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Runaway Realization

Living a Life of Ceaseless Discovery

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Paperback
$18.95 US
5.44"W x 8.41"H x 0.75"D   | 12 oz | 24 per carton
On sale Oct 21, 2014 | 208 Pages | 978-1-61180-202-3
Spiritual teacher A. H. Almaas presents the highest level and most profound teachings of the Diamond Approach on the true nature of reality and the path to enlightenment
 
The teaching in this book is off the map—because reality itself cannot be captured in a map. In fact, reality is far more alive, far more mysterious than anything we can conceive of.  It is always revealing itself by knowing itself; and knowing reality and living it becomes the fulfillment of our life. Here, A. H. Almaas, the originator of the Diamond Approach, presents a new paradigm for understanding reality: the view of totality. He reveals that our life can become an endless revelation of reality, an adventure with neither beginning nor end.
   
A. H. Almaas has been developing and teaching the Diamond Approach, a spiritual path of self-realization and maturity based on an original synthesis of modern discoveries in the field of psychology and a new paradigm about spiritual nature, for more than thirty years. The Diamond Approach aims to realize the truth at progressively deeper levels until one reaches the ultimate Truth—the Absolute—and to become integrated into that truth so that we are a living presence and embodiment of it. The teachings of this path have been unfolding over time, and Runaway Realization presents—for the first time in print—the highest level of teachings in the Diamond Approach in the most profound work by Almaas so far. Almaas offers a detailed look at the true nature of reality and the nature of enlightenment. He also talks about practice—what it is and what it isn't, and how it relates to the process of realization. He looks at what it is to be a human being and what our role is in the totality of the universe. The material includes a discussion of the nature of space and time, as well as a view of more and more subtle levels of realization.
“Beyond duality and nonduality, the realizations voiced here are like the immediacy and laughter of Zen, expressions of untethered freedom beyond fixed view, the joy of letting go, embracing paradox, liberating wisdom, a gift of grace.”—Jack Kornfield, author of A Path with Heart
 
“It’s exhilarating to see a master teacher break free and clear—even of his own teaching! This book confirms suspicions that have long been growing in me and encourages me even more to trust my own inner compass as I bushwhack my way along the pathless path. Runaway Realization offers an inviting and hopeful alternative vision of the mature stages of spiritual life, served up with the author’s signature clarity and a newfound note of gentleness.”—Cynthia Bourgeault, author of The Holy Trinity and the Law of Three

"As we awaken to the field of aliveness in which we live, we enter the realm of this magnificent and important book. Almaas combines penetrating insight with clear communication to describe the self-sustaining fire of awareness awakening to itself. He challenges us to see the profound depth of our freedom as beings of cosmic aliveness who are learning to live in a living universe. A gem of a book!”—Duane Elgin, author of The Living Universe, Awakening Earth, and Voluntary Simplicity
A. H. Almaas is the pen name of Hameed Ali, the Kuwaiti-born originator of the Diamond Approach, who has been guiding individuals and groups in Colorado, California, and Europe since 1976. He is the author of many books, including Love Unveiled and The Unfolding Now. View titles by A. H. Almaas
Introduction: The Turnings of the Wheel
PART ONE: PRACTICE IS REALIZATION
Chapter 1: Continual Practice
Chapter 2: The Enlightenment Drive
Chapter 3: Motiveless Practice
Chapter 4: Practice to No End
Chapter 5: Uncaused Realization
Chapter 6: Non-Self-Centered Practice
PART TWO: ENDLESS ENLIGHTENMENT
Chapter 7: Opening Time and Space
Chapter 8: Total Being
Chapter 9: The Organ of Realization
Chapter 10: The Dynamic of Realization
Chapter 11: The Paradox of Nondoing
Chapter 12: The Mystery of Emptiness
Chapter 13: Delusion beyond Realization
PART THREE: VIEWS OF FREEDOM
Chapter 14: Steps to Nowhere
Chapter 15: Total Nonconceptuality
Chapter 16: Featureless True Nature
Chapter 17: Not One, Not Two
Chapter 18: Total Freedom

