Opening To The Possibility
If the experience of this moment is examined directly, it may first be noticed that there is no obvious boundary to it. There appears to be a spaciousness within which particular phenomena seem to arise and pass away. Yet no clear division can be found between this apparent spaciousness and the phenomena themselves. Indeed, the spaciousness may itself simply be another appearance.
Nothing appears as a substantially existing thing, separate from everything else. Whether this is merely a perception of the mind, or whether the mind itself is simply another appearance, cannot honestly be known. The mind cannot step outside what appears in order to establish what it ultimately is.
Within this immediacy no definable self or fixed position can be found. Space and time appear, yet they too are simply part of what appears. There are phenomena appearing, and there is the obviousness that they are apparent. Beyond this, very little can honestly be said.
The apparentness of what appears may naturally suggest that there is someone or something aware of it. Yet whenever this possibility is examined directly, no awareness can be found standing apart from the phenomena themselves. The assumption of a separate knower appears to be another interpretation rather than something directly revealed by the experience itself.
Investigating what appears to be a separate object, no independent “thing” is ever found. Equally, it cannot honestly be said that there is complete nothing. What is apparent is neither something nor nothing. It may simply be pointed to as no-thing.
The same investigation may then be applied to the apparent knowing of these phenomena. Whether it is described as awareness, consciousness, witnessing or knowing, no independent knower is ever found standing apart from what appears. Equally, it cannot honestly be said that there is complete nothing. Here too, what is apparent defies the categories of something and nothing. It may again simply be pointed to as no-thing.
Across history, many spiritual traditions, and in very different ways some areas of science, have pointed towards the possibility that reality is fundamentally inseparable, unified and one, or words to that effect. Whether or not such conclusions are ultimately justified, they resonate with what appears to become obvious in experience here at least. What had seemed to be a personal experience may itself be this inseparable, impersonal appearing. It cannot honestly be known that it is not.
With love,
Freyja
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Books, essays, papers, and ongoing reflections exploring wholeness, separateness, identity, and the lived experience of being human.
My books, The Quiet Confidence Of Not Being Anyone and Naturally Appearing, are available here:
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Original artworks and fine art posters inspired by the celebration of wholeness.
Alongside my writing and conversations, visual art has become another expression of this exploration. A collection of original artworks and museum-quality poster prints can be found here:
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Wholeness here is understood in terms of the inseparability of what is already appearing, complete as it is. Different traditions may describe this through the language of awareness, consciousness, being, Buddha nature, the divine, life itself, or countless other names. Equally, no description need be preferred. The openness of not-knowing remains central.
The meetings are not offered as a path, method, or programme of development, but as an open space for dialogue, inquiry, reflection, and silence. Human life in all its richness and complexity is fully embraced, including relationship, creativity, work, uncertainty, emotional life, neurodiversity, practical living, and the ordinary challenges and joys of being human.
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If questions relating to identity, separateness, wholeness, meaning, practical living, psychological wellbeing, or the nature of experience itself are alive for you, you may also be interested in Reflective Conversations for Co-Celebrants.
These conversations offer a spacious and reflective environment within which life may be explored through dialogue, inquiry, and the shared language of the Universal Family. They begin from the possibility that nothing is fundamentally missing whilst remaining fully open to the realities of ordinary human life, including relationship, livelihood, creativity, trauma, neurodiversity, uncertainty, emotional life, and the practical challenges and opportunities that appear within daily living.
Further details can be found here:
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A Gentle Note
Nothing shared here is intended as psychotherapy, medical advice, or a substitute for appropriate professional support.
At times, questions relating to identity, separateness, meaning, wholeness, or the nature of experience can feel challenging, destabilising, or emotionally significant. Familiar assumptions and reference points may occasionally be questioned or seem less certain than before. This is not unusual.
Equally, psychological distress, trauma, neurological sensitivity, relationship difficulties, health concerns, grief, loss, or practical life circumstances may require care, understanding, and appropriate support. The exploration of wholeness does not place such matters outside the conversation, nor does it remove the value of seeking appropriate forms of help when they are needed.
If such exploration feels overwhelming or ongoing, it may be helpful to pause and seek support from trusted friends, appropriate professionals, or other sources of care.
Please take care of your wellbeing.
Above all, be gentle with yourself.
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So strange, the body/mind system wanting justification, proof, “the knowing” of something that is outside its subject/object limitations.