Know Thy Self- I Am The Self

1:02:07

1:02:07

Know Thy Self- I Am The Self

by Yaron Etzion

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4.9

Type

talks

Activity

Meditation

Suitable for

Everyone

Plays

126

Know Thy Self- I am the self. Join us for this series of lessons that takes us through the seven levels of existence toward Self-realization. This 8th session will focus on the realization: I am the Self= Peace| Love| Joy

Meet your Teacher

Edmonton, AB, Canada

Meet your Teacher

Edmonton, AB, Canada

Transcript

So we're going to start with a short ceremony as usual so let's sit comfortably on our seat and take a deep breath in and let go let's close our eyes take another deep breath in hmm and the next breath in we keep in we don't breathe out slowly breathe out and let go let go of all your efforts let go of everything that already happened in the past and let go of everything that may happen in the future and allow your breath to guide you gently back into the present moment back to reality where life actually happens become aware of everything that is happening around you aware of your own body on its seat become aware of the position your body took upon its seat become aware of your breath entering and leaving your body through the nostrils in its own natural rhythm just observe as the air flows gently in and out breath can be heavy or light hot or cold it doesn't matter you just observe every breath in fills you with oxygen with life and every breath out cleanses you from within and relaxes more and more another deep breath in gently become aware of any thought that you may be thinking thoughts passes through your awareness like clouds in the sky you just observe as they pass without getting too entangled with any specific thought or emotion or sensation as you observe all those phenomenons allow your attention to turn back towards itself to the origin of the ultimate observer that space within where there is no movement there is only silence and for a moment become that silence another deep breath in gently allow your attention to come back to your body that is seated here upon its seat part of our virtual circle let's unite our individual intentions into one unified intention the intention to grow to develop to evolve another deep breath in and when you feel comfortable you may open your eyes so how are you doing is it better now give me a heart so I know that you're there thank you so welcome to this special event that we give ourselves to stop the daily routine hold hands and support each other on our path to an awakened consciousness growing and developing not just as individuals on the past but also as a united consciousness and that is very powerful the fact that we are here willing to share to support to take part of something that is bigger than just our own game is very powerful and unique we are today finishing our journey that we've started a couple of months ago walking under the light of the eternal question who am I and realizing that this question cannot be directly answered with an idea or concept or an understanding we chose to use the elimination process we'll answer the question who am I not this is easier who am I not everything I believed I am and we cut it into thin slices so it will be easier for us to shed them shed away those false identifications as as we shed those layers the truth is able to reveal itself to us not as an idea but as a direct experience and this is what we have been doing in the last couple of months so a quick review what we've been doing so far we've passed through seven layers of existence that we are all combined compiled of first layer was the realization I am NOT my body the body is just a temple in which I am hosted temporarily second layer was I am NOT the breath the breath is just a bridge that stands there between the body and the mind third level was the mind the mind is not who I am it's just the image of reality that is a combination of emotions sensations and thoughts and the and the huge realization on that level was that that movie has no power emotions sensations and thoughts they have no power we can experience emotions sensations and thoughts but we are not obliged to believe to identify to react when they appear and disappear and this opens a huge inner space of freedom I hope some of you already tasted that while practicing fourth levels of existence was I am NOT my intellect even though it's a very persuasive chapter in me full of ideas and opinions the intellect is just that in a movie critic that sits in my head and has an opinion about the picture the movie that is being projected and it doesn't matter if the opinion is positive or negative remember because in both cases we are trapped there is an idea that stands between me and direct experience of whatever is happening so the ultimate understanding a mature intellect can reach is that it's not here to understand to get the point but surrendering to the mystery of creation realizing that it's way more mystery and complicated for a human intellect to grasp and conquer I am NOT my intellect it's just that chamber in me that tries to make sense of it and to judge if whatever I meet is good or bad so we grow beyond that beyond that impulsive need to know that to understand that to determine anything about anything and then fifth level of existence I am NOT my story story is the compilation of all the experiences I had since the day I came here to the present moment I am NOT my story meaning I realized that all the things that happen to me doesn't reflect at all on the question who am I these are just opportunities and lessons in time but it's not who I am it doesn't matter what happened to me what type of story I'm telling is it a good story bad story a story about a winner a story about the loser if I'm not identified with it I'm free from it and then I can reinvent myself to be completely accurate to experience the present moment full-heartedly the story is just a story it's not who I am and it's not mine it's just a part of a bigger story where I also have a part in the story of the human experience I only play a part here