Feb. 20, 2025

Formless Awareness: Journey to the Heart of Realization

The player is loading ...

Send us a text

This episode delves into the experience of life after realization, focusing on how the shift from a perspective of separateness to one of oneness redefines our existence. With insights into the nature of awareness and the interplay of Maya, we encourage listeners to reflect on their own spiritual journeys, emphasizing the importance of integrating realization into the heart rather than limiting it to the intellect.

• Examining life before real spiritual realization
• The role of questioning and tragedy in awakening
• Importance of meditation in spiritual practice
• The distinction between mind awareness and true awareness
• Understanding the concept of Aham Brahmasmi
• The impact of recognizing oneness with all existence
• How enlightened beings interact with the world
• Emphasizing the heart's role in genuine spirituality

Join our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/hnRf7wESwX

Visit my website: https://www.thebeardedmysticpodcast.com/

Buy The Bearded Mystic Podcast Merch: https://thebeardedmysticpodcast.myshopify.com/

Want a one-on-one spiritual discussion with The Bearded Mystic - book here: https://www.thebeardedmysticpodcast.com/p/spiritual-discussion/

Subscribe to The Bearded Mystic Podcast channel: https://www.youtube.com/ @TheBeardedMysticPodcast

Become a Patron: https://www.patreon.com/thebeardedmysticpodcast
Rahul on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/beardedmystic.bsky.social

Support the show

Chapters

00:00 - Understanding the Embodiment of Realization

13:11 - Embracing Formless Awareness and Oneness

Transcript

WEBVTT

00:00:00.059 --> 00:00:07.693
Hello and welcome to another episode of the Bearded Mystic podcast, and I am your host, rahul N Singh.

00:00:07.693 --> 00:00:13.830
Thank you for joining today and do like, comment, subscribe.

00:00:13.830 --> 00:00:19.449
You know what to do Rate and review the podcast on your favourite podcast streaming app.

00:00:19.449 --> 00:00:20.292
You know the drill.

00:00:20.292 --> 00:00:26.693
And join my Discord server if you haven't already join in the lively discussions there.

00:00:26.693 --> 00:00:28.984
And let's see.

00:00:29.164 --> 00:00:36.963
Today I was really thinking about what to talk about and I didn't really have anything in mind.

00:00:36.963 --> 00:00:47.817
But how, how can we understand the embodiment of realization?

00:00:47.817 --> 00:00:54.774
So what I mean by that is what is life like after realization?

00:00:54.774 --> 00:01:04.688
Now, there's a famous Zen saying that before enlightenment, chopping wood, fetching water.

00:01:04.688 --> 00:01:08.715
After enlightenment, chopping wood, fetching water.

00:01:08.715 --> 00:01:09.939
After enlightenment, chopping wood, fetching water.

00:01:09.939 --> 00:01:15.173
Essentially, life doesn't change, but the way you view life does change.

00:01:15.352 --> 00:01:23.287
Now let's take a few steps back and let's have a look at what it's like when we aren't realized.

00:01:23.287 --> 00:01:30.527
So when we aren't realized, we consider this world to be very real, the pain in it to be very real.

00:01:30.527 --> 00:01:35.551
It brings about suffering in our lives.

00:01:35.551 --> 00:01:39.500
We're not necessarily questioning reality.

00:01:39.500 --> 00:01:51.606
We're more or less kind of doomed into believing that this is the be-all and end-all of everything, because we are so invested in the body and mind.

00:01:51.606 --> 00:01:54.712
We do not see our true nature.

00:01:54.712 --> 00:01:59.308
So constantly there's incessant chatter of the mind.

00:01:59.308 --> 00:02:05.335
So thoughts are occurring all the time, images, sometimes, imagination and hallucination.

00:02:05.335 --> 00:02:14.664
You know so many things the world and is being perceived through the senses, and the senses have no kind of discernment.

00:02:14.664 --> 00:02:22.801
They are chasing whatever it can desire or staying away from what it does not desire.

00:02:22.801 --> 00:02:33.795
You know, having kind of repulsion, like kind of disgusted by certain things, and so this is where we very literally begin.

00:02:35.062 --> 00:02:46.270
Then we may come across spiritual teachings and suddenly our life changes a little bit, because now we're on the path to realizing well, is there more to life?

00:02:46.270 --> 00:02:55.947
You know, normally it's after a tragedy that we tend to feel this, but we start questioning well, you know, is there a god?

00:02:55.947 --> 00:02:57.591
How can I see god?

00:02:57.591 --> 00:03:01.246
What is the truth?

