by Ekta Bathija | Oct 15, 2026 | Advaita, Attachment, Awareness, Body, Buddha, Desire, Direct Path, Emotions, Impressions, Life, Rama Geeta, Relationship, Samadhi, Sensations, Spontaneous, Spouse, Thoughts, Vasana
You can know a happening before it manifests if your energies are free of attachment! Question: Namaste Ektaji, Is it correct that Vasana means an action is premeditated, with a desire-thought preceding it, while a Vichara is a spontaneous arising? When Buddha speaks... 
by Ekta Bathija | Oct 11, 2026 | Advaita, Atma Darshan, Atmananda, Direct Path, I, Impressions, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Sensations, Spontaneous, Thoughts, Wisdom
Samskaras are like seeds. Arisings are like sprouts. Question: Namaste Ektaji, can I directly experience the statement below, or can only a sage see the Samskaras? “The impromptu performance happening on the stage of Me-the-Consciousness is triggered by the... 
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 | 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 9, 2026 | Buddha, Direct Path, Emptiness, Mind, Projection, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Self- Realization, Sensations, Thoughts, Time-past/present/Future
The NOW is the Void! The Void is the NOW! You are THAT! Question: Dear Ektaji, When aware of myself as this timeless Now, it is noticed that the I-sense, the identity, arises out of me, the Now, just like any other arising. It comes out of me, made of the same as me,... 
by Ekta Bathija | Aug 2, 2026 | Advaita, Direct Path, I, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Sensations, Thoughts
Is the void after the ‘I-sense’ collapses same as the gap between arisings? Question: Dear Ektaji,When sitting quietly, remaining as the awareness that notices the breath arise, peak, and melt away, the gap between the breaths is noticed. This gap is... 
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 | 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 | 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 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 28, 2026 | Advaita, Awareness, Illusion, Memory, Projection, Sensations, Thoughts, Truth
What does ‘projection’ mean in Advaita Vedanta? Question: Dear Didi,You use the word projected many times. I am a teacher and suppose I am teaching students in a class. If you say that I have projected the classroom students’ walls, benches, my own... 
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 15, 2026 | General Spiritual, I, Illusion, Intellect, Memory, Mind, Sensations, Thoughts
The intellect is unavailable in the gap to record Nothingness Question: Dear Ektaji, Is my understanding correct? At 6 pm, I keep my car keys somewhere in my house. At 8 pm, I want to go out. I am searching for the car keys, but can’t find them. My mind’s story... 
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 | Mar 1, 2026 | Ego, General Spiritual, Independent Spirituality, Karma, Reaction, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Sensations, Spontaneous, Suffering, Thoughts, Vasana
Inherent polarity of arisings renders decision-making a struggle Q: Dear Ekta, the arising of contradictory thoughts, such as ‘It would be nice to get a promotion’ and ‘I don’t think promotion is a good idea’, are part of Vichaara or the... 
by Ekta Bathija | Feb 22, 2026 | Advaita, Brahman, Consciousness, Direct Path, Emptiness, Illusion, Ishavasya Upanishad, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Samadhi, Sensations, Thoughts
Go beyond Deep Sleep to Turiyatita Question: Dear Ektaji, I have one question. One must BE in rest to observe one in motion. I am Turiya, and Turiya is consciousness in motion. How can I witness 8 arising in the Waking world and the Dream world, which is consciousness... 
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 | 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 4, 2026 | Desire, Doership, Fear, Form, General Spiritual, I, Independent Spirituality, Intuition, Maaya, Mind, Projection, Sensations, Thoughts
The subtle mind projects the gross physical Question: Dear Didi, Can you please clarify what the subtle mental projection and gross physical manifestation are? Answer: Projection means that one always receives from the world what one desires or fears. It is... 
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 | 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 | Oct 26, 2025 | Energy, General Spiritual, Impressions, Karma, Mind, Sensations, Silence, Thoughts, Wisdom
Should I do this action or that? What about the Karmic impression? Question: Knowing that there may be creation of Karmic impressions, should I decide to do an action out of compassion or not? Waker is confused. Answer: A scientist proposes a new hypothesis,... 
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 | 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 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 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 5, 2025 | Attachment, Aversion, Buddha, Consciousness, Craving, Doership, Flow with Life, Form, General Spiritual, I, Pleasure/Pain, Reaction, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Self, Sensations, Thoughts, Wisdom
Become Debt-free by changing the pattern of the Waker! Question: Dear Didi, You said that every arising is indebted to Zeroness. So is it that habitual tendencies, stories, and concepts of waking and dreaming are in debt to Zeroness? And being entangled in any... 
