The Living Essence Foundation is dedicated to facilitating the awakening of consciousness from the dream of separation, the identification with the story of being a body, a mind, and a personality, into the direct realization of being That which is present in all life. The "default setting" for human beings is one of identification with form. By clinging to thoughts, we believe that "I am the mind," and so readily defend our points of view. By clinging to feelings, we believe that "I am my feelings," and so we become defensive and reactive. By clinging to the body, we believe that "I am a physical creature," and so we live our life in constant fear of death and aging.

Our basic assumptions have rarely been examined. We rarely take the time to ask ourselves question like, "Who am I, Who is the one who experiences thoughts arising and falling, who is it who notices emotions shifting and changing, who is it who is aware of a physical body?" Although this question can not reveal an answer, (which would just be another thought, feeling, or physical sensation) it does reveal a mysterious realization that your true nature is consciousness itself; empty, formless, unborn, undying, silent, and inherently full of love. This direct recognition returns one to peace, to feeling at home, to being the source of experience, and of creation itself.

This realization has been the essential core of all mysticism throughout recorded history. It is of this which Buddha speaks, it is of this which the Upanishads sing, this is the song of Rumi, Kabir, and Lao Tzu. Many Christian mystics and commentators also feel that it is this of which Jesus speaks when he says, "I and the Father are one," and "the Kingdom of heaven is within."

We live in extraordinary times. While ecological, financial, and political stability is in a state of transition greater than any previous time in history, so also is the possibility of awakening from the dream of separation. States of realization which have previously been the domain of saints and sages are becoming more accessible to ordinary people in ordinary contexts.

We at The Living Essence Foundation feel passionately that the future of this planet rests in the wide-spread awakening of human beings into direct experiential recognition of their essential oneness. We are dedicated to exploring soberly and honestly the implications of the awakened view in every arena of human life. We support and honor the testimony to the awakened view in every tradition, and in every context in which it may arise.

While the realization of the Self is becoming increasingly accessible and easy for ordinary people, we are faced with an unprecedented challenge to integrate the awakening view into the context of ordinary human life. We offer a reliable, elegant way to integrate awakening into modern life.

We operate on a non-profit basis and are registered as a church in the State of California with 501(C)3 status with the IRS. We offer free presentations, evening events , individual counseling, weekends and longer intensives to explore and experience deep states of awareness and presence, and a training to deepen and stabilize awakening in the context of ordinary life. On this site you will find details of what we offer, as well as links to and quotes from many other teachers who share our vision of a more awakened humanity, and a more compassionate world.

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