A Walk Through the Terrain of the Diamond Approach Path

A book talk about The Jeweled Path presented by Karen Johnson at Amstelkerk in The Netherlands in May 2018.

The opening words of Diamond Approach co-founder Karen Johnson’s book, The Jeweled Path: The Biography of the Diamond Approach to Inner Realization, hint at a profound truth that lies at the heart of this contemporary path: that the very surface of our experience holds a wealth of wisdom waiting to be discovered. This approach encourages us to look directly at what is present, to open up to each moment with a sense of friendly curiosity, rather than chasing after some idealized future state and judging ourselves deficient when we do not achieve it. Scroll down to view the video.

Summary

In this talk, Johnson says that in a world saturated with teachings promising elevated states and quick fixes, it’s easy to fall into the trap of striving for a “better” version of ourselves, fearing we might miss out on true liberation. However, the Diamond Approach champions a radical self-acceptance: what’s going on with you right now is not a mistake. It’s an invitation.  

For many, the spiritual path begins with a sense of existential crisis, a feeling that “there has to be more than this.” That yearning, whether conscious or unconscious, draws us towards various traditions, books, or individuals.  

The Diamond Approach, a unique path of realization and transformation, encourages us to look directly at what’s in front of us, recognizing that the very experiences we’re living are doorways to deeper understanding and freedom. Inquiry, the primary practice of the path, is our tool or key, which enables a process of “peeling back the layers” of personal history and conditioning to reveal a uniquely individual “jewel” at the core. Through this practice we can discover that our inherent nature is not a fixed structure defined by our defenses and past experiences. While the ego and its rigid patterns develop as a means of survival, they are not our ultimate reality. 

Inquiry ignites the teaching within the individual and facilitates their own unraveling and opening. It emphasizes personal validation over blind belief. “Do not believe me,” says Johnson. “Listen to what I was saying, feel what happens to you, and find out for yourself.” While universal principles and phenomena exist, the realization and awakening that occur will be unique to each individual.  

Eventually, the Diamond Approach can lead us to the recognition of our authentic self as a point of light, and to the subsequent grounding in a more profound and stable sense of being. This transformation involves moving beyond self-reflection to a direct, felt knowing of one’s true nature. Importantly, this realization is not limited to expansive, non-dual states but can occur within individual consciousness. The path provides a “seamless movement” through the terrain of our daily lives, where challenges become doorways to deeper understanding. It urges us to explore all experiences with a “love and passion for the truth,” which leads to profound understanding and appreciation of our inner landscape. Ultimately, the journey of self-discovery through the Diamond Approach lands us in the realization that one is intrinsically connected to the essence of everything, and that profound truths are constantly unfolding within the fabric of our everyday existence.