Saying Yes to All Experience

Rupert Spira

14 Nov 202112:40

Summary

TLDRIn this profound dialogue, Mary and Rupie explore the nature of happiness, distinguishing between fleeting joy and the enduring state of being. They discuss how happiness is not dependent on external events but on our internal acceptance, symbolized by a 'yes' to life's experiences. The conversation delves into the concept of awareness as an 'aware space' that naturally embraces all experiences without resistance. Rupie illustrates this with a personal story of inviting difficult emotions, leading to a deeper liberation and clarity within. The discussion is enriched with a poem by Derek Walcott, emphasizing self-love and the joy of self-acceptance.

Takeaways

🎉 Happiness is not exclusive to special occasions; it can be experienced in everyday life.
🌟 The essence of happiness remains consistent, regardless of the circumstances that trigger it.
🔑 The key to happiness is the willingness to say 'yes' to life's experiences, rather than resisting them.
🌈 Every event or object that brings happiness shares a common element: our affirmative response to it.
💡 Awareness, or consciousness, is inherently open and receptive to all experiences, symbolizing a universal 'yes'.
🌱 The practice of inviting and embracing all feelings, even those previously avoided, leads to liberation and clarity of awareness.
🌟 As awareness is liberated from past resistances, it experiences an increasing sense of its true nature, which is happiness.
📚 The poem by Derek Walcott illustrates the process of self-love and acceptance, which is integral to the journey of happiness.
🧘‍♀️ The act of being present and aware allows for a natural, effortless embrace of all experiences, leading to happiness.
💖 The ultimate goal is to recognize and experience the inherent happiness that arises from a clear and open state of awareness.

Q & A

What is the main theme discussed in the conversation between Mary and Rupie?
-The main theme discussed is the nature of happiness and how it is not dependent on external events but rather on one's internal state of being and the ability to say 'yes' to life experiences.
What does Rupie suggest is the key to experiencing happiness?
-Rupie suggests that the key to experiencing happiness is to say 'yes' to everything in life, as awareness naturally embraces all experiences without resistance.
Why does Rupie mention the trip to the seaside as a 5-year-old girl?
-Rupie mentions the trip to the seaside to illustrate that the essence of happiness remains the same throughout life, regardless of the specific event or experience.
How does Rupie differentiate between different kinds of happiness?
-Rupie differentiates between different kinds of happiness by stating that they all share a common element of being a 'yes' to the experience, but the specific experience or event that triggers it may vary.
What does Rupie mean when he says 'awareness is an aware space whose nature is just a universal yes to everything'?
-Rupie means that our state of awareness inherently accepts and is open to all experiences without judgment or resistance, which is the fundamental nature of being happy.
Why does Rupie emphasize the importance of not resisting experiences?
-Rupie emphasizes not resisting experiences because resistance creates suffering, whereas allowing experiences to be as they are, without judgment, aligns with the natural state of awareness and leads to happiness.
What does Rupie suggest as a way to liberate awareness from past experiences?
-Rupie suggests that by being present and aware, and by inviting and embracing all feelings and experiences without resistance, one can liberate awareness from the residues of past experiences.
How does Rupie relate the poem by Derek Walcott to the conversation about happiness?
-Rupie relates the poem by Derek Walcott to the conversation by highlighting the theme of self-love and acceptance, which is in line with the idea of saying 'yes' to oneself and one's experiences as a path to happiness.
What does Rupie mean when he says 'the water of awareness becomes clearer and clearer'?
-Rupie is using a metaphor to describe the process of awareness becoming increasingly free from the residues of past experiences, resulting in a purer and clearer state of being.
How does Rupie view the role of feelings in the pursuit of happiness?
-Rupie views feelings as integral to the experience of awareness, suggesting that by inviting and accepting all feelings, one allows for a fuller and more genuine experience of happiness.

Outlines

00:00

🎉 The Essence of True Happiness

In this paragraph, the speaker discusses the concept of happiness, distinguishing between the fleeting joy of a special occasion like a birthday and the deeper, enduring happiness that is not dependent on external events. The speaker emphasizes that true happiness is a state of being that is always present, regardless of circumstances. They argue that happiness is not tied to specific experiences but is instead the result of our willingness to embrace and say 'yes' to life as it unfolds. The speaker suggests that our happiness is determined by our internal response to events, rather than the events themselves. By cultivating an attitude of openness and acceptance, we can experience a more profound and lasting happiness.

05:02

🌟 Embracing All Experiences Through Awareness

The second paragraph delves into the idea that awareness, by its very nature, is open to all experiences without resistance. The speaker explains that awareness inherently says 'yes' to everything, much like space that does not discriminate against any event. They discuss how our minds can resist or reject certain experiences, which can lead to suffering, but awareness itself does not resist. The speaker shares a personal anecdote about inviting difficult emotions into their awareness without resistance, leading to a deeper understanding of the nature of awareness and a liberation from past emotional burdens. The paragraph concludes with the notion that by being present and aware, we can experience a clearer and more profound sense of happiness.

