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where the soul can experience itself as a spiritual presence and at the same time as a person

who can relate in a real way to others.[See The Pearl Beyond Price, by author] The other

fundamental pattern of ego is the structure of self-identity, which gives the self the capacity to

recognize itself and orient its actions. This is modeled according to the essential identity aspect,

the point of light and presence that makes it possible for the soul to abide in its nature in self-

realization.[See The Point of Existence, by author]

Realization

As an ego self the soul is unaware of its true nature, and its experience of itself is largely

patterned by mental structures created in the past. However, even these structures reflect and

point to elements of its true nature. By  being aware of one’s inner states, and inquiring into

them in an open and open-ended manner, the soul can begin to see these states for what they

are, soul states patterned by mental structures from early childhood, with their related affects

and memories. Seeing the mental nature of this structuring can then allow the soul to stay open

without being completely patterned by mental images. This then opens up the inner dimension

of space, which in turn allows the arising of the essential aspects  related to the associated ego

structures.[See The Void, by author] The soul begins to recognize its spiritual potential as states

of presence qualified by the perfections of Being.

The method of inquiry is a central practice in the Diamond Approach. Inquiry is a particular

application of a manifestation of true nature that functions as inner guidance. This guidance also

leads the soul to a direct experiential understanding of a situation. The arising of the essential

aspects connects the soul to its essence and opens it to its inner essential guidance. In the

course of working in the Diamond Approach, the soul learns the appropriate attitude or inner

posture that engages this essential guidance, which then leads the soul towards deeper

exploration of its experience and life. Other essential aspects arise with the insight and

understanding which arise from the inquiry, until the major ego structures are finally seen

clearly, confronted and understood. This process ushers the soul into the boundless dimensions

of true nature, which allows the soul to perceive and appreciate a more vast view of reality.

Along with this greater perspective the soul comes to a more objective understanding of  itself,

of the relation of the soul to both true nature and reality. Thus the process of inquiry becomes a

path of freedom and inner realization, leading to a deeper and more comprehensive realization

of true nature.

Diamond Inquiry

In the Diamond Approach, the inquiry through which the soul explores the self and its

experience is informed by the insights of depth psychology. Here modern psychological

knowledge becomes quite useful to support the understanding and transcendence of the ego

self. The field of transpersonal psychology has articulated the need for psychological work in the

spiritual journey. Ken Wilber, in particular, has pointed out the usefulness of the insights and

methods of object relations theory in particular stages of the inner journey.

The method of the Diamond Approach shares this perspective but makes it more specific and

develops it in different directions. The method uses the insights of object relations theory,

amongst others, not only to see through general conditioning from past experience, but to

specifically understand and penetrate particular ego structures that are precisely related to

associated essential aspects. It inquires into the structures of experience that ultimately reflect

the structures of true nature. Further, since the primary barriers to inner realization are the

mental and dualistic tendencies of the self, it explores these barriers directly and specifically, by

inquiring into the ego structures underlying them. So psychological knowledge is useful for the

support of the process of inner realization not only in general, and not only at certain stages, but