Explore the Boundaries of Consciousness with Deepak Chopra on ‘The Chopra Well’

These days, there is a burgeoning discourse around out-of-body experiences, especially following near-death events where individuals report viewing their physical form from an external vantage point. In contrast, the typical human experience is described as “in-body,” with one’s consciousness seemingly located within the physical frame. This raises profound questions about the true nature and location of our awareness. Let’s embark on a journey of contemplation to explore these ideas deeply.

At the heart of our inquiry is the realization that the experiencer, the “you” referred to as “I AM,” is distinct from the body, the mind, or the world. Rather than being restricted to inside or outside the body, these elements are experienced within the realm of “you.” This “I AM” that perceives and is aware exists outside the constraints of space and time. To grasp this better, let’s investigate various sensory experiences.

Consider the act of listening. When you hear a sound, like the voice of a speaker, where is this experience happening? It’s certainly not occurring in the brain or the ears; there’s no sound within the eardrum or the brain itself. Instead, the experience of sound takes place in awareness, within the “I AM.” The awareness of sound is simply you, experiencing in the present moment.

Now, shift to vision. When you observe an image, such as a book or any object around you, where is this visual experience occurring? It’s not contained within the eyes or the brain. The act of seeing is an experience known to the “I AM”; you are the seer within this scenery of life.

This principle applies to all five senses—sound, touch, sight, taste, and smell—all direct experiences taking place in awareness. Awareness itself, however, is beyond the confines of physical form and space-time. Bring this perspective inward, using interoception to sense your body from the inside out, invoking a deeper level of bodily awareness. Is this experience different from the external sensory experiences? It appears not; in both cases, awareness is the perceiver, neither restricted inside the body nor outside it.

Awareness is a fundamental field without boundaries, not limited by space-time. Reflecting on this, we recognize that the “I AM” resides eternally in the present moment, outside the loop of time. This realization profoundly transforms our understanding of identity and existence.

The steady sense of self, the simple presence of “I exist,” remains constant amid the ever-changing phenomena of body, mind, and external world. Our physical form is in continuous flux, our thoughts and memories transient. Yet the core awareness, the “I AM,” is unchanging.

When we look at someone like Deepak Chopra, what we identify as him is a unique configuration of sensations, images, memories, and thoughts at any given moment, all interpreted through the lens of memory and awareness. In reality, our perception of individuals, objects, and experiences is essentially rooted in memory—a selective remembrance of ever-altering experiences.

Ultimately, we are bundles of memories embodying localized expressions of a vast, non-local consciousness. Our individual identities, like Deepak Chopra’s, are ephemeral. These identities are temporary, shaped by the eternal, non-local consciousness. When we mistake our provisional, temporal “selfies” for our true selves, we create a discord that manifests in societal conflicts and personal dissonance, leading to a multitude of global issues.

Recognizing that “you” are neither truly inside nor outside but are everywhere and nowhere simultaneously allows us to appreciate our eternal nature. This comprehension can pave the way to a more harmonious existence, guiding us to live with the knowledge of our immortality. Knowing this, we can consciously dwell in the ever-present Now, experiencing life as boundless, eternal awareness.

For a deeper understanding of these transformative teachings, consider watching the embedded video above from “The Chopra Well” on YouTube.