There are layers of witness within us. The first layer is a part of the mind that can separate itself from the outer actions, even from thoughts and feelings etc and watch them as an observer. The mental witness tries to understand and course correct. The second is the ego-self, itself a construct of Nature, that yet watches the movements of nature, bit indulgently, judging in ignorance but mistaking it as light. If one goes deeper still one either enters into pure awareness that simply perceives but feels no urge to act or react. It is a vast impersonal state that simply Is, content to be. If pursued it enters into an absolute stillness without stir that is all-pervading, everywhere and in everything.
One can arrive at this state also by watching the stars and then trying to fathom or enter into the Silence behind. But the external method doesn’t endure once one returns to the normal awareness. The mind and senses pull one back.
Another method is to contemplate upon the world, the passing nature of everything, the transient nature of all that happens outside as well as within us, the impermanence of things, the relative unimportance of almost everything we hold as dear and important.
The ultimate of course is to find the Divine Presence within us through faith, aspiration and surrender.
Affectionately,
Alok Da
