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As I recall, I was perhaps five years old, sitting without purpose, without judgment, in the shade of an Elm tree near my home. It was late afternoon on a summer day, and the golden light filtered through the leaves, casting dancing shadows that seemed alive. I was captivated, fully present, simply observing the interplay of sunlight through the leaves.

As I sat, I noticed butterflies gathering around me. They landed gently on the ground very near me, their wings opening and closing in a slow rhythm, as if absorbing the warmth and light of the afternoon. In their presence, I felt no separation—just an unspoken harmony, as if we were all part of the same quiet, eternal dance.

In that timeless moment, joy arose effortlessly—born of the open innocence of a child. Looking back, I now recognize that this was a glimpse of non-dual beingness, a natural state unclouded by the layers of thought and perception that so often obscure our true nature.

It was a simple moment, yet profound. There were no thoughts of “me” or “them,” only the seamless unity of existence. In childhood, before the misperceptions of culture and family take root, these experiences of unity flow naturally, like a gift we have yet to fully unwrap.

Today, I reflect on that moment as a reminder of what is available to each of us. The “kingdom of heaven” that Jesus spoke of is not a distant place or an unattainable ideal—it is our birthright, the effortless joy and wholeness of being that resides within. Through compassionate self-inquiry and the release of conditioned judgments, we can rediscover this innate unbroken connection we have with the eternal.

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These are troubling times. Every day seems to bring new causes for concern. The social structures that once grounded families, communities, and nations are now fragmented. The environment that nurtures and sustains us is under strain. Fear and anxiety dominate the global emotional landscape, leaving many searching for a way to end this suffering.

It is important that we understand that, “Fears arise on behalf of the separate self that resists and seeks. The cure is to recognize your true nature so that your identity is grounded in what is real, stable, and dependable.” — Rupert Spira

In the face of these challenges, it feels like now is the perfect time for many of us to embark on the profoundly personal journey of Self-discovery—a journey that ultimately reveals the non-dual reality of our true Self. This non-dual realization dismantles the illusion of separateness. As this realization unfolds, we see that life’s fears and ensuing struggles are not caused by the events but rather in the way we perceive the events.

Through the simple yet profound act of non-judgmental self-inquiry, the profound journey of Self -realization becomes accessible to all.

Self-inquiry begins with the humble act of questioning why we think and act the way we do. It often reveals that many of our thoughts and actions arise from habituated patterns—patterns shaped by a near-sighted focus on material gain or fear of loss.

It has been said that those who lose themselves gain the world. Self-inquiry is the process that reveals the true Self and alleviates the cravings of the small self, opening the door to a profound understanding of our shared existence. In recognizing that we are not separate but deeply interconnected, we uncover the truth that this realization is indeed,” the greatest help that can be rendered to humanity.”

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At the core of our human experience, we share a universal longing—for happiness, for satisfaction, and for the resolution of our suffering. Yet, our individual and collective efforts to find these things have often been misdirected. We’ve spent our lives looking outside ourselves, into the world of objects, hoping to find something that will finally bring us the ease and fulfillment we seek.

But what if the source of what we seek has never been “out there”? What if the answers lie within, waiting to be discovered?

“Listen to me, everyone, and understand this. Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them.” —Jesus

“Watch your thoughts; they will become your words. Watch your words; they will become your actions. Watch your actions; they will become your habits. Watch your habits; they will become your character. Watch your character; it will become your destiny.” —Lao Tzu

“Purity or impurity depends on oneself. No one can purify another.” —Buddha

Even these great spiritual teachers, whose wisdom continues to guide humanity, understood the necessity of the journey inward. Each of them pointed to a truth that can only be found within ourselves. The practice of self-inquiry reveals this truth: that we are not separate from the happiness, satisfaction, and peace we seek—we are those very qualities, waiting to be realized.

Through self-inquiry, we uncover the essence of our true Self—the source of all we have been searching for. The journey inward is not about attaining something new; it is about remembering who we already are.

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Drinking from the well of non-duality

There was a time when I was consumed by an unbearable emptiness. In desperation, I tried to fill this void with substances—falling into the depths of an addiction to drugs and alcohol. A fortunate meeting changed everything.

I met a person who understood non-duality. We became friends, and over the course of several years we engaged in profoundly interesting and expanding discussions. Patiently, my friend invited me to discover my true Self.  A discovery that continues today.

One pivotal conversation remains etched in my memory. My friend asked me, “What do you want?” Without hesitation, I said, “I want freedom.”

“How do you intend to become free?” my friend asked. I knew the answer—I needed to surrender my addictions.

Recognizing my struggle, my friend handed me an old Webster’s dictionary and encouraged me to look up the word “alcoholic.”

The entry revealed that alcoholics were once called “dipsomaniacs”—those with an unquenchable thirst. This led me to trace the word “alcohol” back to its origins, where I learned that alcohol was once known as spirits.

In that moment, clarity struck. I wasn’t suffering from a thirst for substances—I was suffering from a thirst for spirit.

This realization became the catalyst to my personal evolution. I’ve come to understand that spirit is not something external; it is the very essence of my Self—the ever-present truth of who and what I am.

Today, I write not as an expert, but as someone whose understanding continues to grow through the journey of lived experiences.

Through this journey, I’ve come to see how the infinite intelligence at the heart of nature is the very same intelligence that lives in the heart and soul of each one of us.  This non-judgmental intelligence is the very source that gives effortless birth to all that is now, ever has been or ever will be.

I invite you to become intoxicated by the spirit of this infinite Beingness—the spirit of non-dual reality is alive within us all. I invite you to allow this inner understanding to infuse your daily experiences with real meaning and connection.

The challenges we face—individually and collectively—stem from a mistaken belief in duality. This illusion of separation manifests as an emptiness that drives the over consumption and disruption of the planet’s natural systems.

The glaring misdirection of our cultural focus is really an invitation to embark on the ageless journey of Self-discovery.  We can easily change course and choose to make a journey toward true freedom and lasting happiness—a journey rooted in an understanding regarding our shared non-dual reality.

We are beings born to explore the inner space of a non-dual universe.  This inner exploration offers wonders beyond words.

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