The First Instant is this ever-present actuality - which is nothing other than the boundless being-ness of what you truly are. You cannot move away from this instant and you never have been anywhere other than right here 'in' and 'as' this one and only first instant. This, as a concept, is considerably challenging even though the actuality of its obviousness is undeniable for anyone that really examines the present evidence of what is immediately appearing as the world and its nature. From the individual perspective, one's whole life has been a never-ending appearance and disappearance of objects in and around one and this has never been anything other than this immediate living-ness, this first instant.

This immediate awareness is this directness, which is always the primary awareness of every-thing. It only appears to be sidelined by a habitual way of looking. It is, in fact, the ever-present actuality. This is very subtle compared to our usual habitual mindscape, which is nothing other than images, words and objects in the mind. Words, names, descriptions and the like are all objectifications in mind and the immediate fact is that none of these actually obscure awareness at all, even though they are believed to do just that. What is difficult to 'get across' about all this is that the belief in 'time' is actually erroneous. All objects appearing to slip into a realm called the 'past' is just a habitual concept and nothing more than that. Just because the majority believe in this common vague concept along with its apparent subsequent 'mind-scape' of serial concepts does not make it factual. The direct evidence, which is ever-present, is prior to the translating processes of mind and remains untouched by anything that arises as thought. It is so obvious and yet seemingly so challenging to the belief system - which of course includes the concept of a separate individual existence. This primary belief is the main culprit and the last to be 'let go of' for those that open to the ever-fresh newness of effortless living. This new book 'The First Instant' addresses these habitual 'issues' and is available for those that are drawn to this inevitable and necessary investigation.

Many years can 'appear' to be wasted on 'practices' and 'methods' and these 'delay tactics' can never bring you back to the fullness of this first instant of being-ness - because you have never left it - ever. The ever-present fact of being is the ever-present fact of knowing and this is your true nature. Isn't there knowing happening right now? - not 'what' is known - just simple knowing. It is ever-present. It is already fully functioning yet it may not be realized as such. This pure functioning of direct cognition is the case with 'everyone' no matter what the apparent condition of body or mind may appear to be. It IS and always has been 'One without a second' - IT is the ever-present nature of all and everything. Being so, it is only an apparent relief for an apparent 'entity', which appears to discover its real nature. There is nothing 'wrong' anywhere - but knowing that in its fullness can only appear as a concept for the mind. The direct knowing-ness is ever prior to the content, the beliefs of mind. The true nature of mind is clear and empty and nothing can lodge in its pristine open-ness. You are That open-ness - That formless knowing being-ness. When have you been anything other than this knowing? It is so simple and so obvious.

In this common world of 'time and story' we know that books are an ancient means of communication. One could attend an endless series of uni-lectures about how books have influenced the life of man. Many do! Books, books, books.

Of course it is all based on a common understanding of letters words and symbols in our language. In the story of mankind, these all appeared before books came along. Each region of this world has its own language and syntax. Intelligence and the facility of knowing are prior to language. We all 'have' intelligence and the facility of knowing, no matter what language we have been introduced to.

The common use of language works well enough until we approach the so-called 'higher' realms of truth. Endless arguments and intellectualising appear to be a constant companion to these expressions of truth.

The explanation of this inexplicable mystery, our existence, can never be captured in words. Even if it could, it would remain as an explanation and so be limited to the realm of words, ideas and concepts. But, do we already understand and know everything we need to know about this mystery? I suggest that this fullness of knowing is the first instant of being-ness 'within' all of us.

We all use words, ideas and concepts to express ourselves and communicate with each other. It appears that this knowing, in us, can be stimulated by the expression of concepts, ideas and even single words or symbols.

Life is a re-occurring mystery for the mind and it appears that we build a fortress of 'personal meaning' to assist in shielding ourselves from its 'stilling' effect. You could say that this allows us to continue, more or less harmoniously, in our day-to-day 'business of living'. Each and every moment of this 'living' arises from a fresh and new moment of being-ness no matter 'where' it is.

At the very 'molecular centre' of this planet called Earth, is the first instant of being-ness. At every point, within and on the surface of this planet, is this first instant of being-ness. In every point of this Universe abides the timeless first instant of being-ness. Each of these points is a point of spontaneous arising for this infinite display of the dynamic energy - this potentiality - this infinite variety of phenomenal life, of stars, planets and every conceivable thing.

(As many scientists can tell you) Looking closely at any of these points brings you to empty space. Looking back into the space of seeing, you find your own empty nature of knowing.

This vast field of innate wholeness, this wondrous intelligence, appears from empty space, as a spontaneous, uncaused, movement of knowing. In no way is it divided into any parts that have any independence, in time or space, from this vast unicity - this singular spontaneous light of being. This light of knowing. It is One Being-ness.

This light of infinite knowing abides right there in the space behind your eyes.

This being-ness, which you know as your own, reaches beyond the furthest galaxy.

This immediate and timeless seeing, this knowing is the bliss of being. The love of being. This spontaneous consciousness. This everlasting moment of living-ness. You are THAT.

(It is what the Hindus call Sat-Chit-Ananda.)

Can we deny the stimulation of words? Whether the response is deemed to be positive or negative. Something is happening - or is it? The heart of all movement is stillness. We are both.

We have seemingly 'gone with' the movement and forgotten the stillness.

However, these two aspects are the very foundation of our being.

This is beyond forgetting and remembering.

The 'journey' is a mirage and the innate knowing of this abides timelessly within the first instant of knowing and being. Unborn awareness. You are THAT.

NEW! Portuguese translation of portions of The First Instant
(Requires Adobe Reader)

Printed Book Ordering: Available through Beyond Description Publishing by the end of 2006.

e-Book Ordering: Available through Beyond Description Publishing by the end of 2006.