Spacecruiser Inquiry

by A.H. Almaas

Over the past twenty-five years A. H. Almaas—widely recognized as a leader in integrating spirituality and psychology—has been developing and teaching the Diamond Approach, a spiritual path that integrates the insights of Sufism, Buddhism, Gurdjieff, and other wisdom traditions with modern psychology. In this new work, Almaas uses the metaphor of a "spacecruiser" to describe a method of exploring the immediacy of personal experience—a way of investigating our moment-by-moment feelings, thoughts, reactions, and behaviors through a process of open-ended questioning. The method is called the practice of inquiry, and Spacecruiser Inquiry reveals what it means to engage with this practice as a spiritual its principles, challenges, and rewards.

The author explores basic elements of inquiry, including the open-ended attitude, the focus on direct knowledge, the experience of not-knowing, and the process of questioning. He describes the experience of "Diamond Guidance"—the inner wisdom that emerges from our true nature—and how it can be realized and applied. In this process Almaas looks at many of the essential forms of Diamond Guidance, including knowing, clarity, truth, love, intelligence, compassion, curiosity, courage, and determination. Also included are exercises and questions and answers from the original talks by Almaas on which the book is based.

Genres: Spirituality, Psychology, Nonfiction

480 pages, Paperback

First published April 30, 2002

About the author

A.H. Almaas is the pen name of A. Hameed Ali, the creator of the Diamond Approach to Self Realization. The Diamond Approach is a contemporary teaching that developed within the context of awareness of both ancient spiritual teachings & modern depth psychological theories.

Reviews

[Niklas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book goes into great (some might argued too great) detail about the role of inquiry in the spiritual process. I found it immensely useful and very inspiring. It is a thick book but it's one of those that could be read at any point and be useful as the chapters are mainly self-contained explorations that continue the thread of the whole. I like the section that details the different lataifs, or essential apects. A good read and handy reference for seekers, especially those leaning towards mystical sufism.

[Steven V. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way of inquiry skillfully share

If drawn to learn inquiry as a pathway to self discovery, this is the manual. Almaas looks from many different perspectives in a highly nuanced and precise way, leading you always toward your own experience as it unfolds moment to moment. Highly recommended to read and reread until this way becomes a natural expression of openness and curiosity, and the love of the truth. Illuminating and fun! Enjoy!

[Fluencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful book from Almaas. My favourite parts were the different essences described.

[Gord Clements · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read a number of Almaas books and I find this one as well as the others, to be insightful and practical. He uses inquiry to explore self and existence in general although he has fine tuned his method in what he calls the Diamond approach. I find his insights helpful and inspirational although I dont practice in the way he is suggesting but I do think that it is quite compatible with Buddhist and other meditative methods. Bottom line it is about becoming aware of our nature as humans and beings and coming to trust in that as a source of guidance in our living. He writes a lot about the boundaries and obstructions that humans have created in their focus on surviving and how these can interfere with being in modern life.

[Carol Schindler · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are spiritually inclined, you can't beat Almaas.