In our quest for the essence in life, interest seems to go out mainly to change and improvement, and many a one has the idea that, by striving for change, a real change may actually take place. But is that so? In the talks with Alexander Smit it is made very clear, that the very urge for self-improvement and change has become one of man's main obstacles for realizing his true nature. On the one hand, this urge is based on ideas and an idea can never contain the reality. On the other hand, self-improvement and the fixation on change are themselves causing man's inner conflict to continue. In the confrontation with a teacher who is not bound by ideas, it is possible to come to an immediate recognition of our original nature, as a result of which the manifestation, i.e. body, mind and feeling, may be accepted completely. Alexander Smit whose final guru was Shri Nisargadatta Maharaj, is deeply rooted in the age-old tradition called 'Advaita'(Non-duality), which has been transmitted from teacher to disciple. At first sight no specific, recognizable method seems to be imparted here - rather, any such method seems to be undermined. But on closer study the authentic Advaita appears to be there, as bright as a diamond. Only a truly original transmittance, not based on memory, can be a help in the realisation of the Authentic within ourselves. The present book 'Consciousness' contains a selection from the numerous talks in which the oral transmission of this Authentic or Original in man takes a central place.