self to be found.

Progressive unveiling. As we engage in self-inquiry, layers of false identification are gradually stripped away. We may first recognize ourselves as the witness of experience, then as the aware space in which all experiences arise. Eventually, even the notion of being a witness dissolves, leaving only the pure knowing of Awareness itself.

6. Surrendering to Presence dissolves the sense of separation

Allow Presence to take care of everything. Whatever is present is only present because it is already totally accepted by Awareness. If it were not already accepted by Awareness, it would not be appearing.

Radical acceptance. Surrendering to Presence means allowing everything in our experience to be as it is, without resistance or agenda. This includes our thoughts, feelings, sensations, and even our deepest fears and insecurities. By fully allowing everything, we align ourselves with the inherent openness of Awareness.

Dissolving boundaries. As we surrender, the boundaries of the separate self begin to dissolve. The body and mind, which were previously identified with, are seen as appearances within the open space of Awareness. This process reveals the intimacy and love that are the natural condition of all experience when not divided by thought.

7. There are no real problems, only resistance to what is

You, aware Presence, have no problems, just as the space of a room has no problem with anything that appears within it. The fact that something is appearing means that you, aware Presence, have already said 'Yes' to it.

Problems are conceptual. From the perspective of our true nature as aware Presence, there are no inherent problems in experience. Problems only arise when thought creates resistance to what is, imagining a separate self that is at odds with the current situation. This resistance is the root of all psychological suffering.

Effortless allowing. Recognizing our nature as open, aware Presence reveals that everything is already allowed and accepted. Just as space effortlessly accommodates whatever appears within it, our true nature has no mechanism for rejecting or resisting any aspect of experience. This understanding naturally dissolves the sense of problematic situations and the need to struggle against what is.

8. Happiness is recognizing the ever-present nature of our being

Happiness is the form in which experience says 'Yes' to itself when it has been relieved of all erroneous beliefs and feelings.

Already complete. True happiness is not something to be attained in the future, but rather the recognition of our ever-present nature as aware Presence. It is the natural state that shines forth when we cease looking for fulfillment elsewhere and recognize the completeness of our being here and now.

Beyond seeking. The search for happiness perpetuates the illusion of separation and lack. When we realize that what we are seeking is what we already are, the search comes to an end. This ending of seeking is itself the happiness we have been looking for, as it reveals the peace and fullness that are inherent in our true nature.

Living understanding. As this recognition deepens, it transforms our relationship with all experience. We no longer approach life from a position of lack or need, but from the fullness of our true being. This allows for a spontaneous, creative engagement with life that is free from the burden of seeking and the fear of loss.

Last updated: September 10, 2024