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 29, 2026 | Anger, Consciousness, Emotions, General Spiritual, I, Parents, Thoughts
To whom does the disturbance belong? Question: I am 100% aware internally; my thoughts are exceptionally clear, but conflicts between others disturb me. I am not intentionally causing any issue. I am free from anger, but others may perceive me as being angry. In... 
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 | 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 30, 2026 | Consciousness, Emotions, General Spiritual, God, Impressions, Projection, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Suffering, Thoughts, Wisdom
Who decides the measure of impressions that will arise in Waking? Question: Namaste Ektaji, If the Waking arisings are decided by the measure of impressions within Deep Sleep, who decides the measure? Answer: The question “Who decides the measure of impressions... 
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 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 28, 2026 | Direct Path, Present Moment, Relationship, Thoughts, Time-past/present/Future
Nothing can ever happen outside of Awareness! Question: I become aware and recognize that I was unaware for some preceding period of time. Now I wonder, did that preceding period even happen? Is a preceding period just a thought? What does it even mean to say that... 
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 | 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 21, 2026 | Buddha, I, Memory, Mind, Reaction, Samadhi, Silence, Spontaneous, Thoughts
Strive for inner softness or Saumyata! Question: Maintaining the Buddha vows helps me keep a peaceful mind free of unnecessary chit-chat. But I broke some vows. How to deal with the broken vows? Answer: Before we discuss what to do about broken vows, it is... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jun 17, 2026 | Advaita, Ashtavakra Gita, Awareness, Direct Path, Existence, I, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Silence, Spontaneous, Thoughts, Wisdom
Can you extend the duration of a thought? Question: Ektaji, I have found in my experience that if I choose to focus (react) to a certain thought, it serves to extend its duration in my field of Knowingness. Is this a contradiction of the statement above that I have no... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jun 7, 2026 | Advaita, Awareness, Consciousness, Direct Path, I, Memory, Mind, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Thoughts
Mind is a dead thought. It is the object of Memory. It is not the subject. Question: If the waker collapses and the stand of the witness is taken, then who is recalling the memory of the dream, whose memory is it? Isn’t memory recalling a function of the mind?... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jun 2, 2026 | Doership, Flow with Life, General Spiritual, Non-Doership, Thoughts, Universe
You can never truly dodge a debt due to you! Questioner, whenever I decide I am going to complete the exam, something else comes up, and the knowledge session exam takes a back seat. Whenever I resolve to do something, the flow takes over, making something else a... 
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 12, 2026 | Atma Darshan, Atmananda, Brahman, Consciousness, Death, Direct Path, Form, Formless, Thoughts, Truth
‘I am deathless’ is misinterpreted as ‘I do not want to die’ Question: Is the raw impulse of Consciousness ‘I do not die’ that you mentioned in the Atma Darshan session, simply a thought? Answer: A raw impulse is not a... 
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 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 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 | Apr 5, 2026 | Advaita, Aversion, Buddha, Craving, Direct Path, Fear, I, Ignorance, Mind, Projection, Reaction, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Thoughts
Dream feelings superimposed on Turiya are carried to the Waking! Question: Dear Didi, In the Kathopanishad, you mentioned that a dream consists of vichara thoughts devoid of vasana thoughts. The “I” was thrown out of balance hearing this. Comparing this to Buddha’s... 
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 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 | Mar 4, 2026 | Advaita, Aversion, Awareness, Consciousness, Craving, Direct Path, I, Illusion, Ishavasya Upanishad, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Thoughts, Truth, Vasana
Make room for Equanimity! Question: Dear Ekta didi, When the first thought comes up (vichara), and the witnessing awareness forgets its stand, jumps in, and gets involved in the story creation (vasana), is there a pause in the natural flow of arisings? If so, is this... 
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 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 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 | 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 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 | 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 | Dec 21, 2025 | Buddha, Direct Path, Dreams, I, Ignorance, Ishavasya Upanishad, Knowledge, Parents, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Spouse, Thoughts, Wisdom
The ‘I’ merges with the Nothingness of Deep Sleep Question: Dear Ekta Didi, In the Ishavasya Upanishad knowledge session, you said that the dissolution of the ‘I’ can be seen like a drop merging with the ocean of nothingness. I have never... 
