by Ekta Bathija | Sep 13, 2026 | Body, Consciousness, Destiny, General Spiritual, Karma, Life, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Sensations, Thoughts, Universe
From the standpoint of the Waker, there is no option to follow or ignore an intuition! Question: Dear Ektaji, if one chooses to follow or not to follow intuition while making decisions, is it part of Prarabdha Karma? Does following or not following it change... 
by Ekta Bathija | Sep 9, 2026 | Advaita, Body, Direct Path, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Sensations, Thoughts
From the witnessed objects to the Witness to that where neither Witness nor witnessed remain Question: Didi, please, would you help clarify the two statements: 1] That which I know I cannot be. I am the knower of the body; therefore, I am not the known.2]... 
by Ekta Bathija | Sep 6, 2026 | Advaita, Body, Buddha, Direct Path, Ego, I, Mind, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Ramana Maharshi, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Self
The Ego, the root of Ego and prior to the Ego! Question: Are the sense of existing, the sense of I am, and witness consciousness all the same? Answer: Let’s clarify Pure Consciousness, Witness Consciousness, and the Ego to understand this better. Pure... 
by Ekta Bathija | Sep 2, 2026 | Advaita, Awareness, Bhagwad Gita, Birth, Body, Consciousness, Direct Path, Duality, Form, History, I, Impressions, Krishna, Memory, Mind, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Projection, Rama Geeta, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Self- Realization, Spontaneous, Truth
‘I-the-Consciousness project numerous forms’ can be corrected to ‘Manifestation appears spontaneously within Me-the-Consciousness’ Question: Ektaji, some sages have said after self-realization that, ‘I took so many births, in different... 
by Ekta Bathija | Aug 19, 2026 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Body, Direct Path, Direct Path, I, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Thoughts, Truth
All is simply Thought! Question: Ektaji, is this understanding correct? Time and cause-and-effect will continue to be used by the body-mind (e.g., the body-mind apologizing for being late), but I am fully aware that this is role-play of the dream character, and I... 
by Ekta Bathija | Aug 11, 2026 | Adi Shankaracharya, Body, Breath, Direct Path, Ego, Emptiness, I, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Sensations, Silence, Thoughts
The ‘I-sense ‘, when identified with an arising, is the Ego. Question: Didi,Is this the correct understanding: the body breathes naturally, the mind generates thoughts, the I-sense clings either to the thought and continues thinking, or it gets with the... 
by Ekta Bathija | Aug 5, 2026 | Advaita, Body, Chanting, Devotion, Duality, Gratitude, Guru, Ignorance, Meditation, Mind, Samadhi, Silence, Surrender, Wisdom, Worship
Gratitude and Absolute Surrender to the inner Guru Tattva! Question: Dear Didi, How to show gratitude and absolute surrender to the inner Guru Tattva moment to moment? Is there any prayer that can help? Answer: The Guru Tattva lies within. The inner environment... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jul 23, 2026 | Advaita, Awareness, Birth, Body, Brahman, Consciousness, Death, Direct Path, God, Guru, Intellect, Mind, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Projection, Sakshi Bhav/Witness
No beginning of the World. No End. No God. No Creator. Question: Ektaji, please can you help clarify about Kalpa or Yuga or the end of time? Also, did God create the world? Answer: ‘You-the-Witness-Consciousness,’ dream of a sleeping-dream-world... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jul 19, 2026 | Advaita, Body, Direct Path, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Silence
The active silence lies beyond the inactive silence of deep sleep Question: Dear Ekta, Papaji says, “The silence of sleep is an inactive silence out of which activities arise. But the real state that lies behind Waking, Dreaming, and Sleeping is an active... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jul 12, 2026 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Body, Consciousness, Desire, Direct Path, Happiness, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Samadhi, Seeking, Thoughts
When Even the Witness Dissolves, You Recognize That You Are What You Seek! Question: Dear EktabenIf a desire is a thought that arises from consciousness, does it stand to reason that such a thought is an attempt by consciousness (which has forgotten itself when... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jul 8, 2026 | Awareness, Body, Direct Path, Memory, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Self, Self- Realization, Sensations, Senses, Spontaneous, Thoughts, Truth
Who knows that the Witness is witnessing thought? Dear Ektaji, Noticing that throughout the day the mind is always going on about something. If there is an abiding, a knowing of myself as the awareness of all the chatter, and the mind is going on about empty stuff, am... by Ekta Bathija | Jul 5, 2026 | Body, Direct Path, Enlightenment, General Spiritual, I, Illusion, Life, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Self- Realization, Suffering
Is Gnyana Sangha your cup of coffee? Dear Dedicated Spiritual Seekers, Many people approach Gnyana Sangha. Some are merely curious. Some are looking for mental wellness. Some come under peer pressure. Some come because they have acquired material wealth and now aspire... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jun 28, 2026 | Advaita, Awareness, Body, Brahman, Death, Dispassion, Ego, Enlightenment, Guru, I, Ignorance, Impressions, Knowledge, Mind, Reaction, Rituals, Samadhi, Sensations, Thoughts, Truth, Vasana
Videhamukti completes the incomplete Jivanmukti Question: Hi Ektaji, I was going through Jivanmukta by Vidyaranya Swamy, wherein he said, “When realization of the Truth (Tattva Jñāna) alone is perfected, but the dissolution of the mind (Mano Nāśa) and the... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jun 14, 2026 | Advaita, Ashtavakra Gita, Body, Consciousness, Desire, Direct Path, I, Ignorance, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness
Ignorant Consciousness is the dreamer of the Waking-dream script Question: Namaste Ektaji,Is this a correct understanding? No one can control the dream script, neither the dreamer nor the dream character. In other words, the dream character makes a sankalpa, “This... 
by Ekta Bathija | May 31, 2026 | Awareness, Body, Brahman, Consciousness, Desire, Direct Path, Doership, Form, I, Ignorance, Mind, Paths, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Self- Realization, Sensations, Thoughts, Wisdom, You
Coordinates of Consciousness Question: Please can you explain the meaning of a coordinate of Consciousness? Answer: Let’s understand the milestones of direct seeing on the spiritual path, which will also reveal the milestone of the coordinates of... 
by Ekta Bathija | May 20, 2026 | Body, Children, Emotions, General Spiritual, God, Guru, Marriage, Mind, Relationship, Religion, Rituals, Self- Realization, Self-Effort, Spouse
Psychological Counseling Versus Spiritual Inquiry Dear Ektaji, I have been going through family turmoil with my spouse. It is getting difficult to live together. Is divorce the only way out or should I wait it out, I am confused with the chaos in my mind. The kids are... 
by Ekta Bathija | May 18, 2026 | Atma Darshan, Atmananda, Body, Consciousness, Direct Path, I, Ignorance, Knowledge, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Seeking, Suffering
Working at the higher witness level Question: Namaste Ektaji, you said, in the Atma Darshan series, that ‘We are working at the higher witness level, not the lower witness level.’ What is the meaning of working at the higher witness level? Answer:... 
by Ekta Bathija | May 14, 2026 | Birth, Body, Consciousness, Direct Path, Memory, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Truth, Upanishad
You cannot deduce your own birth! Question: Didi, as a mother personality, this body-mind complex has a memory of giving birth to another body-mind complex. When I correlate, I assume I was born into the world by my mother. Then how can I be the birthless... 
by Ekta Bathija | May 9, 2026 | Advaita, Awareness, Body, Buddha, Conscious, Consciousness, Memory, Mind, Projection, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Sensations, Thoughts
Who carries the Dream memory to the Waking? Question: Namaste Didi, As I understand, during the dreaming state, the witness is witnessing a dream, and the mind is in a semi-conscious state. But towards the end, the mind becomes fully conscious, and then it gets... 
by Ekta Bathija | Apr 22, 2026 | Awareness, Body, Direct Path, I, Illusion, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Senses, Thoughts, Truth, Upanishad
I am not born into a World. The World is born to me! Question: Didi, I don’t yet have experiential recognition of nothingness while in deep sleep (it’s only a post-recognition that there was nothing). This experiential recognition makes me think the world... 
by Ekta Bathija | Apr 19, 2026 | Atma Darshan, Atmananda, Aversion, Body, Consciousness, Death, Direct Path, Fear, Happiness, I, Sensations, Thoughts
Being fearless is the greatest happiness! Question: Dear Ektadi, I am presently ruminating over the lines of your Atma Darshan video: at 40:00 https://youtube.com/live/m5NhV5ciomA?feature=shareWhen the waking Consciousness disappears, the happiness, which is my... 
by Ekta Bathija | Apr 12, 2026 | Advaita, Aversion, Awareness, Body, Breath, Buddha, Doership, I, Meditation, Mind, Paths, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Samadhi, Satipathana, Self, Sensations, Thoughts, Truth
Incorporate Awareness or Witnessing into your meditation technique Question: EktaJi, I attended S.N Goenka’s 10-day Vipassana retreat and felt like it promoted effort and also had a lack of emphasis on awareness of mental phenomena, focused more on physical... 
by Ekta Bathija | Apr 8, 2026 | Adhyasa Drishti, Advaita, Awareness, Body, Conscious, Consciousness, Fear, Illusion, Mind, Projection, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Sensations, Thoughts
The mind is not conscious Question: As I understand, during the dreaming state, the witness is witnessing a dream, and the mind is in a semi-conscious state. But towards the end of the dream or during the dream (as it may appear), the mind becomes fully conscious, and... 
by Ekta Bathija | Apr 1, 2026 | Body, Buddha, Direct Path, Fear, Mind, Reaction, Silence, Thoughts, Wisdom
Difference between an uncultivated mind and an uncontained mind Question: Didi, I saw your video on the Buddha’s sutta on the mind that can be trained and developed. My question is, how do I know if my mind is trainable or not? How do I know if I have an... 
by Ekta Bathija | Mar 25, 2026 | Body, General Spiritual, Mind, Thoughts, Time-past/present/Future
Wake-Dream-Sleep slices Dear Ekta, You said that dreaming and waking states aren’t in the big chunks of time I label them as, like 8 hours of waking, but that arisings can be waking, dream, or deep sleep one after another throughout the “day”. How do I recognize this?... 
by Ekta Bathija | Mar 22, 2026 | Body, Death, Energy, Fear, Formless, Independent Spirituality, Knowledge, Masters, Matter, Meditation, Mind, Rishi, Scriptures, Self, Swamy, Truth, You
Fear of Death = Fear of unknown Question: How is fear of the unknown different from the fear of death and how to come out of both these fears? Please help. Answer: Fear of the unknown and the fear of death are essentially the same. Understand one thing that,... 
by Ekta Bathija | Mar 15, 2026 | Advaita, Body, Consciousness, Desire, Direct Path, Dispassion, Doership, Fear, Liberation, Mind, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Projection, Relationship, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Vairagya, Viveka
Correcting at the source with the master key of dispassion Question: Ekta Didi, Nisargadatta Maharaj advises on correcting at the source. How do I make corrections to the projection? Answer: When Maharaj says that correction is required at the source, he means... 
