Self-evidently Whole
What naturally seems to appear does not first need to be interpreted, understood or investigated in order to be what it already is.
What naturally seems to appear does not first need to be interpreted, understood or investigated in order to be what it already is.
The starting point here is very simple. The wholeness of what naturally seems to appear does not need to be reached, created, recognised or maintained, because it is already self-evident. What naturally seems to appear may include sensations, perceptions, thoughts, emotions, bodies, other people, the apparent world, seeking and the apparent sense of being someone separate. Nothing appearing needs to be excluded.
Within this, however, there may also seem to be the deeply familiar experience of being something separate: an individual located somewhere within the body and mind, looking out upon a world that appears to be other than itself. That apparent separateness may seem so ordinary that it is rarely questioned. Yet it is not self-evident that what naturally seems to appear is divided into a separate me and everything else, nor is it self-evident that the mind and body are a separate someone to whom the rest of appearance is happening.
Not Beliefs. Not Answers. Not A New Philosophy.
Nothing here asks for the adoption of another set of beliefs about what reality is. There is no new answer being offered to the question of whether reality is fundamentally material, conscious, spiritual or anything else, and no alternative explanation is being proposed to replace those already available.
What reality ultimately is need not be decided. The emphasis is much simpler: upon the distinction between what is self-evidently appearing and the interpretations that may seem to be made of it.
All Backgrounds Are Welcome
No previous experience of non-duality is necessary, and no particular tradition, language or understanding needs to be abandoned. Whether someone comes from Advaita, Buddhism, Christian mysticism, radical non-duality, self-inquiry, psychotherapy, philosophy, science, or from no spiritual background at all, nothing here requires the adoption of an alternative framework.
Previous understandings may remain exactly as they are. The invitation is simply to consider what is self-evident before any particular explanation of it is added.
Neither Self-Inquiry Nor Declarative Non-Duality
This is not a form of self-inquiry in which someone is asked to look within, investigate themselves or arrive at a particular recognition. There is no method, path, sequence of exercises or state to attain. Nor is it simply a form of radical declarative non-duality in which statements are made and dialogue has little or no place.
The emphasis is instead upon what is self-evident, allowing this to be considered openly without requiring belief, agreement or any particular conclusion. A statement may, for example, be offered that it is not self-evident that what naturally seems to appear is separate. It does not need to be accepted. It may be heard, questioned, challenged, explored or simply left alone, while whatever appears in response is itself part of what naturally seems to appear.
Nothing Is Excluded
None of this makes ordinary human life irrelevant. Bodies may hurt, relationships may matter deeply, and fear, grief, joy, attraction, uncertainty and practical difficulty may all appear. Preferences may appear too. Peace may be preferred to conflict, kindness to cruelty, and a broken boiler may still need repairing.
Wholeness is not another word for goodness, perfection or a special spiritual condition. Nothing in ordinary life needs to become spiritually correct before wholeness is what it already is. Thinking, feeling, learning, choosing, responding and caring may all continue as part of an entirely ordinary human life.
Continue Exploring
The Book
The Wholeness Of What Naturally Seems To Appear: Two But Not Two explores this description in greater depth.
Writings
Essays on separation, seeking, emotion, relationship, ordinary life and the interpretations that may seem to be placed upon what is appearing.
Meetings
Online group and one-to-one meetings in which this description can be openly considered together.