A.H. Almaas Integrating Psychological Inquiry with Spiritual Realization
Few individuals have created a body of work as extensive, rich, and complete as A.H. Almaas, the spiritual teacher and founder of the Diamond Approach®. His writings explore the most fundamental aspects of human consciousness, bringing together spiritual insight and psychological understanding in a unique way in the history of modern spiritual literature.
I have no interest in you having any particular spiritual experience. My greatest desire for you is to know that wherever you find yourself, you are having a spiritual experience, and that is the seed that, when you really, really allow yourself to be there, will grow naturally. – A. H. Almaas
The Origins and Foundation of the Diamond Approach
The Diamond Approach, developed by Almaas, stands out in the landscape of spiritual teachings by integrating deep psychological inquiry with the pursuit of spiritual realization. This approach doesn’t bypass psychological material but sees it as integral to the spiritual journey. Rather than viewing the human ego as an obstacle to be eliminated, the Diamond Approach considers it a necessary structure that, when properly understood, can become transparent to the essential qualities of our true nature.
Born Hameed Ali in Kuwait, Almaas adopted his pen name when publishing his spiritual writings. His background includes training in physics and mathematics, giving him a scientific perspective that informs his methodical approach to inner exploration. After moving to the United States, he undertook his intensive inner journey, leading to the development of the Diamond Approach in the 1970s.
One of the most significant and unique aspects of Almaas’s work is its “integration of depth psychology and spiritual traditions.” His approach draws upon “contemporary object relations theory, Freudian-based ego psychology, case studies from his spiritual practice, and teaching from the highest levels of Buddhist and other Eastern practices.”
Essential Qualities of Being: The Heart of the Teaching
Central to Almaas’s teaching is his elucidation of what he calls the “essential qualities of Being.” These qualities—including love, strength, will, compassion, joy, and clarity—are understood as inherent properties of our true nature, often obscured by egoic structures and psychological defenses.
In his extensive work, particularly in texts like “The Pearl Beyond Price” and “Essence,” Almaas describes how these essential qualities manifest as aspects of true realization. Each quality is not merely an abstract concept but an experiential reality, a felt presence that emerges when layers of false identity are deconstructed.
His teaching provides a “systematic description of the various forms of Being, their particular qualities, their dynamics, and their associated psychological issues” within the individual realm of ego and Essence. This work makes it possible to place the personality in the context of Being, allowing for a “much deeper and effective means of spiritual discovery and development.”
The Revolutionary Integration of Psychology and Spirituality
One of Almaas’s most revolutionary contributions is his thorough integration of psychology with spiritual practice. While many traditions either dismiss psychological work or consider it secondary to enlightenment, Almaas demonstrates that psychological inquiry is vital to the path of realization.
In “The Point of Existence,” Almaas provides a psychological analysis of the spiritual process, focusing mainly on the nature of the ego and its dissolution. His background in psychology, including object relations theory and developmental psychology, allows him to map the intricacies of the human psyche while maintaining a broader view of spiritual realization.
This marriage of psychological depth and spiritual wisdom creates a more nuanced and compassionate approach to inner work. Rather than seeking to transcend the personality, practitioners learn to understand and appreciate its development while recognizing its limitations.
The Diamond Mind and Objective Perception
Almaas’s work also explores the nature of perception itself. In his Diamond Mind series, he discusses “objective perception,” which he defines as the capacity to see reality without the distortions of the egoic mind. This shift in perception is not merely intellectual but deeply experiential, allowing individuals to encounter life with clarity, openness, and immediacy.
Inner realization is real when it brings peace of mind, being at ease with oneself regardless of circumstances. As long as it depends on circumstances, we are under the influence of our mind which carries the impressions from our history. This is the freedom that people who do inner practice are seeking. – A.H. Almaas
This concept connects directly to Almaas’s understanding of realization as an ongoing process of refining perception and deepening our understanding of reality. In this view, realization is not about reaching a static state of enlightenment but about continuously awakening to the ever-present truth of our being.
The Pearl Beyond Price: Individuality and Spiritual Realization
In “The Pearl Beyond Price,” one of his seminal works, Almaas examines the relationship between spiritual realization and individuality. He challenges the common belief that enlightenment dissolves individuality, proposing instead that actual realization involves the development of a mature, individuated self that reflects the universal qualities of Being.
Drawing on Sufi tradition, Almaas uses the “pearl” as a symbol for the individual soul—the essence of who we are when the ego becomes transparent to true nature. In this view, the soul is not something to be transcended but is the vehicle through which essential qualities like love, strength, and joy are expressed in the world.
This teaching has profound implications for the spiritual journey. It suggests that realization is not about escaping the world or the self but fully embodying our true nature as individuated beings, expressing the richness and depth of essence.
Value, the Work, and you are one thing. It’s all value. The Work is value, and you are value. – A.H. Almaas
Inner Space and the Vastness of Being
Another distinctive aspect of Almaas’s work is his exploration of inner space. In “The Void,” he discusses inner space as the vast, infinite nature of Being that can be directly experienced through inner work. This is not a metaphor but an experience of spaciousness that emerges when ego structures dissolve, allowing essential qualities to shine through.
Almaas describes this inner space as boundless, reflecting the infinite nature of reality itself. As we open to this space, we begin to experience life in a more fluid, open, and expansive way, unbounded by the limitations of the egoic mind.
