by A H Almaas
Appendix
FOR THOSE FAMILIAR WITH the Diamond Approach through involvement in the Ridhwan School or through reading other books of A. H. Almaas, it may be of interest to place the teaching of this book in the larger context of this spiritual path.
The Unfolding Now is an experiential teaching based on the wisdom of one of the Diamond Dimensions, also known as the Diamond Vehicles. These are described on page 234 in The Inner Journey Home. This particular Diamond Dimension is the Point Diamond dimension of Essence. It brings a wisdom that is based on the realization of the Essential Identity, also known as the Point. (See The Point of Existence for a detailed discussion of this manifestation of Being and its realization.)
Each Diamond Dimension includes all of the essential aspects—the discriminated qualities of our True Nature—within it. This means that each individual aspect contributes its particular wisdom to the fundamental understanding provided by that particular Dimension or Vehicle. The Point Diamond dimension supports the soul’s development through the knowledge that the more one allows oneself to be exactly where one is without interference or manipulation, the more the True Nature of the soul reveals itself. And so each aspect of Essence offers a particular wisdom about the truth of being where one is and the way this truth reveals the depth of who and what one is. Chapter 10 in Spacecruiser Inquiry: True Guidance for the Inner Journey gives more description of the Point Diamond Dimension.
What follows is a list of the eighteen chapters of this book and the specific aspect that imparts the teaching of that chapter. Most aspects have both a conceptual name and an experiential name, which can be used interchangeably. Chapter 6 includes two aspects. Chapters 11, 16, and 17 are teachings from the boundless dimensions rather than from the essential aspects.
The effectiveness of the teaching is in no way based on knowing this information, but the knowledge may support a greater understanding of the intelligence of Being and how it is experienced in the Diamond Approach.
CHAPTER
ASPECT
1
PERSONAL LOVE / Pink
2
OBJECTIVITY / Clear
3
WILL / Silver
4
SPACE
5
VULNERABILITY / Water
6
COMPASSION / Green AND
STRENGTH / Red
7
TRUTH / Gold
8
ACCEPTANCE / Aquamarine
9
POWER / Black
10
KNOWING / Blue
11
SUPREME
12
NONDUAL PRESENCE / Rigpa
13
INTELLIGENCE / Brilliancy
14
CHANGE / Mercury
15
ESSENTIAL IDENTITY / Point
16
NONCONCEPTUAL
17
ABSOLUTE
18
VALUE / Amber
The Diamond Body Series
THIS SERIES OF BOOKS is an attempt to outline the methodology of the Diamond Approach, a contemporary spiritual teaching with its own direct understanding and view of reality. The Diamond Body series refers to the practice and embodiment of the Diamond Approach, as a complement to the Diamond Heart series, which pertains to the direct experience of True Nature on this path, and the Diamond Mind series, which relates to the objective knowledge and conceptual understanding of this teaching.
The series range from direct discussion of methodology, to the illustration of various applications within different contexts, to the integration of some of the classical methods of spiritual work into this teaching. Some of the volumes in this series illustrate the methodology through actual work on elements of the body of knowledge that is unique to the Diamond Approach teaching, such as the aspects of spiritual essence, the dimensions of reality, and the facets of mind.
To appreciate the place and function of the methodology in any approach to spiritual work, we need to understand how the methodology relates to the view of reality on which it is based and to the teaching that arises from that view. This understanding will help clarify the role of this series of books in the revelation of the Diamond Approach.
Throughout history, human beings have felt the need for intentional, focused work and guidance, to be able to advance beyond the average human development known in most societies. Much of our human potential lies in realms not accessible or even visible to normal consciousness. This is specifically the case for humanity’s spiritual potential, which is the ground of human consciousness and the source of true and lasting fulfillment, peace, and liberation.
This situation has led to the rise and development of many teaching schools throughout the ages, inner-work schools that specialize in the development of the total human being—particularly the actualization of the depth of human potential. Such a spiritual school is usually built on a teaching that emerges from a specific logos—a direct understanding of reality and the situation of human beings within that reality. Through the teaching, the logos reveals a path toward the actualization of our human potential. The methodology of the path also reflects the wisdom arising from this direct understanding. It is not just a haphazard collection of techniques aimed at helping students to arrive at certain inner states. The methodology will be successful in unfolding the path when it is a faithful expression of the particular logos of that teaching. You could say that practicing the methodology of a teaching is the specific key needed to open the door of this teaching’s logos of experience and wisdom.
