VIDEO LINK: All Experience is Illumined (Excerpt)
In this thought-provoking discussion, Adyashanti explores the nature of ultimate reality and the immediacy of true being. The teachings emphasize that reality is not something distant, obscure, or hidden but is instead ever-present and inherently accessible in each moment.
This exploration into the essence of consciousness offers a profound reminder that the truth of existence is closer than many might assume—closer even than any experience itself.
Table of Contents
Understanding the Nature of Reality
The exploration begins with a deep reflection on the misconception that truth and ultimate reality are somehow hidden or difficult to access. Adyashanti recalls how, years ago, similar thoughts plagued his mind—questioning why the essence of being seemed out of reach.
However, he notes that true reality isn’t hidden at all; instead, it is unimaginably immediate and present at every moment. The essence of reality is not something tucked away in esoteric knowledge or found only through the right experience.
It is what’s most fundamental about existence itself. As Adyashanti points out, “If it’s real, that means it is. It’s not hidden.” The immediacy of truth is often overlooked precisely because it is so pervasive and open, leading seekers to search elsewhere.
The Pitfall of Seeking the Right Experience
One of the major pitfalls on the spiritual path is the tendency to seek a specific type of experience, whether it be bliss, peace, or a state of elevated consciousness. Adyashanti highlights how spiritual seekers often sift through the minutiae of their thoughts and emotions, hoping to find a particular experience that fits their idea of truth.
However, this search is ultimately futile because it is based on the assumption that truth is something to be found within the shifting waves of experience. In reality, the essence of being is present in all experiences, whether they are pleasant, unpleasant, or mundane.
The idea that truth is tied to a specific feeling or state of being—such as happiness or bliss—creates an endless cycle of grasping for one experience while rejecting another. Yet, the truth isn’t bound by these changing states; it exists beyond them, illuminating every experience regardless of its nature.
The Illumination of Consciousness
Central to Adyashanti’s teaching is the recognition that every experience, no matter how fleeting, is illumined by consciousness. This illumination isn’t a metaphorical light but the inherent awareness present in every moment.
Without consciousness, no experience could be known or recognized. “Every experience that you have, that you know you have, is illumined by your own consciousness,” Adyashanti explains. This illumination is what reveals the truth in every moment, irrespective of whether the experience is joyful or painful.
The focus is not on the content of experience—whether one feels blissful or distressed—but on what makes that experience possible: the underlying awareness that is constant, unchanging, and ever-present. By recognizing this illumined awareness, seekers can shift from chasing transient experiences to abiding in the steady truth of being.
Breaking the Cycle of Grasping
The cycle of grasping for “spiritual” experiences and avoiding negative ones is a game that many fall into. The mind endlessly seeks more of what feels good and less of what feels bad, which distracts from the deeper truth of being.
Adyashanti notes that while spiritual experiences may be profound, they are still bound by the law of impermanence. They come and go like all other experiences. This grasping misses what is essential—the awareness that is ever-present and unchanging.
By recognizing that all experiences are momentary and illuminated by consciousness, the need to grasp at or resist any particular state dissolves. What remains is the truth that is present in every moment and experience, regardless of its nature.
Returning to the Immediacy of Being
The ultimate invitation in this teaching is to stop seeking truth in the ever-changing landscape of experience and instead rest in the immediacy of being. The truth is not a hidden treasure waiting to be uncovered but the very ground of existence that is always present.
As Adyashanti eloquently shares, “What illumines every single moment of experience… can’t be far away.” This profound immediacy is the key to awakening to one’s true nature.
Recommended Reading
“The Way of Liberation: A Practical Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment” by Adyashanti offers a concise, no-nonsense approach to spiritual awakening. Unlike many spiritual texts, it avoids dogma and instead emphasizes the direct experience of truth.
The book distills the essence of Adyashanti’s teachings into five core principles, encouraging readers to question deeply held beliefs and transcend the ego’s limitations.
It’s a straightforward yet profound guide for those serious about self-inquiry and discovering freedom beyond traditional spiritual practices, making it accessible and impactful for seekers at any stage.
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