The teachings of Rupert Spira offer profound insights into the nature of consciousness and the non-dual understanding of reality. Recently, a mesmerizing YouTube clip featuring a reading from the Ashtavakra Gita captured attention. One passage stood out: “I am not the knower, nor the known, nor the knowing.”
Understanding this passage requires delving into the non-dual philosophy. The statement can be perplexing because it challenges the conventional understanding of existence. Typically, people view themselves as separate entities, distinct from the objects they perceive and the act of perception itself.
Imagine a person named Mary falling asleep and dreaming she is Jane, walking the streets of Oxford. In the dream, Jane sees a tree and thinks, “I, Jane, perceive this tree.” Here, Jane believes herself to be a separate subject, the tree as a separate object, and perceiving as an action connecting them. However, when Mary wakes up, she realizes she was neither Jane, nor the tree, nor the action of perceiving.
In the context of the Ashtavakra Gita, the passage means one is neither the finite mind (the knower), nor the object of perception (the known), nor the activity of perception (the knowing). This realization dismantles the dualistic framework that dominates everyday experience. Instead, it points to an awareness that transcends these divisions.
Often, the term “knower” (with a small ‘k’) represents the finite mind—akin to Jane in the dream. The capital ‘K’ Knower symbolizes infinite consciousness, the true essence beyond the dualities of subject, object, and perception. Ashtavakra’s wisdom asserts that one’s true nature is not bound by these finite distinctions.
This teaching encourages a shift in perspective, urging the recognition of an underlying, non-dual awareness. It suggests that true nature transcends the confines of the mind and objects perceived. From this awakened perspective, one realizes an inherent connection with all experiences, dissolving the illusion of separateness.
For those intrigued by this transformative insight, further exploration and contemplation of Spira’s works can be a pathway to deeper understanding. His books, such as You Are the Happiness You Seek: Uncovering the Awareness of Being, offer expansive interpretations that enrich this non-dual perspective.
As Spira elucidates, the essence of being is a single, infinite consciousness. This consciousness encompasses all experiences, uniting the knower, the known, and the knowing into one seamless reality. By embracing this understanding, individuals can transcend the limiting beliefs rooted in duality.
The passage from the Ashtavakra Gita is a profound reminder of the unity that lies beyond apparent separateness. It invites a re-examination of self-concept and encourages awakening to the true nature of existence. Engaging with Spira’s teachings can offer a compassionate, liberating perspective on consciousness and the nature of reality.
Readers are encouraged to watch the embedded video for a more immersive exploration of these ideas. By doing so, the transformative potential of recognizing one’s true essence within a non-dual framework can be fully appreciated. Embracing these teachings can lead to a deeper connection with self and a more harmonious understanding of life.
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