Being Aware of Being Aware (The Essence of Meditation Series) Kindle Edition

It is impossible for me to give a meaningful number of stars to this book, so I will just compromise with this middle of the road rating. In summary, the content is 5 star material; the problem is that there is nothing new here. Context for a 5 star rating: I own everything Rupert has published. All contemporary non-dual teachers have their strengths. Furthermore, different people learn with different approaches , so there is no way I am going to say that Rupert is the best. However, in my humble opinion, this man's ability to express complex ideas is nothing short of miraculous. Again, in my humble opinion, no one comes close. This book might not be his best, but if it was the only one he published, it would be a slam dunk 5 stars. Context for a 1 star rating: I live well under the poverty level, and have to be very careful how I spend money. Within that context, I am sorry I bought this book. I know that one cannot judge books on how thick they are... how much material they contain. But, just to let you know, it is a small book (5" X 7") with 102 pages. With huge margins. Fifty to sixty pages of material in a normal book. I can't say this with 100% certainty, but I don't remember seeing a single new idea in this book. That's not necessarily bad, as different perspectives, different metaphors, different examples can turn such a book into a must read. But there wasn't much of that either. In summary: if you enjoy non-dual authors or are a Rupert fan and have no real book budget, what the heck... buy it. You'll probably get something out of it. If you haven't read Rupert, try The Nature of Consciousness. But if you've read much of Rupert and don't want to spend $14 to read stuff you have already read, I'd suggest you stay away from this one.

Rupert Spira quoted his teacher as saying the truth has to be reformulated by every generation. In my opinion, Spira did a very good job of reformulation.Spira presents an ancient truth in modern language that anyone can understand. He reveals that realizing our true nature -- pure awareness -- doesn't involve taking a spiritual journey, because our true nature is already at hand in the here and now. He explains this using a metaphor of a movie projected onto a screen. There is no separation between the ever-changing image and the ever-present screen. Other wonderful metaphors are used in the text, like the one of a small wave upon a boundless ocean.The only criticism I have about this book is that it is easy to confuse the meanings of the simple terms that were used. For example, it wasn't always clear whether "mind" was referring to the individual ego mind or the boundless Eternal Mind. Also, the terms "consciousness" and "awareness" seemed to be used interchangeably, although I suspect they may have slightly different meanings. So although it was commendable that Spira avoided esoteric Sanskrit terminology, there were times when a little more specificity would have helped to understand what he meant. The metaphors were most helpful in understanding the meaning of being aware of awareness.Spira says the great difficulty people have in becoming aware of awareness is entirely due to the fact that awareness cannot be observed from an exterior vantage point, as is the case in normal object/observer dualism. So although awareness really is closer than close, it seems distant and inaccessible because of this non-dual property. He drives home this point by using the metaphor of the Sun illuminating itself.This is a short book, and it can be read in a little over an hour, but I'd recommend savoring it to get the most from it. You may even want to read it twice. ;-) I disagree with other reviews that complained that the book didn't say anything new. After all, how many versions of he truth are there? Although the book is indeed quite brief, it is well worth five stars in my opinion. The significance of a truth doesn't depend on the total number of words that are used to reveal it.

This feels like a shining GEM capturing the essence of meditation and the Direct Path (the pathless path) as well as language can possible do this. It continues his almost fractal way of writing from many directions to get at the heart or essence. His Transparency of Things and other books are so very excellent, but this little guy at 101 pages and around 8.00 is truly an offering to humanity from and for the ages. What better time in the midst of the upheaval most all of us feel going on in these modern times.

Page per page this tiny book is the most profound spiritual work I've read (and I'm including the Tao de Ching). It really connects one to the silent awareness behind all forms that arise and dissolve.

"Being Aware of Being Aware" culminates a year of reading (and contemplating) Spira, Wolfe, Adams, and Lucille, Osho, and Merton. 23 years ago, I picked up "ACIM" and read it and reread it for many years. Then "ACOL." Then "The Way of Mastery." It's quite clear to me now what all these books and authors are saying. I'm done. All that's left now is adjusting to being back Home.

I preordered this book last October. Well worth the wait! A small but powerful, thought stopping, silence filled delight. Mr. Spiras' books have always hit their mark with me. He is in on my spiritual bookcase with all the other amazing teachers that have come to teach us our true identity as unblemished,eternal,formless Awareness. His works sit with Nisargadatta,Ramana,Muktananda,Paramahansa Yogananda,Tolle,Thich Nhat Hahn,and Adyashanti.

This book is a shorter version of 'The Nature Of Consciousness (NOC)' book by Spira.Analogies, analogies, analogies!! - Rupert Spira uses them so good to explain deeply profound concepts.For example in a statement like 'In the absence of that which you are not, that which you are is not', is a very deep statement that has such depth and intrinsic meaning, but when you explain the same with an analogy ie., 'In the absence of warmth, one cannot understand what being cold is'. The meaning of such intense concepts becomes so CLEAR! Rupert - my personal thank you for these ANALOGIES! (But, I still need an audiobook version of this please).This book along with NOC is a tough one to chew, and a laborious read. Previously, I thought 'Power of Now' by Eckhart Tolle was heavy, but once those concepts are internalized, this book will be help one to advance to the NEXT LEVEL! Truly, at this time Rupert is the best exponent of modern spirituality.And for all those who complained about repetition of concepts in Spira series of books, I think its intrinsic by design by the author and it actually help me internalize and instill these understandings more deeply and cut through heavy layers of mental resistance.

Being Aware of Being Aware is considered in many of meditative traditions including Advaita Vedanta philosophy of Hinduism and Contemplative Prayer of Christianity, to be the highest meditation (or prayer). A lot of this work is covered in Rupert Spira's other books but it's pocket size makes it a nice little book for the bedside table if One ever needs reminding of their true nature. Thank you Rupert for this gem that has changed the way that I practice and teach meditation.

Finds simplicity in the comlex and a way where there is none.

This book is completely beautiful and project the power of transmission so that the reader falls back into its own origin

The price and the content will be appealing to the educated seeker.Although the book has a few catchy thoughts it is basically repeating what can be gained from all the other ones about non duality.Yes it fattened up this spiritual fish, my only gain is that it made me realise that by continuing to read, only adds to the illusion.