What is your reference point?

It is all a matter of what reference point one uses. The entire issue of suffering is based on the reference point of a separate "me'. Based on that reference point of a "me", there is immediately the assumption of a "you", a "him" , "her", "them" or "that" ( all of these being 'not me'). There has to be a first person, for there to be a second person and a third person. This separation of a "me" from the world out there results in insecurity and vulnerability. This "me" searches for wholeness or completeness which will be the answer to his/her insecurity or vulnerability. This search continues throughout his/her life in the varied field of objects out there. Some gather more materials and objects in the hope that having more may make them more secure and less vulnerable. They may not necessarily acknowledge or know that they are actually feeling insecure or vulnerable. But their actions are based on the basic innate feeling of insecurity and fear which in return is caused by the feeling of separation from the rest of the world and universe. There is a transient feeling of happiness on possession of a desired material object or any other object including persons or pets. Yes, only transient! How often have you heard people say " this feels like heaven"! However, the novelty wears off pretty soon and what was once very satisfying becomes not so satisfying or mundane. Soon thereafter, the mind starts looking for other objects that will give it excitement. The reason that there is transient contentment is because when there is possession of a desired object, there is transient forgetfulness of this "me", a loss of separation and hence a sense of completeness ensues. This loss of separation or feeling of completeness translates as a feeling of happiness.

Others, pursue a spiritual approach, hoping that gathering more "spiritual knowledge" or doing certain "spiritual deeds" will make them whole and complete. One feels content or happy when engrossed in the spiritual activity. Why? The contentment is again because of the transient forgetfulness of the "separate me" while engrossed in that spiritual activity whatever it may be- whether it is meditation, chanting, or prayer. However, despite all such measures there is still no lasting sense of wholeness or feeling of completion. People spend years, if not decades, doing various spiritual activities or materialistic pursuits and many get frustrated and dejected because of the failure to achieve what they had set out to do- which is to get a lasting feeling of wholeness or completeness. A feeling of unqualified contentment or peace of mind.

When it is pointed out that what they have been looking for is already available right here and right now, the conditioned mind refuses to accept it. The mind counters "How can it be so simple or how can it be so clear and obvious? Why don't I get it?". The mind counters "I am not stupid or foolish to be doing all this for so long if it was so simple". Many refuse to accept the Truth despite several clear pointers, because of their vested interest in maintaining the facade of a "me". They somehow do not want to let go of this "me" with all its worldly attachments and embrace this presence or Awareness which is who they are, whether they like it or not. But, despite all the objections from the mind, if one sincerely investigates one's true nature, it becomes abundantly clear that there is nothing apart from the Awareness that one already is. All that is needed is sincere and earnest desire to know who you really, really are.

When one assumes the Awareness as the reference point from which one witnesses everything, no further questions arise. Abiding as the Awareness is all that one, who has fully investigated , needs to do. From the reference point of Awareness, can you point out a center for yourself? Is the Awareness anywhere in the body in particular? Is it anywhere out there in particular? If you say you are aware, does not the other person also say the same? Is not the Awareness therefore present everywhere at the same time ( omnipresent)? Where is the question of separation if you as Awareness are every-thing? Can Awareness be described in words? Being a no-thing in particular, is it not every-thing? What other proof do you need for Awareness, other than the fact that you are currently aware, that you currently exist?

Can you really speak from a reference point of an entity that has no existence whatsoever apart from Consciousness?

The belief in a self-center

All suffering is caused by the belief in a self-center. The belief in the independent existence of a "me", who has substance and volitional control on the body, mind and senses. A belief is defined as 'confidence in the truth or existence of something not immediately susceptible to rigorous proof'. With investigation, by none other than the entity that believes in its own independent existence, it can be proven that the "me" does not exist apart from the Consciousness or Awareness. Having thus convinced oneself that there is actually no "me" with independence or substance apart from the Consciousness, the floor literally drops off below the self-center. Although, the self-center cannot be localized anywhere and one comes up empty-handed so to say, there is still the awareness that one exists. So, it is clear that in the absence of a self-center or a "me", you still ARE. That Awareness is who you truly are.

The question naturally for most seekers is how can one function in a world if the "me" does not exist. If one investigates thoroughly, it is obvious and clear that the "me" has no existence apart from the Consciousness. In the wakeful state, the "me' arises simultaneously with the world. In the deep dreamless state, there is no "me" and no world of objects either. In the dream state, there is a different "me" with a different kind of world. Of course, if one calls a sage(jnani) by his or her name, he or she does respond. It only means that the sage is fully aware of the false nature of this "me" and does not assume the do-ership of the "me". Functioning happens spontaneously. Life becomes effortless for one who has given up the "me" as a false entity with no independent existence or substance apart from the Consciousness.

