“This is not a book about spiritual betterment, self-improvement, or altered states of consciousness. It is about spiritual awakening—going from the dream state of ego to the awakened state beyond ego as quickly and efficiently as possible.” -- Adyashanti
With The Way of Liberation, spiritual teacher Adyashanti offers a practical yet profound guide to awakening from the illusion of separateness and realizing one’s eternal, boundless nature. Culled from over 20 years teaching nondual wisdom, this rich work succeeds as both an introduction and in-depth look at the process of spiritual liberation.
The book explores the nature of consciousness itself – beyond transient thoughts, emotions and perceptions. Adyashanti points eloquently to an awareness that is lucid, empty, and untouched by worldly concerns and identities. Realizing this timeless awareness leads to living from a space of presence instead of ego, opening to each moment just as it is.
While grounded in teachings like Zen Buddhism and Advaita Vedanta, Adyashanti shares these perennial insights in a down-to-earth style, using modern language and relatable examples. He examines common pitfalls that keep us stuck in suffering, from striving for perfection to clinging to comfort zones. In place of struggle, Adyashanti offers the “Way of Liberation” – aligning with what is versus what we think should be.
From how we meditate to how we view others, he suggests subtle shifts that can relax the compulsive grip of ego and unveil our natural state of completeness. No matter one’s spiritual background, there are practical pointers here for letting go of old structures and coming home to who we really are.
While the teachings themselves are simple, The Way of Liberation explores them rigorously and in multifaceted ways. Adyashanti dives deep into the principles behind techniques like meditation and self-inquiry. He illuminates essential truths from varied angles, allowing insights to land on a visceral level. This book truly succeeds in laying everything on the table for those called to spiritual awakening.
One standout aspect is how Adyashanti helps make awakening tangible, framing it not as an esoteric concept but a living reality. He masterfully describes nuances like the transparency of awareness, the liberation of non-identification, and the awakened perception of unity beyond division. Through hard-won wisdom, he makes the truth of existence undeniably clear.
For those drawn to wake up from limited modes of seeing, The Way of Liberation offers guidance, depth, and clarity. Adyashanti reveals with the utmost compassion that awakening is not only possible – it is in fact our very nature. This luminous book provides all that is needed to rest in that unbound awareness. It invites readers to join Adyashanti and countless beings in realizing eternal freedom.
About time:
Here are some of the key perspectives on time covered in The Way of Liberation:
The book discusses the negative impact of being stuck in psychological time. Constantly dwelling on past memories or future plans causes people to miss out on the present moment, which is full of life and vitality.
Adyashanti explains that when people are overly identified with their ego, their sense of time becomes narrow. However, when they are present and aware, time seems to expand and become more fluid. The urge to relive the past or anticipate the future is a way for the ego to bolster itself, but it ultimately takes people out of the present moment.
The concept of clock time is described as an artificial construct. In reality, time is relative and influenced by one's state of consciousness. The author encourages readers to let go of fixed notions of time, as it is a mental projection without inherent existence. The author suggests that modern timekeeping caters to egoic desires instead of promoting awakened living.
Through meditation and awakened states, people's perception of time can change. Without constant mental commentary, time seems to slow down and awareness expands into the spaces between seconds.
The passage of time is seen as valuable for spiritual growth and maturation. By recognizing life's impermanence, trivial concerns fall away, and people can fully appreciate each fleeting moment.
The book also explores cyclical views of time, where consciousness endlessly manifests and withdraws. No single lifetime is ultimately definitive.
Excerpt:
With The Way of Liberation, spiritual teacher Adyashanti offers a practical yet profound guide to awakening from the illusion of separateness and realizing one’s eternal, boundless nature. Culled from over 20 years teaching nondual wisdom, this rich work succeeds as both an introduction and in-depth look at the process of spiritual liberation.
The book explores the nature of consciousness itself – beyond transient thoughts, emotions and perceptions. Adyashanti points eloquently to an awareness that is lucid, empty, and untouched by worldly concerns and identities. Realizing this timeless awareness leads to living from a space of presence instead of ego, opening to each moment just as it is.
While grounded in teachings like Zen Buddhism and Advaita Vedanta, Adyashanti shares these perennial insights in a down-to-earth style, using modern language and relatable examples. He examines common pitfalls that keep us stuck in suffering, from striving for perfection to clinging to comfort zones. In place of struggle, Adyashanti offers the “Way of Liberation” – aligning with what is versus what we think should be.
From how we meditate to how we view others, he suggests subtle shifts that can relax the compulsive grip of ego and unveil our natural state of completeness. No matter one’s spiritual background, there are practical pointers here for letting go of old structures and coming home to who we really are.
While the teachings themselves are simple, The Way of Liberation explores them rigorously and in multifaceted ways. Adyashanti dives deep into the principles behind techniques like meditation and self-inquiry. He illuminates essential truths from varied angles, allowing insights to land on a visceral level. This book truly succeeds in laying everything on the table for those called to spiritual awakening.
One standout aspect is how Adyashanti helps make awakening tangible, framing it not as an esoteric concept but a living reality. He masterfully describes nuances like the transparency of awareness, the liberation of non-identification, and the awakened perception of unity beyond division. Through hard-won wisdom, he makes the truth of existence undeniably clear.
For those drawn to wake up from limited modes of seeing, The Way of Liberation offers guidance, depth, and clarity. Adyashanti reveals with the utmost compassion that awakening is not only possible – it is in fact our very nature. This luminous book provides all that is needed to rest in that unbound awareness. It invites readers to join Adyashanti and countless beings in realizing eternal freedom.
About time:
Here are some of the key perspectives on time covered in The Way of Liberation:
The book discusses the negative impact of being stuck in psychological time. Constantly dwelling on past memories or future plans causes people to miss out on the present moment, which is full of life and vitality.
Adyashanti explains that when people are overly identified with their ego, their sense of time becomes narrow. However, when they are present and aware, time seems to expand and become more fluid. The urge to relive the past or anticipate the future is a way for the ego to bolster itself, but it ultimately takes people out of the present moment.
The concept of clock time is described as an artificial construct. In reality, time is relative and influenced by one's state of consciousness. The author encourages readers to let go of fixed notions of time, as it is a mental projection without inherent existence. The author suggests that modern timekeeping caters to egoic desires instead of promoting awakened living.
Through meditation and awakened states, people's perception of time can change. Without constant mental commentary, time seems to slow down and awareness expands into the spaces between seconds.
The passage of time is seen as valuable for spiritual growth and maturation. By recognizing life's impermanence, trivial concerns fall away, and people can fully appreciate each fleeting moment.
The book also explores cyclical views of time, where consciousness endlessly manifests and withdraws. No single lifetime is ultimately definitive.
Excerpt:
