This series covers events from 04/27/1983 - 06/29/1983

This eight-week series of classes explores Paul Brunton's teachings on the Overself through the study and discussion of paragraphs from Category 22 of his Notebooks.

The Overself has a paradoxical dual nature: it exists simultaneously as a divine, undifferentiated, universal consciousness within the Intellectual-Principle (Nous) and as demi-divine, individual rays of awareness. The series delves deeply into the Asmita principle—a term borrowed from Yoga philosophy—the demi-divine phase of the Overself that constitutes our higher individuality and is an eternal "I AM" consciousness. The symbolism of the metaphysical chart is used to illustrate the relationship of the Asmita principle to the Soul in the Nous: Mercury in Pisces represents the demi-divine phase, and Saturn in Leo and Jupiter in Virgo represent the divine phase of the Overself.

Central to Anthony Damiani’s exposition of these paragraphs is the principle of mentalism, which holds that each individual unit of consciousness projects the entire world for its own experience, and thus the world is to be found only within consciousness. Moreover, the I AM consciousness can’t be objectified, despite our persistent attempts to do so.

The classes also trace the spiritual journey from ordinary ego-consciousness to the complete cessation of ego dominance, rebirth in the spirit under the Overself's direction, and ultimate identification with the I AM principle. Throughout, the teachings emphasize the sage's simultaneous consciousness of both their personal limitations and their impersonal divine identity.

Practical guidance includes the practice of tracing thoughts to their origin and maintaining the dual standpoint of relative engagement and absolute unchanging truth, offering students both theoretical understanding and contemplative methods for recognizing their essential nature as rays of individualized infinite consciousness that are yet never separate from their divine source.

Classes and documents available in this series