The changing world of objects and you

What is not changing in the world of objects that is perceived? Every-thing is constantly changing. Even the objects which appear to be stationary and visually unchanged are actually changing. Or else, your house would never need maintenance! The water in the river is not the same water that you saw just one second ago. The body that you think you are is changing all the time. You don't have to prove that to yourself. Just look at your old photographs! The mind, that you think you are, is also constantly changing. What gave you pleasure a few months or years ago, no longer satisfies you. Your thoughts about who and what constitutes you, is also constantly changing. One moment, you say 'I am a happy person'. The next moment, you say 'I am not feeling that good or happy'. In the morning, you wake up as one entity and by the end of the day, you realize you have played so many roles (yes, roles such as father or mother, wife or husband, dad or mom, manager, worker, doctor, engineer, including role as a sage etc.) that you cannot pinpoint which one of the entities is really, really, the "you". Because you fail to realize your true unchanging nature, this "you" that you think you are, is constantly in search of a bigger, better, source of joy, peace, happiness and looking in the wrong place (the world of objects) for that. If at all, you think you can find some peace or joy in the world of changing objects, would that be permanent and unchanging. Is that not been your experience so far? Whatever you get you will lose at some time. Is it not clear that the sense of existence, the sense of being, the sense of awareness, the certainty that you ARE, has never changed despite every other thing changing? Is that not your REAL nature? REALITY means unchanging.

All perceptions are constantly of change. However, the only fact that is certain is of perceiving. Perceiving is going on. It is happening irrespective of the nature of the thoughts. Seeing is happening. Hearing is happening. Feeling is happening. It is only after the fact that seeing is happening, that a thought arises, "I see" and in doing so, one has immediately created a Seer ( the false subject) and the Seen ( the false object). You as an entity did nothing to see, as seeing will happen even if the thoughts are elsewhere. An example would be when one day dreams. When day dreaming, while seeing is happening, you do not associate with the objects seen and therefore the mind does not give rise to the thought "I see". Instead, the mind is associated with thoughts of distant objects based on memory or anticipated future- and this is what one calls day dreaming. This shows that seeing is happening independent of your thoughts.

In the same way, being is happening. What do "you" have to do to be? Can you ever not be at this moment? Just relax into this being that you are. Do not put a label on this Being. A label like human Being, supreme Being, or being good or being bad or being this or that. Being is Being-period. Instead of calling yourself a human being, how about being being?

Investigate, know and BE as you are

Who is actually seeing? Who is actually knowing? Who is the real perceiver? These are the questions that every seeker for the Truth should ask oneself. The pointers here may make the answers come easier. Remember, the pointers are not the Truth itself.

There is just this knowing, seeing, hearing, thinking, and doing. The eye does not say it is seeing. The ear does not say it is hearing. The body does not say it is doing something. The brain does not say it is thinking and knowing. The organs by themselves do not claim ownership of the function that is being performed through them. The eye cannot see by itself, can it? If it could, then one could take his one eye out and leave it at home and say "I am keeping one eye on things happening at home"! The ear cannot hear by itself. Obviously, this functioning is possible only when some other power is already present.

What is actually happening in that case? Let us take the example of knowing. Knowing is happening as an appearance in this ever present Awareness. The thought "I", which is merely a thought, a thought of a personality, a mental construct of an entity based on memory and conditioning of the mind, comes into play. This "I-thought" cannot exist without attaching itself to some event or object, be it the mind or the body or another thought or object of perception. The "I-thought" interprets the pure knowing as "I am the knower". The object of the knowledge then becomes the known. In this way, what was pure knowing, becomes split into a subject and an object, a knower and the known.

In the same way, there is seeing. The eye does not say "I see". Seeing is happening even without anyone claiming ownership of the function. However, the "I-thought", immediately takes ownership of the function, and claims it as "I am seeing, I am the seer", thereby creating in the thought pattern a subject (seer) and the object (seen). The fact is that a thought cannot see!! Just think over this carefully. Can a thought actually see? Can a thought actually hear? Can a thought actually do anything?

What you think you are is just that. A thought!! If you just stop thinking, even for a moment, you still exist. Try this yourself. Why is that? It is because, you are obviously not a thought. The Awareness that you are, is prior to any thought. It is just that this Awareness, gets translated into a thought, "I am". You do not have to repeatedly remind yourself, " I am, I am" to know that you exist!! Obviously, existence or Awareness is the background on which all thoughts appear including the primary thought "I am". This primary thought "I am" must be investigated for what it is, just a thought. In deep dreamless sleep, there are no thoughts including the thought "I am" and yet you exist. What is your identity then ( in deep dreamless sleep)? In deep dreamless sleep, you still exist despite absence of identity of the body, mind, or the world. For, in the morning, you wake up and with certainty say "I slept". This continuous Awareness, was there throughout the states of deep dreamless sleep, dream sleep and wakeful state.

It is because, one becomes stuck (or firmly believes in) with the identity assumed during the wakeful state, that there is unnecessary suffering. Be free of this false identity assumed during the waking state and see what happens. You realize that everything just is happening spontaneously. Investigate, know and BE.