by Ekta Bathija | Mar 11, 2026 | Anger, Body, Dispassion, General Spiritual, Mind, Misery, Reaction, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Thoughts
You are the womb. You are the grave. You are the gap! Question: The gap is always there as the background ‘NOW’. It is on this background ‘NOW’ that the Vichara or the flow arises. If, instead of indulging in story-creation, I catch the Vichara... 
by Ekta Bathija | Feb 25, 2026 | Adhyasa Drishti, Advaita, Body, Buddha, Consciousness, Direct Path, Dispassion, Gnyana, Guru, I AM THAT, Independent Spirituality, Knowledge, Liberation, Mind, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Paths, Rama Geeta, Ramana Maharshi, Samadhi, Scriptures, Vairagya, Viveka
Are there different books for different levels of Seekers in Gnyana Sangha? Question: Hello Didi, I understand better when I read rather than when I listen. Are there different books for different levels of Seekers in Gnyana Sangha? If you could tell me which books a... 
by Ekta Bathija | Feb 18, 2026 | Body, Consciousness, Direct Path, Dispassion, General Spiritual, Mind, Paths, Rituals, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Silence, Spontaneous, Thoughts, Upanishad, Vairagya, Viveka, Worship
Do I have to discard Dvaitam path rituals? Question: Do I have to discard all old rituals and practices that I followed on the previously adhered to Dvaitam paths? Sometimes, the thought occurs to resume what has been stopped. How do I navigate this? Answer: On... 
by Ekta Bathija | Feb 15, 2026 | Body, Dreams, Independent Spirituality, Life, Mind, Pleasure/Pain, Ramana Maharshi, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Suffering, Truth, Wisdom
Witnessing does NOT mean to be there but ‘skip knowing the unpleasant’ Question: Pranam Ektaji, is there a way to dodge body pain, being the witness, and not feel the pain at all? Answer: Witnessing means to be there and know. Witnessing does NOT... 
by Ekta Bathija | Feb 11, 2026 | Attachment, Aversion, Awareness, Body, Consciousness, Craving, Dispassion, Form, General Spiritual, I, Illusion, Independent Spirituality, Mind, Opinion/Behavior/Judgement, Pleasure/Pain, Reaction, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Scriptures, Sensations, Silence, Thoughts, Vairagya
Persistent Sakshi-bhaava evolves to natural Vairagya Question: Didi, how to stay at a distance when a captivating arising appears? How to develop sufficient Vairagya (dispassion) towards it? Answer: Realizing one is the Witness of the Waker and not the... 
by Ekta Bathija | Feb 8, 2026 | Body, Desire, Fear, General Spiritual, I, Independent Spirituality, Memory, Mind, Projection, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Thoughts, Truth
Nothing outside of your projection can ever be perceived Question: Dear Ektaji, for witnessing subtle projection to gross manifestation, doesn’t the balance of witnessing get tilted when multiple vichara create a story? Is my observation missing something?... 
by Ekta Bathija | Feb 4, 2026 | Advaita, Body, Direct Path, Doubts, I, Illusion, Intellect, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Truth
The ‘I’ shifts. How can that which shifts be anything but illusory? Question: I don’t have experiential recognition of the nothingness in Deep sleep, yet. It’s only a post-recognition that there was nothing. Yet, I have glimpses that the world... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jan 28, 2026 | Advaita, Body, Buddha, Conscious, Courage, Direct Path, Dukkha, God, Happiness, I, Impressions, Intellect, Mind, Physical, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Samadhi, Self, Sukkha
Effort or Effortlessness Question: Didi, I was under the impression that the spiritual path is effortless, but you said in the previous post that effort must be applied. I am sure I am missing a delicate pointer somewhere. Please guide me. Answer: Let me... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jan 25, 2026 | Awareness, Body, Desire, General Spiritual, I, Life, Mind, Projection, Spontaneous
Pointers for the Jagat Mithya journey Dear Ones, As promised earlier, I will provide a few spiritual pointers that seem to work for establishing in the Jagat Mithya journey. These are not sequential steps. These are not a methodology. These are simply random SEEing... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jan 21, 2026 | Advaita, Aversion, Awareness, Body, Brahman, Company/Association/Sangha, Consciousness, Craving, Direct Path, Ego, Enlightenment, Fear, I, Relationship, Samadhi, Sensations, Thoughts, Wisdom
From Loneliness to Aloneness… Question: Why does everyone feel lonely, irrespective of age, gender, or whether surrounded by people or not? From the Advaita perspective, I know there are no others, and there is only Brahman. ‘Others’ is my figment of... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jan 18, 2026 | Anger, Aversion, Body, Buddha, Company/Association/Sangha, Craving, Fear, Karma, Life, Mind, Projection, Relationship, Suffering, Truth
Unexplained diseases and life turmoils…Why? Question: Buddha said in the Suttas that causing a schism in a Sangha is equivalent to murder. I agree that dividing people is wrong, but the comparison to murder sounds extreme. I have seen someone who is trying to... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jan 14, 2026 | Aversion, Awareness, Body, Consciousness, Craving, Desire, Existence, Form, Formless, General Spiritual, Illusion, Impressions, Independent Spirituality, Projection, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Spontaneous, Suffering, Universe
Does the dream tiger know the dreamer? Question: Dear Didi, I am beginning to recognize myself and others as formless and nameless. Are others different aspects of me? Is my daughter an aspect of me appearing as a daughter? Am I projecting all these people based on my... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jan 8, 2026 | Advaita, Body, Concepts, Direct Path, Form, Ignorance, Memory, Parents, Rama Geeta, Spouse, Thoughts, Upanishad
There is nothing personal! Question: Namaste Ektaji, Is this a correct understanding of Samskaras? I recognize personal Samskaras in the waking state, which is nothing but ignorance. This is the state where personhood is most established. I recognize impersonal... 
by Ekta Bathija | Dec 24, 2025 | Advaita, Body, Consciousness, Direct Path, Dreams, Elements, Emptiness, Existence, Formless, Ishavasya Upanishad, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Sensations, Suffering, Thoughts, Wisdom
Q&A on the effacement of conditioning by Wake-Dream-Sleep wisdom Question:Dear Ektaji, In Swapna Nidra Gnyana Sadhana, there is a blackness/nothingness, and the dreams sprout out of this blackness, like a bubble, one at a time. I see how I get drawn into the... 
by Ekta Bathija | Dec 10, 2025 | Body, Doership, General Spiritual, Guru, I, Illusion, Independent Spirituality, Mind, Non-Doership, Pleasure/Pain, Thoughts
Insecurity arises from Doership Question: How is Doership the root cause of insecurity? Answer: Let’s first define Doership. When the body-mind is asleep, there is no sense of ‘I am sleeping now’. There is no ‘I’ there in Deep... 
by Ekta Bathija | Dec 1, 2025 | Adhyasa Drishti, Advaita, Awareness, Body, Direct Path, I, Mind, Seeking, Truth, Wisdom
Quit pretending that you don’t SEE the truth in Wake-Dream-Sleep exploration Question: Didi, my Wake-Dream-Sleep exploration hasn’t been going well, as the mind is occupied even before sleep, and I’m unable to stay aware. Because of that, I’m finding it hard.... 
by Ekta Bathija | Nov 16, 2025 | Advaita, Awareness, Body, Emptiness, Knowledge, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Sensations, Silence, Thoughts, Truth
The presence devoid of the interference of thought Question:Is the calmness of the mind and thoughtlessness the same as Awareness being aware? How to ensure that I can continuously just BE in awareness? Answer:The calmness or thoughtlessness of the mind is not... 
by Ekta Bathija | Nov 5, 2025 | Body, General Spiritual, Independent Spirituality, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Thoughts, Wisdom
Quit pretending that there is a continuity! Question: Didi,Regarding the SNGS book, Quote 20 – ‘I witness that there is a continuity in dream stories just like there is a continuity in the waking story’, is this a correct understanding? Just like the... 
by Ekta Bathija | Oct 23, 2025 | Anger, Aversion, Birth, Buddha, Death, Dispassion, Doership, Dukkha, Emotions, Illusion, Impressions, Karma, Karmaphalam, Liberation, Mind, Moksha, Reaction, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Seeking, Senses, Silence, Spontaneous, Truth
Don’t miss the Karmic account closing window! Question: Dear Didi, I have a question about arisings, the first wave, and creating further impressions. This is family masala. Waker’s brother-in-law called today and said something rude to Waker. Waker replied,... 
by Ekta Bathija | Oct 19, 2025 | Advaita, Body, Direct Path, Dispassion, I, Illusion, Mind, Rama Geeta, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Self, Senses, Silence, Spontaneous, Upanishad, Vairagya, Viveka, Wisdom
The 6 Virtues or Shat Sampat Question: Dear Ekta, could you expand on the spiritual journal point “inner self investigation leads to natural development of silence of the lips”? Thank you. Answer: The first and foremost point is that one must... ![A Memory [Smriti] is not the same as a Karmic Impression [Samskaara]](https://i0.wp.com/ektabathija.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/mirror-surprise-scaled.jpg?resize=1080%2C675&ssl=1)
by Ekta Bathija | Oct 12, 2025 | Awareness, Body, General Spiritual, Illusion, Impressions, Memory, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Thoughts
A Memory [Smriti] is not the same as a Karmic Impression [Samskaara] Question: Is the body, mind, world a persistent memory or a relentless impression that recurs ceaselessly? Answer: Let’s explore the difference between a Memory [Smriti] and an... 
by Ekta Bathija | Oct 5, 2025 | Anger, Aversion, Body, Bondage, Craving, Desire, Dreams, Ego, General Spiritual, Guru, Happiness, Illusion, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Self, Self- Realization
You have trapped yourself and Only you can untrap your Self! Question: Dear Didi, If the ego is not getting much attention, is it possible that the ego makes the body fall sick to get attention? If yes, how can one get out of this trap? Answer: The only way out... 
by Ekta Bathija | Sep 28, 2025 | Adi Shankaracharya, Advaita, Body, Breath, Chanting, Courage, Death, Direct Path, Ego, Energy, God, Guru, Human, Ignorance, Intellect, Ishavasya Upanishad, Kabir, Memory, Mind, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Ramana Maharshi, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Self, Soul, Upanishad, Worship
What is NOT Sadhana? Question: Dear Ektaji, What is the purpose of Sadhana? Is it to strengthen my witnessing stand? Answer: There is only ONE sadhana dear – The sadhana of NOT betraying one’s own true Self, as discussed in the earlier verses of... 
by Ekta Bathija | Sep 24, 2025 | Advaita, Awareness, Body, Buddha, Emptiness, Just Be, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Samadhi, Scriptures, Thoughts, Wisdom
Structure must be dropped in Deep Samadhi Question: Dear Ekta didi, can you please elaborate on “The collapse of hankering for structure and methodology is a prerequisite for Samadhi.” Thank you Answer: Any hankering is an obstacle for Samadhi, my dear. Let me... 
