John Siddique of Authentic Living, is a revered spiritual teacher, yogi, writer, and poet, known for his grounded wisdom and heartfelt teachings. Author of nine books, including “Signposts of The Spiritual Journey” and “SO,” he has touched the lives of millions through his meditations and courses, promoting authenticity, awareness, and self-realization. Unbound by any sect or philosophy, John’s work focuses on guiding individuals toward living meaningful lives with compassion and love at the core. His teachings transcend fear and separateness, fostering wholeness and genuine human connection. MysticMag finds out more.
John, how did your personal journey of self-realization and transformation inspire the creation of The Open Space, and what role does it play in helping others navigate their own spiritual paths?
Throughout my life, I’ve always sought to understand what is truly real. We live in a world that constantly presents us with multiple layers of reality, yet I’ve always felt an inner urge—something I’ve had since childhood—to look deeper, to uncover the true nature of life, both within this body and in the world.
As my journey of self-discovery has unfolded, particularly in the last 10-15 years, this pursuit has become the dominant force in my life. I wanted to create a way to invite others to embark on their own journeys of exploration. My work isn’t about reaching the masses; it’s about connecting with those few who already feel this call within themselves.
The Open Space which is a member’s only space within the Authentic Living site is non-denominational, welcoming all paths, because ultimately, all sincere paths lead to the same place. It’s about discovering that one underlying truth. This fruits of the path of realization that has been revealed to me and that is within each person is what I aim to share, but I’m not here to hard sell anything—quite the opposite. I’m not a seller at all. It’s simply a matter of, if this is the direction your life is taking, then let’s walk this path together if that is helpful to you.
In The Open Space community, how do you guide members to transcend the conditioning they’ve been taught in life, and what are some key practices or teachings that facilitate this process of unlearning and embracing wholeness?
Those are indeed some of the most profound questions in life. We don’t ask anyone to give anything up or to become something they’re not. Early in our journeys, there’s often a lot of experimentation—trying on different identities, roles, or beliefs. For many, this is the path they take, attempting to define themselves through acquisition or by adhering to guidelines, rules, or commandments, striving to become “this” or “that.”
In The Open Space, however, the focus is on listening to the authenticity and truth of life itself. Authenticity is the guiding principle, regardless of the specific practices. We have meditations designed to bring about the realization of core awareness, allowing you to perceive and feel the truth of your life more clearly. As this awareness becomes a knowing, rather than just a belief, it becomes easier to follow, because you’re no longer trying to add something external to yourself.
This is the foundation of our approach. Some of the practices I’ve found particularly inviting for others include the “Who Am I?” practice, inspired by Ramana Maharshi. Another practice I call “Gathering Awareness” uses the natural awareness within ourselves, expressed through our senses, to engage fully with the present moment. Instead of trying to change anything, you allow what is present to reveal itself, and by doing so, you stop clinging to or resisting it, leading to having a choice to live your life from a more authentic center.
This awareness naturally undoes the layers of our conditioning, allowing us to see our own patterns and traps. Rather than imposing anything, I might occasionally point something out, knowing the person is capable of seeing it for themselves. This way, they are always following their own path, never mine.
Can you share how the monthly live Satsang and exclusive video teachings are designed to deepen the understanding and experience of authenticity, love, and awareness among the members?
The live Satsang is essentially our monthly community gathering. The term “Satsang” can be understood in two ways. Traditionally, it means sitting down with a teacher, and while there is an element of that in our meetings, the teacher isn’t necessarily me. Instead, the teacher is the truth that emerges in the circle from our shared space. My role seems to be to hold that space in this lifetime, so I accept that responsibility with gratitude and strive to approach it as openly and lovingly as possible. It’s a non-hierarchical environment, where each person can share about their month—whether it’s challenges they’re facing in work, relationships, or other areas of life—or they can ask me a question. When I respond, I do so from a place of being in the space and embodiment of that truth.
Additionally, each month I record a video Satsang. These recordings typically offer guidance on the spiritual path or explore current events from a deeper perspective, uncovering the conditioning that underlies them. For instance, after the recent riots in the UK, which led to a lot of political division, I made a video for our members discussing the conditioned elements beneath these events and how awareness can help us navigate through such challenges. I rarely share content outside of our group, but I decided to release the audio from that particular video on my podcast to give others a glimpse into the depth of our work.
Our discussions are not for the masses but for those who are ready to engage with these topics at full depth. We explore psychological and sacred aspects, examine how the pain body manifests in these situations, how people are manipulated through their pain bodies, often without their awareness, and how we can work with our pain bodies to move beyond such influences into actual freedom and change.
As for my teaching approach, it’s not academic or based on acquired knowledge. I teach from the wisdom that comes from experience. If I haven’t lived it, I don’t speak on it.
The concept of ‘resting your heart in the open space’ is central to your teachings. How do you help individuals achieve this state of being, especially those who struggle with life’s demands and are new to spiritual practices?
I also have materials for those who are just beginning their spiritual journeys. We refer to this initial stage as “Authentic Living.” In this phase, I guide people toward discovering authenticity in their lives, encouraging them to start inquiring into what is real and who they truly are. There are specific meditations that I recommend, such as the Three Hearts practice, an ancient Indian technique known as the Hridayam practice. In this meditation, you first become aware of your heart, then gradually attune to the sacred energy that naturally resides behind it.
As people begin to explore these aspects of themselves, they develop a deeper sense of security in life. They are supported by their own process of becoming, by discovering the inner treasures, the “gold,” within themselves. This journey is not about adding something external to their lives; it’s an invitation and guidance to return home to their true essence.
The heart and the body plays a crucial role in this process. If we try to approach this journey solely through the mind, we might gain intellectual understanding but lack real experience, leading to an ungrounded, detached state. It’s like becoming a “head on a stick,” with knowledge but no true connection. However, when we engage through the heart, we realize compassion for ourselves and others, and we uncover the love that resides within us. The heart is where awareness truly lies, providing a much more solid foundation for growth and understanding.
What do you see as the most significant impact of integrating spiritual teachings with everyday life, and how do your courses and the Open Space community support members in living from the center of their lives with meaning and authenticity?
It always comes down to discovering what is true and real. The journey is not linear; it’s more of a spiral. As people progress—whether through our courses, working with me in The Open Space, or participating in our Satsangs—they begin to realize deeper truths within themselves. This realization might be the shedding of conditioning or the emergence of the soul speaking through the body.
Many traditions, like Zen, which I trained in for many years, tend to focus on reaching a certain state and remaining there. But the way we work is different. It’s not that our approach is superior; it simply adds another dimension. We believe that the ordinary aspects of your life are not extraneous; your life is not something to be discarded. Often, people begin their spiritual journey thinking they must transcend their material and human experiences to reach a blissful state, but in reality, you still have a life to live.
If you would like to find out more about John Siddique, please visit https://www.authenticliving.life/
