How to find the witnessing consciousness

If you read my last blog you know that thoughts do not define you. The proof of this is that you see your thoughts; therefore you are outside of them. This witness is often called the Witnessing Consciousness. So I can already hear your next question: “What’s the trick to enlightenment?" it couldn’t be as easy as knowing that you are the Witnessing Consciousness and not limited to your thoughts, could it?

This is like asking me: “Michael, what’s the trick to being a man.” My answer would have to be: “What! There is no trick, I am just a man.” The same is true of the Witnessing Consciousness. There is no trick; just remain as you are and you will find a repository of freedom and bliss that you never thought possible. Milarepa said it well when he said: “Come inside to enjoy the view.” Additionally, this is often called the natural state.

You know yourself because you are yourself
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You look for tricks and special secret techniques that I can charge you lots of money for when you assume that you are somehow outside of your own Self-Nature and have to get in. But I would ask you, “Who is the one that could possibly stand outside of yourself and try to get in?” However you define this separate one, if you look into him or her, you will find only thoughts and that’s not you anyway. Even the body and the world are objects compared to the bliss of your own Self-Nature.

I can anticipate your next question: "Now I know that I am the Witnessing Consciousness and not an object that I see like a thought. But I still don’t feel the freedom and bliss that you described above. What is wrong with me?" The answer, there is nothing wrong; you are just so used to the assumption of being limited. So it sometimes takes a little time to break out of the habit of limitation.

Bringing your knowledge and experience together
But the promise of all the sages from before the beginning of time until now is that you can break free of limitation. How can you do this when limitation seems so normal and natural? Here is a simple technique that you can use: Notice how you view your mind, the world, and yourself. That’s because fear and limitation comes from limiting views.

For instance if you see the world as a scary place that you have to defend yourself against, your responses to relationships and to everyday life will be out of fear. To you life will equal suffering. But I am sure that you would agree that this is not how life is meant to be.

Suffering is not normal
If you feel that something just isn’t right, or you feel plain unadulterated suffering, you will know that you are facing a limiting view. With a little poking around you will find the cause of this suffering. Just stop taking suffering to be normal and you will be on your way to freedom.

OK, so how to step beyond limiting views? Know that it is a one step process, not two. All you have to do is find the cause of your suffering. When you see the cause you are automatically standing in your uncaused state of freedom called the Witnessing Consciousness or your own Self-Nature. Then you will find a new freedom in situations like relationships where you thought suffering was guaranteed. You will find yourself responding to these situations in ways that you never dreamed possible. Life will once again become fresh and new. You will feel like a newborn baby.

With a little patience this practice becomes natural
Although many people find the practice of looking for their limiting views to be difficult, it is also very satisfying. That’s because it results in unbelievable changes in your life and freedom that does not depend on where you are or what you do. That means that your freedom will not be limited to the times when you sit and meditate. Indeed this freedom will begin to encompass your whole life. This process is like learning to ride a bicycle. At fist keeping your balance seems awkward and difficult, but with a little practice it becomes natural.

So keep at it and with a little patience you will begin to see amazing results. If you need additional support I provide it in my book, Making Your Wisdom Come Alive. You can also ask me specific questions about your life and the obstacles that you seem to face. And of course remember: the thing you are looking for is your own Self-Nature. If you become what you really are you will see how amazing life really is. You are the witness of limitation, not the one caught in it. This is the Witnessing Consciousness. So you can rejoice in the fact that you are destined for freedom. Best wishes for your practice.

Feel free to ask questions
Now I want you to experience your true identity in its full glory. So please feel free to continue asking questions. I’m always glad to hear your reactions and clarify my answers. Unlike the path of faith, on the path of Self-Knowledge it is curiosity that destroys limitation and allows you to abide in your natural freedom.

If the comment section of this blog doesn't work, please send your questions and comments to michael@ananya.com. To find out where this all leads go to, www.light-up-your-life.com. And finally, if you enjoy these blogs please tell your friends.                                                                                                                                                  

                                                                        Best Wishes,

                                                                        Michael Gluckman