00:03:01.246 --> 00:03:02.387
What is reality?

00:03:02.387 --> 00:03:07.474
Is the world that I'm living in true or the dream world real?

00:03:07.474 --> 00:03:10.307
We start pondering.

00:03:10.307 --> 00:03:13.769
Then we start pondering about what our senses give us.

00:03:13.769 --> 00:03:17.969
Am I seeing things the way they are meant to be seen?

00:03:17.969 --> 00:03:24.670
Am I perceiving the world differently?

00:03:24.670 --> 00:03:29.596
Am I being pulled towards the world?

00:03:29.596 --> 00:03:33.067
Why am I being pulled towards the world when I know it's not going to give me happiness?

00:03:33.067 --> 00:03:37.087
It's been giving me suffering and is there a way out of this suffering?

00:03:37.087 --> 00:03:39.867
So then you know, naturally, what happens.

00:03:39.979 --> 00:03:42.229
We start then thinking about meditating.

00:03:42.229 --> 00:03:50.304
We come across YouTube videos like this one, and we want to be free from all that, and that's a good thing.

00:03:50.304 --> 00:03:54.705
Yeah, being free Massively, it's a great thing.

00:03:54.705 --> 00:03:58.979
So we continue our spiritual practice.

00:03:58.979 --> 00:04:00.485
We get taught.

00:04:00.504 --> 00:04:12.772
Well, you know what, if you say you're not the body and mind, well, what is saying, say you're not the body and mind, well, what is saying that I'm not the body and mind, what is aware of the body and what is aware of the mind?

00:04:12.772 --> 00:04:24.105
And then you say, well, the witnessing self, well, okay, the witnessing self is aware of the mind, is aware of the body.

00:04:24.105 --> 00:04:27.309
Where does this witness begin?

00:04:27.309 --> 00:04:28.930
Where does this witness end?

00:04:28.930 --> 00:04:41.261
And we find that, in some regard, it's the mind sometimes witnessing itself, and this is a very easy thing.

00:04:41.261 --> 00:04:46.187
That can happen and we can easily misperceive this to be true awareness.

00:04:46.187 --> 00:04:58.273
But mind awareness is, is not what we're after, and it's something that even Ramana Maharishi warned us about.

00:04:58.273 --> 00:05:04.144
So, okay, so it If I'm then aware.

00:05:04.144 --> 00:05:09.271
But even with the mind's awareness, it has a beginning, it has an end.

00:05:09.271 --> 00:05:18.540
You know it fluctuates, but what about that awareness that has been there since this body has aged.

00:05:18.540 --> 00:05:22.791
It's gone through the six stages or is going through the six stages.

00:05:22.791 --> 00:05:30.401
So you know, childbirth, from birth to like young age, to middle age, to old age and so on.

00:05:30.401 --> 00:05:42.326
I have been the, the watcher, there has been the same, and that watcher does not belong to the mind, it seems, because it seems to be present throughout.

00:05:42.326 --> 00:05:45.569
It doesn't disappear anywhere.

00:05:45.569 --> 00:05:50.355
It's been watching and has been unaffected by all of that.

00:05:50.355 --> 00:05:53.307
It has not changed in any way.

00:05:53.307 --> 00:05:54.228
It's unchanged.

00:05:55.252 --> 00:05:58.720
Okay, so let's delve into this nature of awareness.

00:05:58.720 --> 00:06:02.605
So that's when I say true spirituality begins.

00:06:02.605 --> 00:06:04.788
There's two ways when spirituality begins.

00:06:04.788 --> 00:06:13.319
One, that you're given the knowledge of god, so what god is in its truest sense, so you're able to see god directly.

00:06:13.319 --> 00:06:17.668
That's more done in the bhakti paths, in the jnana path.

00:06:17.848 --> 00:06:26.754
It's understanding that this self that is within, or without too, but more on that later.

00:06:26.754 --> 00:06:31.791
What is that and what's its nature?

00:06:31.791 --> 00:06:37.427
And what we find is that it's formless, it's pure consciousness.

00:06:37.427 --> 00:06:42.430
It's beyond waking, dreaming and deep sleep.

00:06:42.430 --> 00:07:01.603
It's beyond the bunch gorshas, which is the physical body, the vital air body, which is very subtle, the mind body, the intellect body or the intellect covering, and even the bliss covering.

00:07:01.603 --> 00:07:02.886
That happens in deep sleep.

00:07:02.886 --> 00:07:07.595
Okay, so that means that the mind is beyond gross.

