Thanks for the beautiful post Joan. Indeed this is a interesting theme to reflect upon as many people would say So what? to our first nature. Karin on behalf of InZicht.
Thanks for the clarification paragraph, I had not read your post but watched Rupert's video. And your addendum made me smile - I mean a good sane smile I would like to imagine kinda like Han Shan and Shi-te had together. Not taking ourselves too seriously is to me the only grounded rule. I love Rupert and the way he tends sometimes to maybe sugarcoat or romanticize his attendees processes. I love the rather raw clarity of Robert. But I tend to cling to your simplicity Joan and your absence of position. I notice this pattern in me! :D
Wonderful, thank you Joan, your description of the „non-describable“, allows to „feel“ or „dive-into“, at least to resonate strongly with what we always already are. With this comes relief, wonder, freedom, a big smile and compassion 🙏
Well, Joan, you have outdone yourself this time. A beautifully written article explaining non-duality probably better than any others I have read before, even if as you say "no word can capture this indivisible aliveness." You certainly have come close ! Truly inspirational.
Hola¡ una magnífica fotografia artística encisadora..
Qui actua és aquesta Vida que soc així com soc, tot lligat i amb relació com a cos unitari social mundial universal
La comunitat cos unitari está feta. La comunitat cos social ses ta fent. Tot fa, tot segueix, amb harmonia.
La conciencia no sabuda que va aparèixer sent com aquesta Vida es, segueix, com una línia, cap a la unió amor.
Cada acció que fa aquesta Vida que sóc és la millor possible en cada moment, no pot ser millor segons la consciencia social global haguda que ve donada pel reconeixement de ser conciencia, de cadascú.
Aquesta és la meva publicació pel delit de cadascú
If anyone sees this question, I would very much like to know which Rupert video is being referenced. I am relatively knew to non-duality…less then a year. At 69 years old I feel like I’m coming to the party a little late…but that is my ‘no separate self’ talking and thinking 😉
Hi Dean, If you click on this link that was in the article: https://joantollifson.substack.com/p/is-spirituality-an-escape, then scroll down to the "Post-publication addendum and clarification (9/11/25)," you can read the whole story with the name of the video. I think it was called "The Teacher Is the Final Disappointment," but if you look at the addendum to my previous Substack, it has the exact title. You can then easily find it on Rupert Spira's YouTube page.
Again, thank you! I had seen the video and didn’t realize. I had no idea as I began this journey that there could be so many different voices, different perspectives, etc. Of course in hindsight it makes complete sense. As many have said, “there are as many paths as there are beings.” I am both troubled and comforted by this. Troubled - because I would love a simple “how to step by step book” and there isn’t one, and; comforted - I have somehow known that I must pursue what resonates with me, and doubt will likely be a constant companion.
Great advice Stephen - much appreciated. Joan mentioned a small “devotional” streak, and that quite confusingly resonates too. I was brought up not quite anti-religious, but highly a-religious, so why the pull? I’ll chalk it up to mystery.
Ha…walk on the Pathless path! Not sure you have run across her writings here, but you might enjoy Freyja Theaker. A recent article addressed exactly the minds constant “why”, keeping itself prominent. When we move past separation, the ‘why’ loses its power, and our being becomes more “how”, as in how is art, beauty, love manifested. At least that was my take away.
Hi Dean, I was raised by atheist-agnostics. But even as I child, I gravitated to religion. I read books about it, imagined myself as a monk, loved being in places of worship (when they were empty, not during services). Devotion for me is another word for beauty, love, wonder, awe—a sense that everything is sacred, meaning that it has an unfathomable depth, a beauty, a radiance.
🙏 Very helpful Joan…very. It is a gradual process, isn’t it? Letting go of old patterns, stories, beliefs. Trusting my heart/being is so new to me, and my body/mind is VERY good at interjecting, “Be careful, be very careful”. But I am slowly understanding in a different way that doesn’t use body/mind.
I’m always impressed at the way you talk about non-duality – you have a way of making it all very clear and relevant. As a life-long naturalist I have long been aware of the connectedness of nature including my physical self, though I do find my mind/self structure always has difficulty in seeing ‘me’ as part of this unity. I understand it intellectually and can sometimes feel it when the mind is naturally quiet (not forced quiet), but never able to totally let go of the sense of separation.
So, thanks again for the clarification re Robert Saltzman’s comment on ‘letting the floor drop’ which feels quite pertinent to me. It’s feels very similar to how some Zen teachers appear to be unkind to their students when they are actually helping them
“Compassion for everyone, ourselves included, being exactly the way we are, along with an ease of being and a natural joy in life are the fruits of this discovery.” 🥰
Thanks for the beautiful post Joan. Indeed this is a interesting theme to reflect upon as many people would say So what? to our first nature. Karin on behalf of InZicht.