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 8, 2025 | Advaita, Buddha, Buddha, Consciousness, Dukkha, Knowledge, Love, Meditation, Memory, Mind, Misery, Relationship, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Samadhi, Suffering, Thanksgiving, Thoughts
Don’t just forgive but be grateful for all worldly sorrows Question: Dear Ekta, Thanksgiving is difficult for people like me. I am unable to give thanks to my family. I want to follow the Buddhadvaita path and forgive, but bitter memories haunt me. Can you help... 
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 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,... ![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 8, 2025 | Consciousness, Death, Fear, General Spiritual, Memory, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Satvik/Rajasic/Tamasic, Thoughts, Wisdom
A dialogue on how only the Wake-Dream-Sleep witnessing reveals the fourth! Question: Namaste Ektaji, there is a statement from Adhyaasa Drishti, “When the continuity of Turiya in all three states is directly seen, there remains no more fear of death.” Is the deep... 
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 | Aug 17, 2025 | Advaita, Attachment, Doership, General Spiritual, Knowledge, Paths, Relationship, Religion, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Seeking, Thoughts, Truth, Vasana, Wisdom
There is no chooser-thought that selects one among several option-thoughts! Question: Dear Ektaji, You said, “If a thought rises, ‘I want coffee’, that is also a random, automatic arising from the natural flow.” Does that mean there can be many... 
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 | Aug 10, 2025 | Consciousness, General Spiritual, Liberation, Mind, Projection, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Thoughts
‘I am this’ is the enemy of the I-Sense, is also merely a thought. Question: Dear Didi,Thank you so much for making the sabbatical retreat mandatory for the Gurukul long-Buddha-retreat participants. The mind makes so many excuses not to sit for it. The discipline of... 
by Ekta Bathija | Aug 3, 2025 | Advaita, Buddha, Direct Path, Pleasure/Pain, Projection, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Thoughts
The Self-Inquiry on PAIN! Question: Dear Ektaji, The life of this Waker has been turned upside down with a recent back injury that she has not recovered from. It is challenging to focus on any subject, and the pain has been the Dhamma teacher. I’m trying my best to... 
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 24, 2025 | Brahman, General Spiritual, Maaya, Samsara, Thoughts
Does Brahman see the Aabhaas of Nothingness? Question: Does Brahman see the Aabhaas of Nothingness? Is Brahman only assuming to perceive through the senses? Answer : Aabhaas is only like the dream tiger; one senses it but knows it is non-existent. Experiencing... 
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 13, 2025 | Advaita, Ashtavakra Gita, Direct Path, Memory, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Thoughts, Time-past/present/Future
The ‘NOW’ is not the now! Question: When I drop the witness and rest, there is no NOW. Is this understanding correct? Answer: Let’s dive deeper into this, as there seems to be some confusion there, dear. The reality is the NOW itself. The NOW... 
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 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 25, 2025 | Consciousness, General Spiritual, Independent Spirituality, Mind, Ramana Maharshi, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Thoughts
Is self-inquiry the same as thinking? Question: Didi, what is self-inquiry or inner investigation? Answer: If the witness is trapped as the Waker in the Waking, he will have to begin his self-inquiry at the level of the Waker. Words operate at the level of the... 
by Ekta Bathija | May 14, 2025 | Brahman, Consciousness, Desire, Existence, General Spiritual, Illusion, Independent Spirituality, Projection, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Thoughts, Truth
Waking, Dreaming, Sleeping are mental modifications! Question: Dear Ekta Didi, Can you please explain how waking, dreaming, and deep sleep are mere mental pictures? Answer: Waking, dreaming, and sleeping are simply projections of the desire to exist. Desires... 
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 | May 7, 2025 | Advaita, Aversion, Courage, Craving, Direct Path, Existence, Happiness, I, Illusion, Mind, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Thoughts, Truth
Quit the idea of ‘personhood’ Question: How does trying to please the mind strengthen the belief in ‘the person’? Answer: The mind is nothing but the ‘I-thought’ pretending to be ‘this’ or ‘that’. Its existence as... 