The Methodology of the Diamond Approach
At the heart of the Diamond Approach is a methodology centered on the practice of inquiry, which is articulated in great detail in “Spacecruiser Inquiry.” This is not merely intellectual questioning but a presence-centered investigation into one’s immediate experience. Through sustained attention and curiosity about what is arising in the present moment, practitioners learn to recognize and disidentify from the conditioned patterns that limit their experience of reality.
The Diamond Approach describes “inquiry” as its central method, aimed at “deepening the experience of the present moment and expanding the potential for authentic fulfillment.” This process involves understanding one’s experience to discover true guidance and spiritual realization.
True states of realization occur when you throw away all the teachings. All of the teachings, absolutely. Everything. Then you are investigation itself finding out what you are. – A. H. Almaas
Group work, individual sessions with teachers, and various meditation practices complement this core practice of inquiry. The approach is systematic and comprehensive, offering a map of the terrain of inner experience while honoring each person’s unique journey.
The Vast Body of Almaas’ Work
Over several decades, A.H. Almaas has created an extensive body of work spanning multiple volumes, each exploring different dimensions of spiritual realization and psychological understanding. His books are considered foundational in modern spirituality, offering a comprehensive map of the inner journey that is both accessible and profound.
Some of his most influential works include:
- The Diamond Heart series, which offers a comprehensive guide to the Diamond Approach
- “The Point of Existence” explores the nature of the ego and its relationship to essential states
- “The Pearl Beyond Price” examines individuality and spiritual realization
- “The Void,” delving into inner space and the vastness of Being
- “Runaway Realization” looks at the ongoing nature of awakening
- “The Inner Journey Home,” a comprehensive exploration of the Diamond Approach
Almaas has authored “over twenty books, including several series like the Diamond Heart, Diamond Mind, Diamond Body, and the Journey of Spiritual Love.” He has also been guiding individuals and groups since 1976, demonstrating a sustained commitment to teaching and writing.
Unique Contributions in Comparison to Other Spiritual Traditions
The Diamond Approach shares concepts with several spiritual traditions, including “Sufism (qualities of Essence, Enneagram origins), Buddhism (Truth of Selflessness, emptiness), Vedanta, contemplative Judaism and Christianity (personal relationship with the Absolute), and ancient Greek philosophy (Plato’s forms as related to Essence).”
However, Almaas’s work stands out in several important ways:
- Unlike some traditions that emphasize the impersonal nature of Being, Almaas gives significant importance to developing the “Personal Essence” as the embodiment of Being in an individual life. His detailed mapping of the “qualities and aspects of Essence” and their relation to psychological obstacles represents a significant contribution to spiritual literature.
- The Diamond Approach is described as a “contemporary teaching appropriate for our times,” integrating recent psychological knowledge not available to earlier traditions. His work emphasizes transforming ordinary life into a path of spiritual discovery.
- Almaas’s account broadens the metapsychology begun by Jung and Assagioli by revealing psychospiritual work as a path to enlightenment, where the person is supported by Being and ego structure is integrated into Personal Essence rather than extinguished.
Key Concepts of the Diamond Approach
The Diamond Approach contains several foundational concepts that form its theoretical framework:
- Essence: Often used interchangeably with Being and true nature, Essence refers to the manifestation of reality within the individual, with precise qualities or aspects. The realization of Essence is presented as the goal of inner work.
- Being (True Nature): The ontological nature of all experience and the fundamental ground of reality, from which arise awareness, presence, flow, and emptiness.
- Soul: Described as the organ of experience and the organism of consciousness, which matures and unfolds through inner work.
- Personal Essence: The integration of personal fulfillment and spiritual liberation, representing the full development of human potential and the complete personal embodiment of Being.
- Inquiry: The central method of the Diamond Approach is aimed at deepening the experience of the present moment.
- Space (The Void): Inner spaciousness that can be experienced somatically, psychologically, and spiritually, leading to fundamental healing and integration.
- The Four Turnings: Advanced teachings representing constellations of realization that provide increasingly fuller accounts of true nature.
- Diamond Vehicles: Collections of Essential aspects that serve specific functions on the path of spiritual realization.
The Ongoing Legacy of Almaas
Today, the Diamond Approach is taught worldwide through the Ridhwan School, founded by Almaas and his colleagues. The teaching continues to evolve as Almaas himself deepens and refines his understanding of the nature of reality and the process of realization.
A.H. Almaas stands as a significant figure in spiritual and psychological inquiry. His contributions to understanding human consciousness, the process of realization, and the nature of enlightenment are remarkable in their depth and breadth. Through his extensive body of work, he has created a profound and practical map for the spiritual journey, offering a path that integrates the psychological and spiritual dimensions of our being.
In a world that often seeks quick fixes and simplistic answers to complex questions, Almaas’s work reminds us that realization is a deep, ongoing process that requires rigorous inner work and a profound openness to the mystery of Being. His teachings continue to inspire and guide spiritual seekers around the world.
The Diamond Approach represents a unique synthesis in the landscape of spiritual teachings that honors ancient wisdom traditions and modern psychological understanding. By offering a detailed map of the territory of inner experience while emphasizing the importance of direct experience, Almaas has created a path that is both practical and profound, accessible and deeply transformative.