This understanding of the relationship between logos, teaching, method, and reality has another important implication. As a methodology is practiced within the logos of a particular teaching, objective reality will reveal itself in forms relevant for the journey of self-realization undertaken through that teaching. In other words, a profound and fundamental manifestation of reality characteristic of one teaching may never arise for followers of a different teaching, because each teaching orients to reality through a different logos. One way of understanding this is that because each teaching traverses different terrain in its unfolding journey, the same underlying reality will be revealed in different forms along the way.
Consider, for example, that the Inuit people of the Arctic Circle recognize more than twenty forms of snow and ice. These are true forms of physical reality never recognized by someone living in temperate latitudes, because the climate and the demands of the environment are different. In a similar way, followers of a spiritual teaching will encounter distinct experiences of objective reality that are appropriate to the journey of the soul addressed by that teaching.
This awareness is especially important in understanding descriptions of essential reality in the books that come out of the Diamond Approach. The methodology of the Diamond Approach prepares the soul to experience, perceive, and appreciate that Being appears not only as needed at any given point in the soul’s journey, but also in specific forms—which we call essential aspects—that arise in response to the constantly changing needs of the individual soul. However, though these states and qualities are referred to as universal and fundamental to all human souls and to reality itself, this does not mean that people engaged in deep spiritual work based on another logos will encounter reality in the form of essential aspects. Other teachings align the soul for traversing other paths of realization, and so essential reality may appear differently.
The central thread of wisdom informing the methodology of the Diamond Approach is that our normal human consciousness does not possess the knowledge or skill necessary for traversing the inner path of realization. However, the intelligence of our underlying spiritual ground tends to spontaneously guide our consciousness and experience toward liberation. This spiritual ground, which is the ultimate nature of reality, is unconditionally loving and compassionate in revealing its treasures of wisdom to whoever is willing to open to it. We simply need to recognize the
truth about our present experience and learn the attitudes and skills that will invite the True Nature of reality to reveal itself. Toward that end, this methodology brings together classical spiritual techniques and new practices that can help us be open and vulnerable to our True Nature.
The task of communicating the teaching and logos for this method is the central function of the Ridhwan School, its teachers, and all the literature of the Diamond Approach. Like any genuine spiritual teaching, the degree to which this logos reveals itself depends on how faithfully the method is applied. And the skill in applying the methodology develops over time as the experience and understanding of the teaching matures.
However, since this method arises from a true logos of reality and therefore is inherent to objective reality, it is available for anyone to learn regardless of whether they are in contact with the Ridhwan School—if they are able to recognize the truth of this view for themselves. This means that it is possible to connect to this logos and practice its particular method by seriously studying the teaching on one’s own. To do so, however, requires an unusual degree of sincerity, devotion, and intelligence. Such is the limitation of the printed word, in contrast to the direct transmission that can occur when one is in contact with an exemplar of the teaching. Hence, we can only hope for limited benefits when the method is practiced apart from the active guidance of the teaching and the teacher.
Still, we believe there is value in providing some understanding of the methodology of the Diamond Approach. This is not only for the benefit of the students directly engaged in this work, but also for readers who would like to learn and practice some of the elements of the method on their own. In addition, we hope this series will be useful in appreciating the contribution of this approach to an overall understanding of reality, human nature, and what it means to actualize humanity’s full potential.
Because the heart of this methodology is a disciplined invitation to reality to reveal its secrets, the Diamond Body series offers the unique benefit of supporting both the pursuit of the inner path of realization and the exploration of the deeper principles of investigation and study that are relevant in any research discipline. Using elements of the Diamond Approach methodology can lead not only to a quickening and an openness to aspects of our inner potential, but also to the development of skills that can be useful for study in other fields within the sciences and humanities.
This is the universal message of the Diamond Approach: When we learn how to invite our True Nature to reveal itself, it will guide us toward realizing our spiritual ground and, at the same time, actualize our potential in all walks of life.
ABOUT THE DIAMOND APPROACH
The Diamond Approach is taught by Ridhwan teachers, ordained by the Ridhwan Foundation. Ridhwan teachers are also ministers of the Ridhwan Foundation. They are trained by the DHAT Institute, the educational arm of the Ridhwan Foundation, through an extensive seven-year program, which is in addition to their work and participation as students of the Diamond Approach. The ordination process ensures that each person has a good working understanding of the Diamond Approach and a sufficient capacity to teach it before being ordained and authorized to be a Ridhwan teacher.