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... ![Sankalpa [intention] belongs to the dream world!](https://i0.wp.com/ektabathija.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/dream-projector-scaled.jpg?resize=1080%2C675&ssl=1)
by Ekta Bathija | Mar 16, 2025 | Advaita, Ashtavakra Gita, Direct Path, I, Impressions, Projection, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Sankalpa/Intention
Sankalpa [intention] belongs to the dream world! Question: I want to clarify the statement, “The dream belongs to the dreamer”. Technically, the awakened dreamer can change the dream, irrespective of how much fuel is left, because the dream belongs to him. But he’s... 
by Ekta Bathija | Feb 19, 2025 | Awareness, General Spiritual, Intellect, Meditation, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Silence, Thoughts
Anhad Naad can be used as a beginners self-inquiry tool Question: I attempt to stay established as the witness, during my daily activities and in closed-eye contemplation. As I notice myself getting lost in thoughts, and I bring myself back to the witness, I... 
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 | 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 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 | Nov 6, 2024 | Anger, Awareness, Concepts, Flow with Life, Independent Spirituality, Intellect, Just Be, Let go, Present Moment, Reaction, Thoughts
Samagra in a state of anger Question: What is meant by ‘being Samagra’ in the flow when one gets angry and reacts? Answer: Samagra means ‘being immersed totally in the present moment as it is, devoid of thought or logic’. The moment you use the word ‘I am reacting’ in... 
by Ekta Bathija | Oct 20, 2024 | Consciousness, Mind, Thoughts, Vedic, Yoga Vasistha
What is the source of mind? Question: Explain Vasishtha’s answer to Rama’s question – “What is the source of mind and how did it arise?” Answer: If I were answering this after going through our previous knowledge discussions, before even reading a page of Yoga... 
by Ekta Bathija | Oct 9, 2024 | Desire, Flow with Life, General Spiritual, Impressions, Meditation, Mind, No-Mind, Silence, Suffering, Surrender, Thoughts, Truth, Unconscious
Desire is the root cause of suffering! Question: Desires and tendencies – it’s one thing being aware as they come up, suppress them, reduce them, possibly even eliminate them. But there is always a danger lurking of reviving them. I am going through one right now.... 
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 | 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 | 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 10, 2024 | Awareness, Chanting, Karma, Kriya, Let go, Meditation, Mind, Pranayama, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Sanchita, Self- Realization, Thoughts, Types of Karma, Vedic, Wisdom
How do we stop negative thoughts at unpleasant moments? Question: I agree and have experienced that daily regular sadhana, pranayama, meditation, chanting helps to bring awareness and stay focused. However, there are times when we go through unpleasant moments how do... 
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 | Jun 19, 2024 | Anger, Awareness, Elements, Emotions, Faith, Guru, Hurt, Jealousy, Karma, Karmaphalam, Maya, Prayer, Raaga/Dvesha, Sankalpa/Intention, Surrender, Vedic
How to deal with emotions of negativity ? ,Question: I am going through storm of emotions and all negative like anger , jealousy. I feel frustrated, guess fire element is dominant. Though I tell myself it’s not me it’s the effect of fire element but it... 
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 15, 2024 | Aagami, Attraction, Awareness, Causation, Emotions, Emptiness, Energy, Gnyana, Impressions, Independent Spirituality, Intellect, Just Be, Knowledge, Let go, Love/Hate, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Sankalpa/Intention, Thoughts, Vibration
Principles of Law of Attraction Question: I’ve noticed, it is said to ‘be positive’ or to ‘think positive’ so you attract that kind of people or energies around you, but when thoughts are negative then those energies or situations arise sooner than the positive... 
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 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 | 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 | 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 14, 2024 | Attachment, Bhagwad Gita, Buddha, Craving, Desire, Feverishness, Karma, Karmaphalam, Knowledge, Krishna, Raaga/Dvesha, Sankalpa/Intention, Vedic, Wisdom
What is the difference between intention and craving? Question: Dear Ektaji, what is the difference between an intention and raaga/dvesha? Answer: Beautiful Question! Intention is a plan to do an action. Raaga/Dvesha is the emotion behind the action. Intention is a... 
by Ekta Bathija | Feb 11, 2024 | Advaita, Atmananda, Consciousness, Desire, Direct Path, I, Mind, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Surrender, Thoughts, Upanishad
What is the locus of the ‘longing to understand the highest’? Question: Dear Ektaben, One paradoxical observation of the screen of ‘knowingness’ is that it knows(!) that the mystery of the whole screen of ‘knowingness’ is simply... 
