Diamond Inquiry: “… really, inquiry is just like scuba diving in the ocean of your inner world. It is as utterly thrilling as lowering yourself into a coral reef or an underwater cave to discover …” ~ Dominic C. Liber
Read about our Shambhala Publications Series launch (Dec 15, 2021) by clicking here … this post is part of this series even though it was published before the launch.
The most important endeavor in our lives is self discovery – ultimately a journey of searching within because therein lies the answer to the mystery of the ages: the “gem” of perennial wisdom. It’s no wonder that Ramana Maharshi says: “Devote yourself here and now to the search for the Truth that is ever within you.”
To that end, Dominic Liber’s newly released book (Aug 10, 2021 – Shambhala Publications), Diving in the Inner Ocean, offers a thorough, step by step guide with a contemporary practice – The Diamond Inquiry – that leads to personal transformation as the subtitle aptly states An Introduction to Personal Transformation through Diamond Inquiry.
This inquiry is the “the primary practice” of The Diamond Approach teaching – which we began exploring in a recent post. Today, we begin a 4-part series that’ll take us on a deeper dive into the practice – and the teaching – through excerpts from Dominic’s book.
The Diamond Approach – conceived by A. H. Almaas – is “… a dynamic, evolving teaching that leads to openness, freedom, and realization of the many dimensions of our human potential—especially the amazing secrets of our spiritual nature … our methods help you skillfully penetrate obscurations to your inner richness and luminous depth …” ~ The Diamond Approach website
In this post, we “set the stage” with excerpts from the Foreword by Almaas … and the Introduction by Dominic …
All italicized text below is adapted from Diving in the Inner Ocean: An Introduction to Personal Transformation through Diamond Inquiry by Dominic C. Liber © 2021 by Dominic Liber. Reprinted here in arrangement with Shambhala Publications, Inc. Boulder, CO. Shambhala has also generously offered a free downloadable PDF of the Table of Contents (link is at the bottom of the post). You can purchase the book at Shambhala or Amazon.
Foreword: Diamond Inquiry
In this book, Dominic introduces and elucidates the practice of diamond inquiry, the primary practice of the teaching of the Diamond Approach. While central in this teaching, the practice can be useful in whatever path you happen to be on. Diamond inquiry is handy even if you are not on any spiritual path or engaged in any practice, because it clarifies what you experience and connects you to deeper strata of what you are. It takes you to greater intimacy with your subjectivity and gives you greater freedom in what you experience and how to live it. It helps to liberate you from many of your emotional or mental patterns that trap you in suffering or limit your life.
In a simple and easily accessible way, Dominic presents the practice of diamond inquiry that is the Diamond Approach’s main contribution to spiritual practice. The Diamond Approach is a wide and deep teaching, with many facets and dimensions. It is a path of liberation from unnecessary baggage and of realization of what we truly are. The totality of this teaching can be discovered and experienced most easily through this practice of diamond inquiry. The path uses other practices, such as meditation of different kinds, a few of which are presented here. But I have found the inquiry that has developed within this path to be the most effective and efficient way to discover the truths revealed by this teaching. These are the truths of what we are, our true being and the being of all and everything. The path is not simply liberation but the discovery of the secrets of existence, the meaning of life, and so on. To traverse this path is to embark on an adventure of discovery, of discovering the inner or spiritual universe and its relation to our everyday reality.
. . .
Introduction
SCUBA DIVING FOR THE SOUL
A late summer afternoon on a quietish Ibiza beach. Mellow beats drift across from a friend DJ-ing at a bar some way off. His partner is telling me about a new hobby: scuba diving! He lights up like a Christmas tree, animated with delight and wonder at his discovery. He is astonished that even as an adult, he could discover something so utterly new and previously unimagined. It was a revelation to find himself in this living, pulsing world of captivating beauty, life, and mystery, surrounded by the magical colors of the coral, with fish peering curiously or nibbling his fingers. It was meaningful and significant in a way he almost couldn’t express. The immediacy and the immersion in something so amazing totally took his breath away.
As he spoke, I realized that this exactly describes what the inner adventure of diamond inquiry (or, simply, inquiry) has been for me. I had been trying for years to describe to people the magnificent world of inquiry and the Diamond Approach.
Usually when I’m asked what I do, I say sexy words like “spirituality” and “psychology” and “personal development” and I watch the shutters come down behind most people’s eyes. Not always, but mostly. A polite smile and on to the next topic. Or I backpedal to “Well, I used to be in finance!” to establish some sort of credibility. At least people know what that is.
But really, inquiry is just like scuba diving in the ocean of your inner world. It is as utterly thrilling as lowering yourself into a coral reef or an underwater cave to discover something that you could never have imagined until you encountered it. It is every bit as surprising, magnificent, and unexpected as any ocean diving trip could be, if you know how to enter this world and discover its secrets. One reason you might want to inquire is to discover the richness and wonder of your inner world.
. . .
~ Dominic C. Liber
Part 2 will continue with more excerpts from the Introduction providing a deeper overview of the book … so stay tuned …
All italicized text above (except the Sufi saying) is adapted from Diving in the Inner Ocean: An Introduction to Personal Transformation through Diamond Inquiry by Dominic C. Liber © 2021 by Dominic Liber. Reprinted here in arrangement with Shambhala Publications, Inc. Boulder, CO. And, click here for the free, downloadable PDF of the Table of Contents.
And here’s a gentle reminder that helping those in extreme need is the “order of the day” – always ! …
India continues to undergo a humanitarian crisis brought upon by the ravaging resurgence of COVID-19 … if you don’t know about this or want an update, here is a recent New York Times post detailing What to Know About India’s Coronavirus Crisis … so, to do our small part to help, we are providing THREE vetted sources that can be used to help provide relief to India … we have donated personally and also as Stillness Speaks to PATH, CARE, and some of the GoFundMe campaigns below …
Despite the financial challenges that are amongst us all, if your situation allows you to donate then please visit one of the following sources … and contribute whatever is possible …
… Deliver oxygen where it’s needed the most through PATH – a global team of innovators working to accelerate health equity so all people and communities can thrive …
… Provide essential hospital services, more health workers, additional beds, oxygen supply, and much more through CARE (and their CARE India chapter) – for 75 years, CARE has led the way to a better life for the world’s most vulnerable people ….
… Donate to India COVID-19 fundraisers on GoFundMe – all fundraisers have been verified by GoFundMe’s Trust & Safety team and will be updated as new fundraisers are created and verified. All GoFundMe fundraisers are backed by the GoFundMe Guarantee which ensures that all funds on this page will go to those affected by India’s COVID-19 surge …
THANK YOU!
And, may you take a deep dive into your inner world … leading to personal transformation …
May you remain safe and healthy as you navigate this global crisis.
Ramana Maharshi’s quote is from our Home page – Teachers “Section.”
Images (edited & Logo added): 1 & Featured) Scuba Diver by cbpix, 2) Cover page for Dominic’s book, 3) A. H. Almaas’ image, 4) Dominic Liber’s image, 5) Young man scuba diver exploring coral reef, underwater activities by jagcz. 1) is purchased from depositphotos, 5) from 123rf – these 2 are for use only on our website/social channels (these images are not permitted to be shared separate from this post). 2) – 4) generously provided by Shambhala Publications with permission to be used on our website and other digital assets.
