The Fullness of the Ground

1. Nonduality: The Unification of Self and Surroundings

"As fundamental consciousness, we experience that our own body and our surroundings are pervaded by and made of this same undivided expanse of consciousness."

Nonduality dissolves boundaries. This concept refers to the experience of oneness between the self and the environment. It's not about merging or losing individuality, but rather recognizing the underlying unity that pervades all existence.

Practical implications are profound. When we realize nonduality, we experience:

• A deep sense of connection with all living beings
• Reduced feelings of isolation and separation
• Enhanced perception and awareness of our surroundings
• A more fluid and spontaneous approach to life

Nonduality challenges our conventional understanding of reality, inviting us to explore a more expansive and interconnected way of being in the world.

2. Fundamental Consciousness: The Ground of Being

"Fundamental consciousness is experienced (it experiences itself) as stillness—undivided stillness that coincides with all of the movement of life within our body and within our environment in each moment."

The essence of existence. Fundamental consciousness is the primary, unchanging dimension of our being that underlies all of our experiences. It's not something we create or imagine, but rather uncover through practice and realization.

Characteristics of fundamental consciousness:

• Experienced as stillness and spaciousness
• Pervades both our body and environment
• Coexists with the constant movement and change of life
• Provides a sense of unbreakable stability and authenticity

Understanding and realizing fundamental consciousness is key to experiencing nonduality and transforming our relationship with ourselves and the world around us.

3. Embodied Awakening: Integrating Mind, Body, and Spirit

"To inhabit our body is very different from being aware of our body. When we are aware of our body, we observe our thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations from outside of ourselves. When we live within our body, we observe our experience from within."

Fully inhabiting the body. Embodied awakening involves developing a deep, internal connection with our physical form. This approach differs from merely observing the body as an object.

Key aspects of embodied awakening:

• Experiencing thoughts, emotions, and sensations from within
• Developing a sense of wholeness and integration
• Enhancing our ability to be present in the moment
• Facilitating a more authentic and grounded spiritual experience

By cultivating embodied awareness, we create a foundation for realizing nonduality and experiencing fundamental consciousness in our everyday lives.

4. The Path to Realization: Practices for Uncovering Fundamental Consciousness

"The practices of the Realization Process are not the realization of nonduality itself. They are volitional attunements designed to evoke the self-arising of nondual realization."

Methodical approach to awakening. The Realization Process offers a structured set of practices designed to facilitate the uncovering of fundamental consciousness and the experience of nonduality.

Key practices include:

• Inhabiting the internal space of the body
• Attuning to the subtle vertical core of the body
• Balancing awareness of matching points in the body
• Cultivating wholeness, steadiness, depth, and permeability

These practices are not ends in themselves but tools to evoke the spontaneous arising of nondual realization. Consistent, patient practice is essential for gradual transformation and stabilization in nondual awareness.

5. Wholeness: Experiencing Internal Coherence and Unity

"As fundamental consciousness, our internal wholeness is distinct and yet inseparable from our self-other oneness. We cannot and do not experience one without the other."

Integration of being. Wholeness refers to the experience of internal coherence and unity that arises with the realization of fundamental consciousness. It's a profound shift in how we experience ourselves and our relationship to the world.

Aspects of wholeness:

• Simultaneous awareness of individuality and unity with surroundings
• Integration of cognitive, emotional, and sensory experiences
• Enhanced resilience and ability to tolerate intense experiences
• Deepened sense of authenticity and being "at home" in oneself

Cultivating wholeness through nondual practices can lead to a more balanced, integrated, and fulfilling life experience.

6. Steadiness: The Unwavering Nature of Fundamental Consciousness

"Fundamental consciousness is experienced as stillness. When we realize it, we uncover an unwavering, unchanging expanse of space within all of the movement of life."

Unshakeable foundation. Steadiness is a key attribute of fundamental consciousness, providing a sense of stability and peace amidst life's constant changes and challenges.

Characteristics of steadiness:

• Experienced as an unwavering, unchanging expanse
• Coexists with the movement and flux of life
• Provides a sense of inner peace and resilience
• Allows for deeper, more open receptivity to experiences

Cultivating steadiness through nondual practices can help us navigate life's ups and downs with greater ease and equanimity.

7. Depth and Fluidity: Enhancing Perception and Experience

"To the extent that we can experience inward contact with ourselves, we can also feel depth of contact with the life around us."

Enriched engagement with life. Depth refers to the enhanced capacity for inward contact and outward connection, while fluidity relates to the spontaneous, unobstructed flow of experience.

Key aspects of depth and fluidity:

• Increased sensitivity and richness in sensory experiences
• Enhanced ability to connect deeply with others and nature
• Greater spontaneity and authenticity in responses to life
• Harmonious balance between stillness and movement

Cultivating depth and fluidity through nondual practices can lead to a more vivid, engaged, and fulfilling life experience.

8. Permeability: Transcending Boundaries in Nondual Realization

"When we know ourselves as fundamental consciousness, we experience our body as made of consciousness, made of empty luminous space, at the same time that we experience ourselves as solid."

Dissolving perceived barriers. Permeability is the experience of transcending the usual boundaries between self and other, inside and outside, subject and object.

Characteristics of permeability:

• Simultaneous experience of solidity and spaciousness
• Sense of continuity between self and environment
• Enhanced perception of the subtle qualities of objects and beings
• Deepened intimacy and connection with all aspects of life

Developing permeability through nondual practices can lead to a profound shift in how we perceive and interact with the world around us.

9. Relationships in Nonduality: Deepening Connection and Intimacy

"When two people meet as fundamental consciousness, they experience mutual transparency. They feel that they are both pervaded by, or made of, the same single expanse of consciousness."

Enhanced relational experiences. Nondual realization doesn't negate relationships; instead, it deepens and enriches our connections with others.

Key aspects of nondual relationships:

• Simultaneous experience of separateness and unity
• Deepened mutual understanding and empathy
• Enhanced ability to maintain boundaries while feeling connected
• More authentic and spontaneous interactions

Practicing nondual awareness in relationships can lead to more fulfilling, intimate, and harmonious connections with others.

10. Living Nonduality: Integrating Realization into Daily Life

"Nondual realization is a lasting, ongoing transformation of our whole being. It brings wholeness, steadiness, depth, fluidity, and subtlety to every aspect of our experience."

Everyday awakening. Living nonduality involves integrating the realization of fundamental consciousness into all aspects of daily life, leading to a profound transformation of our experience.

Impacts of living nonduality:

• Enhanced spontaneity and authenticity in actions and responses
• Deepened sense of connection with all of life
• Increased clarity, compassion, and wisdom in decision-making
• Greater resilience in facing life's challenges

By consistently practicing and embodying nondual awareness, we can cultivate a more awakened, harmonious, and fulfilling way of being in the world.

Last updated: August 15, 2024