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 | 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 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 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 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 18, 2026 | Anger, Aversion, Buddha, Company/Association/Sangha, Desire, Mind, Reaction, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Silence, Vairagya, Vasana, Viveka
Do you sleep like a baby? Question: Following the Buddha’s path, I would like to dissociate from people, situations, and things that bring about unwholesomeness in me. How do I clearly distinguish between wise disassociation with wholesome effort vs avoidance... 
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 | 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 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 1, 2025 | Adhyasa Drishti, Advaita, Awareness, Body, Direct Path, I, Mind, Seeking, Truth, Wisdom
Quit pretending that you don’t SEE the truth in Wake-Dream-Sleep exploration Question: Didi, my Wake-Dream-Sleep exploration hasn’t been going well, as the mind is occupied even before sleep, and I’m unable to stay aware. Because of that, I’m finding it hard.... 
by Ekta Bathija | 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 | Oct 23, 2025 | Anger, Aversion, Birth, Buddha, Death, Dispassion, Doership, Dukkha, Emotions, Illusion, Impressions, Karma, Karmaphalam, Liberation, Mind, Moksha, Reaction, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Seeking, Senses, Silence, Spontaneous, Truth
Don’t miss the Karmic account closing window! Question: Dear Didi, I have a question about arisings, the first wave, and creating further impressions. This is family masala. Waker’s brother-in-law called today and said something rude to Waker. Waker replied,... 
by Ekta Bathija | Oct 19, 2025 | Advaita, Body, Direct Path, Dispassion, I, Illusion, Mind, Rama Geeta, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Self, Senses, Silence, Spontaneous, Upanishad, Vairagya, Viveka, Wisdom
The 6 Virtues or Shat Sampat Question: Dear Ekta, could you expand on the spiritual journal point “inner self investigation leads to natural development of silence of the lips”? Thank you. Answer: The first and foremost point is that one must... ![A Memory [Smriti] is not the same as a Karmic Impression [Samskaara]](https://i0.wp.com/ektabathija.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/mirror-surprise-scaled.jpg?resize=1080%2C675&ssl=1)
by Ekta Bathija | Oct 12, 2025 | Awareness, Body, General Spiritual, Illusion, Impressions, Memory, Mind, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Thoughts
A Memory [Smriti] is not the same as a Karmic Impression [Samskaara] Question: Is the body, mind, world a persistent memory or a relentless impression that recurs ceaselessly? Answer: Let’s explore the difference between a Memory [Smriti] and an... 
by Ekta Bathija | Sep 21, 2025 | Adi Shankaracharya, Attachment, Brahman, Conscious, Consciousness, Craving, Feverishness, General Spiritual, I, Ignorance, Let go, Name/Roles, Paths, Relationship, Sakshi Bhav/Witness, Scriptures, Seeking, Self, Truth, Wisdom
Spiritual thirst is different from a worldly craving Question: Dear Ektaji, I am observing that I am yearning to be established in the witness consciousness, to know myself, at the same time, I fear that this thirst is a craving, a seeking that is leading me to... 
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 | 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 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 | 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 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 | 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 22, 2025 | Buddha, Buddha, Consciousness, Emotions, Gratitude, Knowledge, Relationship, Wisdom
Being debt-free is essential! Dear Didi, I read Buddha’s sutta on Indebtedness. I want to become free from all debt. Buddha elaborates so much on becoming free. How would you suggest that I start taking the steps toward becoming debt-free on all friends, family,... 
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 18, 2024 | Advaita, Atma Darshan, Aversion, Birth, Buddha, Concepts, Consciousness, Craving, Death, Direct Path, Existence, Form, General Spiritual, I, Ignorance, Illusion, Life, Name/Roles, Religion, Self, Suffering, Truth
There is nobody to be reincarnated Question: What is the meaning of Annata or Non-self as taught by the Buddha? Why are there contradictory teachings of rebirth in Buddhism if Annata is the truth? Answer: Annata means Anatman or Non-self, where there is no... 
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 | 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 | Jul 28, 2024 | Advaita, Awareness, Body, Brahman, Breath, Company/Association/Sangha, Consciousness, Direct Path, Drama, Gnyana, Home, I, Illusion, Knowledge, Life, Meditation, Mind, OM, Silence, Space-Time, Suffering, Temporary, Truth, Upanishad, Vibration
The soundless sound… Anhad Naad! Question: Thank you so much for the Brahman contemplation on Mandukya Upanishad, it has opened up an amazing open-eyed meditation for me – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scKepUN7nlM The 2nd Mandukya self-inquiry Aum... 
by Ekta Bathija | 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 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 | Dec 24, 2023 | Advaita, Body, Direct Path, Drama, Dreams, Mind, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Sakshi Bhav/Witness
Don’t seek acknowledgment for your own personal unshareable insight! Question: Last night, as I was falling asleep, I had this strange experience. At the level of the mind I became aware of some hazy images and a pretty strong humming sound flashing close to my... 
by Ekta Bathija | 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 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 | 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 | 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... 
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