by Ekta Bathija | Sep 14, 2025 | Body, Bondage, Consciousness, Desire, Freedom, Freewill, General Spiritual, I, Independent Spirituality, Maaya, Mind, Projection, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Seeking, Sensations, Spontaneous, Temporary, Thoughts, Vasana
Observation in Waking, Dreaming, and Sleeping reveal the difference between spontaneous flow and deliberate desire Question: Didi, I got a glimpse where I realized that ‘I’ am not projecting this world. The desire is a force itself. I think that ‘I... 
by Ekta Bathija | Sep 10, 2025 | Advaita, Body, Direct Path, Knowledge, Mind, Self, Self- Realization, Wisdom
Space trying to merge into itself Question: Ekta, is this direct seeing? All night, there was an empty space, and it was trying to merge within itself as one. There was only knowledge of this in retrospect. It felt like alive energy. Is this the direct seeing of the... 
by Ekta Bathija | Aug 24, 2025 | Advaita, Awareness, Body, Buddha, Illusion, Meditation, Mind, Religion, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Self, Suffering
The Waking World is nothing more than smoke and mirrors! Question: I practiced third eye meditation, and one day I got mentally imbalanced. Currently, I am unable to connect emotionally with myself as well as with others. I am unable to connect myself something I... 
by Ekta Bathija | Aug 20, 2025 | Advaita, Body, Breath, Conscious, Consciousness, Direct Path, Ego, Existence, Ishavasya Upanishad, Meditation, Mind, Samadhi, Self
The body doesn’t sit to meditate… the body sits to disappear… Question: My mind comes up with the excuse, ‘You’re not this body, why does this body sit for meditation? I know it’s an excuse. Please help the Ego from falling into this... 
by Ekta Bathija | Aug 13, 2025 | Advaita, Body, Direct Path, Guru, Ishavasya Upanishad, Mind, Name/Roles, Relationship, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Self, Sensations, Spontaneous, Thoughts, Truth, Wealth
Freewill is only a thought! Question: Ektaji, Do I have free will? If yes, how much? Answer: Let me expand on Freewill: There is no person called [Insert your name here]. There is only a body sensation that appears and disappears. It is only a sensation of the... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jul 30, 2025 | Advaita, Body, Consciousness, Direct Path, Ishavasya Upanishad, Mind, Personality, Projection, Sensations, Thoughts
The dream tiger moves, but does not exist! Question: I’m not able to comprehend the bigger picture/satellite/wholesome view of the I-Sense. It projects itself through this Waker, that Waker, and that Waker. How can each one have the same direct seeing as I had... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jul 20, 2025 | Advaita, Ashtavakra Gita, Awareness, Body, Direct Path, I, Mind, Thoughts, Wisdom
A thought cannot arise from a thought! A thought arises from the VOID! Question: I’m practicing Swapna Nidhra Gnyana Sadhana. In the early hours of dawn, awareness of the body happened. As Ektaji had pointed out, it was so crystal clear that the body lay there,... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jul 16, 2025 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Aversion, Awareness, Body, Brahman, Consciousness, Craving, Direct Path, Illusion, Love, Mind, Sensations
The master key to Bliss! Question: The foundation of the mind was already shaken a little, by the close manner in which you are guiding us, from afar. I have not read about such a thing anywhere, and I’ve read many spiritual seekers’ and sages’ autobiographies/... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jul 2, 2025 | Body, Concepts, Consciousness, Desire, Form, General Spiritual, Happiness, I, Memory, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Sensations, Thoughts, Truth, Unconscious, Wisdom
What is Direct Seeing? Who Sees? What is being Seen? Question: What is direct Seeing? Who Sees? What is being seen? Please help explain it clearly. Answer: Let’s begin with what direct seeing is not. Direct Seeing is not seeing through the eyes: The eyes... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jun 29, 2025 | Body, Consciousness, Enlightenment, General Spiritual, Grateful, Gratitude, Ignorance, Illusion, Meditation, Mind, Relationship, Samadhi, Thoughts
Be grateful for sudden losses, they make you debt-free! Question asked in the Gurukul forum:Someone stole a belonging, and a thought of ill will arose that this product will not have good consequences for the thief. You said that “Every pinch becomes a punch. The... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jun 18, 2025 | Advaita, Body, Craving, Direct Path, Doership, I, Illusion, Mind, Sensations, Spontaneous, Thoughts, Vasana
Doership is pretentious, you CANNOT be the Doer! Question: Namaste Ektaji,Vichara turns to Vasana when I interfere. Doesn’t interference imply doership? Answer: Life is flowing spontaneously, devoid of a controller. A thought arises of its own accord. It is not... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jun 8, 2025 | Advaita, Brahman, Consciousness, Direct Path, Duality, I AM THAT, Knowledge, Mind, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Projection, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Senses, Wisdom
The Ultimate Knower knows yet it does not know! Question: Namaste Ektaji,What is the correct understanding of these different statements? In I AM THAT Session 54 – Chapter 19: https://www.gnyanasangha.com/s/courses/677e29b443ab4728b806b958/takeThe primordial... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jun 1, 2025 | Body, Consciousness, Ego, General Spiritual, I, Illusion, Life, Memory, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Seeking, Self, Truth
Embrace the erasure of ‘Personhood’, the Beyond will reveal itself! Dear Ektaji, I see everything as an illusion, but when the body-mind gets tired, I lose the Knowingness position. I see it is all but an illusion, yet I get identified with the... by Ekta Bathija | May 21, 2025 | Advaita, Attachment, Awareness, Body, Concepts, Death, Direct Path, Memory, Mind, Projection, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Silence, Truth, Upanishad
How can the ‘limitlessness’ die in the limited state? Question: Ektaji, I had COVID and went through extreme fear. I think the fear stemmed from my attachments to my family, wife, and kids. I have been walking the Advaita path for years. The silence is... 
by Ekta Bathija | May 18, 2025 | Birth, Body, Breath, Death, Ego, General Spiritual, Illusion, Independent Spirituality, Intellect, Life, Mind, Prana, Soul, Truth, Wisdom
The appearance of a dead body is no different from a living body! Question: Dear Ekta, “I am not the body”. So the appearance of a dead body is no different than a living body…all is not real. …It is so tricky. Answer: Yes, dear, all is... 
by Ekta Bathija | May 11, 2025 | Advaita, Body, Direct Path, Doership, Meditation, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Sensations, Thoughts, Truth, Upanishad, Wisdom
Knowing that you are beyond thought is the Master-Key! Question: Is it possible to be in a state of no thoughts for long periods? Even during meditation, there’s hardly a whole minute of the thoughtless state. I try to be aware of my thoughts, but I invariably get... 
by Ekta Bathija | Apr 27, 2025 | Anger, Body, Desire, General Spiritual, Greed, I, Illusion, Jealousy, Knowledge, Mind, Seeking, Sensations, Thoughts
Who takes the vows of purity if there is no Waker? Question: Ektaji, in the Buddhadvaita retreats, who takes the vows? Is the Waker taking the vows, then Turiya recognizing itself as separate from the Waker, and releasing itself? Answer: Let’s dive... 
by Ekta Bathija | Apr 18, 2025 | Body, Consciousness, General Spiritual, Illusion, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness
Dreamer is an image of the Supreme Question: How to understand the Supreme Reality? Answer: Let’s take the analogy of a dream. The Dreamer is an image of the Supreme. The Dreamer has the power to project an imaginary dream and know that he is dreaming. The... 
by Ekta Bathija | Apr 13, 2025 | Advaita, Awareness, Body, Consciousness, Direct Path, Existence, Mind, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Sakshi Bhav/Witness
The higher and lower witnesses are like the Ocean and the Wave Question: Is Primordial Awareness the same as the Witness Consciousness NOT identified with the body-mind-person? Is the identified Witness Consciousness the ultimate experiencer or the Primordial... 
by Ekta Bathija | Apr 9, 2025 | Aversion, Awareness, Body, Consciousness, Craving, Desire, Doership, Freewill, Fullness, General Spiritual, I, Illusion, Mind, Projection, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Seeking, Self, Truth, You
When there is no perceiver, there is no solid projection! Question: Didi, Advaita teaches that the body-mind-person operates per a pre-determined script. Standing as awareness, ingrained behavior patterns (with spouse and teenage son) have slowly changed. If the... 
by Ekta Bathija | Apr 6, 2025 | Advaita, Awareness, Body, Consciousness, Direct Path, Existence, Illusion, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Sensations, Thoughts, Truth, Wisdom
Sensations and feelings are not personal as an illusion cannot be personal Question: What is a physical sensation? What is a mental feeling? Are they different or the same? Answer: A physical sensation is mere ‘knowledge’. A pleasant physical... 
by Ekta Bathija | Mar 19, 2025 | Advaita, Body, Brahman, Buddha, Consciousness, Direct Path, Enlightenment, I, Illusion, Maya, Mind, Moksha, Projection, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Samadhi, Self, Self- Realization, Senses, Truth, Wisdom
The four avenues to establish in your true Spiritual Self! Question: Thank you Ektaji for your enlightening wisdom. I have been doing Swapna Nidra Gnyana Sadhana for a few months now. I realized that I am the 4th (Turiya). But still, I am Maya-Ansh (Particle of Maya).... 
by Ekta Bathija | Mar 12, 2025 | Brahman, Consciousness, General Spiritual, God, I, Illusion, Knowledge, Maaya, Projection, Self, Senses, Truth
Your power cannot harm you, Maaya-ansh! Question: What is the correct understanding of these two opposing statements?1. I cannot stop the projection even after recognizing Brahman Satyam & Jagat Mithya.2. ‘I-the-Consciousness’ project everything and I... 
by Ekta Bathija | Mar 3, 2025 | Body, Existence, General Spiritual, I, Mind, Self
Who sees? Question: Who sees? What is direct seeing? Is seeing of the ‘I’ a direct seeing? Is that the Self? Answer: It is direct seeing but not direct seeing of the ‘Self’ dear. Let me explain seeing from the beginning for the benefit of all. The waker cannot... 
by Ekta Bathija | Feb 16, 2025 | Body, General Spiritual, I, Mind, Seeking, Silence, Viveka
The Anhad Naad is like the chirping of crickets yet not a sound! Question: Didi, is it true that ‘Anhad Naad’ has stages where one can hear different sounds at each stage? Eg: If one continuously hears the Naad for a few days then later one can hear... 