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 | Dec 27, 2023 | Buddha, Buddha, Commitment, Gossip, Karma, Meditation, Mind, New year, Samadhi, Sankalpa/Intention, Silence
New Years vows for the sake of spiritual progress! Happy New Year Angels! In the new year, let’s take Buddha’s vows to make it the year where your spiritual wisdom grows at rocket speed. Remember, your own experience is your teacher. If in your own experience, you... 
by Ekta Bathija | Dec 20, 2023 | Awareness, General Spiritual, God, Guru, Knowledge, Meditation, Meditation, Mind, Scriptures, Self, Self- Realization, Silence, Thoughts, Wisdom
How to do a Spiritual Sabbatical? Question: How to do a few days of Spiritual sabbatical? Answer: Spirituality is about looking within and finding that peace within. For beginners, who have not yet learnt to be with their own selves, every Teacher/Guru/Master... 
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 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 | 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 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 | Oct 1, 2023 | Advaita, Awareness, Consciousness, Direct Path, I, Just Be, Mind, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Silence, Thoughts
Mind’s attention OR the Witness? Question: Dear Ekta, How can I clearly distinguish between the mind’s attention and the witness? Answer: Let’s start with an analogy. When you stand in front of the mirror, you see a reflection of yourself... 
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 | 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 16, 2023 | Aagami, Awareness, Buddha, Buddha, Drama, Emotions, Mind, Reaction, Satipathana, Thoughts
The secret of the ‘first thought’! Question: What to do if negative thoughts keep coming against a person. I know it is not right and I am creating agami karma for myself but I am still unable to avoid it. Answer: This is a common mistake made by many spiritual... 
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 | 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 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 19, 2023 | Advaita, Awareness, Brahman, Consciousness, Desire, Direct Path, Knowledge, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Spontaneous, Suffering, Thoughts, Vasana
Is desire not a thought? Question: Didi, please would you explain if Vichara [thought] and Vasana [desire] are the same or different? Is desire, not a thought? Answer: There is a major difference between Vichara [thought] and Vasana [desire]. Nisargadatta... 
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 5, 2023 | Attachment, Awareness, Craving, Desire, Dispassion, Ego, Feverishness, General Spiritual, Guru/Disciple, Liberation, Masters, Moksha, Raaga/Dvesha, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Tapas, Thoughts
Craving for Guru! Question: Is love for my Guru a Raaga? Will it bring us back in next lifetime with him? what if one does not seek Mukti but only want to be with their Guru in every life? Answer: Then one has not progressed spiritually at all. One has just... 
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 | 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 | May 3, 2023 | Awareness, Buddha, Dhyana, Enlightenment, Gnyana, Gnyani, Guru, Guru, Guru, Knowledge, Knowledge, Meditation, Meditation, No-Mind, Present Moment, Purushartha, Purushartha, Samadhi, Scriptures, Seeking, Self- Realization, Self-Effort, Self-Effort, Silence, Thoughts
How to experience the spiritual knowledge? Question: I am starting to get to a point of reading/listening/understanding this spiritual knowledge where I am “making it a concept” as Guruji puts it. How do I “experience” the knowledge rather than “learn” it? Just wait... 
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 | Apr 12, 2023 | Awareness, Awareness, Breath, Buddha, Meditation, Prana, Pranayama, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Silence, Thoughts
Silence the thoughts skillfully Question: Ekta ji, Jai Guru Dev ! What is the power of thought, how much importance should I attach to it, can I dismiss all the thoughts that spring up, life (mundane chores) runs on Thoughts, so called actions spring out of thoughts,... 
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 | Feb 15, 2023 | General Spiritual, Just Be, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Thoughts
Statue Bhatakti Atma! Question: I have come to realize lately that my mind has learned my trick of taking a step back to go into witness consciousness during meditation. These days when I want to practice it anytime throughout the day, my mind cunningly jumps in and... 
