During Robert's travels he has labored as an auto assembly line worker in Detroit, as a carnival worker, a journalist in New York City, on a farm of a Zen community in California, as a landscaper, a financial consultant, a janitor. After living in the Mendocino area for about twenty years he bought a camper van and moved onto a property in a redwoods forest where he studied the inner life intensely. Something fell into place there after a number of years, and out of that period of solitude, Robert began writing and sharing his observations on the reality that surrounds and includes us. Shortly thereafter, Robert moved to Ojai, California where he continues to live and write.
A magazine interview from 2004 is extracted below. The monograph 'The Absolute Enigma' from Living Nonduality also contains biographical details.
New Spirit: You've been running a classified listing, under Classes, that is brief and somewhat unusual: "One-on-one discussion... non-duality explored". What can you tell me?
RW: I was baptized at 13, and an atheist by age 20 - due to the hypocrisy I saw in religion. But by age 30, I became interested in Zen, to discover spiritual truth directly. But I then put all that aside, to focus on my marriage and career - both of which ended in dissatisfaction. So, I returned to my earlier questions with a resolve to answer them fully. This took three years, and much solitude and contemplation. But, about 15 years ago, a sudden and thorough transformative awakening occurred. Since then, my only real interest has been to assist others to discover for themselves their true essence.
NS: From the standpoint of Zen?
RW: From the standpoint of any and all direct spiritual traditions. I've had enough time to become conversant with what is effective among the teachings, both historic and contemporary; particularly the message of advaita, which means "not two". Nonduality is at the root of Hindu, Buddhist, Tao, even Christian spirituality. All point the seeker to ultimate truth, once one has unraveled the mystery in what is being said.
NS: What part do you play?
RW: Minimal. I had no teacher, so I can attest that one is not necessary. What one has to confront is the divisive, dualistic nature of our very thought process. All that a teacher can do is challenge your false perceptions until you recognize for yourself their deceptiveness. That profound "Aha!" can arrive in as little as a half hour, for a person with an open mind.
NS: You discuss these matters on an individual basis?
RW: Over the years, I've experimented with various approaches. I've found the most fruitful to be a direct dialogue; sometimes this is done by phone, or even by correspondence, such as with a prison inmate.
NS: And fruitfully?
RW: A trail marker can only point the way; not everyone is interested in departing the highway. To awaken to your true essence is likely to fundamentally change your life. Even the prospect of this evokes paralysis in many people. But, thanks to New Spirit, I've been able to be of assistance to men and women from Goleta to Santa Ana.
NS: According to your listing, at "no cost".
RW: I'm retired. My only interest is in sharing the wonder of the discovery that it has been my fortune to partake of.
RW: I was baptized at 13, and an atheist by age 20 - due to the hypocrisy I saw in religion. But by age 30, I became interested in Zen, to discover spiritual truth directly. But I then put all that aside, to focus on my marriage and career - both of which ended in dissatisfaction. So, I returned to my earlier questions with a resolve to answer them fully. This took three years, and much solitude and contemplation. But, about 15 years ago, a sudden and thorough transformative awakening occurred. Since then, my only real interest has been to assist others to discover for themselves their true essence.
NS: From the standpoint of Zen?
RW: From the standpoint of any and all direct spiritual traditions. I've had enough time to become conversant with what is effective among the teachings, both historic and contemporary; particularly the message of advaita, which means "not two". Nonduality is at the root of Hindu, Buddhist, Tao, even Christian spirituality. All point the seeker to ultimate truth, once one has unraveled the mystery in what is being said.
NS: What part do you play?
RW: Minimal. I had no teacher, so I can attest that one is not necessary. What one has to confront is the divisive, dualistic nature of our very thought process. All that a teacher can do is challenge your false perceptions until you recognize for yourself their deceptiveness. That profound "Aha!" can arrive in as little as a half hour, for a person with an open mind.
NS: You discuss these matters on an individual basis?
RW: Over the years, I've experimented with various approaches. I've found the most fruitful to be a direct dialogue; sometimes this is done by phone, or even by correspondence, such as with a prison inmate.
NS: And fruitfully?
RW: A trail marker can only point the way; not everyone is interested in departing the highway. To awaken to your true essence is likely to fundamentally change your life. Even the prospect of this evokes paralysis in many people. But, thanks to New Spirit, I've been able to be of assistance to men and women from Goleta to Santa Ana.
NS: According to your listing, at "no cost".
RW: I'm retired. My only interest is in sharing the wonder of the discovery that it has been my fortune to partake of.
Contact Robert
Robert Wolfe
c/o Karina Library
PO Box 35
Ojai, California 93024
c/o Karina Library
PO Box 35
Ojai, California 93024
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