AN EXTRAORDINARY ABSENCE ì Liberation in the Midst of a Very Ordinary Life

JEFF FOSTER

NON-DUALITY PRESS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Deep gratitude to Nathan Gill Special thanks to Philip Pegler With love to: Adam, Amy, Barry, Joan, John, Josh, Julian, Jeannine, Kriben, Lynda, Mandi, Menno, Mike, Nic, Pamela, Sid, Tijn, Wendy, and everyone else!
AN EXTRAORDINARY ABSENCE First published August 2009 by NON-DUALITY P RESS © Jeff Foster 2009 © Non-Duality Press 2009 Cover photograph by Nic Oestreicher. Author photograph by Fleur van der Minne. Jeff Foster has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988, to be identified as author of this work. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without prior permission in writing from the Publishers. Printed in Great Britain by the MPG Books Group, Bodmin and King’s Lynn. Typeset in Plantin & Stone Informal Non-Duality Press | PO Box 2228 | Salisbury | SP2 2GZ United Kingdom

ISBN: 978-0-9563091-0-5 www.non-dualitypress.com

If you could get rid of yourself just once, The secret of secrets would open to you. The face of the Unknown, hidden beyond the universe, Would appear on the mirror of your perception.
- Rumi

Love says “I am everything”. Wisdom says “I am nothing”. Between the two, my life flows.
- Nisargadatta Maharaj

Introduction
At the very heart of this book is the simple, direct and timeless message of nonduality. The word nonduality is often used nowadays to describe the ancient Indian Advaitic tradition of spirituality. It simply means not two and is indicating the essential Oneness of life. There is only one reality – Oneness is all there is and we are included. The book has a deeply caring quality that cannot easily be framed in words. The writing sounds a quiet note of authority that is compelling and commands respect. Nevertheless, everyone is free to listen or walk away, and Jeff Foster