Nisargadatta Maharaj, an influential Indian guru of nondualism, dives deep into the essence of consciousness. He highlights the formlessness of consciousness and how our attachment to physical identity can lead to pain. Maharaj encourages a shift in perspective towards acceptance and understanding our connection to a universal consciousness. His teachings remind us of the transient nature of individual identity, pushing listeners to explore a broader sense of being.
Consciousness is a boundless, formless essence that witnesses experiences, emphasizing the illusory nature of individual identity and personal suffering.
Recognizing oneself as the observer rather than the experiencer fosters liberation from the transient aspects of life, revealing the permanence of true reality.
Deep dives
The Nature of Consciousness
Consciousness is described as all-pervading and space-like, lacking form while witnessing experiences within the body. Illness or pain is seen as a disturbance within consciousness, stemming from an imbalance among the five elements rather than an inherent quality of the consciousness itself. This makes it clear that identification with the physical body impacts the perception of pain, leading to a polluted view of consciousness. Recognizing the pure and universal nature of consciousness allows individuals to transcend the ego's ownership mentality, moving beyond the confines of personal identification.
The Illusion of Individuality
The podcast emphasizes that consciousness is temporary and arises within the infinite, timeless, and changeless state of existence. Acknowledging oneself as the knower rather than the experiencer creates distance from the transient experiences of life, reinforcing the idea that all occurrences are simply manifestations in consciousness. Time plays a crucial role in this process, marking the entrance and exit of consciousness without altering one's true reality. Ultimately, the sense of individuality is an illusion, as liberation belongs to the collective consciousness rather than isolated entities.
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Exploring the Essence of Consciousness and Identity
This is a selection of some key pointers from Nisargadatta on the nature of consciousness. The teachings have been extracted from the texts, 'Prior to Consciousness' and 'I am That'.
Nisargadatta Maharaj (17 April 1897 – 8 September 1981), born Maruti Shivrampant Kambli, was an Indian guru of nondualism, belonging to the Inchagiri Sampradaya, a lineage of teachers from the Navnath Sampradaya and Lingayat Shaivism.
Music: 'Sonic Medicine' by Rahjta Ren
With thanks to Rahjta for his gift of music for this channel. More of his compositions can be found here: https://insighttimer.com/rahjta
Art/image: 'We share our chemistry with the stars' - Mark Quinn
http://marcquinn.com/
🙏 May whatever goodness arises from these readings/offerings be for the benefit of all sentient beings.