‘Rupert Spira’: Navigating the Journey from Ego to Expanded Awareness

In a recent video from the “Rupert Spira” YouTube channel, the renowned spiritual teacher addresses a common experience many seekers encounter on their journey of self-discovery: the oscillation between expanded awareness and the narrow ego state. This phenomenon, often described as a roller coaster of consciousness, can leave practitioners feeling trapped in a dualistic cycle.

The Recognition of True Nature

Spira begins by explaining the process of recognizing one’s true nature. He describes how most individuals are typically identified with the content of their experience – thoughts, emotions, memories, relationships, and activities. This bundle of experiences constitutes what many consider to be their sense of self.

However, through various means such as spontaneous realization, reading spiritual texts, or engaging with teachers, individuals may come to recognize that there is something beyond this bundle – a background awareness that witnesses all experiences. This recognition, often referred to as a “glimpse” or “taste” of one’s true nature, can be profoundly transformative.

The Back-and-Forth Experience

Despite the power of these glimpses, Spira acknowledges that the habit of identifying with the separate self is deeply ingrained. As a result, practitioners often find themselves alternating between expanded awareness and falling back into old patterns of identification.

This back-and-forth movement is a natural part of the spiritual journey. Each time an individual traces their way back to their true nature, the hold of conditioned experiences weakens slightly. Spira likens this process to developing a new muscle or habit, gradually diminishing the power of external experiences to pull one away from their essential being.

Establishing Stability in Awareness

As practitioners continue this process, they may notice longer periods of stability in their true nature. The capacity for external experiences to distract from this awareness diminishes over time. While fluctuations may still occur, the duration and intensity of identification with the separate self tends to decrease.

Spira emphasizes that this doesn’t mean emotions or experiences cease to arise. Rather, they are increasingly held within a context of peace and love. Even challenging emotions like grief can be experienced deeply, but they are often pervaded by a sense of underlying love and equanimity.

Practical Implications

The stabilization in awareness has practical implications for daily life. Spira notes that conflicts and reactive behaviors that might have previously lasted for extended periods can be more quickly resolved. Practitioners may find themselves pausing, returning to their true nature, and addressing situations from a place of greater clarity and harmony.

Continuing the Journey

While the process of stabilizing in awareness can feel like a roller coaster, Spira reassures that this is a natural part of the journey. He encourages continued practice and patience, noting that over time, the fluctuations tend to decrease as one becomes more established in their true nature.

For those seeking to deepen their understanding of non-dual awareness and the nature of consciousness, Spira’s book You Are the Happiness You Seek: Uncovering the Awareness of Being offers further exploration of these themes.

In conclusion, the journey of self-discovery and stabilization in awareness is a gradual process. While it may involve periods of oscillation between expanded consciousness and ego identification, each return to one’s true nature strengthens the capacity to abide in that awareness. With continued practice and patience, practitioners can increasingly find themselves established in the peace and clarity of their essential being.