00:07:07.595 --> 00:07:14.348
The physical body, the subtle body and also the causal body, which is again the causal body, is the one in deep sleep.

00:07:14.348 --> 00:07:21.593
Okay, it's prior to even a thought beginning.

00:07:21.593 --> 00:07:32.764
It's self-existent, there's no way that it's been created because it doesn't seem to have a beginning and it doesn't have an end.

00:07:32.764 --> 00:07:34.387
It doesn't finish.

00:07:34.387 --> 00:07:38.740
It's something that keeps remaining there here.

00:07:38.740 --> 00:07:46.309
Okay, so then one understands okay, maybe this is my true nature.

00:07:46.728 --> 00:07:48.250
So we go to a teacher.

00:07:48.250 --> 00:07:51.093
A teacher guides us and says you know, this is your true nature.

00:07:51.093 --> 00:07:53.776
This is what Aham Brahmasmi truly means.

00:07:53.776 --> 00:08:01.682
This is the first part of Aham Brahmasmi, that one sees themselves as Brahman.

00:08:01.682 --> 00:08:04.826
So you then experience Brahman as your true self.

00:08:04.826 --> 00:08:08.571
Now, this Brahman wasn't separate to you.

00:08:08.571 --> 00:08:10.432
It wasn't separated at all.

00:08:10.432 --> 00:08:18.038
It was always you and has always been you.

00:08:18.038 --> 00:08:21.970
But we have unfortunately thought that we have a separate self, which is this body.

00:08:21.970 --> 00:08:29.754
So the idea of separation is the appearance.

00:08:29.754 --> 00:08:40.429
So then you've been able to have self-realization, that you are, that you've experienced this.

00:08:40.429 --> 00:08:45.942
You see God face to face and there's a merging with God now.

00:08:45.942 --> 00:08:48.801
So the difference between you and God is different.

00:08:48.801 --> 00:08:54.400
So I know I'm mixing up traditions, but the point is the same, it goes to the same end.

00:08:54.400 --> 00:08:54.721
Point.

00:08:56.024 --> 00:09:11.471
Now, what completes Advaita Vedanta and what completes even the Path that follows believing in God Is the path of, is understanding Sat, chit, ananda.

00:09:11.471 --> 00:09:14.059
So Sat is existence.

00:09:14.059 --> 00:09:17.568
So what happens is you.

00:09:17.568 --> 00:09:21.142
You see this world Now.

00:09:21.142 --> 00:09:35.469
At one time it was Maya, because it Perpetuated this idea that you are separate, you're a limited being in a limited world, in a limited life and in a limited universe, and and and all that.

00:09:35.469 --> 00:09:48.610
Then you realize well, actually this world is none other, its cause is none other than God, or being, or existence, or Brahman.

00:09:48.610 --> 00:10:06.903
So if everything has arisen from this ultimate reality and is appearing in this ultimate reality, so therefore its cause is the ultimate reality and therefore there is no difference between the ultimate reality and this transactional reality, so between Brahman and Maya.

00:10:07.615 --> 00:10:16.427
And so what happens is in the state of Aham Brahmasmi, in the state of I am Brahman, I am formless awareness.

00:10:16.427 --> 00:10:44.524
One then expands this I am to include the whole universe for the whole existence, because its nature is of pure consciousness, because it's arisen from pure consciousness, and therefore, once you realize this, that this great expanse is what you truly are, everything in this is you, is the I am, is God.

00:10:44.524 --> 00:10:46.357
Then what happens?

00:10:46.357 --> 00:10:52.399
There is, we are in the nature of bliss, Because when there's separation, there's ignorance and that causes suffering.

00:10:52.399 --> 00:11:00.722
When there's oneness, there is bliss, and that's why we get to know our true nature, and that our true nature is formless awareness.

00:11:00.722 --> 00:11:07.985
It is pure oneness with all of existence, and this is the second part of our Aham Brumasmi, atri nature's formless awareness.

00:11:07.985 --> 00:11:12.812
It is pure oneness with all of existence and this is the second part of our Aham Brahmasmi, which should not be ignored.

00:11:12.812 --> 00:11:15.014
That then everything is Brahman, not just oh, I am Brahman.

00:11:15.014 --> 00:11:23.307
Like then we're limiting the Aham Brahmasmi to the physical body again, or the mind again, so expanding it to everywhere, to everything.

00:11:23.307 --> 00:11:27.424
Then you know, everything is enlightened.

00:11:27.424 --> 00:11:29.902
There's no such thing as ignorance.

00:11:29.902 --> 00:11:32.461
People can be playing the game of ignorance.