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 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 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 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 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 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 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. ... ![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 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 | Oct 9, 2022 | Aagami, Awareness, Buddha, Drama, Dreams, Emotions, Gnyana, Ignorance, Impressions, Independent Spirituality, Intellect, Jealousy, Mind, Mindfulness, Opinion/Behavior/Judgement, Raaga/Dvesha, Self- Realization, Sub-conscious, Suffering, Thoughts, Types of Mind, Viveka
Who are you listening to? Question: Hi Ektaji, Is Drishti/Nazar real? My son gets sick OR runs to emergency with some stiches/fractures etc after he achieves any trophy OR he exposes his skills in a group. Mostly, whenever I get ready and am happy, immediately... 
by Ekta Bathija | Oct 5, 2022 | Aagami, Birth, Death, Grateful, Gratitude, Karma, Karmaphalam, Raaga/Dvesha, Sanchita, Thoughts, Vedic
Can your thoughts change your karma? Question: I read book a book called “The Secret”. In that book the author says that whatever is your dominant thought and whatever you visualize you attract that in your life. So does it mean your thoughts can change... 
by Ekta Bathija | Aug 10, 2022 | Aagami, Anger, Buddha, Doubts, Emotions, Energy, Jealousy, Mind, Raaga/Dvesha, Sankalpa/Intention
Fear of the ‘Law of Attraction’ Question: It is said, ‘whatever/wherever you put your thought to, you dissolve into it’? I understand the gross meaning of this that wherever I put focus my on, my mind starts working towards that or on the way of achieving that.... 
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 | May 1, 2022 | Attraction, Aversion, Birth, Craving, Death, Greed, Impressions, Karma, Parents, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Sanchita, Soul, Thoughts, Types of Karma, Vedic
You chose your parents! How? Question: In the karma video you have mentioned that the soul selects his/her parent for a new body and environment. Does the soul make this decision guided by a certain thing (if it is guided by our sanchita? are we aware of our sanchita... 
by Ekta Bathija | Apr 10, 2022 | Fear, Guru, Just Be, Knowledge, Meditation, Meditation, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Surrender, Thoughts, Vedic, Wisdom
How do you tell the difference between fear and intuition ? Question: I’ve been feeling extremely anxious (more than normal). I try to resist negative thoughts, but they keep coming up. How do I handle this? Somehow, I can’t shake off this anxious feeling... 
by Ekta Bathija | Mar 31, 2022 | Attachment, General Spiritual, Mind, Raaga/Dvesha, Thoughts
Why do we all have same thought patterns? Question: Recently I had this thought (1 is allowed!) that maybe it is better to unlearn some of my mind’s bad habits than to have no mind at all. But then I thought (fine, 2!) how did these habits get learnt at all? Which... 
by Ekta Bathija | Mar 27, 2022 | Aagami, Awareness, Bondage, Emotions, Guilt, Impressions, Karma, Memory, Mind, Misery, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Thoughts, Types of Karma, Vedic
Guilt is a safety valve! Question: What is guilt? Why is our conscience so strong (in some cases), for example, if one lies, but later on he feels guilt. He knows he lied for the best, otherwise it would cause hurt to the other’s mind. Answer: Guilt is... 
by Ekta Bathija | Mar 24, 2022 | Aagami, Awareness, Buddha, Consciousness, Impressions, Intuition, Mind, Present Moment, Raaga/Dvesha, Silence, Spontaneous, Thoughts, Time-past/present/Future, Types of Karma
Thought body and Intuitive body Question: What’s the difference between thought body and intuitive body? Answer: Only awareness is the tool that can help distinguish a thought from an intuition. Here are a few tell-tale signs. Thought – Very... 
