Ajātivāda: No Birth, No Change, No Death

A woman asks for clarity on the concept of ajātivāda, which is said to be the highest non-dual understanding. How does this idea – that nothing exists, not even an appearance of the world – fit in with non-duality and the Pathless Path?

Rupert says: ‘Ajātivāda is an attempt to describe reality from the point of view of infinite consciousness. From the point of view of the finite mind, we see a multiplicity and diversity of objects. But prior to its apparent localization of itself as a finite mind, infinite consciousness cannot know any creation. We cannot be something and know it at the same time. So, we say consciousness is the reality of this multiplicity and diversity, but it does not know it. Infinite consciousness is the universe, but the finite mind knows the universe.

‘You can experience this every time you ask yourself a question such as, “Who am I really?”. Trace your way back through all the layers of experience until you arrive at your experience of your self prior to experience. That recognition of your own being – where there is no thought, perception, time or space – is infinite consciousness’s knowledge of itself. I’m not talking about an experience that some remote, infinite consciousness knows but the experience that shines at the very heart of your self. Your knowledge of your self is infinite consciousness’s knowledge of itself, prior to experience.’

*This video is from one of Rupert’s in-person retreats at The Vedanta, 11–18 November 2023. For more information on upcoming retreats (many of which can be attended online via livestream) go to:

▸ UK https://rupertspira.com/event/locatio...
▸ EU https://rupertspira.com/event/locatio...
▸ US https://rupertspira.com/event/locatio...