Uploaded November 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Are mantras, such as the ones used in Transcendental Meditation, similar to the words we use in non-duality, such as ‘I am’? And can we use either to evoke the experience of being when we are meditating?
Rupert says: ‘When we hear the words “I am”, it goes through our conceptual mind. It has a meaning and its meaning takes us to the experience of being. But a mantra is an abstract sound that doesn’t have a meaning. It has a different kind of power, more akin to the power that music has.
‘But why restrict yourself to either ‘I am’ or a mantra? Why not use both? All your faculties – thinking, hearing, tasting and touching – can be used as portals to reality, and any medium of expression – music, poetry, dance and cooking – can be used as pathways to understanding.’
*This video is from one of Rupert’s in-person retreats at Mercy Center, 9–16 March 2025. For more information on upcoming retreats (many of which can be attended online via livestream) go to:
▸ rupertspira.com/events
Timestamps:
0:00 Words That Evoke
0:45 Words That Have Meaning
1:48 The Power of a Mantra
3:35 Mantras and Music
5:30 A Mantra Transcends the Intellect
6:40 All Our Faculties Are Portals to Reality
8:24 The Tantric Approach
9:39 Non-Duality and Transcendental Meditation
––
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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
––
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#rupertspira #nonduality #happiness #natureofreality #consciousness #awareness #meditation #guidedmeditation
RS25015k
Are mantras, such as the ones used in Transcendental Meditation, similar to the words we use in non-duality, such as ‘I am’? And can we use either to evoke the experience of being when we are meditating?
Rupert says: ‘When we hear the words “I am”, it goes through our conceptual mind. It has a meaning and its meaning takes us to the experience of being. But a mantra is an abstract sound that doesn’t have a meaning. It has a different kind of power, more akin to the power that music has.
‘But why restrict yourself to either ‘I am’ or a mantra? Why not use both? All your faculties – thinking, hearing, tasting and touching – can be used as portals to reality, and any medium of expression – music, poetry, dance and cooking – can be used as pathways to understanding.’
*This video is from one of Rupert’s in-person retreats at Mercy Center, 9–16 March 2025. For more information on upcoming retreats (many of which can be attended online via livestream) go to:
▸ rupertspira.com/events
Timestamps:
0:00 Words That Evoke
0:45 Words That Have Meaning
1:48 The Power of a Mantra
3:35 Mantras and Music
5:30 A Mantra Transcends the Intellect
6:40 All Our Faculties Are Portals to Reality
8:24 The Tantric Approach
9:39 Non-Duality and Transcendental Meditation
––
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
RS25015k
