the question ... and the answer

[Guest guest]

Earlier it was asked:

 

(1) Who is the 'observer'?

 

(2) What is the 'observed'?

 

(3) What is the relationship between them?

 

In response to question 1, it is meant that the

observer is the Atma. In other words, it is the very

Self. It is a silent witness to the ongoing activity

of the 'observed'.

 

The 'observed' is the ego (ahamkara) and its products.

The ego arises as a result of prarabda karma which is

the result of actions that are in one of the three

modes of life: (1) sattvic (2) rajasic (3) tamasic.

These actions do not accrue their corresponding

effects, if actions are performed with a mental state

of detachment. That is, when the mental state is in

tune with the 'observer' rather than the 'ego', then

the act is not binding, for it has no basis for its

existence. That which has no basis, is as good as that

which does not exist. If instead, the basis becomes

the ego, in the case of attached or bound actions,

then the act will accrue 'sin'. Sin here is not meant

to denote good or bad in the classical sense, but

instead refers to anything that is binding resulting

from non-detached actions.

 

Finally, the relationship between the observer and the

observed is the crucial point that differentiates

between the real and the unreal. Reality is that which

is permanent, unreality is that which is temporary or

transient. The relationship implies first of all that

the observed cannot exist without the observer.

Secondly, even if the observed did not exist, the

observer continues to exist, though the observer does

not take part in the act of observation.

 

The hierarchy exists as:

 

observer -> observed

atma -> ego -> perception

 

without the ego, there is no perception of anything.

Yet, this does not imply non-existence, only

non-perception. All things rest in the potential state

here, not yet conceived. They are therefore in the

womb of hiranyagarbha, from which they sprout as a

thought-form through the ego structure and then begin

again as a new perceptual experience.

 

I've received some very interesting answers to this

question, and appreciate the dialogue.

 

In conclusion, I hope that I and everyone can

eventually appreciate and realise the state of

detachment and become one with the 'observer', instead

of being enchanted by the non-existent observations.

 

Jai Guru Datta,

PradYumna

 

 

 

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