by Ekta Bathija | Feb 12, 2025 | Advaita, Birth, Body, Brahman, Consciousness, Death, Dreams, Ego, Form, Formless, General Spiritual, God, Guru, I, Illusion, Mind, Name/Roles, Temporary, Thoughts, You
Longing for the Consciousness! Question: Namaste Ektaji, In the video, https://youtu.be/9R3zSoYl6ns, you explain a Baul song where the seeker is longing for Lord Krishna. Is it the body-mind crying for the formless Consciousness or a form of God or Guru? ... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jan 29, 2025 | Advaita, Body, Company/Association/Sangha, Desire, Expectations, General Spiritual, Gnyana, Happiness, I, Life, Mind, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Seeking, Self, Suffering, Truth
It is my Dharma to let you know that Spiritual mentorship sessions are not psychotherapy Question: I have lots of suffering. Is there any possibility for me to have a private mentorship session for some guidance on this? Answer: If you go to a heart surgeon and... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jan 19, 2025 | Advaita, Body, Buddha, Chanting, Consciousness, Direct Path, Fear, Guru/Disciple, I, Illusion, Maaya, Meditation, Mind, Religion, Samadhi, Self- Realization, Sensations, Senses, Shiva, Spontaneous, Thoughts
Manufacturing mental images and observing them is not true meditation Question: When I was chanting my mantra, I heard Akathkatha. I saw Shiva in front of my eyes. My consciousness was not in my body. I had that experience for two hours. I felt lightweight and had... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jan 15, 2025 | Adi Shankaracharya, Advaita, Body, Brahman, Consciousness, Direct Path, Guru, I, Illusion, Knowledge, Mind
I AM yet I AM NOT. IT IS yet IT IS NOT. Question: Namaste Ektaji, is this a correct understanding? When you say: “It is, yet it is not” are you referring toThe Presence/ Knowledge/ Pure Consciousness – It is.The absence of any entity/ identity – It is not. In Adi... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jan 12, 2025 | Advaita, Body, Desire, Direct Path, Knowledge, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Sensations, Thoughts, Truth
Transcend beyond all projections! Question: How do projections work? Are projections the product of my desires of the past? Answer: Yes, my dear. Attempt to see this truth in your direct seeing. What you witness as waves that tempt you to believe that you see,... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jan 8, 2025 | Advaita, Aversion, Awareness, Body, Consciousness, Craving, Direct Path, Dukkha, I, Memory, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Self, Sensations, Spontaneous, Thoughts, Vasana
Grabbing Vichara is Vasana Question: What is Vichara? What is Vasana? Answer: What is Vichara? Vichara is a spontaneous stream of collective arisings. But arisings are not personal. The perception of sight arises and dissolves. It is a fleeting arising devoid... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jan 5, 2025 | Advaita, Attention-Seeking, Bhakti, Breath, Chanting, Consciousness, Devotion, Direct Path, Dispassion, Duality, Enlightenment, General Spiritual, God, Guru, Guru/Disciple, I, Illusion, Krishna, Love, Mind, Moksha, Samadhi, Self, Self- Realization, Senses, Silence, Truth, Vairagya, Worship
Devotion is the automatic last step on the path of Self-Inquiry Question: Namaste Ektaji, how does the leap from devotion to Self-realization take place for Meerabai, Tukaram, Gnyaneshwar, etc? There is no mention of self-inquiry, so how did they realize who they are?... 
by Ekta Bathija | Dec 25, 2024 | Body, Direct Path, Dreams, Ego, Emptiness, General Spiritual, I, Illusion, Life, Mind, Pleasure/Pain, Sensations, Thoughts, Truth, You
You are what you are. You have always been that. Question: I am free, I am Peace, I am Nothingness. It is only a matter of realizing who I truly am, isn’t it? Answer: It’s not even a matter of realizing who you truly are dear. You are what you are. You... 
by Ekta Bathija | Dec 15, 2024 | Advaita, Atma Darshan, Awareness, Body, Buddha, Desire, Direct Path, Guru, I, Ignorance, Illusion, Life, Memory, Mind, Pleasure/Pain, Relationship, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Seeking, Seeking, Sensations, Spontaneous, Suffering, Thoughts, Truth
How is Self-Inquiry done? What is Self-Exploration? Question: How is Self-Inquiry done? What is Self-Exploration? Answer: Dear Spiritual Seeker, On the self-effacing authentic path to one’s true nature, resorting to Self-Inquiry and Self-Exploration is... 
by Ekta Bathija | Dec 11, 2024 | Advaita, Body, Buddha, Buddha, Direct Path, Duality, Dvaita, Enlightenment, Faith, God, Human, I, Memory, Mind, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Ramana Maharshi, Religion, Sensations, Truth, Upanishad
There is No BODY! Question: Dear Ektaji, why do we hear that a human body is essential to attain enlightenment? How much attention do we need to pay to keep ourselves healthy? Answer: Dear One, This is a Dvaitam concept that a human body is essential to attain... 
by Ekta Bathija | Nov 27, 2024 | Body, Direct Path, Doership, Dreams, Food, I, Ignorance, Impressions, Independent Spirituality, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Self, Sensations, Spontaneous, Thoughts, Wisdom
Waking, Dream, Sleep Witnessing Inquiry on Vichaara and Vaasana Question: Dear Didi,Please would you guide me on how to do the inquiry on the hundred pointers of Swapna Nidra Gnyana Sadhana, with regard to, Vichara & Vasana? Answer: Swapna Nidra Gnyana... 
by Ekta Bathija | Nov 24, 2024 | Advaita, Aversion, Body, Craving, Direct Path, I, Mind, Raaga/Dvesha, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Sensations, Spontaneous, Thoughts, Vasana
Craving and Aversion Are Not Part of The Script Question: Didi, can you please clarify this point – Cravings and aversions are not a part of the dream script. Cravings and aversions are not a natural arising. That means that I mislabeled cravings as habits. Is... 
by Ekta Bathija | Nov 17, 2024 | Advaita, Body, Conscious, Consciousness, Courage, Direct Path, Intellect, Knowledge, Memory, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Self, Self- Realization, Sensations, Senses, Thoughts, Truth
The Person is a Piece of Mere Knowledge Question: If everything is Knowledge, why is it that the body-mind person is unaware of it and only knows it when taught? Answer: As one progresses from the initial realization of being the witness of the body-mind at... 
by Ekta Bathija | Nov 13, 2024 | Advaita, Body, Brahman, Consciousness, Desire, Direct Path, Gnyana, I, Ignorance, Memory, Mind, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Parents, Seeking, Self, Senses, Soul, Truth
The Witness is the Assumed Self Question: Hello Didi, In I AM THAT Ch 20 there is a journal point ‘All desires, holy and unholy, come from the self; they all hang on the sense ‘I am’. Again Ch 21 says ‘All desire has its source in the self.’. Whereas... 
by Ekta Bathija | Nov 10, 2024 | Adi Shankaracharya, Advaita, Atma Darshan, Atmananda, Body, Brahman, Consciousness, Direct Path, Doership, I, Ignorance, Illusion, Intellect, Knowledge, Mind, Non-Doership, You
Realizing Not Intellectualizing the Layers of Superimposition Question: Ektaji, is it the correct understanding of Superimposition – The person needs to do certain tasks. The assumption is that the body-mind can not DO. Appearances of arisings are assumed as a... 
by Ekta Bathija | Oct 13, 2024 | Breath, General Spiritual, Just Be, Let go, Meditation, Mind, Senses, Silence, Surrender
Unclothe the Emperor! Question: When I close my eyes and sit for meditation then the mind is very chatty and wants to pass judgement but as soon as I open my eyes, the chattering mind stops. In other words, why is the mind more cluttered inside as compared to outside... 
by Ekta Bathija | Aug 28, 2024 | Aagami, Consciousness, Ego, Elements, General Spiritual, Impressions, Independent Spirituality, Intellect, Karma, Memory, Raaga/Dvesha, Senses, Sub-conscious, Surrender, Thoughts
How does a “thought” become an Agami Karma ? Question: First one of the 5 elements or the senses hits us (it also depends on my doshas), then it goes to the memory bank & opens one file like, dislike with People, Situation & Thing. (Is there any... 
by Ekta Bathija | Aug 18, 2024 | Concepts, Enlightenment, General Spiritual, Guru, Maaya, Mind, No-Mind, Senses, Silence, Viveka
How does the mind of an Enlightened function? Question: As a realized sage reads a newspaper, looks at the words, does the mind faculty in him read the words out loud? Even as I read there is a voice in the head clearly enunciating every word or since they are... 
by Ekta Bathija | Aug 11, 2024 | Advaita, Attachment, Awareness, Body, Consciousness, Direct Path, Dreams, Dvaita, Ego, Form, God, Guru, I, Let go, Love, Mind, Rituals, Scriptures, Seeking, Upanishad, You
Do not get attached to the spiritual mentor! Question: Ektaji is the Consciousness. Sometimes she manifests as the form of a teacher teaching us. At other times, she manifests as any other person in front of us, be it a family member, friend, or stranger. They are all... ![Difference between the Gnyani [self-realized] and the Acharya [learned one]!](https://i0.wp.com/ektabathija.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/sunrise-scaled.jpg?resize=1080%2C675&ssl=1)
by Ekta Bathija | Aug 4, 2024 | Advaita, Awareness, Bhagwad Gita, Body, Brahman, Consciousness, Desire, Direct Path, Dreams, Ego, Enlightenment, Expectations, Gnyani, Greed, Guru, I, Illusion, Kabir, Knowledge, Masters, Mind, Name/Roles, Personality, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Samsara, Self- Realization, Service, Truth, Upanishad, Wealth, You
Difference between the Gnyani [self-realized] and the Acharya [learned one]! Question: In chapter 4 verse 34 of the Bhagavad Gita it says:”Learn the Truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him with reverence and render service unto him. Such an... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jul 28, 2024 | Advaita, Awareness, Body, Brahman, Breath, Company/Association/Sangha, Consciousness, Direct Path, Drama, Gnyana, Home, I, Illusion, Knowledge, Life, Meditation, Mind, OM, Silence, Space-Time, Suffering, Temporary, Truth, Upanishad, Vibration
The soundless sound… Anhad Naad! Question: Thank you so much for the Brahman contemplation on Mandukya Upanishad, it has opened up an amazing open-eyed meditation for me – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scKepUN7nlM The 2nd Mandukya self-inquiry Aum... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jul 21, 2024 | Advaita, Body, Concepts, Death, Direct Path, Dreams, Ego, Guru, Intellect, Kabir, Love, Mind, Personality, Ramana Maharshi, Religion, Rituals, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Self, Thoughts, Truth, Upanishad
Ignore the lust for mystical experiences…that is not true spirituality! Question: Ekta Ji, in a dream, even if certain events are unlikely, they may look sooo.. convincing… I am still practicing to witness myself in both states. But I could experience the... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jul 17, 2024 | Body, General Spiritual, Karma, Memory, Vedic
Transplant Donor Karma Question: The memory and intellect are not associated with the physical body correct? So if someone were to have a brain transplant, the transplanted brain should not come with any memories and karma of the donor. Is that right? Answer:... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jul 14, 2024 | Advaita, Awareness, Body, Consciousness, Direct Path, I, Ignorance, Illusion, Memory, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Senses, Upanishad
The witness consciousness is not continuous therefore it is illusory! Question: Didi, in yesterday’s blog, it was mentioned- When one can see the witness+mind+body+world as a single oneness, he transcends beyond. I understand that the mind + body+ world... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jun 23, 2024 | Advaita, Awareness, Body, Direct Path, Dreams, I, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Sensations, Senses, Thoughts, Upanishad
Waking versus dream state! Question: Didi, I noticed that sometimes before this body wakes up in the morning, there is a state where I’m aware that I’m still asleep, no sense of body, just some blurry broken pieces of ‘image’ (‘thought)… and then I wake up. Sometimes... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jun 9, 2024 | Advaita, Body, Direct Path, Dreams, Ego, Enlightenment, History, Human, Illusion, Knowledge, Mind, Non-Doership, Personality, Upanishad, Wisdom
Can spiritual wisdom ever have a negative impact? Question: Dear Didi. I realized after yesterday’s session that without the Advaita basics and guided practice or experiential knowledge, the path to Ajaata Vaad can have a negative effect on the well-being of an... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jun 2, 2024 | Advaita, Awareness, Body, Direct Path, Doership, Emotions, Gnyana, I, Illusion, Kabir, Knowledge, Mind, Personality, Self, Thoughts, Truth, Upanishad
Everything is programmed! Quit the self-foolery! Question: One of my friends asked me if as Advaitins so we plan but I found it hard to explain to her that everything is happening as it’s already programmed. The doer-ship is a false assumption. How do I explain this... 