Thank you for calling it forth, and for all the wonderful work you do, including InZicht! ❤️🙏
Thanks for the clarification paragraph, I had not read your post but watched Rupert's video. And your addendum made me smile - I mean a good sane smile I would like to imagine kinda like Han Shan and Shi-te had together. Not taking ourselves too seriously is to me the only grounded rule. I love Rupert and the way he tends sometimes to maybe sugarcoat or romanticize his attendees processes. I love the rather raw clarity of Robert. But I tend to cling to your simplicity Joan and your absence of position. I notice this pattern in me! :D
Wonderful, thank you Joan, your description of the „non-describable“, allows to „feel“ or „dive-into“, at least to resonate strongly with what we always already are. With this comes relief, wonder, freedom, a big smile and compassion 🙏
Non dual- oneness - isness - bonggggggg (sound of a gong)
Well, Joan, you have outdone yourself this time. A beautifully written article explaining non-duality probably better than any others I have read before, even if as you say "no word can capture this indivisible aliveness." You certainly have come close ! Truly inspirational.
I agree totally. Each paragraph is a pearl. Thank you Joan 💕
Every post I read is my new favorite post from you, each one seeming clearer (is it ME or is it YOU🤣 !!!). How did I get so lucky to find you🥹🍀
Namaste
Dear Joan,
Beautiful post!
Some lines that leapt out to me as particularly resonant:
"In a sense, what makes nonduality liberating is its uselessness."
"Prior to all the things that seem to divide us, we are all the same aware presence."
"We stop arguing with reality."
"When we really see that everyone is doing the only possible in each moment, compassion is the natural result."
Thank you!
Much love,
Myq
Hola¡ una magnífica fotografia artística encisadora..
Qui actua és aquesta Vida que soc així com soc, tot lligat i amb relació com a cos unitari social mundial universal
La comunitat cos unitari está feta. La comunitat cos social ses ta fent. Tot fa, tot segueix, amb harmonia.
La conciencia no sabuda que va aparèixer sent com aquesta Vida es, segueix, com una línia, cap a la unió amor.
Cada acció que fa aquesta Vida que sóc és la millor possible en cada moment, no pot ser millor segons la consciencia social global haguda que ve donada pel reconeixement de ser conciencia, de cadascú.
Aquesta és la meva publicació pel delit de cadascú
If anyone sees this question, I would very much like to know which Rupert video is being referenced. I am relatively knew to non-duality…less then a year. At 69 years old I feel like I’m coming to the party a little late…but that is my ‘no separate self’ talking and thinking 😉
Hi Dean, If you click on this link that was in the article: https://joantollifson.substack.com/p/is-spirituality-an-escape, then scroll down to the "Post-publication addendum and clarification (9/11/25)," you can read the whole story with the name of the video. I think it was called "The Teacher Is the Final Disappointment," but if you look at the addendum to my previous Substack, it has the exact title. You can then easily find it on Rupert Spira's YouTube page.
Thank you so much Joan 🙏
Again, thank you! I had seen the video and didn’t realize. I had no idea as I began this journey that there could be so many different voices, different perspectives, etc. Of course in hindsight it makes complete sense. As many have said, “there are as many paths as there are beings.” I am both troubled and comforted by this. Troubled - because I would love a simple “how to step by step book” and there isn’t one, and; comforted - I have somehow known that I must pursue what resonates with me, and doubt will likely be a constant companion.
Yep...beware the message that claims certainty, friend. In zen, the term is "Great Doubt"...and the best advice is to find our own mind. Enjoy! 🈚️
Great advice Stephen - much appreciated. Joan mentioned a small “devotional” streak, and that quite confusingly resonates too. I was brought up not quite anti-religious, but highly a-religious, so why the pull? I’ll chalk it up to mystery.
Haha...yes! More often than not (and definitely more often than we're comfortable accepting), the only answer to "why?" is "no idea"...walk on, bro.😂
Ha…walk on the Pathless path! Not sure you have run across her writings here, but you might enjoy Freyja Theaker. A recent article addressed exactly the minds constant “why”, keeping itself prominent. When we move past separation, the ‘why’ loses its power, and our being becomes more “how”, as in how is art, beauty, love manifested. At least that was my take away.
Hi Dean, I was raised by atheist-agnostics. But even as I child, I gravitated to religion. I read books about it, imagined myself as a monk, loved being in places of worship (when they were empty, not during services). Devotion for me is another word for beauty, love, wonder, awe—a sense that everything is sacred, meaning that it has an unfathomable depth, a beauty, a radiance.
🙏 Very helpful Joan…very. It is a gradual process, isn’t it? Letting go of old patterns, stories, beliefs. Trusting my heart/being is so new to me, and my body/mind is VERY good at interjecting, “Be careful, be very careful”. But I am slowly understanding in a different way that doesn’t use body/mind.
I’m always impressed at the way you talk about non-duality – you have a way of making it all very clear and relevant. As a life-long naturalist I have long been aware of the connectedness of nature including my physical self, though I do find my mind/self structure always has difficulty in seeing ‘me’ as part of this unity. I understand it intellectually and can sometimes feel it when the mind is naturally quiet (not forced quiet), but never able to totally let go of the sense of separation.
So, thanks again for the clarification re Robert Saltzman’s comment on ‘letting the floor drop’ which feels quite pertinent to me. It’s feels very similar to how some Zen teachers appear to be unkind to their students when they are actually helping them
Thanks Joan for this beautifully useless useful text. ❤️
“Compassion for everyone, ourselves included, being exactly the way we are, along with an ease of being and a natural joy in life are the fruits of this discovery.” 🥰
Wonderful!