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 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 23, 2022 | Ashtavakra Gita, Awareness, Intellect, Let go, Purushartha, Sankalpa/Intention, Satvik/Rajasic/Tamasic, Self-Effort, Vedic, Yoga Vasistha
Make Sankalpas then drop them! Question: In Ashtavakra Gita, you say “Make a Sankalpa”. In Yogavashishta, you say drop Sankalpas and be committed to zabardast Purushartha. I am confused. Please help. Answer: This is not the first time for you on the Spiritual... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jan 20, 2022 | Aagami, Attachment, Impressions, Independent Spirituality, Karma, Raaga/Dvesha, Thoughts
Does a fleeting thought create karma? Question: If we have a fleeting thought, which is a negative thought about someone, does it create an attachment due to the dvesha or does it have to be continuous thoughts incessantly one after another about the dvesha for that... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jan 18, 2022 | Anxiety, Aversion, Craving, Emotions, Fear, General Spiritual, Independent Spirituality, Intuition, Meditation, Mind, Present Moment, Thoughts
Does planning happen in present or future? Question: Some more explanation on ‘planning happens in the present moment’ will be helpful to me. Often, when I am walking [morning walk] or meditating, a thought or an idea arises on what needs to be done to resolve a... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jan 1, 2022 | Attachment, Buddha, Commitment, Desire, Emotions, Expectations, Feverishness, Guilt, Just Be, Mind, New year, Present Moment, Suffering, Temporary, Thoughts, Truth, Vedic
Happy NEW perspective! Seeker: Can you help me make a firm new years resolution and stick to it? Answer: At this junction in life [new years], most people run after resolutions or they sit and sulk about the past years resolutions that they did not keep up to. Haven’t... 
by Ekta Bathija | Sep 30, 2021 | Anger, Aversion, Consciousness, Divine, Ego, Greed, Hurt, Independent Spirituality, Jealousy, Karmaphalam, Let go, Mind, Pleasure/Pain, Present Moment, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Suffering, Surrender, Surrender, Surrender, Thoughts
What is the difference between Tolerance and Surrender? Question: What is the difference between tolerance and surrender? Answer: Tolerance is like a potential volcano. There is a dislike hidden within which just churns and burns inside and can erupt at any... 
by Ekta Bathija | Sep 21, 2021 | Guru, Guru, Non-Doership, Thoughts, Truth, Vedic
Are you responsible for your own thoughts & feelings or not? Question: I saw this below knowledge, I am kind of confused 🤔 There is a contradiction between his two statements. 1] Your worries, your feelings, your thoughts arise in your own mind. You are totally... 
by Ekta Bathija | Sep 1, 2021 | Attachment, Children, Children, Emotions, Impressions, Karma, Parent/Child, Reaction, Thoughts, Vedic
Do we accumulate karma if we scold loved ones for doing wrong? Question: Do we accumulate karma if we scold loved ones or try to correct them when they do something wrong? Answer: Again Karmas are not caused out of the action or thought, but Karmas are caused... 
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 8, 2021 | Ambition/Career, Attention-Seeking, Death, Desire, Doership, Drama, Emptiness, Expectations, Flow with Life, I, Independent Spirituality, Just Be, Mind, Non-Doership, Present Moment, Thoughts
Overwhelmed by to-do’s? Naah! Question: You have so many people asking you so many questions from all around the world……I’m sure you could fill every free minute you have (waiting for an appointment, waiting in the grocery check-out lane, sitting in the bathroom) just... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jul 29, 2021 | Commitment, Courage, General Spiritual, Let go, Mind, Self-Effort, Thoughts
Consistent effort is the only way out! Question: JGD Ektaji, I have seen many of your videos. Needless to say I loved them all . Sometimes I feel that I should first be very regular with my sadhana/practice. Because the knowledge that you explain is so very good that... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jul 8, 2021 | Awareness, Company/Association/Sangha, Elements, Food, General Spiritual, Meditation, Meditation, Mind, Prakriti, Present Moment, Purushartha, Satvik/Rajasic/Tamasic, Self-Effort, Sub-conscious, Thoughts
How do thoughts generate in the mind? Questions: How does the thought generate in our mind? Answer: From a Dvaitam perspective: Thoughts generate out of the subconscious. Now what is the quality of your subconscious? It depends on the conditioning of your mind from:... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jul 1, 2021 | Awareness, Awareness, Dhyana, Emptiness, I, Independent Spirituality, Just Be, Meditation, Meditation, Mind, Non-Doership, Purushartha, Purushartha, Seeking, Seeking, Self-Effort, Self-Effort, Silence, Thoughts
How do I experience Silence during meditation ? Question: “Drop the small mind”. I understand one way is to keep saying I am not the body, I am not the mind, I am not the ego etc. I do this during meditation, yet I am unable to TRULY drop the mind just does not go... 
