Most western psychologies do not recognize the essence, although it is central to the primordial traditions of humanity. In part one of this two part program, Hameed Ali defines our essence as that part of us which is unconditioned by our personal life history. As opposed to our personality, the essence is a deeper and more spiritual aspect of our nature.

In part two, Ali provides practical examples of the Diamond Approach work of the Ridhwan School. He demonstrates the technique of Socratic questioning he uses with his students to enable them to discover the exquisite sensitivities of the deeper, inner being. Distinguishing the soul from the spirit, he talks about the precise awareness that enables us to function effectively while maintaining a consistent awareness of our unity with all of life.

Hameed Ali is the director of the Ridhwan School of spiritual training. Writing under the pen name of A. H. Almaas, he is the author of books which attempt to integrate the primordial spiritual traditions of humanity with modern depth psychology. Among his titles are Essence, The Void, The Elixer of Enlightenment and The Pearl Beyond Price.