by Ekta Bathija | May 19, 2024 | Advaita, Body, Consciousness, Direct Path, Ego, Gnyana, Grateful, Knowledge, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Sensations, Suffering, Truth, Upanishad
Dive into self-inquiry… don’t stop short! Question: Thank you Didi for explaining and bringing all the precious knowledge, the truth, and the reality of who we are and how to end this mind/ego suffering, very very grateful. After practicing listening to... 
by Ekta Bathija | May 12, 2024 | Advaita, Awareness, Body, Consciousness, Direct Path, I, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Truth, Upanishad
Can one be aware in the deep sleep state? Question: In a deep sleep state, can one be aware? Answer: First let’s understand what is the meaning of Awareness and who goes through the states of waking, dreaming, and deep sleep. As you are a beginner of... 
by Ekta Bathija | May 8, 2024 | Body, General Spiritual, Independent Spirituality, Intellect, Mind, Physical, Prakriti, Senses
Difference between Brain and Mind Question: Dear Ektaji, please clear my confusion: A human body has five senses, touch, smell, taste, hear and sight. While eating food that smells good, looks colorful, and tastes flavorful our stomach send a signal to the brain... 
by Ekta Bathija | May 5, 2024 | Advaita, Awareness, Body, Conscious, Consciousness, Direct Path, Energy, Mind, Physical, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Upanishad
The BodyMind work on an autopilot mode! Question: Is it that the mind is in autopilot mode in dreaming, therefore the experience of the mind’s attention is less? But then even in waking the body-mind are on autopilot. Then what is the difference? Answer: The... 
by Ekta Bathija | May 1, 2024 | Advaita, Awareness, Body, Consciousness, Direct Path, Dreams, Illusion, Mind, Personality, Senses, Upanishad
Can Consciousness know the world without the body-mind? Question: Ektaji, is it true that the Awareness/Knowingness/Consciousness can know only until there is a body-mind complex? Answer: Let’s use the example of space to help explain this. Where is a... 
by Ekta Bathija | Apr 21, 2024 | Advaita, Body, Brahman, Consciousness, Direct Path, Illusion, Maaya, Maya, Mind, Personality, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Universe, Upanishad
The son of a barren woman is neither in reality nor in illusion. Question: Ekta Di, can you please explain what this verse means? ‘The unreal cannot be born either really or through Maya. For the son of a barren woman is neither in reality nor in... 
by Ekta Bathija | Apr 14, 2024 | Advaita, Awareness, Body, Breath, Consciousness, Direct Path, Dreams, Ego, I, Illusion, Independent Spirituality, Intellect, Memory, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Sensations, Senses, Thoughts, Upanishad
The waking dream is like the sky! Question: Is my understanding correct? Mahadaakasha = body-mind complex/intellect/memory/ego – the dream character Chidaakasha: the witness consciousness. Paramaakasha: Pure consciousness/dreamer There is identification as the... 
by Ekta Bathija | Apr 7, 2024 | Advaita, Awareness, Body, Consciousness, Death, Direct Path, Duality, Fear, I, Ignorance, Independent Spirituality, Liberation, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Self, Self- Realization, Suffering, Thoughts, Upanishad
Only a Jivanmukta can be called a Videhamukta, others simply die! Question: Didi, is it a correct understanding that a Jivanmukta interacts with the world in Sakshibhav whereas for Videhamukta the world does not exist? Answer: For the convenience of all,... 
by Ekta Bathija | Mar 31, 2024 | Advaita, Awareness, Body, Conscious, Consciousness, Direct Path, Dreams, Ego, Form, Happiness, Independent Spirituality, Karma, Mind, Name/Roles, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Sensations, Temporary, Thoughts, Upanishad
There is a difference between feeling happy and being happiness yourself! Question: Didi, my understanding is that we are the dream manifestation of pure consciousness. Something prompted us to become the experiencer and once we came into this world, don’t know... 
by Ekta Bathija | Mar 24, 2024 | Advaita, Awareness, Body, Direct Path, Expectations, I, Independent Spirituality, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Sensations, Silence, Stress, Thoughts, Upanishad, Wisdom
You are ‘Niranjan’! Question: When thoughts would be all over and I start stressing and getting exhausted, I remember to shift my stand from body-mind to the witness. It just calms me down, seems a ocean of peace and calm is within me (I just have to... 
by Ekta Bathija | Mar 10, 2024 | Advaita, Awareness, Body, Direct Path, Dreams, Existence, Gnyana, I, Impressions, Knowledge, Mind, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Senses, Thoughts, Upanishad
You project your own world! Question: Didi, is my understanding correct?Pratyaksha Gnyana: I see/meet a new person in the neighborhood.Paroksha Gnyana: Prejudices/assumptions about him/her based on the looks/conversation.Aparoksha Gnyana: In awareness, I don’t exist.... 
by Ekta Bathija | Mar 6, 2024 | Body, Independent Spirituality, Mind, Present Moment, Self, Self, Silence, Sub-conscious, Tapas, Thoughts
Silence…..Shhhhh! Question: How to keep an optimum silence during the Silence Course? Answer: Silence is not only of the body, it is of the mind. So one must make every attempt to at least taste a minute of complete silence of the mind at a Silence retreat... 
by Ekta Bathija | Mar 3, 2024 | Advaita, Awareness, Body, Consciousness, Craving, Desire, Direct Path, Enlightenment, Feverishness, Just Be, Knowledge, Memory, Mind, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Scriptures, Senses, Silence, Surrender, Thoughts, Upanishad, Wisdom
Agamya – Inaccessible through words! Question: I wanted to also share that I really found the question and answers helpful after the explorations yesterday where Ektaji was speaking with Shailaja. That mind is only limited to the perception of five senses and... 
by Ekta Bathija | Feb 25, 2024 | Advaita, Awareness, Birth, Body, Choice, Death, Direct Path, Doership, Fear, Freewill, I, Life, Maaya, Mind, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Samsara, Thoughts, Upanishad, Wisdom
The sky is not blue! Question: Dear Ektaben, Following the self explorations, one question has arisen: I have seen 2 thoughts arise in this being at different stages in life: One thought said – I have a choice over my decisions and interactions with people,... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jan 28, 2024 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Body, Direct Path, Freedom, I, Mind, Suffering, Upanishad, Vasana
You cannot claim the object that you illumine! Question: Ektaji, could you please clarify whether vasanas are a hindrance to freedom? Answer: Until you consider the body-mind as yours, Vasanas belong to you. Until Vasanas belong to you, personhood cannot cease.... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jan 24, 2024 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Awareness, Body, Concepts, Consciousness, Direct Path, Doership, Ego, I, Ignorance, Mind, Relationship, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Self, Upanishad
Dissolution of the personal ‘I’ Question: Most Advaita knowledge that I encounter appears to focus on the fact that I am the all-pervading consciousness. When the words “I am” or “true self” are encountered it appears that they are... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jan 21, 2024 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Awareness, Body, Consciousness, Direct Path, Existence, Mind, Self- Realization, Thoughts, Upanishad
Locus of the Being! Question: My self-inquiry – Every physical and mental object is just pure Consciousness. There is vacillation going on regards the stand taken. Though there is the being of pure Consciousness, the locus of the being is still here, where the... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jan 7, 2024 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Awareness, Body, Direct Path, Dreams, Ego, Illusion, Knowledge, Mind, Senses, Upanishad
Difference between false and illusion! Question: One question has been daunting to me for some time. I understand that everything I can grasp with my senses is an illusion. So whatever I see with my eyes is an illusion created by the ego. I am looking at a book right... 
by Ekta Bathija | Dec 24, 2023 | Advaita, Body, Direct Path, Drama, Dreams, Mind, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Sakshi Bhav/Witness
Don’t seek acknowledgment for your own personal unshareable insight! Question: Last night, as I was falling asleep, I had this strange experience. At the level of the mind I became aware of some hazy images and a pretty strong humming sound flashing close to my... 
by Ekta Bathija | Dec 17, 2023 | Advaita, Body, Desire, Direct Path, Doership, Ego, Enlightenment, Feverishness, Flow with Life, Jealousy, Just Be, Mind, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Self- Realization, Truth
Intense longing for self-realization Question: I have a strong and a very old habit of indulging in story creation and I realized it only after studying Chapter 12. This is the reason why I am not able to move ahead on the path, I am still at the level of doer and... 
by Ekta Bathija | Dec 13, 2023 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Body, Causation, Death, Direct Path, Dreams, Guilt, Guru, Independent Spirituality, Kabir, Karma, Karmaphalam, Love, Memory, Mind, Ramana Maharshi, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Sankalpa/Intention, Suffering
Contradictions in Advaita! Question: Hello Dear Ekta, in the Ramana Maharishi’s Guru videos you asked us whether we recognize the four stages of creation and manifestation of a personal universe, thru Sankalpa – [Inclination/attraction] Kaama – [Lusting... 
by Ekta Bathija | Dec 10, 2023 | Advaita, Attachment, Body, Death, Desire, Direct Path, Fear, Food, Fullness, Life, Mind, Nisargadatta Maharaj, No-Mind, Pleasure/Pain, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Samsara, Thoughts, Universe
Does the sage not have a mind? Question: Maharaj says, ‘Pleasure and pain do not sway me. I am free from desire and fear. I am full. I need nothing.” I understand that he is speaking as Pure Consciousness. Is it correct to assume that thoughts/desires like this can... 
by Ekta Bathija | Dec 3, 2023 | Advaita, Awareness, Body, Desire, Direct Path, Doership, I, Illusion, Mind, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Universe
Primordial Awareness is Stillness itself! Question: When there is no I, there will be no witnessing, only Primordial Awareness or Universal witness (as Maharaj describes it). Instead of “I am seeing” (witnessing), there will be only, “Seeing is happening” (Primordial... 
by Ekta Bathija | Nov 26, 2023 | Advaita, Awareness, Body, Consciousness, Direct Path, Doership, Dreams, Ego, Mind, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Personality, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Sensations, Thoughts
The journey to Ajaata Vaad! Question:I understand that the dream character = body/mind, I = Witness, and Dreamer= Pure Consciousness. The thoughts, feelings, sensations, and perceptions do not belong to the Witness, they belong to the Dreamer, Pure Consciousness. The... 
