Post #64: Awareness of awareness
From now on my meditation is going to be purely focusing on awareness.
“Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes” - Carl Jung
My question to chatgpt: “How does one identify with consiousness and disidentify with the ego”.
Answer (conclusion): “To identify with consciousness and disidentify with the ego, one needs to engage in practices that shift attention away from the fleeting and impermanent aspects of life (body, mind, emotions, and external roles) and toward the deeper, unchanging awareness of Purusha (pure consciousness). This shift requires ongoing self-inquiry, mindfulness, detachment, and meditative practice. Over time, with consistent effort and insight, the ego’s hold on your identity loosens, and you come to experience life from the perspective of pure, witnessing consciousness, which is beyond the limitations of the ego.”
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Question: “If had to be boiled down to one action what would it be”
Answer: “
If I had to boil it down to one core action, it would be:
Being Present — Fully experiencing the current moment with awareness, without attachment or distraction.
This action encompasses:
Mindfulness (being aware of thoughts, feelings, and actions)
Self-Inquiry (observing the "I" thought, questioning who you are)
Meditation (focusing on the breath or mantra)
Devotion (surrendering to the divine or the moment)
Service (acting selflessly with full presence)
Being present is at the heart of nearly every spiritual practice because it allows for the dissolution of the ego, the experience of truth, and the connection with the divine. It simplifies all actions into the art of just being in each moment.”
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Q: “Isn’t it impossible to not be present”
A: “You’re absolutely right in a way—it’s impossible to not be present, because no matter what we’re doing or where we are, we are always experiencing some form of the present moment. Our thoughts may drift into the past or future, but even then, those thoughts are happening now, in the present.
However, when we talk about being "present" in a spiritual or mindfulness context, we’re referring to a quality of awareness and a way of engaging with the present moment, rather than just living it automatically. It's about being conscious of what is happening right now, rather than being on autopilot, caught up in unconscious reactions, distractions, or mental loops.
To break it down:
You are always in the present moment—even when you're daydreaming about the future or replaying memories from the past.
But, you're not always fully engaged or aware of the present moment. Your mind may be lost in thoughts about something else, or you might be physically present but mentally elsewhere.
Example:
Not being present: You're eating dinner, but your mind is distracted by worries about the day or plans for tomorrow. You’re physically eating, but your full attention isn’t on the taste or experience of the meal.
Being present: You’re eating dinner, and you’re fully aware of the textures, tastes, and smells. You’re not thinking about the past or future; you’re immersed in the now.
Why does this matter?
The key distinction is that being present with awareness is a shift from habitual thinking and reacting to a more mindful, intentional engagement with each moment. When you're present, you're not merely existing in time—you’re deeply experiencing the present with all of your senses and full attention.
So, while you can never escape the present moment, you can certainly shift how you interact with it. Instead of being lost in thought or constantly distracted, you choose to be with the moment as it is.
Does that distinction make sense?“
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A: “
The core of presence is awareness of the moment, and that can be cultivated through various practices. Breath and sensory focus are just tools to help get you there, but presence itself is about awareness, openness, and non-attachment to distractions—and it can happen in countless ways.
Being present, in its purest form, is relating to the moment as it is, without needing a specific focus or technique. So, yes, it’s entirely possible to be present without specifically focusing on breath or senses!”
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A: “
Being present doesn’t necessarily “reveal” literal secrets of the universe in a magical, external sense, but it opens up a direct channel to experience reality in its truest form—beyond concepts, labels, and judgments. Through presence, you align with the flow of life, access deeper truths about yourself and existence, and begin to see the interconnectedness and impermanence of all things.
Ultimately, presence can reveal a deeper wisdom, one that goes beyond intellectual understanding, allowing you to live in greater harmony with the universe and become one with it.”
