In this article, we are going to explore the experience of subjectivity. The feeling or experience of "I am".
As we study certain religious or philosophical texts, we quite often hear that the root of all suffering is the "I" or the "ego". The ego or the idea of a 'separate self' brings suffering. This is clear. The illusion of duality or separation brings unhappiness and suffering.
When we are suffering, the obvious thing to do is to get rid of our suffering. Or, going to the root of our suffering, to try and get rid of the "ego" or the "I". However, when we are not careful, the idea of a 'separate self' gets enhanced in pursuit of getting rid of itself.
Simply said, the ego tries to get rid of the ego. The idea of a separate 'self' tries to destroy itself. Or, the idea of a 'separate self' seeks its own liberation.
Needless to say, this creates an endless, exhausting cycle of frustration.
See, there is nothing 'wrong' with the "I am-ness" or with our Being. Having a subjective experience is not an egoistic experience.
We, as Pure Consciousness, are the impersonal Witness of all things, including the physical body, name and form, concepts of time and space, birth and death.
There is nothing 'wrong' with the subjective experience. When we believe ourselves to be truly separate, to be a truly separate 'self' existing solely from its own side - this is what brings us unhappiness and suffering.
We can express this in another way that may be more relatable; We are aware of this body, the thoughts, emotions, and more. How can we be any of this, when we are witnessing them? Identifying with anything that appears within us, or to us, brings us unhappiness and suffering, and it limits us.
Of course, when we know ourSelf as the Whole, this is different, but not to be discussed here.
Nothing more to label, nothing more to eliminate. What remains? Silent Awareness.
Awareness, our True Nature, Pure Being.
From ourSelf, the world appears again. There is still a subjective experience, but now, we know who we truly are, as the "I am-ness" remains.
This "I am-ness" is not another concept or thought, it is an undeniable knowing.
As we study certain religious or philosophical texts, we quite often hear that the root of all suffering is the "I" or the "ego". The ego or the idea of a 'separate self' brings suffering. This is clear. The illusion of duality or separation brings unhappiness and suffering.
When we are suffering, the obvious thing to do is to get rid of our suffering. Or, going to the root of our suffering, to try and get rid of the "ego" or the "I". However, when we are not careful, the idea of a 'separate self' gets enhanced in pursuit of getting rid of itself.
Simply said, the ego tries to get rid of the ego. The idea of a separate 'self' tries to destroy itself. Or, the idea of a 'separate self' seeks its own liberation.
Needless to say, this creates an endless, exhausting cycle of frustration.
I am-ness
Without the guidance of a teacher, or without spiritual insight, we may try to get rid of our subjective experience too. There is no need for this, and it makes no sense, does it?See, there is nothing 'wrong' with the "I am-ness" or with our Being. Having a subjective experience is not an egoistic experience.
We, as Pure Consciousness, are the impersonal Witness of all things, including the physical body, name and form, concepts of time and space, birth and death.
There is nothing 'wrong' with the subjective experience. When we believe ourselves to be truly separate, to be a truly separate 'self' existing solely from its own side - this is what brings us unhappiness and suffering.
We can express this in another way that may be more relatable; We are aware of this body, the thoughts, emotions, and more. How can we be any of this, when we are witnessing them? Identifying with anything that appears within us, or to us, brings us unhappiness and suffering, and it limits us.
Of course, when we know ourSelf as the Whole, this is different, but not to be discussed here.
Pure Awareness
Checking up, we eliminate what we are not. We are not this, not that. Not the body, not the thoughts. We are not the emotions or the subtle energies flowing. Then, the thought of checking up, the thought of "not this, not that" - we are not this either. This dissolves with the rest.Nothing more to label, nothing more to eliminate. What remains? Silent Awareness.
Awareness, our True Nature, Pure Being.
From ourSelf, the world appears again. There is still a subjective experience, but now, we know who we truly are, as the "I am-ness" remains.
This "I am-ness" is not another concept or thought, it is an undeniable knowing.
This "I am-ness" is not limited by name, form, time, space. It is not limited by a body or thoughts.
Being free from limitations of name and form, time and space - this is peace, happiness, and freedom.
This, is our True Nature.
Being free from limitations of name and form, time and space - this is peace, happiness, and freedom.
This, is our True Nature.
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| Even when there are clouds, airplanes, and smoke in the sky, the blue sky remains untouched. The same with our True Nature. We remain untouched by all experiences and appearances. Related articles on this blog: |
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