This is the Key Point in Satsang - 29th November 2016

So when we look at this, we find that no senses can help us with this. If one by one all the senses were to leave—eyes were shut, no hearing was happening, no sense of touch, no smell, no taste—you would still know 'I exist.' How is it known then? When we move away from sensory experience, we find that the knowing of existence still remains. Before that, there might be this false notion that that which is phenomenally perceived through the senses, only that is; or that which is mentally known, intellectually known as concept, only that exists. But when we are pointed in words, we find that there is a knowing of existence which is not sensory, it is not mental. So then what is it? This is the key point in Satsang, because this knowing is the primal knowing.

This awareness is the Self. What is it that knows of our existence? My existence, that I exist, is undeniable. And it is simply very easily seen that my senses do not know this. Even if there is no perception like memory, imagination, or other sensations, they are also not needed for me to be clear that I exist. I don't need even a concept. I don't need to read any scripture. I don't need to be religious to know that I exist. So it is independent of sensory perception, independent of mental conceptualization. Even of the regular, what power is this known? What kind of knowing is this? If it is not mental, what other knowing is there?

The sense of existence does not need to be remembered and cannot be forgotten, whereas mental knowing can all be forgotten. So what type of knowing is this that which knows even existence, that 'I am,' 'I exist'? Is this knowingness, is this knowing changing in any way? Can this knowingness diminish or increase? Can this awareness become tired or feel energetic? Can it be fearful? Can it be joyful? Is it aging with time? Does it have a location in space? You are pure existence. And who knows of this knowingness? Who is aware of awareness?

Recognizing now is what all of these scriptures are about. The sense of existence, the sense 'I am,' is a portal. It is that portal which awareness itself uses to experience itself as if it is something. The play of something starts with this concept 'I am something.' I-am-ness itself is the primary phenomenal appearance, but the game truly begins when it leaves the idea 'I am something.' So the one is arrayed so 'I am,' then playing as if it is something, 'I am something.' The unlimited playing as if it is limited, the rootless playing with attributes. So to play the game of this 'something' is to keep attaching attributes to this pure sense of existence.

This or that 'something' although becomes the basis for conditioning, the basis for the experience as if there really is a person here. There isn't. As if there is an individual 'me' here. So when we walk outwards through this portal of 'I am,' then countless myriad of ways to claim as an individual are available: 'I am an artist,' 'I am a doctor,' 'I am guilty,' 'I am so proud.' Countless number of attributes and conditions we can believe. But when this itself drops all these ideas about itself and the world within this 'I am,' this is to recognize the 'I' where it came from. That is called turning inwards. And this way we walk through this portal in the other way. Instead of attaching attributes to I-am-ness, we are now looking at the true nature of 'I' itself. Who am I?