A Course in Self-Inquiry & Self-Realization

Step-by-step guidance on awakening to your true nature.

Most of us do not really know who we are. We’ve been told who we are—by our parents, our family, our teachers, our governments, and society—and we believe we really are the identity given to us by our culture. We believe in a certain story about ourselves, an idea of who we are, attached to a certain name, with certain likes and dislikes, certain interests and beliefs, with a certain role to play in society.

Believing that we are this story, we go on looking for ways to prove this story and have it validated by others. We try to improve our story, improve our self-image, make it more attractive, more significant, more loveable. People will spend their whole lives trying to gain social acceptance and approval of the story that they identify with. In doing so, they overlook the truth of who they are. Being attached to a story about their identity, people needlessly suffer trying to protect and defend this imagined sense of self.

When you have a nightmare, you suffer in the dream, but once you wake up your suffering ends because you realize that the dream wasn’t real. In the same way, when you wake up from the dream of thinking you are your story, all the suffering associated with that story ends because you realize it isn’t actually who you are, and it does not affect your true Self.

Discover the Deepest Truth of Who You Are

This course is designed to help you awaken to the fundamental truth of your existence—to answer the big question "Who Am I?" It is for those who genuinely want to know who they are at the deepest level, not as another belief to add to your self-image, but as an actual realization that you can directly experience.

It is not intended to add to your knowledge or to help you learn more about yourself, it is intended to help you unlearn every idea you have about yourself so you can recognize the truth of who you are.

You already are your true Self, and there is nothing you need to learn or gain to realize who you are. You only need to remove the concepts and beliefs that you have mistaken yourself to be. This course is a guide to help you do so.

What Is The Benefit of Waking Up to Who You Are?

It frees you from everything you have mistaken yourself to be. It frees you from the concern and obsession over your self-image, from the stories and beliefs in the mind that cause you pain, from the need to be socially accepted and validated, and from the influence that any circumstance has on your peace. It also frees you from limiting worldviews and opens your mind to dimensions of life that you never knew existed.

So much of our unhappiness comes from deeply rooted unconscious beliefs that we have about our identity. How many people believe they are not good enough, believe they are not capable of success, believe they are not worthy of acceptance or love? You too likely struggle with feelings of self-worth and self-esteem.

Well, what if the self that you think you are isn't really your true Self? What if your current perception of self is based on limiting beliefs that you adopted from your family, from society, from a religion, or from your own mistaken assumptions about your identity? Wouldn't you want to discover the truth of who you actually are, especially if this was the ultimate answer to the peace and freedom you have been seeking for?

The Course Curriculum:

This course helps to guide you inward to the essence of your being and offers guided meditations for stabilizing yourself in your essential nature. It also provides tips and guidance for how to integrate this deeper perspective of Self into your daily life in the world. The course structure is as follows:

• Lesson 1: The Two Truths. In this lesson we explore an ancient teaching known as the "Two Truths" that helps to orient us in the right direction for our journey inward.

• Lesson 2: The Biggest Obstacle to Self-Realization. In this lesson we explore the biggest obstacle that people face in discovering who they really are.

• Lesson 3: Who Am I? Inquiring Into the Nature of the Self. In this lesson we begin the formal practice of self-inquiry, examining commonly held beliefs about the self to come to a deeper realization of who and what we actually are.

• Lesson 4: Your True Self. In this lesson, we expound upon our true nature to bring it into greater clarity and to explore the implications of what it means to discover our essential Self.

• Lesson 5: Distinguishing Awareness from Mind. In this lesson we outline the essential practice of Self-realization.

• Lesson 6: The Essence of Meditation. In this lesson, we discuss the true essence of meditation as well as how to properly develop your own meditation practice.

• 3 Guided Meditations. Together, we will practice three powerful techniques for awakening to and resting in your true nature.

• Lesson 7: Integration. This lesson wraps up the course with a discussion on the essential need for integrating our realization into our daily lives, and offers tips and guidance for how to do so.

Meet Your Teacher

About Joseph P. Kauffman

Joseph P. Kauffman is an author, mindfulness teacher, and the founder of Conscious Collective. He has published 9 books on mindfulness, meditation, and spiritual awakening.

At age 16, Joseph had a spontaneous mystical experience that gave him an insight into the unity of life. After this experience, he began passionately studying and practicing Eastern philosophy and spirituality.

Joseph has studied extensively the philosophies of various schools of Buddhism, Zen, Yoga, Vedanta, Taoism, and Shamanism and has sought to integrate these ancient philosophies with modern understandings of psychology, neurology, and physics. His curiosity to learn has drawn him to travel abroad and study in India, China, Nepal, Peru and Guatemala, participating in numerous trainings and retreats and learning from many different teachers and traditions.

Joseph’s journey has brought him to a deep understanding of life and of the importance of mindfulness and meditation as tools for self-discovery and liberation. Now, it’s Joseph's mission to share the wisdom he has received from his studies and to help people experience greater happiness, health, connection and freedom in their lives.

Books by Joseph

Stories on Joseph P. Kauffman

"I would recommend anyone who has the intention to grow to experiment with this practice."

Joseph is an excellent guide, transmitting serenity and kindness in every moment with his words and his presence. I feel very grateful to him. I would recommend anyone who has the intention to grow to experiment with this practice because it is the experience itself that can help us transform the information into knowledge.

Nicolas Acosta
Argentina

"I am beyond honored to have Joseph as my life coach and spiritual advisor."

I am beyond honored to have Joseph as my life coach and spiritual advisor. The wisdom he has bestowed upon me has been priceless. Life undoubtedly has its ups and downs but having the tools on my belt shared by Joseph gives me great confidence and peace of mind that I am better equipped for whatever comes my way.

Paul Schwiesow
West Virginia

"I felt lighter, present in my body, and more open and aware than ever!"

I have been following Joseph's work for years and recently experienced a session with him. Upon connecting, I was put at ease with the gentle, kind, positive way he has about him. He seems to have the perfect blend of old wisdom and a youthful spirit that makes his work so relatable and calming. Our session brought me deeper into myself than I have ever been before. I felt lighter, present in my body, and more open and aware than ever! I am so happy to have connected with Joseph. Much love and many thanks!

Virginia Franklin
Boston

"I felt a strong sense of peace and of clarity."

Joseph was a kind, receptive teacher with much wisdom. His energy provided a space of comfort throughout the whole session. Personally, I had never experienced anything like this and have much gratitude for having gotten a chance to experience it. It was a simple process, yet one that proved to be very, very powerful. At the end of the session I felt a strong sense of peace and clarity.

Antonio Cervantes
United States

"Learning meditation with Joseph has helped me transform my life."

Learning meditation with Joseph has helped me transform my life. He's a great teacher. I have incorporated his teachings into my everyday routine, and I carry that inner peace I have always craved and bring a new level of focus and intention to each day.

Adam Healey
Virginia

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