Another Kind of "Witness"; the "Witness" in Meditation.

by BabaYaga 21 Replies latest members private

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  BabaYaga

  In discussing some forms of meditation, one might hear the term "witness", "silent witness", or "witness consciousness". This refers to who is left when your mind is quiet, when your endless chatter has subsided.

  A dear friend described "the witness" to me: The one within you who was always watching, always present, as far back as you can remember. No matter what was happening around you, even when you were a helpless child, the witness was there within you, just calmly watching.

  I have taken this description a bit further and realized that this "silent witness" is the one deep within me who was not afraid, no matter what was happening to me as an individual. The witness was calm. The witness was fearless. The witness was ever-present... the witness was watching.

  Words do not do this concept justice, I am afraid. There are several online articles on the witness in meditation... this one seemed to be the most straight-forward: http://taoism.about.com/od/meditation/ht/witness.htm

  Meditation, anyone?
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  Satanus

  Present. Yah, it/i isn't/am not afraid of anything. The word is that that is the true you, after you have stilled all thoughts, because we are not our thoughts. We only leap to the conclusion that we must be our thoughts.

  S
• 

  mindmelda

  BabaYaga, I recently began doing a "guided meditation" CD that a friend of mine sent me, and it's been wonderful in helping me overcome the anxiety and depression I've had on occasion.

  It's based on eastern thought and done using a "guide" that comes from your subconcious mind and it reminds me a lot of what you're discussing here.

  The guide I always imagine is a benevolent figure who guides me through some of the traumatic events I've suffered. I can look at them fearlessly now and always come out refreshed and joyful.

  I examine all faiths and religions now, objectively and have found little gems to take away from most of them. I do believe that all of us are in our own way groping for spiritual connection. I know some very "spiritual" atheists, for example. Spirituality is not what the WTS tells us it is. It's innate, we don't have to jump through their hoops to find it, just look inside ourselves.
• 

  BabaYaga

  Thank you, Satanus! Exactly!

  I must admit that I reacted to the WORD itself... hearing "witness" after calling myself one for years and now spending time on this site working to overcome that. Once I understood "who" the "witness" was within, there was such a marvelous peace and understanding that rose up from within me.

  I think what I am trying to say is... much of the hurt and resentment I still feel from the past dissipated, just "meeting" the "witness" who was always there for me. After all this, I finally feel that I was not alone, after all.

  Sorry, I'm afraid that sounds a bit assinine, but that was the feeling I had... comfort (and familiarity.) As I said, words don't do this concept justice.

  Thank you so much for your addition, Dear Satanus.

  Love,
  Baba.
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  Satanus

  'the feeling I had... comfort (and familiarity.)'

  Yes. Some people get only a glimpse of IT, and mistake it for something, someONE else, like jesus, or god. They continue to identify w their thoughts, instead of realising that thoughts come and go, appear and dissappear, sometimes within seconds.

  S
• 

  BabaYaga

  Oh, hello, MindMelda! You and I crossed posts...

  Yes yes yes! First of all, I too began with a CD, actually... I had always been afraid that I "wasn't doing it right" when I had tried to meditate before! This is, of course, a common misconception. The CD that started me off in the right direction was a "mindfulness" meditation. One will also see this word "mindfulness" along with "the witness".

  And you said: I know some very "spiritual" atheists, for example. Spirituality is not what the WTS tells us it is.

  This for me is so beautiful and true. Yes, I too know marvelously spiritual atheists. You will have a difficult time believing this, I think... but there are atheists who come willingly (in other words do not come because of family or other pressures) to my beloved sanctuary of worship. The rituals are just so cleansing and lovely, and there is no rule book, no dogma.

  I personally believe that rituals are another thing that "civilized" humans are sorely lacking... I think the atheists come because it makes them feel so much better. Why on earth would it make them feel better if it is all hog-wash and they don't believe in a higher power, one might ask? Because belief in a higher power does not matter.

  Thank you, Melda!

  Love,
  Baba.
• 

  BabaYaga

  Satanus said: Yes. Some people get only a glimpse of IT, and mistake it for something, someONE else, like jesus, or god.

  Exactly. I have to say that I believe that, too, in a way... but my views of Jesus and (G)od are quite different than the views of most. I feel that (g)od is within us... but we have forgotten.
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  mindmelda

  I'm sort of a Universalist these days, I believe that all faiths in some way are expressing common subconscious desires and needs through myth and ritual.

  Christ may be the most evolved metaphor for redemption, forgiveness, and salvation existing at the moment, but not the only one, of course.

  To quote Joseph Campbell, one of my favorite writers, "We're all trying to get back into the garden." We all want what paradise represents, JWs included. That is what they want, and if they're truly spiritual, they will receive it. All spiritually minded people will.

  Most more "primitive" (older, earth-centered) religions, like Paganism or Wiccan ( I have more than a few neo pagan or Wiccan friends) also have rituals for blessing, sanctification, and forgiveness. Its nothing new. Humans need ritual to make what is intangible real for us, because we are what we are, flesh and blood. There is nothing wrong with it, it's a natural part of what we are.

  Unitarian Universalism says that God is found within us, we are God, God is us. Is "let us make man in our image" much different a thought? We are the image of God, and we have certainly fashioned God in our image in the form of Christ.

  I say, whatever works for you. *G* Spirituality is universal, innate and when listened to, ultimately leading us all to the same place. Sometimes, I get a "spiritual" message from listening to a friend, or reading my astrological chart. It's always amazingly truthful. What is spiritual is always true, too.
• 

  BabaYaga

  Melda said: "We're all trying to get back into the garden." We all want what paradise represents, JWs included.

  Melda, this is one of the most profound (and loving) things I have ever read on this forum. You are right... JWs just want paradise... Nirvana... peace and happiness, (whatever you want to call it) just as WE ALL DO. They WERE seekers, and they are convinced that they have found the way, so they have stopped searching. We truly are more alike than we or they would like to admit.

  I also agree with you... some of them ARE truly spiritual... but they are truly FEARFUL to acknowledge that gift within themselves.

  Thank you so much for your perspective.

  Love,
  Baba.
• 

  loosie

  Some people get only a glimpse of IT, and mistake it for something, someONE else, like jesus, or god.

  I think it was this silent observer that stopped the physical me from going thru on a green light therefore avoiding an accident to me and my daughter. I think most people ignore the silent observer.

  I read an interesting book called " Is There Life After Death" by Anthony Peake . Now while I don't agree with all he says I did learn a lot about the hidden observer.