by Ekta Bathija | Nov 19, 2023 | Advaita, Awareness, Body, Consciousness, Desire, Direct Path, Ego, Existence, Happiness, Illusion, Mind, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Pleasure/Pain, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Self
The mind is an old broken mirror! Question: Hello Ekta, I have a question. Nisargadatta was saying that ‘how can restless mind can calm itself’ or something similar…Then you were explaining this point and at some point, you said Mind and body are reflections of the... 
by Ekta Bathija | Nov 1, 2023 | Advaita, Anger, Bhakti, Body, Buddha, Compassion, Concepts, Consciousness, Direct Path, Dispassion, Ego, Energy, Fear, Flow with Life, Gnyana, Illusion, Independent Spirituality, Let go, Life, Meditation, Mind, Religion, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Thoughts, Truth
Let go of the story! Question: While yoga and Buddha’s path made me feel more calm and secure, I feel it was the mind still finding security and solace in some concept/activity, albeit more socially acceptable. Answer: What is the mind? It is simply... 
by Ekta Bathija | Oct 22, 2023 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Body, Death, Direct Path, Dreams, Emptiness, Food, Illusion, Mind, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Ramana Maharshi, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Samadhi, Self- Realization, Sensations, Thoughts
Do thoughts cease at least at Self-realization? Question: Didi, you said in your previous post that “Nothing is going to change by following the spiritual path not even your mind’s noise”. But Ramana Maharshi session you read out the quote where he... 
by Ekta Bathija | Oct 18, 2023 | Advaita, Awareness, Body, Buddha, Consciousness, Knowledge, Meditation, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Samadhi, Suffering, Surrender
Will my medical condition disappear during meditation? Question: I have a common chronic medical condition. Like my awareness, it is always there. But, when my mind is full of activity I do not notice it. I meditate for an hour a day and have moments of complete peace... 
by Ekta Bathija | Oct 8, 2023 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Body, Death, Direct Path, Dreams, Knowledge, Mind, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Sensations, Silence, Thoughts
Can thoughts cease? Question: Will the thoughts cease with the Advaita knowledge of being the Witness? Answer: There is Peace when you take the stand as the Witness but the Peace itself is not silent. The thoughts still continue to arise from this Peace, just... 
by Ekta Bathija | Sep 27, 2023 | Attachment, Flow with Life, Happiness, Independent Spirituality, Just Be, No-Mind, Senses, Silence, Temporary
Real Joy V/s Fake Joy Question: How do you differentiate real joy and fake joy? How can we find the enjoyment is real and not fake one? Answer: Hello dear, that’s a real deep question. The joy that comes from the objects of senses is temporary. Hence it is not... 
by Ekta Bathija | Sep 24, 2023 | Advaita, Atmananda, Body, Consciousness, Direct Path, Maaya, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Sensations, Silence, Thoughts, Truth
The personal world creation and its reflection! Question: Didi, I have a question regarding personal world creation. I see it having 2 aspects as below- Creating a story in your own mind and projecting it, thus creating your personal world. For eg. Husband came late... 
by Ekta Bathija | Aug 13, 2023 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Body, Direct Path, Doership, Ego, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness
Labeling thoughts is doership Question: When I watch the arisings with open eyes as I go about my day, I have noticed that sometimes l label arisings like, ” I-thought”, “trigger for habit pattern thought “, “desire/raga thought”,... 
by Ekta Bathija | Aug 9, 2023 | Awareness, Awareness, Body, Buddha, Buddha, Craving, Desire, Dispassion, Doership, Elements, Feverishness, Gunas, Impressions, Karma, Non-Doership, Pleasure/Pain, Present Moment, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Samadhi, Satvik/Rajasic/Tamasic, Self- Realization, Sensations, Senses, Sex/Passion/Celibacy, Truth, Vairagya, Vasana
Dealing with Sexual desires on the spiritual path! Question: What should be the effort from our side to get over sexual desire on the spiritual path, if we should not suppress it? If we express it aren’t we making those impressions stronger? What should be our... 
by Ekta Bathija | Aug 6, 2023 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Buddha, Direct Path, Existence, Guru, I, Illusion, Laziness, Masters, Mind, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Ramana Maharshi, Religion, Scriptures, Seeking, Self- Realization, Senses, Silence, Thoughts, Truth, Worship
Why shouldn’t one simply follow a Guru blindly? Dear Ektaji, I can grasp your teachings very well. I also know that you see the truth. Then why shouldn’t I simply follow you blindly? Why is there insistence on following the inner Guru as opposed to an... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jul 30, 2023 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Awareness, Body, Consciousness, Direct Path, Mind, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Sakshi Bhav/Witness
The two witnesses! Question: Ektaji, in deep sleep, Awareness is resting as Pure Consciousness. There is no world. Then how is Awareness aware of being asleep or unconscious? (Ch. 11, I AM THAT) Answer: Nisargadatta Maharaj has explained that there are two... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jul 23, 2023 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Awareness, Body, Direct Path, Ego, Mind, Non-Doership, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Senses, Thoughts
Witness the transactional reality! Question: How to interact in the transactional reality mode [Vyavaharik satyam] without offending anyone as I feel distant, quiet, indifferent, and absorbed in the Witness Consciousness [Adhyatmik satyam] around friends and family?... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jul 9, 2023 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Body, Choice, Consciousness, Direct Path, Intuition, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Sensations, Thoughts
Intuition and Inner Voice Question: Dear Ektaji, Is intuition a form of mind phenomenon (feeling), or is it an inner ‘voice of consciousness’? Answer: The witness/infinite void never speaks. So there is no question of a voice to arise from it.... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jul 8, 2023 | Advaita, Bhakti, Body, Brahman, Consciousness, Direct Path, Ego, God, Guru, Illusion, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Samadhi, Self- Realization, Upanishad
Guru Ashtakam helps one look inwards toward the Inner Guru! Question: Ektaji, sometimes, I listen to Guru Astakam as it helps my mind/EGO to dissolve into Turiya or Amness. On further self-inquiry, Turiya merges back to void or Brahman. Am I going in the right... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jul 3, 2023 | Body, Brahman, Commitment, Concepts, Consciousness, General Spiritual, Guru, Guru, Guru Poornima, Intellect, Liberation, Maaya, Maya, Moksha, Paths, Physical, Pleasure/Pain, Purushartha, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Samsara, Scriptures, Self-Effort, Siddha, Wisdom
How to do proper darshan of the Guru during Guru Poornima? Question: Ektaji, Can you please give me tips on how to get a Proper True Darshan of my Guru during this upcoming Guru Poornima. The mind gets swept away with the much fanfare and misses seeing the Guru in his... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jun 25, 2023 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Craving, Direct Path, Ego, Illusion, Mind, Senses, Silence, Thoughts
Thought is the father of the World! Question: Why does the mind make me feel that this illusory world is real? Answer: That’s because Perception is inside out, not outside in. The senses do not gather information correctly because reality is colorless,... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jun 21, 2023 | Awareness, Awareness, Body, Buddha, Buddha, Dukkha, Enlightenment, Equanimous, Matter, Present Moment, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Samadhi, Satipathana, Senses, Sukkha, Thoughts
Yardstick to measure spiritual progress Question: What is the yardstick to measure my spiritual progress? How do I know if I am progressing spiritually? Answer: The yardstick to measure your spiritual progress is: ‘Equanimity + Awareness’. *Equanimity =... 
by Ekta Bathija | Apr 30, 2023 | Body, Consciousness, Duality, Existence, I, Kabir, Paths, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Universe, You
Kabir’s Inner Mirror Question: What mirror is Kabir talking about in the following Doha? Hirday ma hi aarsi, mukh dekha nahi jaaye Mukh to tabhi dekhiye, jab dil ki duvidha jaaye There is a mirror inside, but the reflection is not clear. One can clearly see his... 
by Ekta Bathija | Mar 15, 2023 | Awareness, Body, Buddha, Buddha, Courage, Ego, Mind, Present Moment, Purushartha, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Self-Effort, Senses
Can I be in Sakshi Bhava all the time? Question: Being lost in the object and withdrawing from the object and becoming a “sakshi”. I am able to do it for a split second especially when I am typing on a keyboard I can see my fingers moving and witness it without being... 
by Ekta Bathija | Feb 8, 2023 | Ashtavakra Gita, Awareness, Awareness, Body, Breath, Buddha, Dhyana, Doership, Equanimous, Flow with Life, I, Independent Spirituality, Intellect, Just Be, Krishna, Meditation, Mind, Mindfulness, No-Mind, Non-Doership, Patanjali Yogs Sutra, Present Moment, Purushartha, Purushartha, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Self-Effort, Self-Effort, Senses, Silence, Spontaneous, Thoughts
Is being a witness and being 100% aware the same? Question 1: I was practicing 100% awareness for most of the day. But it seemed to me that as I was 100% aware, I was also totally aware of what I was experiencing through the senses – I was totally aware of what my... 
by Ekta Bathija | Feb 5, 2023 | Advaita, Atmananda, Body, Breath, Consciousness, Direct Path, Dvaita, Ego, Ignorance, Knowledge, Mind, Non-Doership, Pranayama, Surrender
Were my Dvaitam practices a waste? Question: After coming onto the Advaitam path, the thought arises whether all the Dvaitam practices done for the past decades were a waste? Answer: No dear, that is just the Ego throwing tantrums. Ignore the tantrums and... 
by Ekta Bathija | Feb 2, 2023 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Body, Consciousness, Direct Path, Doership, I, Mind, Self-Effort, Thoughts
Thought is not conscious! Question: Didi,In the example that you gave during the session, the 1st thought arose out of my previous conditioning that on Sundays I have to attend Atma Nirvriti class. The second thought arose out of the habit of being lazy and the last... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jan 31, 2023 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Awareness, Body, Concepts, Direct Path, Energy, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Sensations, Senses, Silence
When you drop labels, you find Awareness! Question: I feel the energy as well, as soon as I sink into silence. I find the energy is intense and overpowering. I am not sure If it is the witness that is witnessing this energy or is it the mind that is feeling this... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jan 29, 2023 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Body, Concepts, Direct Path, Emotions, Mind, Physical, Sensations, Senses, Temporary, Thoughts
Difference between perceptions, sensations, thoughts, and feelings! Question: Didi, Is there a difference between perceptions, sensations, thoughts, and feelings? Answer: Let’s understand them in detail: Perception:Perception is nothing but images... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jan 26, 2023 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Awareness, Body, Buddha, Direct Path, Ego, Flow with Life, I, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Silence
Nobody is in control! Question: Didi, I realize that all the vows from Buddha’s path are basically a reminder that I am taking a stand as the mind or body. The moment the recognition happens I get thrown into awareness! I experienced this at work today – it... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jan 22, 2023 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Awareness, Body, Causation, Direct Path, Mind, Sensations, Thoughts
Awareness knows that the body is shutdown in deep-sleep! Question: What is the hindrance in being aware of sensations in deep sleep? Currently, In the waking state, Awareness is not aware of itself all the time. If Awareness would be aware of itself during all waking... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jan 19, 2023 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Awareness, Body, Consciousness, Direct Path, Sensations
Who knows the absence of objects in deep-sleep? Question: Ekta Di, If I am holding a baby’s hand, there is touch perceived in awareness. Now, if the body falls asleep holding the baby’s hand the touch is no longer perceived in awareness. Awareness is permanent and is... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jan 17, 2023 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Awareness, Body, Consciousness, Direct Path, Enlightenment, Home, Ignorance, Maaya, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Samsara
Deep-sleep & Turiya Question: Dear Ektaji, For an Enlightened Being, is the Deep sleep state the biggest as he/she is in Awareness ALL the time? Answer: A beginner only knows the three states of waking-dreaming-deep sleep. Therefore, at the beginning... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jan 12, 2023 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Awareness, Consciousness, Direct Path, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Senses, Silence, Thoughts
Is it okay to stop actions and thoughts to be the Witness? Question: Ektaji, When I am in confusion I try to stop my action & thoughts to look into the constant companionship of the Witness. Can you guide me on whether my path is right? Answer: At the... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jan 3, 2023 | Aagami, Anger, Animal, Birth, Body, Drama, Flow with Life, General Spiritual, Human, Karma, Knowledge, Life, Name/Roles, Sanchita, Vedic
Your name does not belong to you! Question: Didi, I am 30 +. My Mom has nothing but to give advice every day and scold me. She always says negative about me and no encouragement. I cannot ignore them and I am getting angry at them and I decided not to call her for... 