10:05

💖 The Transformative Power of Acceptance

In the final paragraph, the speaker continues the theme of acceptance, suggesting that no feeling is unbearable to awareness itself. They explain that it is the resistance to feelings that makes them seem unbearable, not the feelings themselves. The speaker uses the metaphor of space to illustrate how awareness can contain everything without judgment. They also share a poem by Derek Walcott, which speaks to the beauty of self-acceptance and the joy of reconnecting with one's true self. The paragraph reinforces the idea that by accepting all aspects of our experience, we can find a deeper, more enduring happiness.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Happiness

Happiness in the script is described as a universal experience that is not dependent on external circumstances but rather on one's internal response to events. It is portrayed as a state of being that is inherent and not exclusive to special occasions like birthdays. The script emphasizes that happiness is a 'yes' to life's experiences, suggesting that our internal acceptance or rejection of events determines our emotional state. For example, the speaker contrasts the happiness felt on Ben's birthday with the happiness felt during a trip to the seaside, indicating that while the experiences differ, the happiness experienced is the same.

💡Awareness

Awareness is presented as the conscious presence that inherently accepts all experiences without resistance. It is likened to space, which does not say 'no' to anything, including sunshine or atomic explosions. The script suggests that by recognizing our nature as awareness, we can embrace all experiences without judgment, leading to a state of constant happiness. The concept is used to illustrate how our natural state is one of openness and acceptance, which contrasts with the resistance we often impose through our minds.

💡Resistance

Resistance is discussed as a barrier to experiencing happiness and is characterized by the mind's tendency to reject certain experiences. The script uses the metaphor of a 'wall of separation' to describe how resistance creates a division between our awareness and the experiences we have. It is highlighted as the opposite of the natural 'yes' of awareness, where the mind judges experiences as likable or not, leading to happiness or misery. The speaker shares a personal realization about inviting feelings without resistance, which is a practice to overcome this separation.

💡Acceptance

Acceptance is the act of embracing all experiences without judgment, which is central to the theme of the video. It is described as the natural response of awareness to life's events. The script suggests that by accepting experiences, we align with the nature of awareness, which is always in a state of happiness. Acceptance is contrasted with resistance, where the mind selectively says 'yes' or 'no' to experiences, leading to fluctuating states of happiness and misery.

💡Experience

Experience in the script refers to the events, objects, or situations that we encounter in life. It is used to illustrate how different experiences can elicit the same feeling of happiness when we respond with acceptance. The speaker discusses how the happiness felt during a childhood trip to the seaside is the same as that on Ben's birthday, indicating that the nature of the experience is not as important as our attitude towards it.

💡Liberation

Liberation is the process of freeing awareness from the accumulated residues of past experiences that we have rejected or resisted. The script describes this as a journey of self-discovery where one becomes increasingly aware of and releases these residues, leading to a clearer and more vibrant experience of awareness. The speaker uses the example of the Indian sage Nagad, who reportedly became happier as he aged, symbolizing the liberation of awareness from past residues.

💡Embrace

Embrace in the context of the script means to fully accept and welcome all experiences as they arise. It is used to describe how awareness naturally responds to life's events without resistance. The speaker encourages embracing experiences without judgment or resistance, which aligns with the nature of awareness and leads to a state of constant happiness.

💡Yesness

Yesness is a term coined in the script to describe the inherent nature of awareness to accept everything unconditionally. It is presented as the opposite of resistance and is used to emphasize that awareness does not discriminate or judge experiences. The script suggests that by recognizing our inherent yesness, we can align with the natural state of awareness and experience happiness.

💡Repression

Repression is discussed as the act of suppressing feelings or experiences that we perceive as too painful or uncomfortable. The script suggests that by inviting and accepting these repressed feelings, we can liberate our awareness from the accumulated residues of past resistance. The speaker shares a personal anecdote about inviting feelings that initially seemed unbearable, illustrating the process of overcoming repression.

💡Liberating Awareness

Liberating awareness refers to the process of freeing our conscious presence from the constraints of the mind's judgments and resistance. The script describes this as a journey of self-realization where we recognize our true nature as awareness and experience a deeper, more authentic happiness. It is illustrated through the practice of inviting and accepting all experiences without resistance, leading to a state of liberation.

💡Residue

Residue in the script refers to the accumulated emotional and psychological remnants of past experiences that we have resisted or not fully processed. It is used to describe the layers of unresolved feelings that can cloud our awareness and prevent us from experiencing happiness. The speaker discusses the process of liberating awareness from these residues as a path to clearer, more vibrant experiences of happiness.

Highlights

The distinction between momentary happiness and enduring happiness is discussed.

Happiness is not dependent on special occasions but can be a constant state.

The concept that happiness is a universal experience that doesn't change over time.

The idea that happiness is not tied to external events but to our internal response to them.

The notion that saying 'yes' to life experiences leads to happiness.

The suggestion that our happiness is determined by our willingness to accept experiences.

The concept of awareness as a 'yesness' nature that embraces all experiences.

The idea that awareness is inherently happy and does not resist experience.

The importance of responding to situations without resistance from a place of love and understanding.

The process of liberating awareness from the residues of past experiences by being present.

The metaphor of awareness as a clear water that becomes increasingly pure.

The story of the Indian Sage Nagad and the concept of increasing happiness with age.

The realization that no feeling is unbearable and that resistance creates suffering.

The invitation to embrace all feelings as part of the process of self-liberation.

The poem by Derek Walcott, 'Love After Love,' as a metaphor for self-love and acceptance.

The importance of recognizing and welcoming all aspects of oneself.