Insights into Spiritual Revelation

The poem “?!” in this post exemplifies how open-ended inquiry leads to spiritual realization, reflecting the journey from questioning to revelation.

When we first engage in open-ended inquiry, we often approach it as we would any other mental curiosity—asking a question and seeking an answer. Initially, we might view inquiry as a linear sequence: question, answer, question, answer. However, in the Diamond Approach®, open-ended inquiry is not merely conceptual but deeply experiential.

As the poem illustrates, when we inquire from a place grounded in open-ended curiosity—the essential state that embodies infinite wisdom—what begins as a linear process can transform into spiritual revelation. This revelation is not just a flow of answers but an effulgence, a spontaneous outpouring of understanding that emerges from the very ground of being. Here, inquiry becomes a “free-fall” into reality, where the boundaries between the seeker and the sought dissolve into the experience.

The Maturation of Inquiry

In the Diamond Approach, open-ended inquiry matures from a linear process into an embodied state of revelation. Initially, inquiry may seem like a mental exercise, but over time, it becomes a lived experience, a direct engagement with the truth of our being. As inquiry deepens, it no longer follows a predictable path. Instead, it becomes an unfolding, where each moment of revelation reveals deeper layers of wisdom and understanding.

The poem “? . !” begins with a question inspired by a longing to understand love. What is love? We all think we know what love is, yet our actions often suggest otherwise. We treat love as a commodity—something to give or receive, to gain or lose. But this understanding of love is limited, missing the deeper truth that love is the very fabric of reality, as claimed by saints and mystics throughout history.

As the inquiry progresses, the question dissolves into the emerging experience of love. The initial curiosity transforms into a direct, embodied knowing. The mind, heart, and body come alive in the presence of love, and the inquiry gives way to runaway revelation—a celebration of love’s boundless expression. At this point, inquiry transcends mere questioning and becomes a plummet into the reality of love, where the seeker is immersed in the essence of what is being sought.

From Question to Revelation

The poem captures this transformation. It begins with a series of questions reflecting common misconceptions about love. But as the inquiry deepens, the answers start to unfold—not as mere concepts but as a lived experience. The language becomes more fluid and poetic as the heart and body join in the dance of revelation. The mind, once leading the inquiry, now struggles to keep up with the immediacy of the experience.

Runaway revelation takes over, and the original question is forgotten in the joyous celebration of love’s revelation. This is the power of open-ended inquiry in the Diamond Approach. It leads us beyond the mind into the heart of reality, where the wisdom of love is not something to be sought or understood but something to be lived and embodied.

The Poem is a Reflection of the Process

The poem “? . !” itself is a testament to this process. It begins with questions, doubts, and reflections on the nature of love. But as it unfolds, it becomes a revelation—a spontaneous outpouring of love’s wisdom, capturing what it means to inquire, live, and be in love. In this context, open-ended inquiry is not just a method but a journey that eventually lets go of its structure. It becomes a cascading “free-fall” into the deeper truths of reality.

Power of Open-ended Inquiry to Unlock Spiritual States and Revelation

Writing this poem was, quite literally, a rush—a possession by love. The aliveness and ecstasy in the body surged while the hand could not get the words on paper fast enough to keep up. The eyes would close as the experience revealed its majesty. The heart was running amok in astonishment, consciousness imbued and impregnated with love, becoming a channel, an instrument, a vessel for love.

This experience exemplifies the immense power of open-ended inquiry to unlock spiritual states and lead to profound revelation. In the Diamond Approach, inquiry is not just about finding answers but about opening ourselves to the depths of reality, where the boundaries between questioner and answer dissolve. In the spontaneous revelation of reality, we become conduits for deeper truths, where wisdom and love flow through us, revealing their boundless nature.

As the poem demonstrates, inquiry may start with a question but soon transforms into a living experience, an unfolding revelation that transcends the mind’s ability to contain it. The heart, body, and consciousness dance with the divine, where every moment is a new discovery and every breath a deeper immersion into the essence of being.

Open-ended inquiry, when practiced with sincerity and openness, can dissolve our usual mental structures and allow us to access spiritual states that are otherwise hidden. It is a practice that invites us to surrender to the unknown, to let go of our need for control, and to trust in the unfolding of reality itself. In doing so, we become vessels for the revelation of love, wisdom, and truth—experiencing life not just as a series of questions and answers but as a continuous, dynamic celebration of the mystery that is always present, always unfolding.

“Your vision will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.” – Carl Jung

In this way, the poem “? . !” is not just a reflection on love but a testament to the transformative power of inquiry. It shows us that when we approach life with an open heart and a curious mind, we open ourselves to revelations that can reshape our understanding, infuse our being with life, and connect us with the fabric of existence. The gift of open-ended inquiry keeps giving, leading us deeper into reality’s heart.