What is pure awareness? episode artwork

EPISODE · Oct 17, 2023 · 2H 29M

What is pure awareness?

from Sri Ramana Teachings · host Sri Ramana Center of Houston

In a Zoom meeting with the Ramana Maharshi Foundation UK on 14th October 2023, Michael answers various questions about Bhagavan’s teachings. He started with: Question #1: In deep sleep only awareness remains. You said awareness knows awareness only. My question is why I don't know myself in deep sleep? Kindly Reply. Question #2: What is pure awareness? If it is aware of anything, it is impure. So, if awareness is aware even of itself, being aware, that is already impure, since awareness has an object (itself). So, pure awareness is awareness of... what? And, anyway, as soon as you notice it, it would not be pure awareness any longer, since now there is a duality: awareness (apparently of nothing) and the awareness of awareness. My point then is, what good is pure awareness, since it is aware of nothing, and cannot even know itself without disturbing its pure awareness? If you are it, you cannot know it, and if you know it, you no longer are it. I do not see a way out of this. Has anyone ever recognized pure awareness? If so, they are separate from it. But, it also cannot be aware of itself, or for that matter anything at all. And this is supposed to be the highest knowledge no less? Knowledge of what, exactly? Question #3: Philosophy, Sartre in particular, would deny that there is anything such as intransitive awareness. Awareness must be of something, or what is it awareness of? As soon as you are aware of even just being aware, now awareness is the object, and you are observing awareness. I do not think we are aware of our sleep. I think we infer it. We can recall our dreams, and we might say we did not dream all night, so there must have been a period of sleep, but that does not mean we were aware of our awareness. Also, the fact that we are not aware of the world while asleep is particularly unconvincing when it is argued that therefore the objective world arises when our ego arises. That is far too solipsistic for my tastes. We blink and the sun disappears, for us. No one believes the sun disappears; similarly, we sleep and the world does not disappear. Where is the evidence one can see pure awareness, or failing that, that awareness of nothing exists. And so what if we can have pure awareness of nothing at all; what does that prove, exactly? This episode can also be watched as a video here and a more compressed audio copy in Opus format (which can be listened to in the VLC media player and some other apps) can be downloaded from here.  

NOW PLAYING

What is pure awareness?

0:00 2:29:13

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

Dabar Bethlehem Cathedral Bishop H. Curtis Douglas Dabar Bethlehem Cathedral is a church set in Queens Viliage, NY. With Bishop Douglas as our Senior Pastor, he weekly gives us innovative and practical understandings of the teachings of the Bible. This podcast will consist of teachings, lessons, and sermons of Bishop Douglas, and different preachers. Master Mind, Body and Spirit Matthew Belair Master your mind, body, and spirit with Matt Belair and world-renowned leaders today! This unique show features candid conversations with experts in personal development, spirituality, and human optimization. Each episode is another key to help you unlock your infinite potential and assist you on your path to self-mastery!You will discover the best tips, tools, and technologies to master your mind; plus the science, principles, and practices to master your body. Finally, you will dive into the deepest depths of yourself, life, the universe and the pursuit of discovering who you really are, and consciously creating the life of your dreams!Explore timeless spiritual lessons and ancient teachings. Let go of any limitations and discover all of the tools to dramatically improve your health, well-being and mindset! Gita Wisdom Teachings by Joshua M. Greene (Yogesvara) Joshua M. Greene (Yogesvara das) A bi-weekly Bhagavad Gita class in NY. Each session includes readings, analysis, audiovisuals, verse recitations and practical insights into India's essential wisdom text. Attendees will discover the message of the Gita, master basic vocabulary and concepts, and acquire skills for teaching and practicing yoga philosophy. Class notes available at www.gitawisdom.org/podcast.For information on attending a class, visit www.facebook.com/pg/gitawisdomteachings/events. Redwood Christian Park Redwood Christian Park This podcast delivers teachings from Redwood Christian Park in Boulder Creek, CA.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Sri Ramana Teachings?

This episode is 2 hours and 29 minutes long.

When was this Sri Ramana Teachings episode published?

This episode was published on October 17, 2023.

What is this episode about?

In a Zoom meeting with the Ramana Maharshi Foundation UK on 14th October 2023, Michael answers various questions about Bhagavan’s teachings. He started with: Question #1: In deep sleep only awareness remains. You said awareness knows awareness only....

Can I download this Sri Ramana Teachings episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.
URL copied to clipboard!