Many of us feel that there is something missing from our lives, and so we very naturally go in search of that ‘something more’. First we might explore the world of relationships, careers, money and possessions; but that only seems to bring temporary relief. Then we may look into religion, spiritual and therapeutic groups, but these too can ultimately fail to satisfy.

In this utter failure to find a solution there may be a readiness to look in an entirely new way: to wonder what is the nature of this ‘me’ that is doing all the seeking?

Initially we might respond with a list of attributes: our name, age and gender; our occupation, past history and future aspirations; or that what we most essentially are is located somewhere inside our head, controlling our thoughts, choices and actions.

But what if we’re prepared to look beyond those descriptions; what if we’re willing to let go of everything we think we know and explore our presently arising experience firsthand?

When we look in this childlike, innocent way, we find that our usual assumptions about who we are and what life is simply don’t stand up. For many this can precipitate fear: fear of the unknown, fear of losing control, fear of annihilation.

 But in courageously feeling the intensity of those energies, in not turning away from our sense of vulnerability, it’s only the conviction that we are a separate fragment of life that falls apart; to reveal the incomprehensible truth of our undivided being—the home for which we’ve always longed.

The miracle is that we never were limited and isolated, but only ever life itself: every sound, sensation, colour and texture; the bliss, the pain, the triumphs and the heartaches; the path, the teacher, the seeking, the finding; the entire rich play, all made out of oneself—the boundless fabric of experience.

Nothing was ever lost, there was never anything to find, just a misunderstanding to see through. This is the message of freedom.

And this is not the end of the story but only just the beginning. For as that recognition starts to infuse all areas of our experience, we naturally begin to act from love over fear, openness over defensiveness, tenderness over hardness; with the effect of ever deepening, enriching and transforming our individual character, our relationships, our lives.

In living closer than intimate, with all that is, we live as Love.