“The Paradox of Spiritual Awakening”

The Paradox of Spiritual Awakening – Existence and Non-Existence, Self and No-Self.

Spiritual teachers throughout the ages have spoken of the non-existence of the separate self. But where does daily life, and the complexity of human relationships, come into the picture? Without a self, how is it possible to function in the world? Doesn’t there need to be a ‘self’ and an ‘other’ for conventional existence to be possible? What does life look like, when it is no longer viewed from the perspective of a separate self? And if there is no separate self to awaken, then who awakens?

On this day workshop we will address all sorts of taboos surrounding the search for spiritual awakening! Questions that may come up include: What is spiritual awakening? If there is no self, who is it that awakens? How do spiritual awakening and enlightenment relate to addiction, to conflict in relationships, to depression, to physical pain, to our search for love and intimacy? Who are you, beyond all images and thoughts of yourself? What can you do to awaken? What is the role of spiritual practice? Is a teacher necessary? And is it possible to live beyond dualistic concepts such as ‘self’ and ‘no self, ‘choice’ and ‘no choice – even ‘duality’ and ‘nonduality’? What are words such as consciousness, awareness, presence, Being, aliveness, really pointing to? Is freedom something to be found in the future, or is it already present, within every experience?

Silence, laughter, lightness, and a sense of real intimacy, honesty and friendship are the hallmarks of encounters with Jeff. His meetings are very spontaneous and informal, and there are plenty of opportunities to share and ask questions, if you are so moved. And of course, if you just want to sit in silence and listen, without sharing, then that’s fine too.