'Love, and Do What You Want'

Rupert Spira

13 Nov 202008:53

Summary

TLDRThe video script delves into the purpose of spiritual teachings, which are directed towards the ego or separate self, arising from suffering. It emphasizes that true enlightenment involves recognizing our essential nature and living in accordance with this understanding. Ethics and lifestyle choices are integral to this path, with kindness emerging as a natural outcome of realizing our interconnectedness. The speaker advocates for decisions rooted in love and understanding, even when they may lead to discomfort, as they reflect our deepest intentions and align with our true nature.

Takeaways

🧘 Teaching arises as a response to suffering and is directed towards the one who suffers.
🌟 The ultimate goal of the path is not just enlightenment, but living the implications of recognizing our essential nature in all aspects of life.
🔍 Ethics and lifestyle choices are integral to the path, as they reflect the recognition of our interconnectedness with all beings.
💡 Kindness is considered a natural outcome of self-realization, as we understand and feel our shared being with others.
🤔 The recognition of one's essential nature should permeate the entire being, influencing actions towards others.
🌱 St. Augustine's quote emphasizes that love should guide our actions, as it aligns with the understanding of our shared existence.
🛤️ When faced with decisions, one should seek guidance from their deepest understanding and love, even if the outcome is uncertain.
🛡️ The intention to make decisions based on love and understanding is crucial, as it maintains alignment with one's true nature.
🏋️‍♀️ Courage is necessary to make decisions that express love and understanding, even when they lead to discomfort or difficulty.
⚖️ The path to self-realization involves a commitment to ethical living, reflecting the internalization of our interconnectedness.

Q & A

Why is teaching directed towards the ego or separate self?
-Teaching is directed towards the ego or separate self because awareness itself does not require teaching. The purpose of teaching is to guide the suffering self back to its source, addressing the one who suffers.
What is the significance of ethics in the context of non-dual teachings?
-Ethics and lifestyle choices are crucial as they reflect the lived implications of recognizing one's essential nature. True self-realization is incomplete without integrating this understanding into all aspects of life.
How does the recognition of our essential nature relate to our behavior towards others?
-Recognition of our essential nature should naturally lead to kindness and ethical behavior. If someone claims enlightenment but acts unkindly, it suggests that their understanding has not fully permeated their actions.
What is the ultimate goal of the path according to the script?
-The ultimate goal is not just the recognition of our essential self but living in a way that reflects this recognition in all aspects of life, including our interactions with others.
Why is kindness considered a natural outcome of self-realization?
-Kindness is a natural outcome because when we realize our essential nature, we understand our interconnectedness with all beings. Thus, acting kindly towards others is an extension of self-love.
What did St. Augustine say about ethics and morality, as mentioned in the script?
-St. Augustine advised to 'love and do whatever you want,' emphasizing that acting with love and understanding leads to ethical actions, as one would not willingly harm themselves.
How should one make decisions when faced with ethical crossroads?
-One should pause, connect with their deepest understanding and love, and make the decision that best expresses this understanding, even if it's not the most comfortable choice.
What role does intention play in our actions according to the script?
-Intention plays a vital role, as acting with love and understanding, regardless of the outcome, keeps one safe and aligned with their true nature.
Why might making decisions based on love and understanding sometimes require courage?
-Making decisions based on love and understanding can require courage because such decisions might lead to difficult or uncomfortable situations, contrasting with the natural tendency to choose comfort.
How can one ensure that their actions are an expression of truth and love?
-One can ensure their actions express truth and love by being established in understanding and love, allowing these principles to guide behavior irrespective of potential consequences.

Outlines

00:00

🧘‍♂️ The Role of Teaching and Ethics in Non-Dual Awareness

The speaker begins by addressing the observation that teaching seems to be directed towards the ego or separate self. They clarify that awareness itself doesn't require teaching; rather, it's the suffering individual who seeks guidance. The purpose of teaching is to lead the separate self back to its source, not to perpetuate the illusion of separation. The speaker emphasizes that while recognizing one's essential nature is a step on the path, the ultimate goal is to live in accordance with this recognition in all aspects of life. They argue that a person claiming enlightenment should reflect this understanding in their actions, particularly in their treatment of others. The speaker highlights the importance of ethics and lifestyle choices, stating that kindness is a natural outcome of self-realization. They suggest that one's actions should be guided by the understanding that all beings are interconnected, and that ethical behavior is a reflection of this unity.

05:02

❤️ The Integration of Love and Ethics in Decision Making

In the second paragraph, the speaker delves into the concept of love and its role in ethical decision-making. They explain that understanding and feeling a shared being with all entities leads to an inevitable kindness, as one would not harm themselves. The speaker references St. Augustine, who advised to 'love and do whatever you want,' meaning to act in accordance with the love and understanding that connects all beings. The speaker encourages individuals to consult their deepest understanding and love when faced with decisions, even if the outcome is uncertain. They acknowledge that decisions made from a place of love and understanding may sometimes lead to discomfort or difficulty, but maintaining this intention is crucial. The speaker challenges the listener to act courageously for love and understanding, regardless of the consequences, as these actions are expressions of truth and love.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Awareness

Awareness in the context of the video refers to the state of being conscious or perceptive. It is described as not requiring teaching because it is inherent. The script implies that teaching arises in response to suffering, suggesting that awareness is a state that transcends the need for external instruction. An example from the script is the statement, 'awareness is not in need of any teaching,' highlighting its fundamental nature.

