The Observer is the Observed, Explained (IT'S SO SIMPLE)

Summary

This script explores the profound concept that the self we perceive is an illusion. It delves into how our minds create the illusion of a fixed identity, which we often mistake as who we truly are. The script highlights scientific and philosophical insights, from brain research to ancient wisdom traditions, showing that the 'Observer'—the true self—is not a fixed entity but an awareness. It challenges the viewer to step back and observe their thoughts, illustrating how this realization can lead to freedom from anxiety and stress, ultimately revealing the truth that we are not our thoughts, but the awareness behind them.

Takeaways

• 😀 The search for the self in the human brain reveals that there is no singular, central 'you'—only an awareness observing thoughts and experiences.
• 😀 The idea that the self is a fixed identity is an illusion, and our mind constantly creates a false sense of self by attaching to memories, emotions, and experiences.
• 😀 When we observe our thoughts instead of identifying with them, we realize that we are the awareness behind them, not the thoughts themselves.
• 😀 The mind thrives on distraction and engagement with thoughts, which create endless problems and anxieties. Silence and stepping back from thoughts can lead to freedom from this mental prison.
• 😀 The real 'you' is not your thoughts, your body, or your personality, but the silent awareness behind them all.
• 😀 The historical search for the self, from philosophy to neuroscience, has led to the understanding that there is no fixed 'self' in the brain.
• 😀 Different cultures and philosophies have tried to explain the illusion of the self, from the Hindu concept of Maya to Buddhism’s notion of Anata (no self), and Taoism's emphasis on flowing with life rather than defining oneself.
• 😀 Even in Western philosophy, the Stoics recognized that suffering comes from attaching too strongly to temporary emotions and desires, and true freedom lies in detaching from the ego.
• 😀 Our language reinforces the illusion of a separate self by structuring sentences around a subject and object (e.g., 'I am thinking'), when in reality, thoughts just happen.
• 😀 A practical exercise to experience the illusion of the self is to sit in silence and observe thoughts without labeling them. This reveals that the observer is not the thinker but the awareness behind the thoughts.

Q & A

What was the scientist trying to find in the human brain?

The scientist was trying to find the 'self' or the seat of Consciousness in the brain by mapping neurons and tracing electrical signals.

Why couldn't the scientist locate the 'self' in the brain?

The scientist couldn't locate the 'self' because there was no single place where the Observer, Thinker, or Feeler existed. Instead, consciousness appeared to be something that is everywhere and nowhere at the same time.

What does the script suggest about the nature of identity?

The script suggests that our sense of identity is an illusion. We are not just our body, personality, or experiences, but rather the awareness observing these thoughts and emotions.

What happens when you start observing your thoughts instead of identifying with them?

When you observe your thoughts rather than identifying with them, you begin to recognize that you are the awareness behind the thoughts, not the thoughts themselves. This shift helps dissolve the illusion of a fixed self.

How does the mind create problems, according to the script?

The mind creates endless problems by focusing on questions, doubts, and anxieties, keeping us distracted from realizing the illusion of the self. It thrives on mental chatter to maintain the illusion.

What happens when you stop engaging with every thought in your mind?

When you stop engaging with every thought, you experience silence and realize that the thoughts are temporary and not a true reflection of your identity.

How does the script describe the relationship between awareness and the mind?

The script explains that awareness is the constant, unchanging observer of the mind. The mind's thoughts come and go, but awareness remains unaffected, highlighting that we are not the thoughts, but the awareness observing them.

What is the significance of the experiment suggested in the script (closing your eyes and observing thoughts)?

The experiment of observing thoughts without reacting aims to help individuals realize that thoughts are not their own and that the true self is the silent awareness behind these thoughts.

How do different philosophical traditions approach the concept of the self?

Various philosophical traditions like Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, and Stoicism all suggest that the self is an illusion. Hinduism calls it Maya, Buddhism speaks of Anatta (no-self), Taoism encourages non-resistance and flow, and Stoicism emphasizes detachment from the ego.

Why does language reinforce the illusion of a separate self?

Language structures sentences around a subject and object, implying separation. For example, phrases like 'I am thinking' create the illusion that there is a thinker separate from the thought itself.