Observation vs. Witnessing

This article about the difference between self-observation and witnessing is an excerpt from my forthcoming book. The Definite Yoga Sutras, my second book, is due to be published in August-September 2024.

Generally the conscious mind is outward oriented and preoccupied with the world. During practice as the aspirant turns her attention inward, the conscious mind begins to observe the body, the senses and itself. The conscious mind is the observer. As the mind and body are stabilized through the practice of preliminaries including prayer, asanas and breathing exercise, self-awareness increases. Greater self-awareness leads to the recognization and conscious resolution of internal conflicts between manas, buddhi, chitta and ahamkara using Internal Dialogue. This equilibrium between the four internal aspects of the mind is called nirodha. On attainment of equilibrium, brief moments of witnessing (The Witness) may be possible. During witnessing the Individual Consciousness witnesses the content of the conscious and unconscious mind as if it were an external object. This is the vairagya (non-attachment).

The conscious mind observes the world, the body and itself

With increased awareness colored mind patterns from the unconscious mind rise to surface into the light of the conscious mind. These can be uncolored with systematic practice over a long period of time. As the conscious mind itself expands, the moments of witnessing increase and vice versa. In this way, the unconscious mind becomes increasingly conscious until the unconscious mind cannot be reduced any further. Finally, you are established in Individual Consciousness as the Witness.

The Seer witnesses everything Illustrations by Radhikaji

Those who do not want to uncolor the unconscious mind patterns cannot aspire to establish themselves as the Witness. The ground work of integrating the preliminaries in daily life must be done first, followed by the uncoloring of colored mind patterns. Once the coloring has been reduced significantly the mind can attain equilibrium more often and in these moments of calmness, the Seer shines forth and witnesses. The rest of the time, the conscious mind is observing itself during practice. In the process of self-observation it is important to recognize and resolve internal conflicts until nirodha is reached repeatedly.