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 | May 11, 2021 | Aagami, Ashtavakra Gita, Consciousness, Expectations, God, Guru, Karma, Karmaphalam, Mind, Sankalpa/Intention, Spontaneous, Vedic
Attachment to Karmaphalam (fruit of an action) Question:Please help me understand this. We have been working really hard for the upcoming course. We are talking about the benefits of meditation and this course to everyone. We have been doing intro talks but we still... 
by Ekta Bathija | Mar 30, 2021 | Anger, Attachment, Aversion, Craving, Death, Fear, Guilt, Impressions, Jealousy, Kabir, Knowledge, Love/Hate, Maya, Meditation, Mind, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Scriptures, Seeking, Self-Effort, Seva, Silence, Thoughts, Vedic
Fear of the ‘last thoughts at death’ Question: Ektaji – Is it fair to have Dvesha to control the last impression (not to think certain thing)? If it is something out of control why not make it like “come as it comes” like spontaneously? Can we train our subconscious... 
by Ekta Bathija | Mar 25, 2021 | Aagami, Attachment, Awareness, Buddha, Emotions, Just Be, Karma, Let go, Mind, Niyati, Prarabdha, Reaction, Sanchita, Thoughts, Wisdom
Stop saying ‘why is this happening to me?’ Eat fresh! Question:Hello Ekta didi, sometimes I wonder how come some people don’t have to let go of anything in life. They have been blessed with things others aren’t. Why is it so? Is it all karma again? How come some... 
by Ekta Bathija | Mar 14, 2021 | Awareness, Concepts, Dhyana, Energy, Guru, Knowledge, Kriya, Meditation, Meditation, Mind, Pranayama, Purushartha, Scriptures, Silence, Thoughts, Upanishad, Vedic
Thoughts during meditation and sadness after! Question: Dear Ekta didi, I have been doing my meditation but I just can’t get my mind to shut up! It constantly brings thoughts. I don’t resist them. But I am slightly concerned. I am in no way impatient, I will continue... 
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 | Feb 28, 2021 | Awareness, Consciousness, I, Independent Spirituality, Mind, Paths, Ramana Maharshi, Silence, Thoughts
The source of the I-thought is Silence! Question: Concentration on ‘I’ thought seems to be an on and off process. I get a glimpse that concentration on ‘I-thought’ will remove the identification with the body but the more I concentrate on the... 
by Ekta Bathija | Nov 10, 2020 | Awareness, Buddha, General Spiritual, Impressions, Maaya, Meditation, Mind, Raaga/Dvesha, Samadhi, Silence, Thoughts
YogaMaaya can be a hurdle on the spiritual path Question:I have a strange experience to share. Today in my meditation I felt like I was distanced from myself when I got carried away in my thoughts and the moment I came back to the breath I felt like that distance was... 
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 | Oct 8, 2020 | Awareness, Buddha, Buddha, Consciousness, Depression, Emotions, Knowledge, Let go, Mind, Present Moment, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Self-Effort, Thoughts, Vedic, Viveka
Observing the mind and getting out of problems! Question: I understand that we have to maintain an observer’s attitude towards our mind. But sometimes, trying to observe what is going on in my mind creates more turmoil in my mind since an inner dialogue starts... 
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 | Jul 8, 2020 | Advaita, Advaita, Awareness, Consciousness, Just Be, Paths, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Silence, Thoughts
What is the silence in between two thoughts? Dear Sincere seeker, Please find the short video clip and its transcript below for the answer to the question, ‘What is the silence in between two thoughts?’ Transcript: If you are not sleeping, if you... ![Is Sakshi bhava [awareness], just a thought produced by the mind?](https://i0.wp.com/ektabathija.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/awareness.jpg?resize=1080%2C675&ssl=1)
by Ekta Bathija | Jun 23, 2020 | Advaita, Advaita, Awareness, Awareness, Consciousness, Paths, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Thoughts
Is Sakshi bhava [awareness], just a thought produced by the mind? Dear Sincere seeker, Please find the short video clip and its transcript below for the answer to the question, ‘Is Sakshi bhava [awareness], just a thought produced by the mind?’ ... 
by Ekta Bathija | May 12, 2020 | Awareness, Emotions, Independent Spirituality, Mind, Mindfulness, Present Moment, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Sankalpa/Intention, Thoughts
Mindfulness in daily routine Question:Should I apply 100% focus (be consciously aware / be in sakshi bhav / practice mindfulness) in whatever I am doing moment to moment, even to routine daily chores like washing, brushing, restroom, cleaning? MIND is going away... 
