WITNESS CONSCIOUSNESS
When you deepen meditation and get an experience of the witness during
meditation, what is the state behind or beyond the witness of consciousness?
The pure conscious principle is eternal. It is existing at all times. In a deep
state of meditation the external world gets lost and the mind stops. The pure
consciousness alone exists. It is the witness. Beyond the witness of
consciousness, nothing else exists except consciousness, which is infinite.
Is that separate from the rest? Is it separate or universal?
It's universal.
In studying the Samkhya Karika, the notion of manifest and unmanifest is
presented. What is the third principle? Is it the witness?
Jnana term is used, “the knower.” The knower is the witness of the objects
known.
Is the knower the witness?
It is the Self, purusha.
Is that different from the witness?
Same. Conscious principle alone is the witness. The unconscious can't witness.
Manifest and unmanifest by nature are unconscious. Unmanifest is primordial
nature. Manifest is the intellect, ego, mind, 5 subtle senses, 5 subtle elements
and 10 gross elements.
How do we develop neutrality toward thoughts?
Our ego of individuality is the biggest enemy of neutrality. It always works
when the notion of neutrality is not there. What is neutrality for us when we
are always seeking for self-interest? If we remove self-interest, then what will
be the function of the ego? The ego will sit there dormant. In that state, the
truth starts shining in the mirror of intellect. You can call it a state of
neutrality because all aspiration and efforts cease. The ego merges in its own
reality.
Is the witness consciousness experienced only when the mind is still? Or is it
possible to experience the witness consciousness during our normal awareness?
It witnesses all the time but we are not aware of it. In a car accident, people
see a crashed car and do not look at the license plate. But when they are
hypnotized, they can tell what was the license plate number. When the
consciousness principle works through the mind, then the mind witnesses the
perceived world.
What is the relationship between the witness and enlightenment?
Enlightenment means achieving knowledge of the truth (Self). Witness is a
conscious principle in the mind. Consciousness comes from the Self. So the Self
is also called a witness.
Is it possible to witness the witness?
Yes, it is in levels.
So who is witnessing the witness?
The witness (Self) is witnessing the functions of the mind.
It seems like two different rascals there.
Witness witnesses the ignorant state in the mind. When the mind gets purified,
the witness witnesses the pure mind as well as what was witnessed before.
Is the witness part of duality or non-duality?
Witness as the embodied soul is duality but in itself it is non-dual. As long as
the ego functions through the mind-body complex, it creates duality.
Can the witness witness the different levels of enlightenment?
Yes. The eternal, infinite, the Self is the witness of everything.
Is there such a thing as supreme enlightenment or is it an endless process?
Non-dual state is the supreme enlightenment.
Is the witness the seer?
Yes. Seer means aware. These last verses are mainly talking about meditation and
what we achieve by meditation. The human mind gets restless when one sits for
meditation. A man went to a monk who was living in the jungle and asked him how
to meditate. The monk said, “just don't think.” The man said, “It's easy” and
got up and left. The monk yelled, “one more thing. Just don't think, especially
about a monkey.” The man went home and started meditation. A monkey at first
came in his mind. “The monk said 'don't think about a monkey' and I won't think
about a monkey.” But the monkey started chasing him everywhere. We carry a mind
which always keeps a memory of those things which are not good for us.
In the vipassana technique, the mind observes the sensations without getting
involved or without creating thoughts. How does that tie into the concept of
renouncing the thoughts as given in Samkhya Yoga?
If the sensations are watched without attachment, then the mind will not get
involved in sensation because the mind enjoys sensation when there is
attachment. We may think “I am simply watching the sensation,” but internally
we are enjoying the sensation.
The sense of enjoyment with which we watch our thoughts, isn't that part of the
sattva?
Sattva buddhi is nonattachment. Sense enjoyment is an act of rajas guna. Its
nature is desire and attachment.
How do you find out what that duty is?
By being neutral, you will know.
Sometimes my work is very fast-paced that it doesn't give me any time for
reflection.
It's good. You can't reflect with restless mind.
But I don't have time to reason out and reflect on my attachments. It's hard to
witness in the middle of it.
You do it for your worldly life. Nonattachment doesn't stop you from working
hard. It is not hard to see the self-interest and attachment.
How can I practice nonattachment when there is not even the mental space to
witness my reactions?
It's developed by training the mind. You have to have some time for meditation.
At the end of the day, I'm completely drained.
Because there is self-interest.
© 1999 Sri Rama Publishing
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