Self-Realization: You are the Observer, not the Thinker

[@wonder7798]

😳home!! "HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS." WOW. That just hit me. HOME IS WITHIN.

[@mariafillakos7071]

🙏🙏🙏❤️💙🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@NonDual123]

Thank you Maria!

[@MOAON_AABE]

Please ADD background music it's focusing.

[@Nederland-Brabant]

Very clear and always onpoint! Thank you Stasinos

[@NonDual123]

Much appreciated

[@dancerdiya7677]

Plz don't add the background music to such a wonderful knowledgeable videos...it's disturbing the whole essence of the video..

[@wonder7798]

I can understand how additional sounds can be a distraction. Especially when the mind is already rattled with abundance at time. I too, have experienced that. Honestly, because you mentioned it, I realize this was the first time that the excess sounds did not intrude on my attention or focus. Thank you for bring that awareness to me. I appreciate that.

[@dancerdiya7677]

@@wonder7798 gratitude for acknowledging it ...lots of love from India here...

[@ramsesvalderama7743]

Regarding the thought, you got it right. it is only tip of the iceberg. there's more to know if you will not seek.

[@NonDual123]

Thanks! Dear @ramsesvalderama7743, Thank you for your perceptive comment. You're absolutely right - the concept of being the observer rather than the thinker is indeed just the beginning. Self-realization is a deep and endless journey, with many layers to uncover. Your insight about the importance of not seeking is intriguing and aligns with many spiritual teachings. It invites us to be present and aware, rather than always searching externally. Thank you for adding this valuable perspective to our discussion.

[@nancyswanson1362]

Awareness.... Pure Consciousness.....

[@ssatwick7584]

In this state of awareness we still have to “focus” on things in our lives. And what we focus on is decided by the mind so now you’re back to carrying out the minds bidding even while in awareness

[@NonDual123]

You raise an important point. Even in a state of heightened awareness, the mind still plays a role in directing our focus and making decisions. However, there is a key difference. When we identify ourselves as the observer rather than the thinker, we create a space between awareness and mental activity. This allows us to engage with thoughts and focus on tasks without being completely lost in them. We can observe the mind's activity with greater clarity and choose more consciously where to direct our attention. So while the mind still influences our focus, we are not entirely at its mercy. Awareness enables a degree of freedom and choice in how we relate to the mind. With practice, we can increasingly anchor ourselves in pure awareness while still functioning effectively in the world. It's a balance and a skill that develops over time. Ultimately, even the sense of being a separate observer is something to be transcended in the deepest states of realization. But as a practice, observing the mind rather than identifying with it can be a powerful tool for liberation. The key is to keep coming back to the silence of awareness, even as we engage with the necessary tasks of life. Over time, the background of peace and presence becomes more and more unshakable.

[@katehiggins9940]

@@NonDual123yes, i think one can keep reinforcing the feeling of separation by identifying as an observer. this can be a big trap! easy to get stuck here!

[@chandrikapatel5518]

Lots of gratitude sir

[@NonDual123]

So nice of you

[@pavlo8259]

Very thoughtful and profound, as always. Thank you. It is interesting how pleasures interfere with this process of observation. In my own experience, it inhibits, weakens and subjugates negative thoughts and urges, thereby hindering the observation process. What are your thoughts on this?

[@NonDual123]

You make a keen observation about how pleasures can interfere with the process of pure awareness. When we become absorbed in pleasurable experiences, it can be harder to maintain the stance of the detached observer. The mind's tendency is to cling to pleasure and resist any unpleasantness that arises, which pulls us out of neutral observation. In a sense, both extreme pleasure and extreme pain can be obstacles to clear seeing, as they tend to absorb our attention and identification. The key is to develop equanimity - the ability to observe with balance and stability regardless of whether the experience is positive, negative, or neutral. This doesn't mean we can't enjoy life's pleasures or that we must eliminate all negative thoughts and urges. Rather, it's about cultivating the capacity to be present with the full spectrum of experience without losing ourselves in it. We learn to savor joy without clinging to it, and to face challenges without being overwhelmed by them. As we progress in this practice of observation, even the most intense experiences start to lose their power to pull us in. We still feel them, but there's a growing background of peace and detachment. In time, pleasures and pains become like passing waves on the surface of a deep ocean. Our true nature as awareness remains unmoved. So while pleasures can indeed pose a challenge to observation, they are also opportunities to deepen our practice. By bringing mindfulness and equanimity even to enjoyable experiences, we gradually liberate ourselves from dependency on any particular state of mind. We discover a contentment beyond the fluctuations of pleasure and pain - the simple joy of being.

[@pavlo8259]

@@NonDual123 Thank you Stasinos for the detailed answer, I learned a lot from it that is useful for me and sheds light on things that I could not form for myself. Especially about pain and pleasure, which can be path to deeper self-realization and the simple joy of being.

[@prabirgoswamee6356]

Very well explained. From my personal experience, I know that it is possible to discern the gap you mention. The question I have is how do we know whether this consciousness is a spark that we all have individually (Sankhya) vs it is the one consciousness in all and in which all appears (Advaita)?

[@NonDual123]

From the perspective of Advaita Vedanta, the fundamental reality is Brahman, the one universal consciousness that underlies and pervades all of existence. According to this view, the individual self or soul, known as Atman, is ultimately identical to Brahman. The apparent separation between the individual and the universal is due to maya, or illusion, which veils the true nature of reality. In contrast, the Sankhya school of Hindu philosophy holds that there are many individual souls, known as purushas, which are distinct from matter (prakriti). Each purusha is eternal, unchanging, and a pure conscious witness. Liberation in Sankhya comes from the purusha realizing its true nature as separate from prakriti. Ultimately, the question of whether consciousness is ultimately individual or universal is a matter of deep philosophical and spiritual inquiry that has been debated for centuries. Direct experience through spiritual practice is often considered the most reliable means of discerning these subtle truths. Some key points to consider: - Advaita emphasizes the underlying unity, holding that all divisions are ultimately illusory. The individual self is identical to the universal Brahman. - Sankhya emphasizes the plurality of souls and their distinction from matter. Each soul is on its own journey of self-realization. - Both agree that the self is pure consciousness and that true understanding comes from direct experience rather than intellectual analysis alone. - Spiritual practices like meditation, self-inquiry, and the study of scripture are used in both traditions as means to gain insight into the nature of the self and reality. These are profound matters that philosophers and spiritual seekers have grappled with for millennia. While I can provide an overview, I'd encourage deeper study for anyone looking to understand these ideas in greater depth. Let me know if you have any other questions!

[@prabirgoswamee6356]

@@NonDual123 Do you use Gen AI to make the videos or to generate the responses. It is a good use. My question was however directed at getting insight from your own experience.