…the existence of two things, in fact implies the existence of an infinity of things, each with their own independent reality. In other words, an infinity of things, implies an infinity of realities. ~Rupert Spira
Our three part series with Rupert Spira on Consciousness continues with Part 2. Rupert begins by exploring the experience of consciousness in the present moment. If you missed Part 1, click here to read it now … and here’s Part 3.
Rupert Spira continues his exploration….Let us look again at the statement that Consciousness doesn’t know itself in this moment.
‘Something’ is undeniably known in this moment…the screen, these words, thoughts, sensations, perceptions, whatever…. .Even if all these turn out to be an illusion or a dream, nevertheless ‘something’ is still being experienced.
If we claim that Consciousness or Awareness, is not being experienced in this moment, then whatever this ‘something’ is, cannot be Consciousness or Awareness. Moreover this ‘something’ must be made out of something other than Consciousness or Awareness.
In order to have this current experience, Consciousness must be present. It is also our direct experience that Consciousness IS present now.
In other words, we are suggesting that two things are present in this and every experience, Consciousness and its object. And, moreover, we are suggesting that the Consciousness ‘part’ of the experience is unknown and that the object ‘part’ is known and, moreover, is made out of a substance other than Consciousness.
This ‘other substance’ is what is known as matter or mind. It is everything that Consciousness is considered not to be.
So the view that Consciousness is not experienced is a fundamental statement of the existence of ‘two things,’ that is, an unknown subject and a known object. It could be called fundamental dualism.
The statement that there are two things, implies an infinity of things, because if there is one object that has a real and independent existence, separate from Consciousness, when this object disappears, the next object, will have to have its own unique and independent existence.
Therefore the existence of two things, in fact implies the existence of an infinity of things, each with their own independent reality. In other words, an infinity of things, implies an infinity of realities.
This is logically and, more importantly, experientially impossible, because there is not and cannot be more than one absolute Reality.
If every object contains its own reality, what would happen to that reality when the object disappears? Its reality would have to disappear with it. How long does a perception last? A moment? What kind of reality could it be that only lasts a moment? It would hardly be worth the name. And what would remain in between the disappearance of one reality and the appearance of the next? Absolute nothingness? Has anyone ever experienced absolute nothingness? That is an impossibility because Consciousness would have to be present to know such an experience of ‘nothingness,’ and would therefore be its witness and substance.
Moreover, if we assert that we experience separate objects, we imply that we are a separate subject, because the subject and the object, by definition, always appear together.
If the object has a limit, the subject must also have a limit.
If we are limited and separate, we, Consciousness, must end. In other words, there must be a place or a time, or both, when we, Consciousness, are not present. But what would remain over after we, Consciousness, had disappeared? Absolute nothingness again?
If we are a separate subject, we must be limited and therefore finite. In other words we, Consciousness, would be limited and finite. Who has ever experienced and limited and finite Consciousness? It would have to be experienced by a limited and finite Consciousness, if that is what we are. However, how could a limited and finite Consciousness be in a position to judge whether or not there is anything that is absolutely real or ever-present, when it is itself considered to be intermittent?
Again, click here for Part 1 and here for Part 3.
For much more about Rupert, take a look at his Teacher’s Page, which contains articles, videos and books. Also, you can purchase the 2 DVD interview set, The Transparency Of Things, where Rupert and Chris Hebard walk with the audience through a complete examination of the reality of our experience – here and now. You can also watch short video clips from these DVDs on our website for FREE or on our YouTube channel.
Images (edited, text and logos added): 1 and Featured) Cassiopeia 2) Child 3) Lighting 4) Kosmus. All images by Spirit111 and are Public Domain CC0.
I am a big fan of Rupert Spira. I always watch Rupert’s videos on YouTube. It helped me a lot. Given a clearer vision.
He is so simple and easy to understand even for a person like me whose English is not good…
His teaching is very easy straight to the point.