by Ekta Bathija | Dec 18, 2022 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Awareness, Body, Direct Path, Doership, I, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Sensations, Thoughts
It’s very simple and easy! Question: Is it as simple as withdrawing from the stand of body/mind and resting as the awareness? Answer: Yes, it is that simple. It is both simple and easy. That is why it is called effortlessness. You have to give up the... 
by Ekta Bathija | Dec 11, 2022 | Advaita, Atmananda, Aversion, Body, Brahman, Consciousness, Craving, Dreams, Ego, I, Karma, Mind, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Personality, Raaga/Dvesha, Thoughts
When Nisargadatta Maharaj says, “My world is full of myself”. What does he actually mean? Question: When Nisargadatta Maharaj says, “My world is full of myself”. What does he actually mean by it? Answer: Let me start with what it does... 
by Ekta Bathija | Nov 29, 2022 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Body, Buddha, Direct Path, I, Mind, No-Mind, Sensations, Silence
Silence is your new friend! Question: Dear Ektaji, After struggling for many days/attempts I could settle down my mind today taking my attention away from whatever my mind was creating. After a while, a sense of silence overtook me. My being had this kind of... 
by Ekta Bathija | Nov 17, 2022 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Awareness, Brahman, Consciousness, Direct Path, Duality, Existence, God, Illusion, Mind, Self, Sensations, Senses, Thoughts, Yoga Vasistha
If this world is a dream, how is it that we all share the same dream? Question: In Yoga Vashishta on page 33 last paragraph, it is said that the Creator is the mind or pure intelligence, the Creator is the mind and pure intelligence is His body, thought is inherent in... 
by Ekta Bathija | Nov 10, 2022 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Awareness, Body, Consciousness, Direct Path, Dreams, Ego, Memory, Mind, Thoughts
Chittachaya – Borrowed Consciousness! Question: Ekta didi, please would you explain Chittachaya [borrowed consciousness]? Answer: Just like we cannot see gravity but we can experience it, knowingness cannot be seen but its effects are experiential. ... 
by Ekta Bathija | Nov 1, 2022 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Awareness, Body, Consciousness, Direct Path, Ego, Fear, Mind, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Thoughts
The Sun is always shining! Question: The response of the mind to ‘Perceptions are not conscious by themselves’ went from fear to denial to acceptance. The mind recognized that it has been thirsting to merge with the Infinite. Then why fear? Answer: This happens... 
by Ekta Bathija | Oct 25, 2022 | Awareness, Body, Consciousness, Dreams, Existence, Illusion, Knowledge, Matter, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Sensations, Thoughts
Are sensation and feeling different or the same? Question: What is sensation? What is feeling? Are they different or the same? Answer: A sensation is simply ‘knowledge’. A feeling is simply ‘knowledge’.A pleasant sensation is only... 
by Ekta Bathija | May 15, 2022 | Body, Buddha, Consciousness, Emptiness, Enlightenment, Festivals, Gunas, Guru, Independent Spirituality, Just Be, Maaya, Masters, Raaga/Dvesha, Self, Senses, Truth
HAPPY BUDDHA POORNIMA! Happy Vesak. What is Vesak? It is a Pali word for Vesākha or Buddha Poornima. Buddha was born, he got enlightened and he died, all on the same day. It is called Vesak in Pali. That was the language of those times. Buddha spoke in that... 
by Ekta Bathija | Mar 17, 2022 | Ashtavakra Gita, Awareness, Awareness, Bhagwad Gita, Bhakti Sutra, Body, Ego, Feverishness, I, Impressions, Karma, Knowledge, Maaya, Mind, Patanjali Yogs Sutra, Purushartha, Raaga/Dvesha, Sanchita, Scriptures, Upanishad, Vedic, Viveka
Impressions related to body and sex Question: I have impressions on my mind for past so many years that this body is me. How do I get rid of this impression that is so strongly rooted in my mind? Will the impression of “I am the body” be the reason for my re-birth... 
by Ekta Bathija | Feb 17, 2022 | Advaita, Body, Conscious, Direct Path, Dreams, I, Illusion, Memory, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Self- Realization, Thoughts, Uncategorized, Upanishad
Does the dreamer have the waking memory? Question: After waking up we recognize that dream objects are illusory. Similarly, when we go into the dream state do we recognize that waking state objects are illusory. Experientially I do not know. Is the memory of waking... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jan 6, 2022 | Ashtavakra Gita, Birth, Body, Death, Karma, No-Mind, Samadhi, Self, Vedic
Drop the body before the body drops you! Question : In Asthavakra 8, you said, at death, the body gets tired of you and drops you. Is it not the other way around? When karma is exhausted the Purusha drops the Prakriti. Isn’t it true? Please help to clarify. ... 
by Ekta Bathija | Dec 16, 2021 | Animal, Body, Craving, Desire, Freewill, General Spiritual, Intellect, Liberation, Maaya, Mind, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Senses, Viveka
How is ‘human life’ different from ‘animal life’? Question: I am wondering that the ideal way to live is: be in the present moment without worrying. No desires even desire for liberation is not necessary as it may become a craving ragga... 
by Ekta Bathija | Dec 9, 2021 | Body, Commitment, Guru, Karma, Knowledge, Laziness, Maaya, Meditation, Mind, Patanjali Yogs Sutra, Purushartha, Satvik/Rajasic/Tamasic, Scriptures, Self-Effort, Vedic
No proxies allowed in Spirituality! Question: My peaceful experiences are not stable, and I am going up and down in my spiritual path, I feel there is no steady growth in my spiritual path. What should I do? Answer: The spiritual path is long, it is unknown,... 
by Ekta Bathija | Nov 9, 2021 | Awareness, Awareness, Bondage, Food, Freedom, Games/Play/Fun, General Spiritual, Knowledge, Love/Hate, Maya, Purushartha, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Samsara, Senses, Sex/Passion/Celibacy
From scenery to seer! Question: Ektaji, what is the scenery and what does it mean ‘not to get lost’ in the scenery? Who is the seer? Answer: Scenery: Everything around you is the scenery. The people, situations and things around you are all scenery Seer: You... 
by Ekta Bathija | Sep 16, 2021 | Body, Consciousness, Existence, I, Matter, Science, Vedic, Vibration
Everything is but a vibration. Matter does not exist! Question: JGD Ekthaji, Reference: YG page 25 para 3 – Vasishtha is talking to Rama on the vibrations and their impact. Does the vibration here means the event(s) that are occurring to this body-consciousness in... 
by Ekta Bathija | Aug 19, 2021 | Anger, Ashtavakra Gita, Awareness, Body, Dreams, Emotions, Equanimous, General Spiritual, Impressions, Jealousy, Mind, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Sensations, Sub-conscious, Types of Mind
Reacting in Dreams Question: During the daytime a thought came to me, to say something nasty to my colleague in office. But I stopped myself and I let go of that dvesha [aversion] and I also forgot about it. By the time it was evening and I came home, I felt very... 
by Ekta Bathija | Aug 15, 2021 | Advaita, Body, Brahman, Compassion, Independent Spirituality, Karma, Life, Mind, Paths, Pleasure/Pain, Relationship, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Self, Self- Realization, Thoughts
Does the vaccine affect the Self? Question: Dear Ekatji,I have a concern about whether I should be vaccinated or not I am really not sure. My life is being the same before the pandemic and now during this pandemic, my life is so simple I am not in the rush for things... 
by Ekta Bathija | Aug 3, 2021 | Aagami, Attraction, Aversion, Awareness, Awareness, Body, Causation, Commitment, Compassion, Craving, Destiny, Elements, Equanimous, Freedom, General Spiritual, Happiness, I, Impressions, Jealousy, Karma, Karmaphalam, Knowledge, Life, Love/Hate, Patanjali Yogs Sutra, Pleasure/Pain, Prarabdha, Purushartha, Purushartha, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Relationship, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Samsara, Sanchita, Self-Effort, Self-Effort, Tapas
Dealing with Possessiveness Question: What if it is not me who is possessive, but someone else is possessive of me , rather obsessive almost to the sick levels of possessing me, what is that I should or should not do. Answer: Recognize that it is just a play of the... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jul 15, 2021 | Body, Mind, Space-Time, Tapas, Vedic
What is Tapas? Question: What exactly is tapas? Does it refer to a dissolved state? I understand that the words: burn, cook are used here as metaphor but what do they actually refer to? Answer: Tapas means endurance. Tapas is how strong are you mentally to be... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jun 15, 2021 | Body, Concepts, Doership, Dreams, Ego, Faith, I, Just Be, Mind, No-Mind, Purushartha, Samsara, Self, Thoughts, Vedic, Yoga Vasistha
The Mind does not exist! Question: JGD Ekta Ji, I am of the mindset that there will always be thoughts in the mind but by staying in knowledge and other techniques you can control your mind so that you are not attached to these thoughts. This way you are still... 
by Ekta Bathija | Mar 11, 2021 | Aagami, Body, Bondage, Destiny, Doership, Enlightenment, Freewill, Guru, I, Karma, Karmaphalam, Maaya, Mind, Niyati, Purushartha, Raaga/Dvesha, Samsara, Sankalpa/Intention, Siddha, Soul, Temporary, Time-past/present/Future, Vedic
If everything is a play of Destiny, then what is Freewill? Question:I am still not clear on how Destiny and Freewill play a part in our lives. When do we have a freewill when it is all our destiny or a result of our past karma. If I am not the Doer, where is free will... 
