Dis#nc#ons are Only in the Intellect
The witness-witnessed distinction exists only in the mind; the Self cannot be discovered phenomenally or visualized as empty space - it is known directly in Reality.
Can you clarify the relationship between and the difference between the witnessed and the witnessing?
Now the difference is not real. Like distinctions are only in the intellect. Actually, there is no such thing as witnessed and witnessing. They are just thought experiments, they are just pointers. Go with that which is witnessing all of this which is witnessed. Is there actually a difference between the witness and the witnessing? You would only be able to say that, if you came to the discovery of the witnessing in some sort of a phenomenal way, which you can never do. And some of you may not understand this; it is absolutely fine for now. You will never come to the discovery of the Witnessing or the Awareness or your Self in any sort of phenomenal way. And you can only draw differences or distinctions between two separate qualities, you cannot draw it between that which is quality less. So maximum, maximum you can say that ‘In my True Reality, I am absent of all qualities.’ But even that is just provisional. And don’t get into that trap because you will end up taking yourself to be like some blank empty space. Now, this blank empty space is looking at everything. [Smile] That’s not Real, that’s not True. Many, many, many in Satsangs like this can, can start visualizing themselves to be some blank empty space. You are not a blank empty space which is just witnessing. It is impossible for you to conceptualize or visualize your Self and yet you know your Self, fully [Smile] in your Reality, not here. [Gesture of figure pointing head]
Key Teachings
- The distinction between witnessed and witnessing is only in the intellect, not real - they are just pointers and thought experiments
- You can never discover the Witnessing, Awareness, or Self in any phenomenal way - it cannot be conceptualized or visualized
- Do not take yourself to be a blank empty space - you know your Self fully in your Reality, not through mental conception
From: What Is It That Doesn’t Need Any Looking to Find or to Recognize? - 26th February 2021