A questioner is interested in understanding the ego and its role in selfrecognition. He asks Rupert why, even though the ego is an illusion, it is essential to the process of selftranscendence.

Rupert explains that something that is an illusion is real, but it is not what it appears to be. Something that is not real is something that has no existence even as an illusion. There is no value in investigating what is unreal but there is value in investigating an illusion. If one makes a deep investigation of an illusion, it leads to its reality.

That's why when Ramana Maharshi was asked which self are we inquiring into when we do selfinquiry, the illusory self or the real self? he said it doesn't matter, just inquire into whatever you think yourself to be. Because if you go far enough into whatever you believe yourself to be, you will eventually end up with reality — the true and only self of infinite awareness.

*This video is taken from one of Rupert's inperson retreats at Castello di Titignano – 20th to 29th August, 2023. To view and book for 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...

Timestamps:

0:00 Is The Ego Essential For SelfRecognition?
0:25 What Is An Illusion?
1:07 All Illusions Have A Reality To Them
1:43 Investigating The Illusion
2:29 Exploring The Ego
3:11 The Ego Is Real
3:27 Understanding The Ego
4:32 SelfEnquiry
5:15 Ramana Maharshi

––

ACCESS FULL VIDEO ARCHIVE
You can watch or listen to 1000s of hours of teachings, guided meditations and answers in Rupert's full video archive here:
▸ https://rupertspira.com/subscriptions'>https://rupertspira.com/subscriptions

––

RETREATS (Weekend, 5day, 7day)
Rupert holds regular retreats, roughly once per month, either inperson and online. Many inperson retreats can also be attended from the comfort of your home via livestream.

ONLINE RETREAT SCHEDULE
▸ https://rupertspira.com/events/retrea...

INPERSON RETREATS SCHEDULE (Also Available to Join Online via Live Stream)
▸ UK https://rupertspira.com/event/locatio...
▸ US https://rupertspira.com/event/locatio...

––

WEEKLY WEBINARS (2 hours)
Rupert's webinars take place on Wednesday evenings, from 4pm UK time. In the first twenty to thirty minutes, Rupert leads a spontaneous meditation. The remaining time is open for attendees to discuss their questions with Rupert.

WEEKLY WEBINAR SCHEDULE
▸ https://rupertspira.com/events/webinar'>https://rupertspira.com/events/webinar

––

DOWNLOAD TWO FREE RUPERT SPIRA EBOOKS
We are delighted to share two free Rupert Spira ebooks with you, titled 'An Introduction to NonDuality'. You will also receive Rupert's weekly newsletter where you will be notified of free content, events (online and inperson), books and other new releases. Download your two free ebooks here:
https://rupertspira.com/join'>https://rupertspira.com/join

––

BROWSE RUPERT’S BOOKS
▸ https://rupertspira.com/store'>https://rupertspira.com/store

––

LISTEN TO RUPERT’S PODCAST
▸ iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
▸ Libsyn: https://rupertspira.libsyn.com/
▸ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6z1GN...

––

JOIN RUPERT’S FACEBOOK GROUP
▸   / rupertspiracommunity  

––

FOLLOW RUPERT ON MEDIUM
  / rupert_spira  

––

SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS
▸ Website: https://rupertspira.com
▸ Instagram:   / rupertspira_  
▸ Facebook:   / rupertspira  
▸ Twitter:   / rupertspira  
▸ Tiktok:   / rupertspira_  

––

SUBSCRIBE TO RUPERT’S YOUTUBE
▸ https://www.youtube.com/user/rupertsp...

––

#rupertspira #nonduality #happiness #natureofreality #consciousness #awareness #meditation #guidedmeditation

RS23118a