Awareness

 by Swami Nishchalananda Saraswati

Awareness is an essential part of Yoga. It is the key to going deeper in our understanding. In Yoga practice, we are often told to ‘be aware’ without explanation as to what it means. Here we will try to explain its meaning and implications.

In the Oxford dictionary the word ‘awareness’ is defined as ‘to know’ or ‘to be conscious’. In the Collins dictionary, the definition given is ‘not ignorant.’ In conversation, we often say ‘I am aware of this or that’ meaning that we know and comprehend something that is going on around us.

In Yoga, Awareness includes the above definitions, but it also means more. It is used in two different senses: the Practice of Awareness and the State of Awareness.

The Practice of Awareness means cultivating an attitude of letting things happen; not resisting inner and outer processes, but ‘standing back’ and observing the activities of the personality. It means trying to be alert to whatever is going on both internally (i.e. thoughts, feelings and emotional reactions) and externally (work, play, movements, words); and trying to accept that whatever is happening is ‘right’, even mind-games and difficulties. Cultivating this Awareness is part of an ongoing process of purification that removes blockages and leads us deeper in our understanding.

This attitude of acceptance applies both in our formal Yoga practice - be it in the practice of Asana (postures), Pranayama (breathing techniques), Meditation or Mantra (sound) - and in our moment to moment daily activities. It does not mean that we are passive, apathetic or negligent in what we do, but rather that we have trust in life’s processes. Sometimes we are proactive, and at other times we flow with the current, but at all times we should try to maintain ‘distance’, to feel as though we are a spectator, a witness, to the internal and external events of every moment. In this way, life goes on as normal, but is transformed into Yogic practice.

This is what we can call ‘the practice of awareness’; in this article it will be printed as ‘awareness’ with a small ‘a’. With a small grain of Grace, the practice of awareness can lead to the State of Awareness.

The State of Awareness is a ‘process’ in Consciousness. There is a timeless element about it. On an experiential level, the State of Awareness is where there is a conscious contact with Underlying Consciousness. In esoteric terms, there is conscious osmosis between Shiva (Underlying Consciousness) and Shakti (in this context, the individual personality). The State of Awareness means that we are simultaneously in touch with the mundane and Underlying Consciousness, whilst living and acting in daily life. It is a quality of Being where one is in a Meditative state. It can arise only if the faculty of Buddhi awakens (see below). In this article, it will be printed as ‘Awareness’ with a large ‘A’.

In the Bhagavad Gita, the Underlying Consciousness is called the Kshetra-agya (the Knower of the field) and the mundane world is known as the Kshetra (the field). These two principles are always in intimate embrace; according to Yoga, they have to be for there to be life and existence. The State of Awareness arises when we, as individuals, are so fluid and transparent, that the Underlying Consciousness plays into our actions and thoughts. Infinity plunges into the temporal - ‘the shimmering sea slips into the dewdrop’. In that State, we are in conscious identification with the Underlying Consciousness, the Kshetragya.

Nothing we do - no Yoga practice nor any other practice - can take us to this Awareness. It is beyond action, effort and intention. But somehow, merely being open, and allowing things to happen, moment to moment, whilst being attentive to inner and outer events (i.e. practising awareness), can encourage the spontaneous flow of Awareness.

How exactly this happens is a mystery. The most we can do is try to be open to what life presents to us. In this sense, Yoga practices do help us in that they make us more open and receptive; this is all. Yoga does not and cannot create the State of Awareness, nor does our individual effort, because Awareness is a quality which lies beyond all our ego-centred efforts.

In Buddhism, Awareness is known as ‘Mindfulness’. In Christianity, Awareness is known as Christ Consciousness. Each religion has its own terminology for this same quality.

Buddhi. The Buddhi is a faculty of the mind in each of us which generally lies dormant. Part of the Agya Chakra, the Third Eye, or the Eye of Insight, its function is to act as a conductor of Awareness. It permits subtle intelligence and can be awakened through Yoga. The Sanskrit word ‘buddhi’ means ‘faculty of understanding and perception’. It is etymologically related to another Sanskrit word ‘bodhi’, which means ‘wisdom’. From this word is derived the name of the Buddha, the ‘Wise or Enlightened One’, because his Buddhi was fully awakened.

The Buddhi is considered to be the highest faculty of the human mind because it opens us to the flow of Awareness. The awakening of Buddhi is fundamental to all mystical paths. When the Buddhi is awakened we are like a clean mirror, open, and receptive, reflecting the Underlying Consciousness. We are permitted to ‘see’ behind the scenes of our own existence and, indeed, the existence of everything.

The Awakening of Buddhi. All practices, paths and processes of Yoga lead to a gradual awakening of the Buddhi. The Bhagavad Gita even assigns a special name, Buddhi Yoga, to the process of awakening the Buddhi. Krishna tells Arjuna:
‘I initiate those who are dedicated to Me and who aspire to go deeper in understanding into Buddhi Yoga (I awaken the Buddhi or Agya Chakra); in this way, they are enabled to realise My Nature.’
(verse 10.10)
While ‘Me’ refers to Krishna, on a deeper level it means ‘Underlying Consciousness.’ Sincerity and continuity in our Yoga practice bring openness; this, together with ‘a small pinch’ of Grace can lead to deeper insight and the awakening of the Buddhi. If we remain tuned into it, then there is an evolution in our understanding and we can realise our Essential Nature.

The Seer CANNOT be the seen. The essence of Awareness is summed up by the following dictum ascribed to the Chinese sage Huang Po: ‘The perceived cannot perceive.’

