How much time and commitment does the Diamond Approach require?
From a recent email: I am valuing your YouTube videos on the Diamond Approach. I am wondering if you could address the subjects of time and commitment as they pertain to the Work. I am in a new group and it seems incremental and gradual. One of my teachers has described as a “slow drip”. I have heard several other teachers comment on duration as an aspect of the path. I am still unsure of the value of this style of working. Could you comment?
This is a great question. Many people coming into contact with the Diamond Approach have the same questions, and the same questions arise in many other life situations. So, it is good to explore these questions as the inquiry will serve us in much of our life.
Here is my response to this query on time and commitment:
Commitment is dedication – bringing yourself closer to what you want to do. So the act of will pushes you closer to what you want to do. We say that at the essential level, there is no such thing as faith; there is only knowledge. It is the same thing with commitment: there is no such thing in Essence as commitment. There is just Being. Because Essence is complete. So when you are your Essence, you are not committed to yourself; you are yourself. A. H. Almaas, Diamond Heart Book One: Elements of the Real in Man
Where we invest our time, we create value because we are investing ourselves, and value is part of our nature. When we realize that we create value in this dimension by expressing and engaging the Work to be real, we will understand that our commitment to the Work is simply a commitment to our authenticity. The heart desires to be 100% transparent to, engaged with, and express her nature. Time and commitment fly out the window with a love like that.
The Diamond Approach and Commitment
Commitment is a crucial aspect of the journey toward self-discovery and realization. It is described as a state of serious dedication to the work of self-inquiry and understanding. Commitment in this context implies an intention to continue the journey, regardless of the difficulties, barriers, and distractions that may arise along the way. A determination and persistence in the openness to truth supports inquiring into and discerning the truth as fully and precisely as possible. This commitment to truth means one will not quit or deviate from the path when things get tough.
Commitment in the Diamond Approach is also linked to what one values. It implies that the open-endedness of inquiry is more important than any particular aim or result. It means that one prefers the truth to anything else and loves it more than merely feeling good or relieving oneself of difficulties. This commitment arises from the openness to the truth and expresses the love of the truth. Why would one commit oneself without this love, without this valuing of the truth and its revelation?
However, commitment to this journey is not without its challenges. There is a deep fear in us of losing our sense of identity, our sense of who we are, our separateness, and our individuality. These fears come from unconscious beliefs that originated in infancy. The unconscious believes that if the person commits herself, she will lose herself. There is a sense in which this is true. When we do the work, we separate from the false personality with which we are identified initially. We must overcome these fears of losing identity to maintain a commitment to the work.
Finally, commitment is also connected with belief and faith. If you believe in something, you have faith in it and tend to commit yourself. The more you believe in it, the more you commit yourself. If you have faith in the Virgin Mary, you might commit yourself to going to church more often. You might commit to saying your prayers morning and evening, putting effort and will into remembering to say them. In the beginning, commitment depends on belief and faith. But just as faith can be based on direct perception, so can commitment be based on direct perception.
FAQ
What does commitment mean in the context of the Diamond Approach?
Commitment in the Diamond Approach is described as a state of serious dedication to the work of self-inquiry and understanding. It means that one prefers the truth to anything else and loves it more than merely feeling good or relieving oneself of difficulties. This commitment arises from the openness to the truth and expresses the love of the truth.
What challenges might I face in committing to the Diamond Approach?
There is a deep fear in us of losing our sense of identity, our sense of who we are, our separateness, and our individuality. These fears come from unconscious beliefs that originated in infancy. The unconscious believes that if the person commits herself, she will lose herself. There is a sense in which this is true. When we do the work, we separate from the false personality with which we are identified initially. We must overcome these fears of losing identity to maintain a commitment to the work.
How is commitment connected with belief and faith in the Diamond Approach?
In the beginning, commitment depends on belief and faith. But just as faith can be based on direct perception, so can commitment be based on direct perception. If you believe in something, you have faith in it and tend to commit yourself. The more you believe in it, the more you commit yourself.
How much time and commitment does the Diamond Approach require?
The Diamond Approach requires a significant amount of time and commitment. It is described as a “slow drip” process, with duration being an important aspect of the path. The spiritual journey is incremental and gradual, requiring persistent dedication and openness to truth.