The Purpose of Observing Thoughts and Feelings in Meditation

Observing your thoughts and feelings during meditation serves as a crucial tool in the journey towards a deeper level of consciousness. This practice is not merely a technique but a pivotal step towards understanding the true nature of your awareness.

The Foundation of Awareness

Most people are so deeply embedded in the constant chatter of their minds that they are often unaware of their own thoughts and emotions. The practice of observing these internal states creates a vital distance between the observer and the observed. This distance helps to slow down the mental chatter and brings about a sense of stillness that is essential for deepening one’s meditative experience. It is the first stage of cultivating increased awareness.

To go beyond mere observation, one must focus on the subject behind the sensory awareness, often referred to as the 'I' or observer. This stage leads to a realization of the underlying truth, which can clear the content of one’s consciousness, bringing clarity and depth to the meditative experience.

From Observation to Pure Awareness

The ultimate goal is to reach a state of pure awareness where there is no longer a subject or an object, just pure consciousness. In this third stage, one experiences a level of existence that is beyond the states of waking, dreaming, and sleeping. This state, often referred to as turiya in Hindu philosophy, is known as the God's state or the fourth state of consciousness. It is characterized by a completeness and wholeness that transcends the limitations of the mind.

During meditation, there are gaps between thoughts. These gaps are not just moments of silence but are windows into a deeper level of being. By observing these gaps, meditators can touch a state of no-mind or samadhi. Over time, these gaps become longer and longer, and one may eventually attain a permanent state of samadhi. This state is akin to the highest form of consciousness and is often described as the experience of turiya.

Overcoming Illusion to Experience Reality

However, the act of observing thoughts and feelings is not just about achieving a spiritual high. It is a practical and pragmatic approach to overcoming the illusion of a separate self. Many spiritual texts and practitioners, such as Teja, have written extensively on how observing thoughts and feelings can help one to recognize the illusory nature of the self.

The ultimate realization is that the true self is pure awareness, already whole, complete, and free. The act of observing is a tool to help us recognize this reality, but it is not inherently necessary for it. This awareness is not a separate state but the very essence of existence. Therefore, while the act of observing can bring about a sense of relaxation, it is ultimately a temporary experience, and one that is already the nature of pure awareness.

Conclusion

Observing thoughts and feelings in meditation is a powerful technique, but it should not be seen as the ultimate goal in itself. It is merely a means to an end, a path to a deeper understanding of the true nature of existence. While it can provide temporary relief and a sense of wholeness, ultimately, it is the recognition of pure awareness that leads to true liberation and inner peace.