💡Suffering

Suffering is mentioned as the catalyst for teaching, implying that it is a state of distress or pain that prompts the need for guidance or enlightenment. The script connects suffering to the existence of a separate self, suggesting that it is a human condition that can be alleviated through teaching. An example is the phrase, 'the teaching arises in response to our suffering,' indicating that it is a driving force for spiritual or philosophical instruction.

💡Separate Self

The concept of a 'separate self' is used to describe the ego or the individual identity that is distinct from the universal consciousness. The script suggests that teachings are directed towards this separate self to help individuals realize their true nature. It is contrasted with the idea of a non-dual reality. The script states, 'the teaching is directed towards the one who suffers,' emphasizing the role of the separate self in the process of spiritual growth.

💡Ethics

Ethics in the video is discussed in relation to how we live our lives and make choices. It is presented as an important aspect of spiritual realization, suggesting that one's lifestyle and actions should reflect an understanding of their true nature. The script connects ethics to the recognition of our essential self, indicating that ethical behavior is a natural outcome of self-realization. An example is the question, 'what is the place of ethics,' which is explored in the context of non-dual teachings.

💡Enlightenment

Enlightenment is described as the recognition of one's essential nature, but it is also portrayed as a step on the path rather than the ultimate goal. The script suggests that true enlightenment involves living in accordance with this recognition in all aspects of life. It is used to illustrate the progression from self-realization to embodying that realization in one's actions. The script mentions, 'what is traditionally called enlightenment,' emphasizing its role in the spiritual journey.

💡Essential Nature

Essential nature refers to the true or inherent identity of a person, which is often considered to be non-dual or non-separate from the whole. The script discusses the importance of recognizing this nature as a foundational step in the path to enlightenment. It is the core of one's being that remains constant and is realized through spiritual practices. The phrase 'recognition of our essential nature' from the script encapsulates this concept.

💡Lifestyle Choices

Lifestyle choices are highlighted as significant in the script, as they are seen as reflections of one's ethical stance and spiritual understanding. The speaker suggests that the way one lives should be in harmony with their realization of their essential nature. This includes acts of kindness and compassion towards others, as a natural extension of recognizing the interconnectedness of all beings. The script connects lifestyle choices to the broader theme of living an ethical life.

💡Kindness

Kindness is presented as a virtue and a natural outcome of understanding the interconnectedness of all beings. The script suggests that recognizing our shared essence leads to acts of kindness, as we perceive harm to others as harm to ourselves. Kindness is used as an example of how ethical behavior emerges from self-realization. The speaker quotes St. Augustine, 'love and do whatever you want,' to illustrate the principle of acting with kindness.

💡Self-Realization

Self-realization is the process of recognizing and understanding one's true self, which is described as an ongoing journey rather than a static state. The script emphasizes that this realization should permeate all aspects of one's life, including behavior and decision-making. It is depicted as a transformative experience that leads to ethical living and compassion. The phrase 'self-realization cannot be considered complete' from the script underscores the importance of integrating this realization into daily life.

💡Consequences

Consequences in the video refer to the outcomes or results of one's actions, particularly in the context of making decisions based on love and understanding. The script suggests that ethical decisions may sometimes lead to uncomfortable or challenging situations, but they are still necessary expressions of one's true nature. The speaker encourages embracing these consequences as part of living a life aligned with one's deepest understanding, even when it requires courage. The script mentions, 'I'm going to do this irrespective of the consequences,' to highlight the commitment to ethical action.

Highlights

Teaching is directed towards the ego or separate self because awareness doesn't require teaching.

Teaching arises in response to suffering and is directed towards the one who suffers.

The importance lies in whether teaching leads the separate self back to its source.

Ethics and lifestyle choices are integral to the non-dual teaching.

Enlightenment is recognizing our essential nature but is not the ultimate goal.

The ultimate goal is to live the implications of recognizing our essential self in all aspects of life.

A person claiming enlightenment should reflect it in their actions towards others.

Kindness is considered a high virtue and a natural outcome of self-realization.

Our actions towards others are a reflection of what we do to ourselves, given our shared being.

St. Augustine's quote emphasizes acting with love and understanding in all decisions.

Making decisions from a place of love and understanding is crucial, even if they are difficult.

The intention to express love and understanding in our decisions is what keeps us safe.

Ethical behavior may sometimes require courage and discomfort.

Standing in love and understanding should guide our behavior, regardless of the consequences.

Decisions made from a place of truth and love are important, irrespective of the outcome.