#75 No “I” Meditation

When desire or knowledge have arisen, one should stop reflecting on them, and consider the Self as identical with consciousness. Then, one’s true nature appears.Verse 98, Vigyan Bhairava Tantra

I – The Ego

When desire or knowledge arise, our ego gets strengthened. When we have a desire, we think – I want this or I want that. With knowledge it is similar- I know this, or I know that. This “I” is the ego. Where the “I” is strong, we are bound. When there is no “I”, we are free. That is why this verse asks us to stop reflecting on desire or knowledge. You are only reinforcing your ego, or your small ” 1″ . Instead, believe that you are consciousness. That your Real Self is consciousness. You will then become a witness. This is also the answer to the question raised in the previous verse. Who am I before desire or knowledge have arisen? I am consciousness.

In the previous verse, one finds the answer by looking for the source of our thoughts, and realizing that there is no separate entity, there is only awareness. In this meditation, we simply stop thinking about our desires, and return to being aware. The process in these two verses is a little different, but the end result is the same – one returns to a state of awareness. To practice this verse, every time a desire arises, stop thinking about it. Instead, believe you are awareness. Return to being aware, and living in the present moment. When you do this, your ego will get weaker and your level of awareness will get stronger. Ultimately your ego will disappear, and you will reside in awareness. This verse is not for suppression of desires or expression of desires. It seeks to encourage awareness or witnessing. Don’t identify with the “I” of the desire. That I must do this or I must achieve that. That only strengthens the ego. Instead practice witnessing. If a desire arises, observe it, and let it pass.