Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Do feelings like happiness, gratitude and joy originate in consciousness or in the finite mind?
Rupert says: ‘Happiness is not really an emotion. It only seems to be an emotion when it shines in a gap in the human mind and is contrasted with the emotions of fear, sorrow, guilt, shame, and so on.
‘That's why the Buddhists don't like to speak of happiness but the absence of suffering. I acknowledge that there's a lot of intelligence in speaking of the absence of suffering, because you don't reify consciousness and make it an emotion.’
*This video is from one of Rupert’s in-person retreats at The Vedanta, 6–13 June 2025. For more information on upcoming retreats (many of which can be attended online via livestream) go to:
▸ rupertspira.com/events
Timestamps
00:34 - Qualities of Consciousness
00:48 - Rupert’s Blue Sky Analogy
02:30 - Why We Say Consciousness Is Happiness
04:00 - Happiness Is the Absence of Suffering
07:00 - Unhappiness
––
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You can watch or listen to 1000s of hours of teachings, guided meditations and answers in Rupert's full video archive here:
▸ rupertspira.com/subscriptions
––
RETREATS (Weekend, 5-day, 7-day)
Rupert holds regular retreats, roughly once per month, either in-person and online. Many in-person retreats can also be attended from the comfort of your home via livestream.
ONLINE RETREAT SCHEDULE
▸ rupertspira.com/events/retreat-at-home
IN-PERSON RETREATS SCHEDULE (UK, EU and US) (Also Available to Join Online via Live Stream)
▸ rupertspira.com/events
––
WEEKLY WEBINARS (2 hours)
Rupert's webinars take place on Wednesday evenings, from 4pm UK time. In the first twenty to thirty minutes, Rupert leads a spontaneous meditation. The remaining time is open for attendees to discuss their questions with Rupert.
WEEKLY WEBINAR SCHEDULE
▸ rupertspira.com/events/webinar
––
BROWSE RUPERT’S BOOKS
▸ rupertspira.com/store
––
LISTEN TO RUPERT’S PODCAST
▸ iTunes: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rupert-spira-podcast
▸ Libsyn: rupertspira.libsyn.com
▸ Spotify: open.spotify.com/artist/6z1GNgC1js30g9RLSfBB4M
––
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▸ facebook.com/groups/rupertspiracommunity
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SUBSCRIBE TO RUPERT’S YOUTUBE FOR NEW VIDEO ALERTS
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#rupertspira #nonduality #happiness #natureofreality #consciousness #awareness #meditation #guidedmeditation
RS25107f
Do feelings like happiness, gratitude and joy originate in consciousness or in the finite mind?
Rupert says: ‘Happiness is not really an emotion. It only seems to be an emotion when it shines in a gap in the human mind and is contrasted with the emotions of fear, sorrow, guilt, shame, and so on.
‘That's why the Buddhists don't like to speak of happiness but the absence of suffering. I acknowledge that there's a lot of intelligence in speaking of the absence of suffering, because you don't reify consciousness and make it an emotion.’
*This video is from one of Rupert’s in-person retreats at The Vedanta, 6–13 June 2025. For more information on upcoming retreats (many of which can be attended online via livestream) go to:
▸ rupertspira.com/events
Timestamps
00:34 - Qualities of Consciousness
00:48 - Rupert’s Blue Sky Analogy
02:30 - Why We Say Consciousness Is Happiness
04:00 - Happiness Is the Absence of Suffering
07:00 - Unhappiness
––
ACCESS FULL VIDEO ARCHIVE
You can watch or listen to 1000s of hours of teachings, guided meditations and answers in Rupert's full video archive here:
▸ rupertspira.com/subscriptions
––
RETREATS (Weekend, 5-day, 7-day)
Rupert holds regular retreats, roughly once per month, either in-person and online. Many in-person retreats can also be attended from the comfort of your home via livestream.
ONLINE RETREAT SCHEDULE
▸ rupertspira.com/events/retreat-at-home
IN-PERSON RETREATS SCHEDULE (UK, EU and US) (Also Available to Join Online via Live Stream)
▸ rupertspira.com/events
––
WEEKLY WEBINARS (2 hours)
Rupert's webinars take place on Wednesday evenings, from 4pm UK time. In the first twenty to thirty minutes, Rupert leads a spontaneous meditation. The remaining time is open for attendees to discuss their questions with Rupert.
WEEKLY WEBINAR SCHEDULE
▸ rupertspira.com/events/webinar
––
BROWSE RUPERT’S BOOKS
▸ rupertspira.com/store
––
LISTEN TO RUPERT’S PODCAST
▸ iTunes: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rupert-spira-podcast
▸ Libsyn: rupertspira.libsyn.com
▸ Spotify: open.spotify.com/artist/6z1GNgC1js30g9RLSfBB4M
––
JOIN RUPERT’S FACEBOOK GROUP
▸ facebook.com/groups/rupertspiracommunity
––
SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS
▸ Website: rupertspira.com
▸ Instagram: instagram.com/rupertspira_
▸ Facebook: facebook.com/rupertspira
▸ Twitter: twitter.com/rupertspira
▸ Tiktok: tiktok.com/@rupertspira_
––
FOLLOW RUPERT ON MEDIUM
medium.com/@rupert_spira
––
SUBSCRIBE TO RUPERT’S YOUTUBE FOR NEW VIDEO ALERTS
▸ youtube.com/user/rupertspira?sub_confirmation=1
––
#rupertspira #nonduality #happiness #natureofreality #consciousness #awareness #meditation #guidedmeditation
RS25107f