00:11:32.461 --> 00:11:33.183
That's up to them.

00:11:33.183 --> 00:12:00.639
But the one that has got out of the cycle of samsara, has gone out of the game, can now look at the game in a different way and therefore realizes that it's the architect, it's the player, it's the one that wins, it's the one that loses, it's the one that turns the game off and that becomes the state of the truly realized being so again.

00:12:01.059 --> 00:12:03.125
What changes before and after enlightenment?

00:12:03.125 --> 00:12:04.177
Nothing much.

00:12:04.177 --> 00:12:10.506
But what does change is that oneness defines everything and not separation.

00:12:10.506 --> 00:12:15.740
And before our senses used to separate, now our senses look to unite.

00:12:15.740 --> 00:12:22.999
So wherever you look, whatever you do, whatever you hear, whatever you taste, you experience it as your own true nature.

00:12:22.999 --> 00:12:33.951
So there can hatred occur, can arrogance occur, can pride occur, can lust occur, can the greed for power occur?

00:12:33.951 --> 00:12:47.328
No, here only humility is here only love is Only compassion, mercy, tolerance, acceptance, kindness.

00:12:47.328 --> 00:12:57.383
And that is what we do, and that's how we are, that's who we are.

00:12:57.383 --> 00:13:02.787
And so how does the enlightened person function in the world?

00:13:02.787 --> 00:13:08.246
It's the same as before, but the only difference is they're now in that state of oneness.

00:13:08.246 --> 00:13:10.962
So, yeah, those are my thoughts for today.

00:13:11.095 --> 00:13:22.447
So remain in this formless awareness and realize that once you realize your true nature's formless awareness, then there is only this oneness, this formless awareness.

00:13:22.447 --> 00:13:26.885
So, even though everything appears to be separate, it's all you.

00:13:26.885 --> 00:13:37.563
Even the worst things are still you, and coming to peace with that is what is really great, and that's what Ajivan Mukta does.

00:13:37.563 --> 00:13:42.326
Ajivan Mukta herself realized being someone who is liberated while alive.

00:13:42.326 --> 00:13:48.923
That's the way they view life and that is available, accessible to each and every one of us.

00:13:48.923 --> 00:13:55.219
All we have to do is remain in the awareness of formless awareness.

00:13:55.219 --> 00:13:56.280
That's all.

00:13:56.280 --> 00:13:58.184
That's how simple it is.

00:13:58.645 --> 00:14:04.195
So whenever you feel you got yourself out, just remember, remain in the awareness of formless awareness.

00:14:04.195 --> 00:14:18.596
Naturally, you go back to that self-existent awareness, you don't have to do anything else, and that's only after all that work from those first second stages are worked out and then it all makes sense.

00:14:18.596 --> 00:14:23.044
So do not bypass the intellectual understanding.

00:14:23.044 --> 00:14:34.166
Make sure you do that Mostly this third stage, this last stage that I talked about, where you see everything as Brahman all around you.

00:14:34.166 --> 00:14:36.884
That should open up your heart to everything.

00:14:36.884 --> 00:14:40.865
And the whole point is to open your heart.

00:14:41.655 --> 00:14:47.677
And if there's no heart in spirituality, then it's just a game of the mind.

00:14:47.677 --> 00:14:49.942
And what purpose does that hold?

00:14:49.942 --> 00:14:54.794
So ask yourself, is my spirituality, is my realization?

00:14:54.794 --> 00:14:58.322
Is it part of my mind or is it part of my heart?

00:14:58.322 --> 00:15:03.299
And if it's not part of my heart yet, how can I get it to be part of my heart?

00:15:03.299 --> 00:15:10.076
And that's something that you can think about, and if you want to discuss this with me more, you can always set up a personal meeting.

00:15:10.076 --> 00:15:12.221
I'm more than happy to discuss these things.

00:15:12.221 --> 00:15:13.764
You know this.

00:15:13.764 --> 00:15:14.645
This is what.

00:15:14.645 --> 00:15:26.357
Even though I am not, I can't see you and I'm not interacting with you like on the zoom session, but even just now, recording this video is a satsang for me.

00:15:26.357 --> 00:15:30.826
It is company of the enlightened being.

00:15:30.826 --> 00:15:35.859
So whether you know you're enlightened or not, that's, that's up to you.

00:15:35.859 --> 00:15:50.027
But I see you as an enlightened being, and, and so that's why I normally end my talks with namaste, because this divinity in here is honoring that same divinity in you.

00:15:50.027 --> 00:15:53.445
And with that, take care, namaste.