James Gordon Gibson is a spiritual teacher dedicated to sharing the direct recognition of our real nature as pure awareness. This awareness is the non-dual Reality of all things, and is of the very essence of happiness and freedom. Recognition of this awareness as our innermost Self grants us the liberation that is inherently our own, yet unrecognised.
Through writings, videos, retreats and private satsangs, James offers focused guidance that cuts through self-ignorance to reveal the immediate, ever-present and ever-liberated Reality we all truly are. James shares the extraordinary vision of Non-Duality from an ordinary, working-class background with warmth, patience, and rigorous precision. He demonstrates how all of us, no matter our background or personal stories, have the potential to realise and embody the ultimate empowerment and freedom promised by the timeless truths of Non-Duality. James distills the essence of these teachings into an accessible, contemporary form, and, through his satsangs, bridges the gap between ancient wisdom and our everyday, ignorance driven suffering.
James's Journey
"After struggling with severe anxiety and a sense of world-weariness as a teenager, the word 'consciousness' flashed into my mind and held a significance for me beyond its conventionally understood definition. It seemed that, somehow, the meaning of consciousness held the secret to my poor mental health and premature jadedness; understanding consciousness was the key to freeing me from the cage of suffering I had found myself in. I quickly discovered the spiritual teachings of Non-Duality, in both contemporary and traditional forms, dropped out of the higher education I was studying, and devoted all of my time and energy to grappling with, and experiencing, the truth these teachings pointed to: the truth of consciousness and of my own Self.
So far, I had experienced numerous breakthroughs and 'glimpses,' struggling with a sense of 'oscillation' between 'myself' and a particular state of consciousness (what I now refer to as awareness, to distinguish it from the everyday sense of the word 'consciousness') which revealed a boundless, peaceful, presence of being, albeit intermittently. Spurred on by this progress, which, for me, confirmed the truth of the teachings I had been following, a pivotal insight dawned on me one day, after wrestling with the pointer: rest in the present moment. I could not stay 'stabilised' in being, and fell into anger and despondency. Throwing aside my books in despair, I suddenly realised the foolishness of the pointer. To rest in the present moment, the now, or the 'I am,' was simply impossible, because this would require two entities: myself, and the present moment. Was there two: myself and the present moment; myself and the now, myself and 'I am,' or being? No. I am the present moment, the now; the sense 'I am' or sense of being was simply my own presence. I had been trying to 'get back to' myself. How amusing! In an instant, the mind was silenced, and instead came joy and laughter. The identification between myself and the mind was cut, once and for all."
For a time, I experienced profound states of internal concentration, silence, and relaxation. The knot of identity between myself, the body, and the mind—between myself and the person—was untying. Over the next six years, I deepened into this understanding, and fell in love with traditional Non-Duality (Advaita Vedanta.) A great inner urge towards renunciation developed in me, but, after spending some time in India, I embarked on a normal life instead, and started a career in the health and social care sector in the UK, helping others. In my daily life, I encountered great hardships in the people I cared for, and endured physically and emotionally demanding experiences day after day: palliative care, dementia care, mental health crises, and substance abuse, and chronic illness in my own body. Through all this, my Self-knowledge remained steady, maturing into an unshakeable understanding. I began to share this understanding with others in intimate gatherings and on a one-to-one basis. After the disruption of the pandemic, I spent the next years writing my first book, The Light of Understanding.
Nearly two decades after the pivotal insight I had as a teenager, the truth of the Self: pure, non-dual awareness, shines in me as brightly as in you. All my resolve, all my passion and focus in this life—all my love—is in sharing this with you, and in meeting you as I meet myself in every moment of experience: as the liberated, limitless Reality of all things, and the Self in the heart of all beings."
— James
Teaching Approach
Direct & Clear
James's teaching style is characterised by clarity and directness, cutting through conceptual misunderstandings to point directly to what is always present.
Non-Denominational
His approach is non-denominational, experiential, and grounded in the listener's own experience, rather than conceptual religious or philosophical scaffolding.
Practical Wisdom
Through patient, methodical self-inquiry combined with moments of profound silence, James creates conditions for deep recognition.
How James Teaches
Satsang Sessions
Through contemplative dialogue, guided meditations, direct investigation, and silence, James creates spaces for uncovering what is always here but often overlooked. Sessions typically begin with grounding exercises, allowing participants to settle into the depth of their experience and discover the natural peace of being.
Written Teachings
James offers profound written guidance, free from contextual and traditional jargon, which readers can return to again and again, discovering new depths with each reading.
Retreat Facilitation
James creates retreat environments with a perfect balance of structured teaching and space for personal contemplation. His approach allows for both guided inquiry and personal integration in beautiful natural surroundings with heartfelt company and group exploration.
Private Guidance
In one-on-one sessions, James provides personalised guidance tailored to individual needs and levels of understanding, suitable for deeper and intensive investigation.
The Understanding
At the heart of James's teaching is the recognition that what we truly are is not the limited, separate self we imagine ourselves to be, but rather the unlimited, aware presence in which all experience appears. This awareness is not something we need to attain or develop – it is what we already are.
This recognition transforms our understanding of ourselves and our relationship to all experience, offering lasting relief from the suffering that comes from misidentifying ourselves as limited beings. This recognition brings with it the peace and freedom that is our birthright.
Once realised, life itself becomes grace, always reminding us of what we truly are. Every experience, whether pleasant or challenging, becomes an opportunity to deepen into the awareness that we are: unchanging, unharmed, and inherently peaceful.
Connect with James
Whether you're new to non-dual understanding or have been exploring these teachings for years, James's guidance offers a direct path to recognising your true nature.