for 70 80 90 years that's it like billions before me and billions after me this story is not mine even if it really feels like it's very unique to me and identifies me it's not who I am and the last session that we had was I am NOT my ego the ego was defined as an illusion of separation that faculty in me that artificially separate us from creation from life from reality from other people and somehow persuades us that it's us against life and we have to protect the little we were able to obtain from life because if we don't life will take it away and we need to keep negotiating with life too so they will give us what we believe we don't have we need the mantra of the ego is what I want what I need what I will gain out of this that separate I is there then ego is dominant that duality within us prevails so the invitation was to grow beyond that's a artificial separation and just like the waves when they remember the ocean they realize that were never disconnected from the ocean they were always an oceanic expression so are we when we wake up from that illusion of separate identity we realize we are all divine expressions and we were never disconnected from creation expressions of creation never disconnected mm-hmm these are the first six levels of existence so now it's time to refer to your questions and wonders objections before we are available to climb the last step in the ladder the self which is the seventh level existence would like to jump into the waters first common I know there are questions I know that some of this is confusing don't be shy this is your time to shine your question is what propels these meetings forward will you briefly list the layers again the sound went out sorry about that first of all everything I was teaching about the seventh level existence you can read about in my book that comes included with seven guided meditations for each layer of existence so if you want my book you can reach me just find me on my website and send me a note so the seventh layer let the seven layers are body I'm not my body breath I'm not my breath mind I'm not my mind intellect I'm not my intellect story I'm not my story my memory ego I'm not my ego the seventh is the self which we will touch today any questions about the first six Barbara is waiting for another bite good good good as long as you are hungry that's very important what is left when you're not all these things now that is a question isn't it I remember one woman once asked me you're on what do you want you're taking everything away you leave nothing that's exactly right I will touch that in a minute after finishing your book have you come to find more than seven you know this seven layer infrastructure I will call it it's like a scaffolding of a very stable building you know it's like the skeleton of the of the description of who am I it's very easy to climb on this skeleton and fill it with meaning it's it's it's it's it's rooted deep in the ground very stable very basic and it reaches the skies that we'll discuss today so that's why I find it very useful and it's very method odds myth method method totally method totally you know what I'm saying so it's also easy for men to refer to that because men think a bit different than women they need structure they need to make sense out of it so using the structure it really helps men in my experience to come closer and closer to the truth with women it's more into intuitive men need structure of course I'm generalizing but generally this is the case so that's why I'm using the seventh level of existence structure I think I'm really having an open heart I have a steady mood living happening around me and to me my mind intellect ego are still playing a bit part a big part but I stay open and let it happen and bring me peace methodo methodo logical whoever thought about this word good Lynn you know the that is the final point this is what we are going to discuss today so what is left let's say that we are truly honest on this path just for the sake of the argument and we truly let go of identifications with our body with our breath with our mind with our intellect with our memory with our ego and we are not identified with them anymore we don't use any of those to answer the question who am I and we just remain with this question think about yourself free from any identification nothing that has to do with your body mind intellect memory ego self sorry except self is bonding you anymore reflects on you in any way you are naked in that sense first of all I'm sure this is very scary it's a scary position to be in some of you may experience may have experienced that in the past and didn't know how to name that some of you have maybe never been to that space where you shout who am I and nothing echoes back as an answer to you nothing nothing that is true and meaningful for you there is just a question that is sent out from your inner core and there is nothing echoing back from life from your experience that you can use as an answer there is only mystery you know in Christianity it's called a dark night of the soul some people reach that evolutionary stage using substances you know what what does that what does that do it elevates them quickly artificially to that space where nothing is meaningful anymore nothing is true everything reveals itself to be an illusion and there is only that empty space of consciousness available for them this is a way to do it but I wouldn't recommend because it's unnaturally accelerating a process that you need to be ready for and if you try to artificially accelerate it you might get entangled with that experience unprepared to grasp the vastness of it and when what happens then in some cases is that your system melts down we call it you know spiritual crisis and people lose grasps of reality they are not able to function in reality anymore so instead of trying to rush it with substances I recommend walk on the spiritual path hand in hand with a spiritual teacher that can guide you on this path and you will get there where will you get to the edge of the cliff remember last session we spoke about the ego and the ego is always