by Ekta Bathija | Mar 4, 2021 | Body, Concepts, Doubts, Emptiness, Faith, Fullness, Guru, Intellect, Knowledge, Mind, Opinion/Behavior/Judgement, Personality, Prakriti, Purusha, Vedic
See Guru as an Energy, not a Personality! Question: You said, ‘See Guru as beyond a personality, see the being, see the hollow and empty, ever full presence’. From past few weeks, I was actually wanting to feel Guru beyond the body. How to see that?... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jan 17, 2021 | Company/Association/Sangha, Compassion, Ego, Guru, Guru, Guru, I, Independent Spirituality, Karma, Knowledge, Life, Maya, Meditation, Problem/Struggle/Calamity, Purushartha, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Scriptures, Self, Senses, Truth, Vedic
Ego is a major pitfall on the Spiritual path! Question : Dear Didi, I tend to be influenced by those who are having too much fun and less awareness and don’t take the spiritual path seriously. I feel that we are not even eligible to learn this beautiful knowledge from... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jan 10, 2021 | Body, Emptiness, General Spiritual, Karma, Mind, Niyati, Paths, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Seeking, Silence, Spontaneous
How would I know I am not seeking anymore? Question: Can you please explain how would we know whether we have united or reached our self and are Pure witness right now. How do we know we are doing it right? How would I know I am not seeking anymore? Answer: Being a... 
by Ekta Bathija | Dec 6, 2020 | Aagami, Alcohol, Bhakti Sutra, Company/Association/Sangha, Facebook, Gossip, Guilt, Laziness, Maaya, Mind, Raaga/Dvesha, Senses, Smoking, Vedic
Dusangha sarvathaiva tyajaha – Shun bad company at all costs! Question: Di, there is tremendous change in the society in India…everyone is so much into alcohol and stuff. There are special afternoon get together of females where all of them go to pubs…I am... 
by Ekta Bathija | Dec 1, 2020 | Body, Death, Karma, Liberation, Mind, No-Mind, Ramana Maharshi, Self-Effort
Why is the no-mind state not permanent in this human body? Question: Dear Ektaji, With reference to the ‘no mind’ state, why is it that no mind state is not permanent in this human body? Answer: This answer will make sense only if you have started the... 
by Ekta Bathija | Nov 29, 2020 | Awareness, Body, Enlightenment, Gnyani, Guru, Independent Spirituality, Intellect, Masters, Matter, Mind, Physical, Pleasure/Pain, Prakriti, Ramana Maharshi, Suffering
Does a Guru or the Enlightened one feel sadness? Do they actually fall sick? Question: I have a question, although it may sound silly. I was wondering, do enlightened beings feel sadness? Do they actually feel sick? As I look at an enlightened one, I see consciousness... 
by Ekta Bathija | Oct 29, 2020 | Awareness, Body, Brahman, Concepts, Consciousness, Doership, Ego, Elements, Existence, Fear, Form, Gnyana, Gratitude, Guru, I, Impressions, Life, Matter, Mind, Opinion/Behavior/Judgement, Personality, Physical, Prakriti, Purusha, Self, Soul, Surrender, Truth, Vedic, You
What is Personality? Question:Is personality born from the soul or is it created by the ego? When we see others who are acting very differently than we ever would like ourselves to, even though they are part of our same consciousness, does that mean that they have the... 
by Ekta Bathija | Oct 27, 2020 | Awareness, Ego, Festivals, Mind, Mindfulness, Present Moment, Self, Senses, Vedic
Spiritual Significance of Ramayana on the occasion of Dussera! Ramayana is an epic story about King Dasharatha, who had three wives, but no children. Along with his wife Kaushalya, he performed a yagya called Ashwamedha, after which they got four sons.... 
by Ekta Bathija | Oct 15, 2020 | Body, Buddha, Energy, Enlightenment, Meditation, Paths, Samadhi, Samsara, Satipathana, Self- Realization, Senses, Wisdom
Meditating during periods! Question: Is it ok to do meditation during periods? My doubt arose because I can feel the energy flow upwards in meditation, while the energy is said to flow downwards during periods. This is a huge topic of controversy in Kerala, India.... 
by Ekta Bathija | Sep 29, 2020 | Awareness, Body, Breath, Buddha, Buddha, Desire, Emotions, Feverishness, Gossip, Meditation, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Satipathana, Sensations, Senses, Silence, Thoughts, Truth, Wisdom
Preparation for a long Buddha retreat Question: Didi, please would you advise on how to prepare for my upcoming 10-day long Buddha retreat? Answer: Irrespective of whether you are enrolled in the Satipatthana retreat or the Jhana retreat or the Metta retreat, everyone... 
by Ekta Bathija | Aug 20, 2020 | Awareness, Body, Bondage, Causation, Craving, Death, Fear, Fear, Freedom, General Spiritual, I, Maya, Purushartha, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Relationship, Samsara, Seeking, Seeking, Self-Effort, Self-Effort, Senses, Vedic
Birthday Message! Question: JGD didi, many happy returns of the day. Please could you give us a message on your birthday about how to celebrate a birthday. Answer: Life is a school. We all are here to learn some lessons. There are several classrooms:... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jul 10, 2020 | Advaita, Advaita, Awareness, Body, Brahman, Consciousness, Ego, I, Paths, Sakshi Bhav/Witness
Is the body-mind inside the field of knowingness/awareness? Dear Sincere seeker, Please find the short video clip and its transcript below for the answer to the question, ‘Is the body-mind inside the field of knowingness awareness?’ Transcript: The... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jun 11, 2020 | Ambition/Career, Animal, Birth, Body, Concepts, Consciousness, Death, Ego, Flow with Life, I, Ignorance, Illusion, Impulsive, Life, Maaya, Maya, Mind, Present Moment, Purusha, Samsara, Self, Soul, Spontaneous, Temporary, Vedic, You
What is the purpose of life? Question:I keep wondering why we first broke away from our nature of infinite consciousness? Why did that subtle vibration even occur that led to the “I”/ ego and then to the projected consciousness that leads us to this cycle of samsara... 
by Ekta Bathija | May 26, 2020 | Attraction, Awareness, Craving, Ego, Intellect, Life, Maaya, No-Mind, Senses, Vedic, Viveka
At what level are you in the Game of LIFE? Question:JGD Ekta Di, today in our modern society, we see people dressing in all kinds of ways for different social situations. Is there a spiritual perspective on how we should dress and what kind of clothes we should wear?... 
by Ekta Bathija | May 24, 2020 | Buddha, Mind, No-Mind, Purusha, Self, Senses
Mind v/s Self ! Question: Sometimes these guided meditations (including today’s) talk about how our mind is bigger than our body and our body is surrounded by our mind, and says it like this is a good thing. But if that’s the case, it’s really... 
by Ekta Bathija | Apr 20, 2020 | Awareness, Body, Consciousness, Enlightenment, Mind, Non-Doership, Purusha, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Thoughts, Vedic, You
When “I” watch my thoughts, who is doing the watching? Question: When “I” watch my thoughts, is it my consciousness that’s doing the watching? Or another layer of the burrito altogether? Answer: You are watching the thoughts. You are not the mind, you are not... 
by Ekta Bathija | Apr 17, 2020 | Awareness, Consciousness, Dreams, Duality, General Spiritual, Illusion, Let go, Physical, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Satori, Self, Truth, Videha
Is it possible to drop duality? Questions: In Cosmos, it is said that there is no concept of time. My question though is, can you experience this while you are in a physical form. From Lila’s story(yoga vasishtha), she had to remove the duality completely? Please... 
by Ekta Bathija | Mar 31, 2020 | Aagami, Attachment, Aversion, Body, Causation, Consciousness, Destiny, Doership, Dukkha, Ego, Freewill, Impressions, Karma, Karmaphalam, Life, Maaya, Mind, Niyati, Pleasure/Pain, Prarabdha, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Samsara, Sanchita, Sankalpa/Intention, Scriptures, Self, Soul, Sukkha, Temporary, Thoughts, Types of Karma, Vedic
A few questions on KARMA Question:Is karma about keeping your intentions positive or is it about keeping your intention and thoughts neutral?Answer:There are two steps:Moving from negativity to positivityDropping the attachment to positivity = attaining... 
by Ekta Bathija | Mar 23, 2020 | Ashtavakra Gita, Body, Buddha, Death, Ego, Fear, Impressions, Karma, Karmaphalam, Niyati, Paths, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Sakshi Bhav/Witness
Niyati brings to you what you deserve ! Question: In AG13 – Fear is like salt, Ashtavakra says a little bit of fear is needed to maintain orderliness and protecting life. Beyond that it engulfs the mind and body. Main fear is to lose this body. So in essence,... 
by Ekta Bathija | Mar 17, 2020 | Awareness, Body, Doership, Energy, Flow with Life, General Spiritual, Gratitude, Mind, Misery, Pleasure/Pain, Prana, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Self, Self- Realization, Self-Effort, Suffering, Truth, Wisdom
In sickness and in health! Question:Ekta ji, during Vyadhi, even as small as a headache, the Prana takes a hit and is focused only on the body. Should one wait for the phase to finish, and take it as tapas to come back and settle in the Self, what do you... 
by Ekta Bathija | Mar 16, 2020 | Attachment, Body, Courage, Death, Faith, Fear, Fear, Flow with Life, General Spiritual, I, Paths, Self, Self-Effort, You
All Fears are just the Fear of Death! Question: The Enlightened Ones say that “All fears are actually the Fear of death”. I am confused. Please help. Answer: There is actually only one fear. It is the fear of death. There is no other fear. All the other... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jan 13, 2020 | Awareness, Awareness, Body, Breath, Buddha, Fear, Impressions, Just Be, Meditation, Memory, Physical, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Satipathana, Sensations, Senses, Thoughts
Shivering during meditation, is it normal? Question: Yesterday, when I was meditating, I could only do three rounds of body observation but I felt I was aware the whole time and I felt for the first time I am doing it as you had explained, I was feeling all my body... 
by Ekta Bathija | Mar 7, 2019 | Body, Independent Spirituality, Physical, Prakriti, Purusha, Self, Soul, Universe, Vedic
Difference between the ethereal body and the physical body Question:What is the difference between the ethereal body and the physical body?Answer:Ethereal body is what you are, the Purusha/Soul/Self. This Purusha just forgets its own identity and thinks I am solid, I... 
by Ekta Bathija | Mar 6, 2019 | Attachment, Birth, Body, Children, Death, Parent/Child, Patanjali Yogs Sutra, Relationship, Scriptures, Soul, Vedic
Why do we do Shraadh every year for the departed ones ? Question:JGD!! I have a question pertaining to something we did in Pathanjali Yoga sutras. We discussed about death and how we do the 13 day rituals to let go of the soul. Why do we do Shraadh every year for the... 
by Ekta Bathija | Feb 18, 2019 | Body, Choice, Death, General Spiritual, Paths, Relationship, Rituals, Samsara
Embalming the Dead Body….Right or Wrong? Question:After somebody dies we request for embalming the body, so that we can prevent its decay for a couple of days, until all the relatives reach the funeral. My question is are we hurting the soul in anyways? Is the... 
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