Questions and Answers on Awareness

A Conversation on Awareness

WITH RUPERT SPIRA(AN ADAPTED VERSION)

Disciple: I think a lot about what it means to be an individual.

Master: That’s natural. It can feel strange and even a bit random, yet here you are—an individual.

Disciple: I once imagined reality like a massive dark wall with just one tiny hole. Through that hole, only one person with two eyes is looking out. That person sees everything through that one small viewpoint—and then thinks that’s the only truth.

Master: Exactly. So the idea that we can ever be completely certain about things becomes a little silly, doesn’t it? 

Disciple: Yes, I’ve given up the need to be totally right or wrong. It would feel so freeing to stop defending opinions or my place in the world. It is immature to defend that my way, path, viewpoint, opinion, religion, guru or school or country alone are correct. Depending on where I stand and what is my vantage point, everything changes.

Master: That freedom comes when we become more aware—not just of ourselves, but of others, too. When you truly see someone else as real as you see yourself, their opinion becomes just as valid as yours. Sticking firmly to your own view, howsoever noble and liberating it may be, is not always the right way to proceed.

Master: But if you're only holding tightly to your own beliefs, it's usually because others don't feel fully real to you. It's like being blind to the rest of the world.

Master: And this applies not only to people, but to nature too. We only destroy nature because we don’t fully see it. We see it as something to use, not something that is as alive as we are. If we really felt its presence, we couldn’t harm it.

Disciple: When I was younger, I often felt this deep longing. I felt like I had been separated from something incredible—something beautiful. I felt lost, stranded. That longing was very real. But now, as I’ve grown older, that yearning has faded. I’ve found some peace. Now I feel it’s time to explore that peace more deeply, to see what’s really in it.

Master: When you’re truly at peace, especially in nature, even the noise around you - outside or inside - doesn’t really disturb you. The key is to not see mountains, animals, people, or even trees as separate from you. Feel them as part of your own being.

Disciple: I had a powerful experience recently. I used to go into nature like a respectful guest - grateful, in awe. But this time, I wanted to just be there, like the rocks or the trees, not above or below anything. At first, I didn’t feel any connection. But when I gave up trying to “be equal” and instead surrendered to nature - surrendered like a student - I started to feel answers come. I understood that nature, trees, animals - they’re not separate. We’ve evolved from them. They are part of me. That shift changed everything. I felt completely at home. It was beautiful.

Master: That’s a deep insight. Now, if you could give advice to your younger self, what would it be?

Disciple: Honestly, I don’t know. I feel like my younger self wouldn’t have listened anyway.

Master: That’s probably true. The best advice might be simply: be kind. You can always choose kindness. Start by being kind to yourself - your thoughts, emotions, actions. That means being open to others’ ideas and not thinking your way is the only way. Everyone sees the world through their own unique viewpoint. If you keep that in mind, you’ll naturally become more patient and understanding. And eventually, that grows into true kindness. When opinions turn into compassion and gratitude, you’re on the right path.

Disciple: What does it really mean to "share my being"?

Master: It means that at the deepest level, we all come from the same source. We all are that source. Our being isn’t just limited to this body or mind - it’s shared with everything and everyone. That shared being is what we call love. So love isn’t about liking someone - it’s about recognising you are not separate from them. If they’re hurting, you feel it, because at the level of being, you are them. That’s where compassion comes from - realising we are all one.

Disciple: Why can’t we just know our true self directly? Why do we need books, teachings, classes, or teachers?

Master: The direct path is possible - it means turning inward and going straight from your current experience to your true being. But other paths, like serving others, loving nature, or following traditions, are valid, too. They might take longer, but they also lead to the same place. No path is better or worse - they’re just different. But the direct path is the most immediate.

Disciple: So how do I know when I’ve found the real "I" or self?

Master: You’ll know because it doesn’t get disturbed by anything. You might still have desires, but they won’t come from a feeling of emptiness or need. Instead, they come from a sense of fullness. For example, wanting to visit a temple - not to gain something, but to share your being. That’s a desire from fullness.

Disciple: What would you say to someone who isn’t in terrible pain, but is dealing with a mix of physical and emotional discomfort?

Master: Pain tends to pull our attention in, it contracts us. But we can gently do the opposite—we can expand our attention instead of shrinking into the pain. Let’s try something simple.

Feel the sensation of your hand on the book.

Disciple: Okay.

Master: Does that sensation appear inside your awareness, or does awareness appear inside the sensation?

Disciple: It appears in awareness.

Master: Good. Now listen to my voice. Is that also appearing in your awareness?

Disciple: Yes.

Master: Is it the same awareness in which the sensation of your hand appears?

Disciple: Yes, it’s the same.

Master: What about the feeling in your feet?

Disciple: Same.

Master: The memory of your breakfast this morning?

Disciple: Inside awareness.

Master: Childhood memories?

Disciple: Also inside.

Master: Sounds from the street?

Disciple: Inside awareness.

Master: Any imagination you might have—where does it happen?

Disciple: In my awareness.

Master: Have you ever had an experience that was outside your awareness?

Disciple: No.

Master: Could anyone ever have such an experience?

Disciple: No.

Master: Now feel your entire body. All the sensations—the pain, the comfort, the neutral ones. Where do they happen?

Disciple: Inside awareness.

Master: Can you find an edge to this awareness?

Disciple: No, there’s nothing outside of it.

Master: So even though what you're aware of is limited—your awareness itself isn’t. It’s open, vast, and has no borders. Now imagine removing all sensations, thoughts, memories—what remains?

Disciple: Just empty presence. Pure being.

Master: Good. So every experience—thoughts, sounds, feelings—rises within awareness, not from outside it. What, then, is experience made of?

Disciple: I guess… awareness itself?

Master: Exactly. Just like a wave is made of water, every experience is made of awareness. Even pain. You can let that understanding soften the intensity of pain. Let the openness and light of awareness dissolve the tightness of the pain. That doesn’t mean the pain vanishes, but your resistance to it can dissolve. You stop shrinking into pain and instead allow it to be held in the space of your being. That alone brings relief.

Disciple: Thank you so much.

Master: Thank you.