The Witness Is Your Self

Summary

In this insightful dialogue, a meditation teacher reflects on his journey through clinical depression and the profound realizations that emerged from it. He describes a pivotal moment of experiencing a calm, non-discriminatory awareness, leading to questions about the nature of consciousness and self-awareness. The discussion highlights the distinction between the observer and the observed, emphasizing that true self-awareness transcends subject-object relationships. Ultimately, it reveals the simplicity of recognizing one's awareness, suggesting that a deeper understanding of the self can be attained by embracing this fundamental truth.

Takeaways

• 🧘‍♂️ The speaker has over 35 years of experience in meditation and teaching.
• 😞 The speaker experienced a deep clinical depression 18 years ago, a condition they had struggled with since their teenage years.
• 🕊️ During a moment of anguish in their depression, the speaker recognized a distinct sense of calm and openness in their mind.
• 🤔 The speaker was invited to a solo meditation retreat by a Tibetan llama, who suggested meditating on the concept that 'the observer is not the observed.'
• 🔍 The speaker questions the relationship between awareness and consciousness, seeking clarity on whether they are the same.
• 🤷‍♂️ It is noted that what one witnesses in altered states of consciousness is not the self, as the self is the witness.
• 💭 The speaker emphasizes that awareness cannot be in a subject-object relationship when recognizing true self.
• 🔄 The act of being aware of awareness itself allows for a moment of self-recognition.
• 🌟 The experience of awareness is straightforward and often overlooked in favor of more complex interpretations.
• 🙌 The simplicity of awareness is both profound and easily tangled in spiritual complexities, leading to misunderstandings.

Q & A

What led the speaker to recognize a state of calmness during their depression?

The speaker experienced a moment of anguish during their depression, after which they recognized a distinct sense of calm, quiet, and openness in their mind.

What was the significance of the teaching 'the Observer is not the observed' for the speaker?

This teaching highlighted the distinction between the self that witnesses experiences and the experiences themselves, leading to insights about the nature of awareness and consciousness.

How does the speaker describe the relationship between awareness and consciousness?

The speaker affirms that awareness and consciousness are essentially the same, emphasizing that awareness is the quality of being conscious of one's experiences.

What does the speaker mean by stating, 'you cannot witness yourself'?

The speaker explains that what one witnesses is not the true self; instead, the act of witnessing comes from a separate, observing consciousness.

How does the speaker differentiate between the experiences of awareness and the awareness itself?

The speaker asserts that awareness has the experience of being aware but does not engage in a subject-object relationship, meaning awareness is both the knower and the known.

What is the significance of the moment when the speaker asks, 'are you aware?'

This moment illustrates how awareness can turn back on itself, allowing a recognition of the self without the need for subject-object differentiation.

Why does the speaker suggest that the concept of awareness is often overlooked?

The speaker indicates that the simplicity of awareness leads people to complicate it, often trying to make it seem more exotic or spiritual than it is.

What can be inferred about the nature of true self-awareness from the speaker's perspective?

True self-awareness occurs in a non-objective experience, where awareness recognizes itself directly rather than through external objects.

How does the speaker address the potential complexity surrounding the topic of awareness?

The speaker emphasizes that the simplicity of awareness often leads individuals to entangle themselves in unnecessary complexity, obscuring its true nature.

What does the speaker imply about the relationship between altered states of consciousness and the true self?

The speaker suggests that while altered states may provide insights, they are not the true self; the true self is that which witnesses these states.