Witnessing Consciousness

[Jitendra Hydonus]

'this gross physical world... so easy for things to materialize, condense, and so challenging to knot upon the condensations... as they are not so readily dissipated with the same mentality (counsciousness) from which they arrived...' ~Nomaste2all

i remember Brother Ishtanandas' illustration of the story of  under water observing. We are at peace being one with the water. Then a fish goes by and we think; 'what a nice fish'  Suddenly our attention draws the fish in closer and we observe its fins and texture etc. Before we know it the fish is right in our face.

We are much like this with our thoughts and emotions. We think something about what we observe and finally the thoughts we think draw in the object of our attentions. We suddenly realize we have created a knot in our consciousness. We are irresistibly drawn to the objects of our thought patterns. Our desires lead us to a challenge in our peaceful witnessing consciousness. Because of the thought condensations we experience an interruption in our free flowing enlightened consciousness. We become drawn into a space, a time a place. We become drawn onto a drama; A play. We loose our higher conscious faculties and functions and think we are now involved in the play. We cannot distinguish truth from the the play that we have become a part of. We have lost are witnessing consciousness and now think that we are actually a member of this play and that we have assumed a role that is real. We are like a actor/actress in a film that thinks he/she is really the role being played. We forget that the director has only assigned us a part in the witnessing drama.

Jitendra

[Jitendra Hydonus]

i have contemplated this idea of witnessing consciousness for sometime. All i can say is that i am getting better at it. It is fascinating how human beings limit their realities by passing judgement on circumstances and people who enter their lives. For an example: thinking others are freaks, weirdos or self deluded by their spiritual experiences. Are we able to accept the judgement of others in a spirit of witnessing consciousness?  i have contemplated this idea of witnessing consciousness for sometime. All i can say is that i am getting better at it.

It is fascinating how human beings limit their realities by passing judgement on circumstances and people who enter their lives. For an example: thinking others are freaks, wierdos or self deluded by their spiritual experiences and antics. Are we able to witness circumstances and people in our lives without passing judgement? Can we think out of the box of our own self made limitations? What gives us this ability..... an understanding and compasdionate heart certainly helps. By grace; may we all acquire such qualities.e able to witness circumstances and people in our lives without passing judgement? Can we think out of the box of our own self made limitations? What gives us this ability..... a understanding and compassionate heart certainly helps. By grace; may we all acquire such qualities.

[Jitendra Hydonus]

I suppose that ultimately witnessing consciousness is none other than the Self. Yet at the stage where we are at it is rather a practice we initiate. It is the awareness of my responses or non responses. It is seeing two people with very different views still finding common ground. It is watching myself reach out and saying "that is good." It is a recognition of what has unfolded. It is a recognition that patience has it's ultimate reward in understanding. It is a recognition that i do not have to have a profound response. It is watching this human being going thru life seeing others misunderstand and looking at our own reactions and non responses to others. It is accepting others for what they are and not trying to make them into our image. What is it really all about any how? It is realizing that it is all entertainment provided by God and we are just witnesses of it all-what is given is also taken away as new picture shows surround the horizon.

Isn't it expressing love in the smallest offereing we can give....It is enough.... slow by slow .You could say i am a witness to what just flowed out of me. How did i say it? Did i say it?

Once Yogananda went to give a service at the Hollywood Temple. He had a plan as to what the service would be. Divine Mother told him to scrap his plans and to watch what beautiful things she would issue out of his mouth. What could be more witnessing then that? That's why we have models~to witness the possibilities. Occasionall we see them bubbling up in our own consciousness.

 __________________

[Jitendra Hydonus]

By developing this watchfulness and our ability to observe ourselves even in difficult circumstances, we are able to gradually weaken the roots of negativity and transform our mind. The philosophy behind Witness consciousness is very deep and profound.

Sometimes, those with superficial understanding view this approach as leading to inaction and simply letting life pass by as you observe.In fact, by reducing the power of negative emotions and then uprooting these, Witness Consciousness can lead to an optimistic and a positive frame of mind. Those who practice watchfulness become more sensitive to their own nature as well as that of others. They develop a wonderful richness of the spirit and are helpful to their fellow human beings. Witness Consciousness helps us develop a nonjudgmental and a forgiving attitude towards ourselves as well as others thus it can bring more harmony and acceptance in our lives.~ Dr. Harsh K. Luthaand