Hour 47 Meditation – Sakshi Bhava in Depth – Witness Consciousness
Sakshi Bhava in Depth – Witness Consciousness
Introduction to Sakshi Bhava (Witness Consciousness)
Sakshi Bhava, or Witness Consciousness, is the key concept in traditional Indian meditation. It’s a state of consciousness where the meditator witnesses all thought, emotion, sensation, and experience without identifying with or getting attached to any of them. In this condition, the seeker becomes the observer or witness to their own internal world so they can remain disconnected from the always-changing ups and downs of the mind and behold the deeper, unchanging truth of consciousness.
The fundamental premise of Sakshi Bhava is to observe life without judging, being detached and simply observing without any action. This practice serves the purpose of developing spiritual awareness, emotional balance, and mental clarity as it enables practitioners to move away from the egoistic mind and access their real essence.
The Essence of Sakshi Bhava
In traditional meditation, the term Sakshi is used to describe the witness or the unadulterated consciousness which is independent of the mind and body. “Sakshi” is a word derived from the Sanskrit root “sak” which implies “to see” or “to observe.”
In meditation context:
Sakshi Bhava is the state in which a practitioner shifts from identification with their thoughts and emotions to identification with their higher consciousness, the observer.
This state is equated with detachment, when one can observe one’s inner experiences without becoming carried away by them.
Witnessing has nothing to do with rejection and repression of thoughts but is the capacity to watch them dispassionately, without judging them as good or bad.
Major Features of Sakshi Bhava:
Non-Identification: You no longer identify with your thoughts, feelings, and sensory perceptions.
Presence: You are completely present in the moment, observing your thoughts and feelings without distraction.
Objectivity: You watch without judgment, attachment, or aversion, but only aware of the ephemeral nature of your experiences.
Equanimity: It develops a state of balance and harmony in response to life’s ups and downs. You are unmoved by mental disturbances.
How Sakshi Bhava Works in Practice
The practice of Sakshi Bhava involves shifting your awareness from identification with the content of your thoughts to the act of witnessing those thoughts. It requires cultivating an awareness that is both detached and deeply aware. The steps to practice Sakshi Bhava in meditation include:
1. Creating Stillness in the Body
Find a comfortable sitting position (Padmasana, Sukhasana, or any seated pose that allows for a straight spine).
Slowly shut your eyes and take a few deep breaths to relax the body and mind.
Pay attention to your breath, slowly slowing the breath and focusing your awareness inward.
2. Watching Thoughts and Feelings
Start to notice the flow of thoughts that come and go. Observe how the mind keeps generating new thoughts, and emotions that arise.
Rather than identifying with the thoughts or becoming a prisoner of them, witness them as if you were a detached observer, letting them come and go.
Let go of the tendency to categorize the thoughts or repel them. Just notice them with curiosity and awareness.
3. Viewing Without Attachment
As you observe your thoughts, see that they are like clouds moving across the sky. They appear and disappear, but the sky itself doesn’t change.
This unchanged sky is your true nature — your witnessing consciousness.
Practice observing without acting, disengage from any emotion or judgment that comes with the thoughts.
4. Move from Thought to Awareness
With time, you become more mindful. As you practice Sakshi Bhava, your awareness will grow. You start recognizing yourself less with what you are thinking and more with the space that thoughts arise.
After that, you could start to develop a sense of inner quiet where thoughts are less overwhelming or pushy.
The Concept of Nishpand Bhav by Dr. Yogendra
It was Dr. Yogendra, the creator of the world’s first yoga school, who came up with the idea of Nishpand Bhav, which has a close connection to Sakshi Bhava. Nishpand Bhav is a condition of calmness of the mind in which there is neither turbulence nor vibration in the mind.
The Principal Ideas of Nishpand Bhav:
Stillness of the Mind: Here, the mind is entirely still. No mental chatter, no waves of desire or emotions.
Pure Awareness: It is a state of being where the practitioner is simply aware, no thought, no reaction. It is a moment of absolute stillness, wherein the mind is fully present and unencumbered by distraction.
Inner Peace: Nishpand Bhav produces profound inner peace and equanimity, a state in which the mind does not get upset by external factors.
Relationship of Nishpand Bhav with Sakshi Bhava:
Sakshi Bhava as well as Nishpand Bhav call for the separation from the variations of the mind and identification with the witnessing awareness.
While Sakshi Bhava emphasizes the role of the observer of thoughts, Nishpand Bhav deals with the state of stillness that is present when the mind is not disturbed by distractions.
Both practices take the practitioner to a state of inner peace and clarity of the mind where non-attachment is experienced with regard to thoughts and feelings.
Dr. Yogendra’s Nishpand Bhav is a sophisticated state of the witnessing consciousness (Sakshi Bhava) where the activity of the mind is totally stilled, and the practitioner is a silent witness to his true nature.
Benefits of Sakshi Bhava Meditation
Physical Benefits:
Relaxes physical tension
Improves energy flow in the body
Releases physical blockages due to stress
Mental Benefits:
Improves mental clarity and concentration
Reduces anxiety and stress
Improves mindfulness and concentration
Emotional Benefits:
Enhances emotional resilience and self-awareness
Develops emotional balance and inner peace
Reduces reactivity to emotions and external situations
Spiritual Benefits:
Leads to spiritual awakening and greater self-realization
Fosters a connection with the true self and divine presence
Enables the experience of non-duality and inner stillness
Sakshi Bhava in Daily Life
Sakshi Bhava is not only restricted to meditation; it can be practiced in daily life to develop higher awareness and detachment. Here’s how you can incorporate Sakshi Bhava into your daily life:
1. In Relationships
Watch your responses to others without judgment. Rather than identifying with your feelings towards a person, observe the feelings without responding. This makes interactions more peaceful and harmonious.
2. During Difficult Situations
In times of stress or trouble, take a step back and look at the situation from a position of detachment. See the frustration or anxiety feelings, but don’t become them. This enables you to make decisions from a position of clarity instead of emotional chaos.
3. Mindful Awareness in Daily Activities
Use Sakshi Bhava while engaging in mundane activities. As you eat, walk, and work, remember to stay fully present with every moment as it happens, observing it all with equanimity and non-judgment.
Questions for In-depth Understanding
How many times do I habitually identify myself with my mind and emotions and how can I start watching them like a dispassionate observer?
Where are some situations in my life in which I can watch out non-reactively and observe my mind without attachment and judgment?
How does practice of Sakshi Bhava modify my relationship with my inner and outer world?
How do I use Nishpand Bhav (silence of mind) to even more intensely engage in the practice of Sakshi Bhava?
Conclusion
The practice of Sakshi Bhava (Witness Consciousness) is a potent instrument for developing detachment, mental clarity, and inner peace. Learning to witness our thoughts, emotions, and sensations without identification brings us closer to our real nature as the eternal witness. With the addition of Dr. Yogendra’s Nishpand Bhav concept, this practice can result in an experience of deep mental stillness and spiritual awakening.
With regular practice, the practitioner is able to feel more aligned with the higher self and benefit from the detachment of egoic mind.