by Ekta Bathija | Sep 22, 2026 | Atma Nirvriti, Attention-Seeking, Direct Path, Let go, Life, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Silence, Thoughts
How does one transact in daily life being the Witness? Question: I deeply appreciate your Atma Nirvriti explanations and guidance. At the Knower stage, how does one transact in daily life and work, with family, and even travel and move around? I feel an inwardness, a... 
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 | 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 | Nov 12, 2025 | Adi Shankaracharya, Advaita, Atma Darshan, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Buddha, Chanting, Death, Direct Path, General Spiritual, Guru, Ishavasya Upanishad, Love, Meditation, Mind, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Paths, Rama Geeta, Ramana Maharshi, Religion, Rituals, Scriptures, Self, Truth, Upanishad, Wisdom, Worship
If you can see, I can too! Question: I’ve been searching for the truth for a long time. I’ve explored a lot of paths — from “human-worship” and “guru-as-celebrity” types to “academic monk” approaches, “ritual-heavy” traditions, and even hopping from one... 
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 | Sep 1, 2024 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Aversion, Craving, Direct Path, Doubts, Ego, Impressions, Knowledge, Meditation, Mind, Raaga/Dvesha, Self-Effort
Do impressions get released during contemplation meditation as well? Question: While doing the Nisargadatta Contemplations [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwOB9CZXOf9TFFu5ayJGJHYpb6SW0xj5G], I noticed a release. Do impressions get released during contemplation... 
by Ekta Bathija | Feb 18, 2024 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Awareness, Consciousness, Direct Path, Dreams, Illusion, Just Be, Mind, Thoughts, Upanishad
Don’t dissect the illusion! Question: Dear Ektadi,During the transition from the dreaming state to the waking state, the transformation of the thoughts into dream images stops suddenly. It is like while knitting the yarn suddenly runs out. It is as if the... 
by Ekta Bathija | Feb 4, 2024 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Awareness, Company/Association/Sangha, Direct Path, Enlightenment, Human, Illusion, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Self- Realization, Upanishad
Names for the indescribable reality! Question: Self-realized beings’ describe everything as a ‘hologram’. Do you literally see people as holograms (that is the word we will use as I only know hologram based on current mind perception visual)? How... 
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 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 6, 2023 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Bondage, Buddha, Consciousness, Direct Path, Doership, Drama, Ego, Enlightenment, Flow with Life, Human, I, Knowledge, Life, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Sensations, Suffering, Thoughts, Universe, Upanishad, Wisdom
The script of life is always perfect! Question: Didi,What did/do you do when you witness that everybody is living in their own heads with their own stories and are suffering unnecessarily because of not being able to see the drama? Answer: Every single human on... 
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 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 17, 2023 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Awareness, Consciousness, Direct Path, Gnyana, I, Mind, Present Moment, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Samsara, Sankalpa/Intention, Scriptures, Thoughts
Truth reveals itself slowly… Question: Dear Ektaji.The power of attention in order to come to the NOW is heavily promoted in many spiritual circles. But in my direct experience, I am either paying full attention to something/someone or not. Either way, it is a... 
by Ekta Bathija | Aug 27, 2023 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Direct Path, Dispassion, Doership, Ego, Enlightenment, Non-Doership
Nothing real can be threatened. Nothing unreal exists! Question: Dear Ekta, I notice on the spiritual path, some people experience fear, some sadness but I guess they don’t understand that nothing can be lost. To quote A Course in Miracles: “Nothing real... 
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 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 | 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 18, 2023 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Direct Path, Doership, Ego, Freedom, Illusion, Non-Doership, Suffering, Thoughts
What happens when I recognize that I am NOT the doer? Question: Ektaji, by recognizing that ‘I am not the doer’, does the world-projection end? Answer: By you recognizing the truth that you are not the doer, has the projection of your family ended?... 
by Ekta Bathija | Feb 19, 2023 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Awareness, Consciousness, Ego, Illusion, Ramana Maharshi, Seeking, Silence
Go beyond the understanding that ‘The world is an illusion’! Question: Ektaji, at Ajata Vaada level, why is it incorrect to just say, “The world is an illusion”. Doesn’t the world exist only when I perceive it? Answer: It’s not wrong dear.... 
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 15, 2023 | Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Atmananda, Brahman, Direct Path, Drama, Duality, Illusion, Mind, Ramana Maharshi, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Samsara, Silence
Drishti Srishti Vaada and Ajaata Vaad Namaste Ektaji: Is it possible that I am shuttling between the two viewpoints? When I am the Witness/Void, I am in Ajaata-vada viewpoint? When I get pulled out by the mind and get involved in the drama, then I am in... 
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 10, 2023 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Awareness, Consciousness, Direct Path, Sakshi Bhav/Witness
The collapse of the witness! Question: Didi, I am puzzled by what I think I heard – when explaining Drishti-Shristi Vada, I believe you said that along with the Creation the Witness is born … and at night when the Creation dissolves the Witness also... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jan 8, 2023 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Awareness, Consciousness, Direct Path, Illusion, Meditation, Memory, Mind, Sensations, Silence, Thoughts
Is there a conscious link between thoughts? Question: Thoughts being dead information are simply a result of the memory of people, situations, things, ideas picked up from conditioning. Is there a conscious link between thoughts? Answer: If you are looking 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 4, 2022 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Direct Path, Drama, Duality, Ego, Just Be, Laziness, Maya, Self-Effort
Why drop conditioning? Question: In Atma Nrvriti we are talking about unlearning what we have been taught thus far and to drop all the conditioning, isn’t this another conditioning to drop conditioning? Can we just be? Answer: The Ego makes new excuses daily... 
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 15, 2022 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Awareness, Brahman, Consciousness, Direct Path, Dreams, Duality, I, Mind, You
Is the awareness/knowingness limited to special people? Question: Do we all experience the awareness/knowingness or is it limited to special people? Can I ever come to the point of recognizing this awareness/knowingness everywhere in everything and everyone? ... 
by Ekta Bathija | Nov 13, 2022 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Awareness, Direct Path, Existence, I, Mind
Why can’t ‘I’ experience another person’s ‘I’? Question: Dear Ekta Didi, When this ‘I’ is present in every being, why is it that I am not able to experience another person’s ‘I’? I am able to experience only my awareness within my body complex. Could you enlighten me... 
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. ... ![Advaita [Non-Duality] in a nutshell. Everything is Brahman [Consciousness]. How?](https://i0.wp.com/ektabathija.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/witness-consciousness-scaled.jpg?resize=1080%2C675&ssl=1)
by Ekta Bathija | Nov 8, 2022 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Awareness, Brahman, Consciousness, Direct Path, Mind, Self, Sensations, Thoughts
Advaita [Non-Duality] in a nutshell. Everything is Brahman [Consciousness]. How? Question: Ekta didi, please would you explain Advaita [Non-Duality] in a nutshell. Everything is Brahman [Consciousness]. How? Answer: Let’s directly experience it rather... 
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 30, 2022 | Advaita, Atma Nirvriti, Atmananda, Awareness, Consciousness, Direct Path, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Sakshi Bhav/Witness
Difference between the witness and pure consciousness! Question: Didi, could you explain the difference between consciousness and pure consciousness? Answer: Whenever there is an object to witness, then only the witnessing consciousness arises. The witnessing... 
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