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 30, 2025 | Advaita, Atma Darshan, Atmananda, Buddha, Direct Path, Duality, I, Mind, Opinion/Behavior/Judgement, Sensations, Thoughts, You
Observing devoid of attachment! Question: Perception without attachment and judgment is peace.. Is my understanding correct? Answer: Yes dear. On the Buddha’s path, pure cognition is given utmost importance. The art of observation is simply cognizing the... 
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 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 6, 2025 | Advaita, Ashtavakra Gita, Awareness, Consciousness, Direct Path, Existence, Form, Knowledge, Matter, Physical, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Sensations
Sight, Sound, Smell, Taste, and Touch cannot prove the existence of matter Question: What is Perception? Answer: Perception = Bodh in SanskritA simple translation of Bodh = Knowing. Drishya Bodh: Visual perception is that which is known as a form [shape +... 
by Ekta Bathija | Feb 5, 2025 | Consciousness, Direct Path, Emptiness, Fullness, General Spiritual, I, Mind, Self- Realization, Sensations, Thoughts
Manah Prasad Somyatvam – The Sweetness of Consciousness! Question: In Knowingness, this sweetness is present, a completeness, fullness. Is this also part of the ups and downs of the mind? Or is this the Knowingness that I am? Answer: Pure Consciousness... 
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 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 | 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 | Dec 1, 2024 | Advaita, Awareness, Conscious, Consciousness, Direct Path, Illusion, Sensations, Thoughts
Sadyojaata and Ajaata Question: Namaste Ektaji, what is the difference between Sadyojaata and Ajaata? Answer: Sadyojaata means ever new, that which is born again and again. Asmita [Personhood] is born again and again. The personhood arising appears, peaks, and... 
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 20, 2024 | Advaita, Awareness, Consciousness, Direct Path, I, Intellect, Knowledge, Love, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Seeking, Seeking, Sensations, Thoughts
Stages of Direct Seeing are Described Progressively But May be Seen in a Flash Question: Namaste Ektaji, Is this distinction correct? When there is observation without an observer, there is no arising, only Awareness. When there is Witnessing, the witness sees an... 
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 | Oct 6, 2024 | Advaita, Ashtavakra Gita, Awareness, Consciousness, Direct Path, Dreams, Existence, Form, Illusion, Knowledge, Matter, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Sensations, Thoughts
What is perception? Question: What is perception? Answer: Perception is simply ‘knowing’.Seeing is knowing a form. Hearing is knowing a sound. Smelling is knowing an odor. Tasting is knowing a flavor. Touching is knowing a sensation. All perception... 
by Ekta Bathija | Sep 29, 2024 | Advaita, Ashtavakra Gita, Direct Path, Doership, I, Illusion, Intellect, Memory, Mind, Samadhi, Sensations, Temporary, Thoughts
The doer and experiencer are not the same illusion, even if they seem so! Question: Dear Ektaji,Is my understanding correct? Situation:6pm – I keep my car keys somewhere in my house.8pm – I want to go out. I am searching for the car keys but can’t find... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jun 26, 2024 | Anger, Aversion, Awareness, Awareness, Buddha, Craving, Desire, Emotions, Fear, Guilt, Independent Spirituality, Knowledge, Love/Hate, Memory, Mind, Mindfulness, Present Moment, Raaga/Dvesha, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Sankalpa/Intention, Sensations, Sex/Passion/Celibacy, Thoughts, Vasana, Wisdom
Can one use restraint to be celibate? Question: For Brahmacharya to happen, a maturity is required, before this maturity can one use restraint to be celibate? Answer: The act of “restraining the senses” belongs to the circle of sleep. What is the... 
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 | May 21, 2024 | Awareness, Buddha, Buddha, Enlightenment, Karma, Karmaphalam, Masters, Present Moment, Satipathana, Self-Effort, Sensations
Buddha’s Legendary Enlightenment Question: Why is Buddha’s enlightenment considered legendary. Are there categories in enlightenment? Answer: Transcription: JGD. The question is: Why is Buddha’s enlightenment considered legendary. Are there categories in... 
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 | Apr 28, 2024 | Advaita, Direct Path, Ego, Maaya, Mind, Personality, Seeking, Stress, Wisdom, You
Are you wearing a mask? That is a beautiful sharing of Jim Carrey’s experiential recognition of the truth in the video – https://youtu.be/TucyzpHDNlE. I would elaborate a little bit on the same. You are all wearing a mask. Do you recognize it? When you were a... 
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 | 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 | Feb 28, 2024 | Aversion, Buddha, Craving, Emotions, Gnyani, Mind, Pleasure/Pain, Reaction, Sensations, Thoughts
Sensation Vs Thought Question: If a craving (or aversion) arises in my mind, would it be more strategic to observe that thought itself objectively, or to just direct my attention to my body for an observation round? My guess is the former…..but I’ve been finding more... 
