Becoming a Witness
Becoming a witness is a transformative journey that lies at the heart of spiritual awakening. It is a state of profound inner awareness where we step back from the constant noise of thoughts, emotions, and external distractions to simply observe life as it unfolds. In this state, we transcend the limitations of the ego, aligning with the eternal essence of our being.
Life is often experienced through the lens of identification. We identify with our roles, achievements, failures, relationships, and even fleeting emotions. This identification creates attachment and aversion, binding us to a cycle of pleasure and pain. Becoming a witness means stepping beyond this identification. It is not about escaping life but engaging with it from a place of detachment and clarity.
When we become a witness, we begin to see the mind for what it truly is — a tool, not the master. The mind is constantly engaged in a dialogue, categorising experiences as good or bad, desirable or undesirable. This creates an inner restlessness, pulling us into its ceaseless narrative. However, the witness does not judge or label. It merely observes, allowing experiences to arise and dissolve without interference. In this observation lies the power to transcend.
Meditation is one of the most profound practices to cultivate the state of witnessing. As we sit in silence and focus on the breath or a mantra, we start noticing the thoughts that arise. Instead of reacting or engaging with them, we observe them as clouds passing through the sky of our consciousness. With time and consistent practice, this observing capacity deepens, and we realise that we are not the thoughts or emotions — we are the awareness within which they occur.
The act of witnessing transforms our relationship with challenges and suffering. Instead of being consumed by pain, we learn to hold space for it, allowing it to teach us without overwhelming us. This does not mean we deny or suppress our emotions. On the contrary, becoming a witness means fully experiencing them while recognising that they do not define us. We understand that emotions are transient, like waves rising and falling in the vast ocean of our being.
Witnessing also brings clarity to our actions. When we are caught up in the ego’s desires, our actions often stem from fear, insecurity, or the need for validation. As a witness, we act with mindfulness and intention, free from the compulsions of the mind. This allows our actions to be aligned with the higher principles of love, truth, and compassion.
One of the most profound realisations of becoming a witness is the understanding of impermanence. Everything in life — relationships, possessions, successes, and failures — is fleeting. The witness does not cling to the temporary but rests in the eternal. This perspective fosters inner peace, for we no longer seek permanence in a world that is ever-changing.
Becoming a witness also deepens our connection with others. When we observe without judgment, we cultivate empathy and compassion. We see others not as separate entities but as reflections of the same universal consciousness. This understanding dissolves barriers and fosters unity, as we realise the interconnectedness of all life.
In the teachings of great spiritual masters like His Holiness Shivkrupanand Swamiji, the state of witnessing is often emphasised as the doorway to liberation. Through practices like Himalayan Samarpan Meditation, we are guided to connect with our inner self, aligning with the divine flow of existence. The witness within us is the eternal observer, untouched by the fluctuations of the external world.
Ultimately, becoming a witness is not about escaping life but living it more fully. It is about being present in every moment, free from the distortions of the mind. It is about experiencing the sacred in the mundane, seeing the divine in all things, and embracing life with equanimity and grace. In this state, we are not just living — we are awakening to the infinite beauty and truth of our existence.