The Diamond Approach described in this book is taught in group and private settings in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia by Ridhwan teachers. For information about the various contexts for pursuing this work, we invite you to visit www.ridhwan.org. If you would like to explore starting a group in your area to be taught by ordained Ridhwan teachers, write:
Ridhwan
P.O. Box 10173
Berkeley, California 94709
For more information on the books of A. H. Almaas, go to www.ahalmaas.com.
DIAMOND APPROACH and RIDHWAN are trademarks or registered trademarks of the Ridhwan Foundation.
Index
Note: Index entries from the print edition of this book have been included for use as search terms. They can be located by using the search feature of your e-book reader.
Absolute, identification with the
acceptance. See also allowing; embracing whatever is; experience: rejection of
as grasping
as resignation
true
aggression. See also hatred; superego
as obstacle to being yourself
allowing. See also acceptance; resistance
inviting it into the moment
anger. See also aggression; hatred
Anupaya Yoga
attachment
identification and
to positions
awareness
bringing it to where you are
immediacy of
nonconceptual
perceptual vs. cognitive
practicing
presence and
pure
True Nature and (see also True Nature)
what can get in the way of
of where you are
bardo
Being. See also True Nature
awareness/realization of pure
dynamism of
vs. ego
as ground of everything
immediacy of
knowing through
luminosity of
nature of
nondual oneness of pure
separation from
truth and
being aware. See awareness
being real. See also True Nature
desire for
learning to be real
love of
nature of
your relationship to
being where you are
and being who you are (see also being yourself)
continuity of
meaning of
“not doing anything” and
obstacles to (see also specific obstacles)
practicing
teaching about
ways of experiencing the value in
being yourself. See also True Nature
intimacy of
obstacles to (see also specific obstacles)
“black hole” of our experience fear of
and primary vs. secondary components of experience
body, identification with
boldness, balanced with kindness
boredom
central event
changelings
change(s). See also preserving; resistance: to change
continuity throughout stages of development
ego and
quantum
changing, exploring beliefs about not
clothes, feelings about our
comparative judgment
becoming moral judgment
discovering how it operates in you
comparing and contrasting, interrelating through
compassion, need for
conceptual/cognitive awareness. See also awareness: nonconceptual
conceptual ignorance. See also ignorance: learned
continuity. See also flow
of being where we are
throughout stages of development
control. See also superego
absence of (see also meddling [mind]; True Nature)
courage. See also fear
importance of
death, facing
defense(s)
ego and
of inner hardening
types of
defensiveness. See also resistance
as ego boundary
vulnerability and
desire
for being real
as obstacle to being yourself
developmental stages, continuity throughout
discerning mind. See also comparative judgment
beyond the
discrimination. See also comparative judgment
beyond (see also under mind)
developing our capacity for
interrelating through contrasting and comparing
discursive mind
/> disidentification. See also identification
meaning of
as part of spiritual practice
disowning. See experience: rejection of
division. See also duality; True Nature
interference as
divisive strategies of ego
duality. See also harmony; True Nature
hatred reflects a
ego. See also identification; identity
change and
defenses and
ignorance and
resistance and
ego activity
ego boundaries
defensiveness and
ego death/annihilation, the myth of
ego experience. See also ego-self
ego identity. See also identification; identity
ego life. See ego-self
ego rigidity
ego-self
Einstein, Albert
embracing whatever is. See also acceptance; resistance
emotions. See also specific emotions
identification with
rejecting (see experience: rejection of)
emptiness. See also “black hole” of our experience
enlightenment
vs. ignorance
insight brings
knowingness and
striving for
as waking up
essence
expectation
experience. See also being real; being yourself; immediacy
attachment to
dimensions of
discerning true acceptance of your
flow of
future thinking and
as a gift, recognizing
negative reactions to
primary vs. secondary components/manifestations of
reifying our (see also reification[s])
rejection of (see also meddling [mind]; True Nature)
as self-rejection
solidity of (see solidity)
experiential knowing. See knowing: recognizing direct
fear. See also courage; terror
of the black hole
flow. See also continuity
of experience