motivated by this need I need I want so on the path what you do is use that force which can be very powerful and you know how to work with that type of motivation I want that but now you refined the debt from what usually was motivating you material success relationships whatever I want to be free I want to obtain an awakened consciousness I want to be an expression of unconditional love I want to be enlightened doesn't matter which name you give it this I want now drives you beyond all other identifications towards self-liberation and it can take you all the way to the edge of the cliff and on the way there will be many challenges for sure you are in your ego is crying no no don't do it don't let go stay in control what are you doing your comfort zone will shout hey what about me what about all those years we've been working together no people you love will start looking at you what the hell is happening to this guy he's not like he was yesterday you will get all kinds of feedbacks that would encourage you to drop the stupid idea but you keep on because this is what you want you want to be free that's it and you will arrive to the edge of the cliff sooner or later in this lifetime or maybe the next but once you stand there on the edge of the cliff I want to be free will not help you anymore the ego cannot kill itself it cannot commit suicide the ego cannot jump I want to be free it's not going to happen because there is an eye that wants and as long the eye that wants is there ego is there so what to do nothing at this at this point there is nothing you can do you can just stand there with a full heart and a willing soul and chant this mantra thy will be done and mean it sincerely honestly thy will be done I have nothing to achieve here anymore to obtain here anymore I have no interest in whatever is happening on this material level I'm good with anything doesn't matter I'm not intimidated anymore I have no expectations I have no agenda I love unconditionally anything that is happening and from here I surrender myself to you thy will be done that's it and then a second later or many lifetimes later something mysterious happens you can call it grace grace takeover and you realize there was no cliff and there is no abyss and there's nothing else to let go or to give up or to lose there is only silence there is only peace there is only love you were never bondage you're never bounded you are never separated you're never conditioned you are that whatever you are looking for whoever you are wishing for whatever you are hoping for you are that you are already that you'll always been that you are love unconditional that is the true nature of who you are but because you are special or because you won that lottery but because you woke up to realize it that's it mm-hmm so what is self self is that consciousness that expands beyond the limitations self-created limitations and doubts expand to include everything this is self this is who you are really I know that speaking about it is a bit futile because I can only speak in words and words are limited especially mine in English words can only hold so much energy and what I'm trying to describe is eternity words cannot really engulf that this is to be experienced directly and how can you experience it first you put that in the top of the list of your priorities make it the most important thing for you in life more important than anything else being successful being right being just you know achieving your dreams and goals this is your dream and goal that's it that's it nothing else if you do that I guarantee you'll come closer to anybody else you know make it the most important thing for you and then keep those four pillars alive in your daily life routine seva sad sang sadhana and sad guru seva is that attitude of service I am here for you what can I do for you you adopt an attitude of service this is like simulating an awakened consciousness that is all about giving as it already has discovered that I am bounty I am the fountain I cannot be thirsty the fountain cannot be thirsty right I am here to give all that bounty I'm here to spread that love how can I ask for love I am love it's ridiculous so you start practicing that attitude of service sad sang is the group of people around you that supports your growth and helps you on the path helps you holds your hand and you can support other people in that group sangha you know society of like-minded people that are aiming for an awakened consciousness find it if you can't find it create one what we do here on inside time here virtually you can do in the physical realm around you if you happen to be in Israel in June this June I'm holding a silence retreat in a monastery in Jerusalem you definitely need to be there if you are around in the area you'll find sangha there it's beautiful unforgettable experience guaranteed such such song is that occasion where we join our consciousness to one unified consciousness so save us at Sun satan eyes the practice you practice daily make sure you keep reminding yourself this is what I want more than anything else this is who I am I am peace I am joy I am love I'm not the drama I'm not my intellect that tries to persuade me about right and wrong and good and bad this is not who I am I'm not my ideas about other people I'm not my ego all that so you get you got those guided meditations to help you for each level of existence use them without practice I tell you it's pointless there is only very rare type of people that hear it once and the bit and remember and never forget assuming that we are not one of those unique people we need to be reminded again and again and again so you do that don't be deterred add that to the to your daily routine practice breathing techniques meditation this is who I am this is what I want again and again and sad guru is the teacher was crucial on the path of a sincere seeker on my inside timer page you can find a talk that is about finding the right guru I invite you to listen to that it will help you to find the right guru for you and when you do surrender to that guru rejoice in its grace allow his light to light your path