Understanding Higher Consciousness

Introduction

The teachings of Advaita Vedanta gently invite us to inquire beyond the usual boundaries of self and world. They call us into a deeper exploration of consciousness, guiding us toward a recognition of oneness—an experience where separation dissolves, and we rest in pure awareness. In this space, beyond thoughts and concepts, we encounter the essence of who we truly are. This journey is not merely philosophical but a transformative experience, awakening us to a profound, timeless peace.

1. The Illusion of Separation

In our daily lives, we often perceive the world as fragmented, marked by contrasts and separations—me and other, inner and outer, self and world. However, Advaita Vedanta teaches that these divisions are mere illusions (maya), veiling the unity that underlies all existence. This illusion of separateness is said to arise from our attachment to the transient forms of mind and body, much like mist concealing a vast, clear sky.

Understanding this principle begins by questioning the nature of our individual identity. According to Vedanta, we are like waves in an ocean, distinct in appearance but inseparable from the vastness beneath. Learn more about Maya and the Illusion of Duality from Vedantic perspectives.

Pause: Sit quietly and gently ask, “Where does my sense of self arise from?” Follow this sense inward and let the question rest without seeking answers.

2. Consciousness as the Silent Witness

In Advaita Vedanta, consciousness is not simply an activity of the mind but the ever-present witness of all thoughts, sensations, and emotions. This silent, unchanging awareness remains constant amid the ebb and flow of life’s experiences. Thoughts arise and pass, emotions fluctuate, and yet there is a knowing presence that perceives it all, untouched.

Meditation and self-inquiry practices guide us to recognize this awareness, which is unbound and ever-stable. This awareness, often referred to as the Atman (true self), is said to be identical with Brahman (the ultimate reality) in Advaita Vedanta. Explore more about Atman and Brahman and how they are understood in non-dual philosophy.

Pause: Close your eyes, observing your thoughts as they arise without attachment. Who or what is observing these thoughts?

3. Tat Tvam Asi: The Heart of Non-Duality

The ancient phrase Tat Tvam Asi—That Thou Art—lies at the heart of Advaita Vedanta. This teaching reminds us that our true identity is not separate from the cosmos; instead, we are that very consciousness that permeates all things. As we deepen into this understanding, the boundary between self and world dissolves, revealing a seamless continuity of being. This recognition often brings a sense of profound peace and interconnectedness.

Contemplating Tat Tvam Asi encourages us to step out of personal narratives and into a direct experience of unity. Through this gentle practice of inquiry, we allow a subtler awareness to arise, an awareness of pure presence. Read more on the teachings of Tat Tvam Asi and its implications on self-knowledge.

Pause: Sit quietly, and sense into the aliveness within and around you. Repeat silently, “I am that.” Allow the words to invite a deeper, wordless recognition.

4. Moving Beyond Mind and Ego

In Advaita, the mind is not seen as an obstacle to be fought but as a phenomenon to be observed. Our thoughts, stories, and identities are like clouds drifting across the vast sky of awareness. As we learn to observe without attachment, we find that the mind’s grip softens, allowing us to witness our true essence without interference.

The ego, as defined by Vedanta, is the story of separation—a narrative that reinforces a false sense of identity. Through meditation and mindfulness, we can recognize these stories as thoughts passing through awareness, rather than truths about who we are. The mind quiets, and in the resulting stillness, we sense an undisturbed, natural state of being. Learn more about the nature of the ego in Vedanta and how it clouds the perception of self.

Pause: Notice the stream of thoughts. Allow them to pass without engagement, like clouds drifting by. What is the silent presence witnessing these thoughts?

5. Embracing the Self Beyond Experience

In Advaita Vedanta, self-realization is not an acquisition of knowledge but a shedding of illusions. It is the direct recognition of our essence beyond the limits of experience. This essence, often called Brahman, is described as infinite, timeless, and unchanging. Beyond pleasure or pain, gain or loss, it is the silent ground of all existence.

Advaita invites us to move from the transient to the eternal, from the personal to the universal. As we explore this shift, life’s challenges become gentler, and a spacious equanimity arises. Explore more about Brahman and self-realization as described by the sages of Advaita Vedanta.

Pause: Gently close your eyes and allow yourself to sink into the feeling of “I am.” Rest in this simple awareness, without seeking or resisting.

Conclusion: Resting in the Eternal Presence

Advaita Vedanta offers a journey of self-realization—a return to the quiet presence that is always here, beneath the layers of thought and perception. In this gentle recognition of our oneness, we find a spacious peace, a simplicity beyond words. By practicing self-inquiry and surrendering our attachment to transient forms, we allow ourselves to awaken to the timeless truth of who we are.

In each moment, we are invited to pause, to rest, and to remember that beneath all experiences lies the one consciousness we share with all beings. This shift does not demand effort but a gentle willingness to let go and simply be. Learn more about the practice of Advaita Vedanta and its transformative teachings.

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This teacher offers a particularly potent and rapid way of accessing the space beyond thought; a long time favourite of mine.