The Witness and Pure Awareness
by Nisagardatta Maharaj
Q: What is the witness?
The witness is that which sees all things come and go — it itself does not come and go.
It is the changeless background in which all experiences arise and set.
The witness is not a person. It is the light in which everything is seen.
Q: Is the witness the same as the Self?
The witness is a reflection of the Self in the mind.
It is a step toward realization,
but not the ultimate. The Self is beyond the witness.
The Self is pure Awareness — beyond subject and object.
Q: Can the witness observe itself?
The witness can only observe what is other than itself.
To know the witness as yourself is the end of illusion.
Awareness is not aware of itself. It simply is.
Q: How do I become the witness?
You do not become the witness — you are the witness already.
Only you have forgotten. Pay attention.
Observe your thoughts, your emotions, your body.
Watch all as if it were happening to someone else. Slowly the false self-identification will drop.
Q: What is the value of witnessing?
The moment you become the witness, you break the spell of identification.
You see things as they are — transient and superficial.
It brings detachment, clarity, and peace. You no longer drown in experience.
Q: Is awareness beyond the witness?
Yes. The witness is still a form of consciousness — dualistic, dependent on the mind.
Awareness is beyond both the witness and the witnessed.
It is pure being, timeless and spaceless. It is what you are.
Q: What is the difference between consciousness and awareness?
Consciousness is always consciousness of something. It is partial and changeful.
Awareness is total, changeless, silent, and still. Awareness is not an experience.
It is the background on which all experiences appear and disappear.
Q: What happens when even the witness disappears?
Then there is only awareness — pure and silent. The sense of separation ends.
No one remains to say “I am aware.” There is just awareness.
It is the Self. It is the real.
Q: Can this awareness be described?
No. It can be known only by being it. It has no attributes.
You cannot see it, but without it, nothing can be seen.
It is closer than the mind,
closer than the ‘I am’. It is your true nature.
… … …
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