Dear Ones, The past several weeks have been incredibly busy, filled with many endings and quite a few beginnings. Through it, I have noticed a development in my capacity to witness. That is, the ability to touch the part of my perception that perceives in objectivity, neither confirming nor denying experience but simply watching life as it unfolds. This has been a precious practice in the last few weeks because my environment has at times appeared incredibly active, and it has not allowed me the opportunity to really reflect on what's happened. The capacity to witness without judging nourishes the understanding that you are, in fact, alive. Life's ebbs and flows can make it seem like things are happening to you, rather than originating from your past actions and so on, so that you can easily forget you are the star of your own movie. Practicing with the silent observer has allowed me to take note of everything without being too caught up in the drama of it all.
I've also noticed a peculiar effect from this witnessing, and that is a budding desire to re-engage with a few larger life questions. My relationship to what some call God, Source, Presence, etc. has been...well, bumpy. Most of the time my skepticism over powers my intention to stay open and receptive, and I cannot concede the existence of something that I cannot actually experience sensually (that is, through my organs of perception - sight, smell, touch, mind, taste). I also cannot help but see the devastation caused when people get it into their heads that "God said..." and proceed to destroy whole civilizations, Mother Earth, etc. And yet, lately I have been drawn to re-examine my relationship to this concept because I see that this witness, despite its simplicity, is something that I must cultivate and nurture, even though it has clearly always been there and will continue to be whether or not I choose to acknowledge it. I remember experiencing this witness as child, realizing that life was a great play and I was merely an observer. The Bhagavad Gita (the Song of God, a story whereby Arjuna, a soldier, meets God incarnate as Krishna) talks about Isvara (God, Supreme, etc) as the witness on two occasions, and it describes how the essence of God is to watch all as it unfolds, content to see the drama being played out. God's presence pervades all as the witness, according to the Gita. I think I am so used to thinking of myself as the star of my own movie, that I forget that it, for all its density, is still a movie. I hope that I can continue to remain open to the witness and see what mysteries unfold in the process. Could be fun =)
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About the Author
Maria Rodriguez, MSW is a Yoga and Buddhist practitioner. She currently studies in the Iyengar Yoga method, as well as Zen Mindfulness Practice in the tradition of the Venerable Thich Nhat Hahn. She lives in Philadelphia, PA with her Rat Terrier/Lhasa Apso mix Manjushri (He who brings great understanding). ArchivesCategoriesAll Anxiety Beginning Bhagavad Gita Buddhist Practice Buddhist Practice Meditation Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche Ending Life Changes Practicing With Emotions Quotes Relationships Silence The Five Rememberances Witnessing |