Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Why does the separate self shrink from openness to all experience, and why does this resistance feel so automatic and habitual?
Rupert says: ‘In order to know or experience anything consciousness has to divide itself in two – a subject that knows, and the object that is known. This separation both creates and substantiates the illusion of being a temporary finite separate self. It is necessary for there to be experience but the price is that you feel separate from everyone and everything.
‘This apparent separate self is characterised by two essential emotions: seeking, because it feels incomplete and not whole, and resistance, because it’s always trying to protect its identity. It’s a very deep habit, but it’s not inherent in you and can be overridden by your understanding. You can make a conscious effort to say yes to an experience that you would previously have said no to.’
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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
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▸ Instagram: instagram.com/rupertspira_
▸ Facebook: facebook.com/rupertspira
▸ Twitter: twitter.com/rupertspira
▸ Tiktok: tiktok.com/@rupertspira_
––
FOLLOW RUPERT ON MEDIUM
medium.com/@rupert_spira
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––
#rupertspira #nonduality #happiness #natureofreality #consciousness #awareness #meditation #guidedmeditation
Why does the separate self shrink from openness to all experience, and why does this resistance feel so automatic and habitual?
Rupert says: ‘In order to know or experience anything consciousness has to divide itself in two – a subject that knows, and the object that is known. This separation both creates and substantiates the illusion of being a temporary finite separate self. It is necessary for there to be experience but the price is that you feel separate from everyone and everything.
‘This apparent separate self is characterised by two essential emotions: seeking, because it feels incomplete and not whole, and resistance, because it’s always trying to protect its identity. It’s a very deep habit, but it’s not inherent in you and can be overridden by your understanding. You can make a conscious effort to say yes to an experience that you would previously have said no to.’
––
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