About

Spiritual teacher A. H. Almaas presents the highest level and most profound teachings of the Diamond Approach on the true nature of reality and the path to enlightenment
 
The teaching in this book is off the map—because reality itself cannot be captured in a map. In fact, reality is far more alive, far more mysterious than anything we can conceive of.  It is always revealing itself by knowing itself; and knowing reality and living it becomes the fulfillment of our life. Here, A. H. Almaas, the originator of the Diamond Approach, presents a new paradigm for understanding reality: the view of totality. He reveals that our life can become an endless revelation of reality, an adventure with neither beginning nor end.
   
A. H. Almaas has been developing and teaching the Diamond Approach, a spiritual path of self-realization and maturity based on an original synthesis of modern discoveries in the field of psychology and a new paradigm about spiritual nature, for more than thirty years. The Diamond Approach aims to realize the truth at progressively deeper levels until one reaches the ultimate Truth—the Absolute—and to become integrated into that truth so that we are a living presence and embodiment of it. The teachings of this path have been unfolding over time, and Runaway Realization presents—for the first time in print—the highest level of teachings in the Diamond Approach in the most profound work by Almaas so far. Almaas offers a detailed look at the true nature of reality and the nature of enlightenment. He also talks about practice—what it is and what it isn't, and how it relates to the process of realization. He looks at what it is to be a human being and what our role is in the totality of the universe. The material includes a discussion of the nature of space and time, as well as a view of more and more subtle levels of realization.

Praise

“Beyond duality and nonduality, the realizations voiced here are like the immediacy and laughter of Zen, expressions of untethered freedom beyond fixed view, the joy of letting go, embracing paradox, liberating wisdom, a gift of grace.”—Jack Kornfield, author of A Path with Heart
 
“It’s exhilarating to see a master teacher break free and clear—even of his own teaching! This book confirms suspicions that have long been growing in me and encourages me even more to trust my own inner compass as I bushwhack my way along the pathless path. Runaway Realization offers an inviting and hopeful alternative vision of the mature stages of spiritual life, served up with the author’s signature clarity and a newfound note of gentleness.”—Cynthia Bourgeault, author of The Holy Trinity and the Law of Three

"As we awaken to the field of aliveness in which we live, we enter the realm of this magnificent and important book. Almaas combines penetrating insight with clear communication to describe the self-sustaining fire of awareness awakening to itself. He challenges us to see the profound depth of our freedom as beings of cosmic aliveness who are learning to live in a living universe. A gem of a book!”—Duane Elgin, author of The Living Universe, Awakening Earth, and Voluntary Simplicity

Author

A. H. Almaas is the pen name of Hameed Ali, the Kuwaiti-born originator of the Diamond Approach, who has been guiding individuals and groups in Colorado, California, and Europe since 1976. He is the author of many books, including Love Unveiled and The Unfolding Now. View titles by A. H. Almaas

Table of Contents

Introduction: The Turnings of the Wheel
PART ONE: PRACTICE IS REALIZATION
Chapter 1: Continual Practice
Chapter 2: The Enlightenment Drive
Chapter 3: Motiveless Practice
Chapter 4: Practice to No End
Chapter 5: Uncaused Realization
Chapter 6: Non-Self-Centered Practice
PART TWO: ENDLESS ENLIGHTENMENT
Chapter 7: Opening Time and Space
Chapter 8: Total Being
Chapter 9: The Organ of Realization
Chapter 10: The Dynamic of Realization
Chapter 11: The Paradox of Nondoing
Chapter 12: The Mystery of Emptiness
Chapter 13: Delusion beyond Realization
PART THREE: VIEWS OF FREEDOM
Chapter 14: Steps to Nowhere
Chapter 15: Total Nonconceptuality
Chapter 16: Featureless True Nature
Chapter 17: Not One, Not Two
Chapter 18: Total Freedom