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 | 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 | 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 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 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 2, 2023 | Aagami, Anger, Anxiety, Attachment, Attention-Seeking, Attraction, Aversion, Awareness, Buddha, Causation, Craving, Desire, Dukkha, Emotions, Expectations, Fear, Fear, Greed, Guilt, Happiness, Hurt, Impressions, Jealousy, Karma, Karmaphalam, Love/Hate, Memory, Mindfulness, Misery, Pleasure/Pain, Present Moment, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Samsara, Seeking, Selfishness, Stress, Sukkha, Thoughts, Vasana
Vasanas Question: Can you clarify what vasana means? Answer: The mind is stuck in 3 factors – People Situations and Things The association with all these 3 will lead to impressions in the mind. Association with people leads to – Impressions of entanglement, jealousy,... 
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 | Apr 26, 2023 | Buddha, Buddha, Courage, Emotions, Mind, Problem/Struggle/Calamity, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Self- Realization, Sensations, Thoughts
Churning in the fire of insults/criticism? Burn! Question: JGD Ekta Didi,Lately I have been inundated with thoughts of intimidating people in my family. My mind rewinds and plays the incident and cajoles me to react. While I was in this war in my mind, I realized that... 
by Ekta Bathija | Mar 29, 2023 | Advaita, Awareness, Emotions, Mind, Paths, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Sensations, Thoughts
Is it the witness or a blank screen manufactured by the mind? Question:Is it the witness or a blank screen manufactured by the mind? Is Manolaya the same as the blank screen manufactured by the mind? How do I get out of it? Answer: You will know very clearly if... 
by Ekta Bathija | Mar 22, 2023 | Advaita, Advaita, Awareness, Duality, Ego, Emotions, I, Mind, Paths, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Satipathana, Self-Effort, Sensations
Advaitic way of dealing with uncontrollable emotions Question: Ekta didi, I am going through a strong emotion because of an event in my life this last week. I am quite aware of it and this time I want to use it to go deep into the emotion. What is the Advaitic way of... 
by Ekta Bathija | Feb 22, 2023 | Awareness, Breath, Buddha, Buddha, Ego, Meditation, Meditation, Mindfulness, Sensations, Silence
Are you tensing up in meditation instead of relaxing? Question: A teacher said that “If you practice mindfulness too much, you cannot relax and experience the unknown.” I had been pondering on this a lot, I find it true and untrue at the same time. During... 
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 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 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 | 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... ![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 | 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 | Aug 4, 2022 | Anxiety, Awareness, Awareness, Buddha, Concepts, Doubts, Emotions, Equanimous, Fear, Flow with Life, Gnyani, I, Just Be, Knowledge, Let go, Love/Hate, Matter, Mind, Misery, Present Moment, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Self- Realization, Sensations, Stress, Suffering, Surrender, Viveka, Wisdom
Stop struggling and float with Life! Question: At times I feel like I have dropped a desire, but again it pops up with more intensity. And at times I feel I am dropping the desire but doubt arises if I am just resisting it. How to differentiate between dropping a... 
by Ekta Bathija | Aug 3, 2022 | Anger, Attachment, Depression, Ego, Emotions, Feverishness, Freewill, General Spiritual, Girlfriend/Boyfriend, Hurt, I, Mind, Misery, Raaga/Dvesha, Relationship, Soulmate, Stress, Suffering
Become Mortgage-free from relationship patterns Question: JGD Ektaji, I have been dumped by my boyfriend and I just cannot find the courage to let go and move on. My ego is hurt and I really want to know why? Why has this happened to me? I want to still make it happen... 
by Ekta Bathija | May 29, 2022 | Dukkha, Emotions, General Spiritual, Impressions, Karma, Let go, Mindfulness, Misery, Present Moment, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Self, Sensations, Suffering
Prisoner of past or Pioneer of future! Question: Didi, how to overcome the bad habit of reacting to other people. I always react and then regret that I should not have behaved so. Please guide me. Answer: Very few people realize that the actual problem is ‘with... 
by Ekta Bathija | May 22, 2022 | Attachment, Aversion, Craving, Desire, Dispassion, Feverishness, General Spiritual, Karma, Mind, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Sensations, Types of Karma, Vasana
What is attachment? Question: When it comes to moving from karma to akarma, What is the difference between indifference and dispassion? If karma is not about right and wrong action but rather forming an attachment towards an action, shouldn’t a murderer who does not... 
by Ekta Bathija | May 19, 2022 | Concepts, Emotions, General Spiritual, Knowledge, Mind, Scriptures, Self- Realization, Sensations, Thoughts, Wisdom
Stand naked in front of the mirror Question: Hi Ektaji, How to control or stop negative thoughts that are coming in the mind every time or in any situation and think positive? Answer: JGD dear, Mind is a trickster so there are certain important steps that we... 