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 12, 2020 | Bhakti, Brahman, Buddha, Conscious, Consciousness, Devotion, Emotions, Emptiness, Enlightenment, Fullness, Gnyana, Gnyani, Intellect, Love, No-Mind, Silence, Thoughts
Emptiness IS Fullness! Question:How can emptiness be also called fullness on the spiritual path? Please clarify.Answer:On the spiritual path, many different kinds of people walk. Some people are in the head and some people are completely in the heart. The people... 
by Ekta Bathija | Apr 7, 2020 | Brahman, Buddha, Consciousness, Devotion, God, Just Be, Miscellaneous, Prayer, Religion, Rituals, Sankalpa/Intention, Symbolism, Thoughts, Vedic
Are you going to GOD as a beggar? Question:Are all Puranas mythological stories with an underlying message? What about fasting, holy dips, lighting of lamps prescribed in those Puranas, especially Kartika Purana, that millions of people religiously follow – is there... 
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 25, 2020 | Aagami, Ashtavakra Gita, God, Guru, Impressions, Karma, Karmaphalam, Mind, Prarabdha, Raaga/Dvesha, Sanchita, Surrender, Thoughts, Vedic
Is it Karma or me? Question: It is said that we are living our thoughts and that we are responsible for our thoughts. During the last few months thoughts came to me of what we would do if we were in a difficult situation & now that has happened. So now I am here... 
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... 
by Ekta Bathija | Mar 10, 2019 | Desire, Destiny, Doership, Ego, Feverishness, Flow with Life, Freewill, General Spiritual, I, Karmaphalam, Mind, Purushartha, Sankalpa/Intention, Thoughts
Is it the Flow or my desire? Question:How to account for business goals and personal goals you want to achieve ? It has to start with a desire, correct?Answer:When you recognize that the flow brings in all that is needed to run your life whether personal or business... 
by Ekta Bathija | Feb 20, 2019 | Alcohol, Ashtavakra Gita, Commitment, Emotions, Happiness, Hurt, Karma, Karmaphalam, Knowledge, Let go, Life, Love/Hate, Marriage, Meditation, Memory, Mind, Misery, Pleasure/Pain, Present Moment, Problem/Struggle/Calamity, Purushartha, Scriptures, Self-Effort, Self-Effort, Spouse, Suffering, Temporary, Thoughts, Vedic
Karma and its ways Question:My husband is an alcoholic all he does is work and sleep alone. there is practically no interaction or no marriage between us. I feel extremely lonely and very depressed at home.What should I do to come out of this loneliness and depressed... 
by Ekta Bathija | Feb 16, 2019 | Courage, General Spiritual, Guilt, Guru, Infidelity, Karma, Marriage, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Sankalpa/Intention, Self-Effort, Sex/Passion/Celibacy, Surrender, Surrender
How to get over the guilt of Infidelity? Question:How to work on maintaining internal purity when I know that I have become impure by stepping out of my marriage? How to get over the guilt of Infidelity?Answer:Everything that happens to us is because of our own Karma... 
by Ekta Bathija | Feb 15, 2019 | Ego, Emptiness, Gossip, Impressions, Karma, Mind, Sankalpa/Intention, Silence, Vedic
Hollow and Empty! ..Question: Dear Ektaji, referring to “I am hollow and empty” – does this mean if I remind myself that I am nothing, I will automatically modify my speech and eventually it will become pure? Answer: “I am hollow and empty” is a meditation that was... 
by Ekta Bathija | Jan 17, 2019 | Causation, General Spiritual, Karma, Karmaphalam, Life, Love/Hate, Niyati, Pleasure/Pain, Raaga/Dvesha, Raaga/Dvesha, Reaction, Samsara, Thoughts, Vedic
When someone blames you, they actually take away some negative karma from you! Question: Dear Ekta didi, “When someone blames you, they actually take away some negative karma from you. Understand this and don’t put up resistance. Feel happy and lighter about it.... 
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