114. SAKSHI CHAITANYA, the Witness Consciousness.

This is in continuation of the previous three blogs: “BRAHMA CHAITANYA, the Absolute Consciousness” “ISWARA CHAITANYA, the Cosmic Consciousness” And “JIVA CHAITANYA, the Individual Consciousness” 

Sakshi Chaitanya (Witness Consciousness) is beyond the grasp of the Mind that is ever on flip flop, it neither suffers nor enjoys the mental and physical conditions in the individual. Once the individual realizes the Sakshi Chaitanya (Witness Consciousness) he aware with a transformed Mind. Such a realized soul sees itself and this vast universe through a mind composed of subtlety. Just as a sheet of glass allows the sunlight to pass through it unobstructed, this transformed Mind allows the luminosity of Consciousness to reach the body and its organs unhindered. 

Sakshi Chaitanya (Witness Consciousness) is known as the Antaryami, and is wonderfully explained in Katha Upanishad as the owner within a body called chariot. Charioteer of the chariot being the Intellect (Buddhi), and the reins in his hand the Manas (Mind) which is engulfed with wantons and emotions. The horses are the senses and the roads they travel are the networks of Desire. The owner of the chariot called body has to govern the entire psychophysical being of the individual then the Self is realized as Knower of the known as put in Kena Upanishad. 

Once the Jiva Chaitanya (Individual Consciousness) identifies its real nature, the Sakshi Chaitanya (Witness Consciousness), the next question is where is the abode of this Sakshi Chaitanya (Witness Consciousness) within the body???? Chandogya Upanishad gives us the precise location it says, the Sakshi Chaitanya or the Antaryami is “Within the city of Brahman, which is our body.” There is the Hryidaya (heart), and within the heart, there is a small Guha (cave). This cave is in the shape of a Kamalam (lotus), and within it dwells that which is sought after inquire about Self (Atma Vichara), and then realized. Though we attain old age, the lotus of the heart does not age. At the end when there is death to the body, it does not die. The lotus of the heart, where Brahman resides in glory is the true “Me”, not the body. Iswara Chaitanya (Cosmic Consciousness), Jiva Chaitanya (Individual Consciousness) and Sakshi Chaitanya (Witness Consciousness) are not different entities but the diversity of the one and only Brahman Chaitanya (Absolute Consciousness). Consciousness can never have plurality, if we perceive the diversity it is due to the lack of knowledge.