by Ekta Bathija | Mar 20, 2022 | Anxiety, Company/Association/Sangha, Emotions, Fear, General Spiritual, Gnyana, Ignorance, Let go, Mind, Purushartha, Self-Effort, Self-Effort, Stress, Thoughts
What will people say? Questions: Hello Ekta didi, small negative events make me sad. It’s like the earth element is constantly dominating me. I worry and fear about things in my life. I don’t know how to rise above it. My problem is I think a lot what other... 
by Ekta Bathija | Feb 24, 2022 | Company/Association/Sangha, Gnyana, Life, Paths, Religion, Seeking, Self- Realization, Stress, Uncategorized
Who is Gnyana Sangha for? Question: Who is Gnyana Sangha for? Answer: Let me start with a simple basic fact; Everyone is NOT looking for true spirituality. What are most people looking for? The general stresses of life creates unpleasantness that people are... 
by Ekta Bathija | Dec 23, 2021 | Emotions, Flow with Life, Independent Spirituality, Karma, Karmaphalam, Mind, Pleasure/Pain, Problem/Struggle/Calamity, Relationship, Silence, Stress, Suffering, Temporary, Vedic
Storm of Emotions in Relationships Question: I am going through a lot of stress in relationships, too much storm of emotions in relationship with one particular individual. Please help! Answer: There are definite steps to always follow irrespective of who/what... 
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 | Jul 25, 2021 | Buddha, Depression, Destiny, Divine, Emotions, Faith, Flow with Life, Impressions, Just Be, Karma, Life, Love/Hate, Mind, Misery, Niyati, Parent/Child, Pleasure/Pain, Prarabdha, Problem/Struggle/Calamity, Stress, Suffering, Surrender
Dealing with Suicidal thoughts Question: Everything around me seems to go against me. My son has been sitting doing NOTHING since he graduated. My brother has been fighting a fierce divorce case with his wife and lost his home, money, kids and job. My father has shut... 
by Ekta Bathija | Mar 16, 2021 | Consciousness, Desire, Emotions, General Spiritual, Gnyani, Knowledge, Meditation, Memory, Mind, No-Mind, Paths, Raaga/Dvesha, Satvik/Rajasic/Tamasic, Self- Realization, Sensations, Sex/Passion/Celibacy
Wanting to look good….. Raaga or not? Question:I have a desire to have clear pretty skin. I was wondering if it is Raaga or it is part of nature? Is it a bad karma or a bad desire to want to look pretty not with make-up but with normal skin?Answer:You are the... 
by Ekta Bathija | Oct 11, 2020 | Awareness, Awareness, Consciousness, Drama, I, Independent Spirituality, Just Be, Meditation, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Sensations, Silence, Temporary, Thoughts
A thought is just a JOKER! Question:When I am in the silent state during meditation and shift my object of meditation from sensations to the silence/ pure awareness I am experiencing, how to prolong that state? It feels like the mind is waiting behind the bushes like... 
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 25, 2020 | Attachment, Awareness, Awareness, Bondage, Buddha, Buddha, Concepts, Craving, Desire, Equanimous, Freedom, Ignorance, Just Be, Knowledge, Let go, Meditation, Mind, Misery, No-Mind, Pleasure/Pain, Present Moment, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Samadhi, Samsara, Satipathana, Seeking, Sensations, Silence, Suffering, Temporary, Thoughts, Wisdom
What is taught in a Buddha retreat? Question: Please would you explain what is taught in the Buddha retreats? I have statues of Buddha at home but am totally unaware of his teachings. Please enlighten me about what is Vipassana, Samatha, Jhanas, etc. Answer: Here is a... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jul 9, 2020 | Advaita, Advaita, Awareness, Emotions, Equanimous, Paths, Reaction, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Sensations, Thoughts
Is there any emotion experienced in the knowingness/awareness? Dear Sincere seeker, Please find the short video clip and its transcript below for the answer to the question, Is there any emotion experienced in the knowingness/awareness? Transcript: What are... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jan 23, 2020 | Anger, Aversion, Awareness, Buddha, Craving, Desire, Emotions, Equanimous, Gnyani, Mind, Mindfulness, Paths, Pleasure/Pain, Present Moment, Raaga/Dvesha, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Self- Realization, Self-Effort, Sensations, Thoughts
Sensation Vs Thought Question: If a craving (or aversion) arises in my mind, would it be more strategic to observe that thought itself objectively, or to just direct my attention to my body for an observation round? My guess is the former…..but I’ve been finding more... 
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... 
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