Rupert Spira Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

In the fourth episode in the series recorded at Colet House in London, Rupert answers questions about whether it's possible to overdo spiritual practice, why emotional stability is important when investigating our true nature and the relationship between 'I', 'self', and awareness.

Also discussed are how our relationships and work may transform as our understanding deepens, the most difficult thing to give up on the path of devotion and why enlightenment is not an experience but simply the recognition of the nature of being.

This is the second of two episodes with hosts Aryaan and Emira Arora of the 'Under the Tree' podcast. In this episode Rupert speaks with Amira Arora about the fundamental principles of non-duality and how consciousness creates the appearance of reality.

They discuss how creation emerges through consciousness dividing itself into subject and object, how our experience always takes place in the eternal 'now' and 'here' rather than in time and space, and how the understanding of non-duality reveals that nothing truly exists apart from infinite consciousness.

They also explore the nature of free will, examine how awareness knows itself without needing the finite mind, and talk about the dream analogy as a way to understand how consciousness localises itself as apparently separate individuals whilst remaining whole and undivided.

Rupert speaks with the founder of The Weekend University, Niall McKeever. They talk about what non-duality is and how the non-dual understanding can be useful to therapists and their patients in alleviating psychological suffering.

They also discuss the reason why certain people end up on the path of spiritual seeking, the paradox of seeking for happiness, the implications of the non-dual understanding on how we engage with the world, and the Direct Path approach to peace and happiness.

In this episode, Rupert speaks with Sanskritist and scholar-practitioner of Classical Tantra, Dr Christopher Wallis. They discuss the understanding that is at the heart of some of the greatest spiritual traditions, such as Christianity, Sufism, Advaita Vedanta, and Kashmir Shaivism, and how Advaita and Tantra, even though they emphasise different aspects of the understanding, are complementary and contained within each other. 

They also talk about the importance of translation, how the truth needs to be reformulated by each generation, and how the self that is said to be void, or empty, from the point of view of the finite mind is, in fact, plenitude itself.

In this episode, author and broadcaster Simon Mundie moderates a delightful conversation with Rupert and Francis Lucille. They discuss a wide range of topics including non-duality, its implications, the similarities and differences between Rupert's and Francis's approach, and how their relationship evolved from one of student and teacher to one based on friendship.

They delve into their histories and influences, their different styles and ways of expressing the non-dual understanding, and various aspects of fundamental reality. They also explore enlightenment, the 'hard problem of consciousness', and the projection of perfection onto those who are considered to be so-called spiritual teachers. In fact, the two assert that rather than being considered teachers, that people view them as friends sharing truth with friends.

In the first episode of the newly titled 'Dialogues on Truth' podcast, Rupert speaks with Nikki Walton from 'GoOD Mornings with CurlyNikki'. They discuss the purpose of being, the nature of prayer, and the difference between the thought 'I am' and the experience it refers to.

They also explore how we can get back to our essence when we are overwhelmed by experience, and why we often return to sorrow and conflict despite knowing that freedom is available to us at all times. Rupert then concludes with a guided meditation.

In this episode, Rupert talks with Keith Kristich from closerthanbreath.com. After a brief meditation, they discuss the various traditions and teachers Rupert draws upon for his teachings.

They also explore the nature of prayer, contemplating how all we ever experience is God's being, along with the practical implications of that understanding. The conversation delves into Rupert's book 'The Heart of Prayer' and concludes with a question-and-answer session.

In his latest podcast episode, on the intersection of science and spirituality, Rupert has a discussion with a group of scientists from UC Santa Barbara. They examine various aspects of non-duality such as how a clearer understanding of the consciousness-only model within the scientific community may give us a deeper understanding of reality and how that can help further scientific discovery and progress.

The dialogue also covers topics such as the role of self-enquiry in reducing suffering and revealing peace and happiness, the dynamics of enlightenment or awakening and how true philosophy must be verifiable and derived from experience.

The latest 'Rupert Spira Podcast' episode is with Cory Allen from the 'And Then It Hit Me' podcast. The discussion covers topics such as why Rupert prefers the term 'happiness' over 'enlightenment', how someone who is interested in these matters can begin the process of self-realisation and how personality and identity fit within the non-dual framework.

Rupert and Cory also discuss how friendship with those who share the non-dual understanding is a safeguard against falling into detachment and de-personalisation, and how this understanding gives us the best possible chance of leading a full, active, harmonious and enjoyable life.

In celebration of National Poetry Day in the UK, we invite you to enjoy Rupert's recital of Austrian poet and novelist Rainer Maria Rilke. The spontaneous and joyful delivery comes in response to a request to comment on the topic of food. The poem is from Rilke's collection 'Sonnets to Orpheus'.