This pithy dictum contains the essence of Yogic teachings and is the essential message of the Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, Yoga Sutra and other sacred texts. It is such a simple statement that we probably do not appreciate its profound implications. What does it actually mean?

It means that anything that you can observe cannot be you - the Essential You - otherwise you wouldn’t be able to observe it. Reflect on what has just been written. That which you can observe cannot be your Essential Self, because whatever you can observe must be separate and different from the Observer. The Observer is your Essential Self.

If we are able to observe our thoughts and physical actions, then it means that there is a deeper aspect of our Being, different from the body and mind, which is able to observe them. Otherwise how is observation possible? We can watch a film on television because we are separate from it; the film or television is not able to observe itself!

The practice of awareness is where we ‘try’ to observe and witness emotions, feelings and thoughts, whereas Awareness is where we ‘ARE’ the observer, or witness (Sanskrit, ‘drashta’ or ‘sakshi’). The simple experience of Awareness completely changes our understanding of what we really are.

Self-Awareness. Humans are unique creatures in that they possess intellect, intuition and, according to Yoga, the capacity to practise awareness and to access the State of Awareness. Animals do not have these capacities. (I am not saying that we are better than animals, rather that we are different. All life forms have their place and are, in my opinion, equally important in the tapestry of existence; that is, in the eyes of God, we are all equal). Animals perform actions without really knowing that they are doing them. Humans have the capacity to know and to observe what they are doing (awareness), and, if there is an awakening of Awareness, to be in conscious osmosis with the roots of their Being.

As humans we have the capacity to introspect and observe inner processes and their relationship with outer actions and events—the practice of awareness. And, through awakening the Buddhi, we are enabled to ‘tune in’ to the roots of our own existence. This is called Self-Awareness. This doesn’t mean ego-centredness. In fact, its meaning is diametrically opposite: it means being in touch with the core of our Deeper Nature, of which the ego is but a reflection.

We rarely awaken Awareness because we over-identify with our thoughts and actions, regarding our mind and body as ‘I’. This is probably a question of education: from birth, we are taught and conditioned to identify totally with our personality and its needs. And this is no doubt necessary in order to survive and learn the ways of the world. It is only when we begin Yoga, or any other spiritual system, that we awaken the faculty of being able to stand back and observe the superficial personality or ego. Thus, the practice of awareness can lead us to the State of Awareness.

In fact, the main purpose of Yoga is to awaken the Buddhi, and thereby open up the possibility of accessing Awareness. In so doing, we are enabled to function from a deeper platform of Being from which to view our personality, thoughts and actions. It leads us to the clear realisation that our deeper nature is something other than mind and body. The mind and body are then seen to be vehicles. This brings Joy and Wisdom.

Humans are the only creatures (at least, on our planet Earth!) who can realise what they are, beyond the fetters of karma (the law of cause and effect). The laws of karma apply on the material, biological, energetic, mental and social levels of existence - but Awareness acts beyond karma. Our bondage lies in our dependence on the personality and its limited perceptions; Awareness, or the Inner Voice of the Spirit, puts us in touch with the Unlimited and leads us to wisdom and freedom.

Awareness is the Key to understanding the hidden dimensions of our Being. Usually, our ambitions and daily activities are so obsessive that they tend to drown out inner perceptions. In Yoga practice, we temporarily eliminate gross external distractions, thereby becoming more attuned to inner feelings, emotions, thoughts and the energies behind the physical functions. In this way, we become more sensitive and …. one day, in the ‘flash’ of Grace, Awareness is awakened.

Awareness does not require indoctrination or auto-suggestion. If we practise Yoga in any of its forms – whether Hatha, Mantra, Dhyana (Meditation), Kriya, Kundalini, Nada, Laya, Karma, Bhakti, Buddhi or Gyana Yoga - then we encourage the spontaneous manifestation of Awareness. It is already waiting within; we only have to tune into it.

Revealing the Unknown. The more that Awareness flows, the more we are enabled to ‘know’, not merely intellectually, but on a deeper level. Previously unknown aspects of our Being start to become evident and known. Nothing new is created; we merely start to ‘know’ what was previously unperceived. Awareness opens the door to unseen, underlying dimensions of existence: our own existence and the existence of others, and indeed all things.

We realise that from the day we were born, there has been a continuous process of change of body, mind and emotions, as well as circumstances and events. Despite this, there is ‘something’, a quality, a ‘Presence’, which doesn’t change even with age. This is Awareness.

To be completely lost, involved and identified with actions, emotions and thoughts is to be unaware. To do exactly the same things, but with inner contact, is to be Aware.

Awareness is Bliss. Why? Because, by being Aware, we know that the Essence of our Being is beyond change, beyond death. It cannot die. Death of the vehicle — the body-mind — is certain. The Immortality or Deathlessness of Essential Being is equally certain. Summary. Daily practical awareness is in time whereas Transcendental Awareness is in the timeless. Practical awareness is seeing space in events and experiences, both inner and outer, and thereby observing them as a spectator. Transcendental Awareness is ‘seeing’ that there is NO time and space between events.

The practice of awareness is trying to be in contact with the ‘hidden Background’ or Underlying Consciousness, whereas the State of Awareness is where one IS knowingly in osmosis with this Background and identifies with it.

These two types of Awareness, the practice and the State, are widely confused (just as the practice of Yoga is confused with the state of Yoga, which is ‘union’). The State is qualitatively different from the practice. But trying to be aware (i.e. the practice) helps us to be open to that quality or State of Awareness which is beyond all practice. 

 “Hard work and remembering God are the two great gifts that life offers.”
Swami Rama

“Each new day brings the possibility of a new progress.”
The Mother of Pondicherry