With what effort are you existing?

Are you awake at this moment? Can you deny you exist at this moment? Can you say "I am not here" at this moment? Have you ever wondered as to why you can say so with certainty? The knowledge that "you are" was not obtained by any effort on part of the entity called "you". Would you agree with what is written above? If so, then why is this "you" still seeking? Is it not because of your strong ( but false and we will see why "false" later on) belief in the independent existence of the entity called "you". This "you" that you call "me" is the belief that it is the body that is sitting in front of the computer right now. You are very certain that this body is what you call a "me". Let us look at the definition of the word "belief". Belief is defined in the dictionary ( and not by this writer) as " confidence in the existence of something not immediately susceptible to rigorous proof".

Now, where exactly or what is the locus (a center or source, as of activities or power- dictionary meaning of locus) of this entity called "me" in the body? Is it in the hands or feet, or is it in the heart or in the stomach or in the brain? Can you find an exact location for this "me"? OK, you say it is in the brain- frequent answer, right? If so, when the brain is in deep sleep mode and there is no"me" (or for that matter no world or any other object) does the heart stop beating or the digestion stop or the other functions of the body halt? OK, alright, let us look at the example of the wakeful state. You say the entity "me" is in the brain (your head!), then can this "me" stop the food once it is beyond the palate and in the throat? Can the "me" say "let me stop the process of digestion since I dislike this digestive process" and actually stop it? Can the "me' stop the formation of urine by the kidneys? Can the "me" decide on which cells the skin must shed today? So on and so forth. The answer is obvious. There is no locus for the "me" anywhere in the body in particular. If so, you would have found it on your own investigation (not based on any belief system or what is written here).

The body itself is formed from a sperm and ovum. The sperm and the ovum are formed from the essence of the food consumed by the parents. The life essence or prana or chi (call it what you like) is present in the sperm and the ovum. Who gives the orders to a particular sperm to make its way up to the uterus? Mind you, there are millions of sperms and only one makes it and that too not everytime there is conjugal love.

This sperm and ovum, then multiply and divide into specialized organ systems, all without the entity called "me" being there. In fact, the original sperm and ovum are no longer even existing in this body that you call "me" sitting in front of the computer and reading this message. In fact, every single moment millions of cells in the body are dying and being replaced by new ones. The body is constantly changing and if indeed you were the body, then you are constantly dying and being born again and again every moment!! But, that is not what you THINK this "me" is. You think the "me" dies only when the body as a whole dies. But, you now cannot deny the fact that the body is constantly changing (dying and recreated every moment). Correct? The "me" is just an imagination, an entity in the mind, a picture in the mind. It has no reality whatsoever.

Can this thought of a "me" even come up without the life force or consciousness at this very moment? The idea ( and that is all that the "me" is, just an idea, a thought) of a "me" cannot exist independent of the consciousness (or awareness, if you like). As noted above the "me" has no substance whatsoever!

After investigation as above, is it not fair to say that the whole idea of a "me" wanting to "attain" this enlightenment or nirvana or moksha(liberation) or gaining knowledge of the Awareness or Brahman, is but a figment of the imagination? A figment of the imagination of the "me", which in itself is an imaginary entity, with no independent nature or substance whatsoever apart from the Awareness (intelligence energy, life force, Brahman or whatever else you like to call THAT).

Rest in the awareness that you already are. You cannot be anything else (even if you don't like it!!). All there is, IS AWARENESS. You cannot say " I am NOT aware", "I do NOT exist" with certainty.

You impose your own limits

It is once againemphasized that you are already full and complete and apart from clear Understanding of this Knowledge and removal of Ignorance (that you are an individual with a body and mind), nothing else needs to be done. It would be appropriate to bring forth a profound quote from Ramana Maharshi:
"You impose limits to your true nature of infinite being, then, you get displeased to be only a limited creature, then you begin spiritual practices to transcend these non-existing limits. But if you are practice itself implies the existence of these limits, how could they allow you to transcend them?"

Enough said.

Being and becoming

It is very easy for one to not notice the subtle presence that we are. One does not have to do anything to BE. Due to significant conditioning of the mind, and the strong establishment of the entity called "me", one feels the need to do something to find the elusive Awareness/Being that one hears about. Despite several pointers to the fact that one has to BE, before anything else can be "done", many are unable to understand this pointer. The entity called "me 'feels inadequate, feels something is missing, and something must be done to attain this Awareness. They feel that they have to make some effort to "get there". At this very moment, can you deny your existence? At this very moment, can you deny that you are? This very existence, which we call awareness/presence, is very clear and evident to everyone. All thoughts arise as a result of and in this presence-awareness. If you are not present at this moment, you would not be able to read this message! There is nothing that an entity called "me"is doing to be aware. Did you do anything to be awake/aware? Did not wakefulness appears spontaneously this morning?

One cannot become what one already is. One cannot "get to" Being. One is Being.