Essence: The Diamond Approach to Inner Realization

by A.H. Almaas

The concept of essence is found in some spiritual tradition, such as Sufism and some schools of Buddhism, though the word essence is not always used. In more common usage, essence means that aspect of something most true, real, or substantial. It is the essence of something that makes it what it is. In the course of this book our usage will become increasingly clear, and it fact we will ultimately see that the spiritual and common understanding converge in a deeper, more subtle and yet simpler way than it is at first possible to appreciate. This book introduces a method for retrieval and development of essence, so that it can function as a transformative agent in the process of self realization. In the course of this movement toward realization, the stabilized manifestation of the qualities of essence leads to a surprising and unusual resolution of an age-old dichotomy, an unexpected redemption of the personal the realization of the pearl beyond price, described in Chapter Five, constitute a resolution of the apparent conflict between the life of the man of the world and that of the man of the spirit.

Genres: Spirituality, Psychology

196 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1986

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

[Ladory · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was my first introduction to Almaas. I learned a lot from reading it, and a lot of it I found to be very consistent with my own direct experiences of my true nature. I have repeatedly experienced one aspect and thought that was the only aspect--even though knowing that one can dive deeper and deeper into the depths of that one particular aspect to one's great benefit. From this book, I learned that there are several more aspects. I am now anxious to also experience those!

I was disappointed that Almaas did not give any directions for further practice thus giving access to these other aspects of one's true nature. This particular book is a description of the possibilities along with the barriers that the ego will erect to keep one from discovering the real truth.

I will read more of his work.

[Wouter Zwemmer · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wat een gewouwel. Niet om door te komen. Een en al quasi-diepgaand woordspel. Wat wel essentie is en vooral wat het allemaal niet zou zijn… who cares. Did soort praat stoot me af omdat het ver van de directe ervaring staat wat het zo met klem propageert. Van dit soort teksten gaat mijn goeroe-alarm af: wie heeft er het meeste baat bij dat dit gelezen wordt, de lezer, of de auteur?

[Edward Hodge · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting discussion of what he terms as essence. Others would call this the higher self or the true self. Does spend time discussing strengths and shortcomings of approaches of getting to that place. It is very Eastern-centric in his approach, quoting several Sufi and Buddhist teachers. Worth the read.

[Wazee Walks · Rating 5 out of 5]

ON point 10/10

[Anita · Rating 3 out of 5]

I understand I cannot truly understand what Almaas says in his book, because I have not experienced what he describes. Or maybe once a short echo if it when I was spectator at a dervish ceremony. What I collected from the book.. Be aware this may be the wrong impression, look for yourself also.. Essence is something deeper than the experience of energy, essence has or rather is substance and has many aspects. It is being. To experience it you have to remove obstacles and identifications contained in the personality. The most important loss of the awareness of essence is the loss of symbiosis with the mother. This creates a perceived hole that will be filled up by ego mechanisms. The search for that symbiosis creates all kinds of behaviour. The writer actually to my surprise uses Freuds theories quite extensively.
Inthe first chapters I thought he said that in a later chapter he would explain how to get to essence even without being completely pure or detached, so I was looking forward to that. He did not, as far as I could understand. Well, he also says that greed is one of the deepest personality traits, which may explain my slight disappointment.

[Meta Phantomic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book, as hard-copy in danish, 10+ years ago.
Very good read. ;o))

[Maurits Horbach]

Becoming more and more aware what is going on in my subconcious.