Why Am I Not Excited About Non-Duality Anymore?

A man says that when he first discovered non-duality, he was filled with a sense of joy and excitement. Why does he no longer feel the same enthusiasm for the non-dual understanding?

Rupert says: ‘When we first hear about non-duality, it’s exciting and elating. We experience a heightened sense of understanding, appreciation and enthusiasm because it’s in contrast with our old life of anxiety and sorrow.

‘But after a while it becomes our natural state, so we’re not elated about it all the time. Because we’ve lost the memory of the old sorrow, conflict and anxiety, we no longer have that experience to contrast it with. It just becomes our natural ease of being – not bliss or ecstatic joy, but peace or quiet joy.’

*This video is from one of Rupert’s in-person retreats at Mandali, 7–14 September 2023. For more information on upcoming retreats (many of which can be attended online via livestream) go to:

Timestamps:

0:00 Lost Interest in Non-Duality
2:09 Feeling Unenthusiastic About Spirituality
3:42 Being at Peace
5:12 Ease Becomes Our Natural State
6:37 Peace or Quiet Joy
9:18 A Return to Simplicity

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RS24157d

[NikList]

To quote Ram Dass 'If You Think You’re Enlightened, Go Spend a Week With Your Family.'

[van]

my suggestion, for whatever it's worth... Stop going to retreats where you have to sit and listen to the same theme over and over again, and get out into nature, enjoy your friends, be deeply with yourself throughout the day. As you've heard many times, , it's all inside. go there, even if you think it's not joyful. learn to be there, and see what happens when you give up that belief.

[innerlight]

"Many people think of excitement as happiness. They are thinking of something, or expecting something that they consider to be happiness, and for them, that is already happiness. But when you are excited, you are not peaceful. True happiness is based on peace."-Thich Nhat Hanh

[claireobility]

What a great question. Thank you to that man. Thank you for the response. ❤

[luismoref]

He finds the answer for his own question, that is beautiful.
One thing that helps me is to do some art, make some piece of painting, write down something you feel, cook something tasty, that's how I feel Being navigates through the world, to be meditation not to do meditation.

[i-am-star]

I'm so grateful he asked this. I was aware that this had happened to me but I don't know when it happened just that one day I noticed. At one point I felt a little concerned about it but very shortly that concern disappeared. I'm very grateful for Rupert allowing this gentle on point answer to flow through him. 🙏🏽

[DharmaGlowChannel]

This is a beautiful reminder that quiet peace is the essence of non-duality, not fleeting excitement. The analogy of taking off a heavy backpack is incredibly illustrative and helped me understand why the 'special' feeling fades. This process isn't a loss, but a return to our natural state. Thank you, Rupert and Michael, for this sincere dialogue! ✨

[cloud]

I have so much compassion for this man… I can see through his eyes into his soul and sense he had a very tough life and is trying his best. I love this man on a spiritual level.

Thanks Rupert!

[awakenotwoke]

Most seekers look to escape from mundane existence. They seek a utopian life free from boredom, uncertainty, and disappointment. A life that has been corrected of its painful flaws. They hear of never ending bliss, a life that is seemingly free sailing or at least the magical ability to be inured from the slings and arrows of life.
Enlightenment is not only the acceptance of life as it is, but a loving embrace of how it is. It’s a full circle. Before enlightenment you chop wood and carry water. Afterwards, you chop wood and carry water.

[umalaurenbowman]

So true! At first, there's a "honeymoon period", which later transforms into quiet peace, in a completely natural process. And later still, you find there's in fact great contentment given by that peace.

[mikem]

Glad to hear Rupert replace the word happiness with peace. I always felt his emphasis on happiness was off base, that our essential nature is not happiness but peace.

[GS-gqis]

This same thought relates to many aspects of life. After many years in recovery, I've always found value in Shunryu Suzuki's idea, “In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert's there are few.” Becoming an "expert" has lasting value. "Beginner's mind" has vitality.

[blackandgold]

Peace, yes. No fear. It can feel like boredom if I don't recognize it for what it is.

[withlove_rochelle]

Once embodied, it just is. I can see how the ego may sneak in and judge the peaceful detachment—attempting to find its place once again in the familiar role of separation. Love this conversation.

[ScorpIron]

Yes, just lately, at the age of 63, I seem to have come to a point of inner stillness ; a peace grounded in contentment, and the contentment grounded in the moment. The good old NOW ! as Eckhart Tolle is always pointing to. It doesn't mean I have no plans of things I'd like to do while still able to, but there is no anxiety attached to these plans ; it matters not whether they are achieved or not, because being will continue regardless.

[ganazby]

Important question. My experience has been similar, and I greatly appreciate this man’s candour. Rupert’s reply hits home.

[juleamunwa]

This explains so much in life. Makes perfect sense. So grateful for this sharing 🙏

[BRAVEONPRECIOUS]

The fact that people keep on coming back tells me all I need to know…Too much talk that leads to more talk, more questions, more insatisfaction.

No Guru, no problem.

The way is within.

[Michadoel]

Took me 5 years to understand that the initial spiritual experience of the one we are doesn't stay heightened like that forever... I also thought I'm doing smth wrong but then maturity kicked in and teached me how to be content with "mundane". 😅❤ So much love for this gentleman

[rolfskytte]

I used to be drawn to non-duality, but encountering Jesus gave me a new perspective and a deeper understanding.
I think Rupert Spira is very insightful, but I’ve come to see that his worldview can ultimately feel unfulfilling. The message of Jesus, the true, traditional Christian message, brings a fullness and depth that never feels empty. To me, it is the most profoundly human and life-giving truth.