make it personal this will accelerate your journey towards the edge of the cliff 100% save us that song sadhana and sad guru you make those pillars stable in your daily life and you'll see this is how you come closer and closer hmm so let's refer to your questions no you don't need to practice all of the meditation daily probably be too much but choose one to maximum you know and practice you know every hour take a deep breath this is who I am that's it every couple of hours stop for 20 minutes reunite with mother nature hug a tree do something to ground ground you remind yourself I am peace and then continue okay divine inspiration is also your ego I mean it can be grasped by the ego as it is taking ownership over divine inspiration so yes I did it Jesus came to me and touched my forehead you know I am special this is ego any any experience can be grasped and taken over by the ego marking it as a success or a failure it's all because of me doesn't matter this is ego I I me me is it possible to have permanence with anything just death and taxes what is it possible to have permanence no you cannot have permanence you are permanent do you see the difference your ego is seeking permanence stability so it can persuade itself that it is in control life seems to so turbulent we are hoping for some stability we keep manipulating life or avoiding life to create that sense of stability permanence and of course we lose you know this is the definition of suffering according to the Buddha this ridiculous attempt of human beings to generate stability by holding on to what is by definition temporary and always changing but you are permanent life cannot be permanent you are consciousness is I am unconditional love is my go-to affirmation now good good write it on your fridge keep reminding yourself who am I unconditional love and next time your life your love reveals itself to be conditioned you remind yourself no no no no no this is not what I want I want to keep my heart open to anything to anyone comfortable or uncomfortable joyful or sad pleasant or unpleasant pleasure or pain I want to keep my heart open yes I like that Kendra this is your mantra for the next life also yes so if one cannot make it to your silent retreat can we find out the time date and join from another place in the world unfortunately no silence retreat is in person but I'm sure if you look you can find retreats in your area wherever you live highly recommended if you never done silence retreat you should or come to Israel it's a good place to be especially in June it's not too hot you'd love it I guarantee so the answer is acceptance surrender trust in unconditional love it start with acceptance and surrendering and trust and then realize this is who I am this is what I am this is the substance of my existence I was once blind but now I see I was once sleeping but now I'm awake this is who I am unconditional love is not something I should be hoping for maybe one day I will obtain that I will find that in my partner no no no this is just a matter of waking up from a dream ask yourself what needs to happen for you to wake up are you awake are you awake even far away we can still connect to this collective consciousness I agree isn't that beautiful hmm so the guided meditation you can find on my web page on inside timer about self is all about expanding expansion of consciousness beyond any artificial boundary expanded beyond all imagine limitation until it includes everything and you are melting into that and there is no more separate I that experience that there is only that you are that that's my website you are that dot org the letter you the letter R and the word that you can find me there if you want a copy of the book shoot me a message or just you know if you need an answer to a question or some support on your path I'm always there for you don't be shy make it personal what do you say speak now or for help forever hold your peace can one bite on Amazon no one can bite on online store I can send you the link if you connect to me through my website or you can maybe Google the book is called awakening and the store is called is called a satva store by out of living it's an online store that is that belongs to the out of living organization which is my spiritual home base but you can shoot me a message and I will send you the link I say I'm in let it be so thank you for holding my hand once again the name of the book is awakening you can find it there so beautiful people if there are no any other questions about the seven layers of existence I would like to use this opportunity to thank you very much for your beautiful presence in doing this path we've been together and I encourage you to practice it's not enough to listen to it once or twice you need to practice add it to your daily routine hmm make sure that you keep remind yourself again and again that this is what you want and we can reassemble here to make sure that there is a sangha here available to support us on our path to share the load you don't have to walk this path alone good good good all of the audios of each level of existence are available just the first five or six and I will load the recording of this one as well so you can listen to those in audio format if you missed one of them and you know close the gaps and we will reconvene this coming Tuesday to address any question you have about the seven layer or any kind of question this is an opportunity we give ourselves to you know shed off the load and be free of it so it's easier to continue walking the path so don't miss this opportunity we give ourselves twice a week Tuesday in the evening my time and Saturday as that time would happen today wherever you are on the globe so do join us and bring your friends everybody can benefit from this don't you agree let's make our circle bigger and bigger don't be shy bring your friends they will thank you eventually even if you have to pull them by their ear they will thank you you just found my book on Amazon okay I wasn't aware it was there okay so guys thank you for your time your donations and I'm looking forward to meeting you this coming Tuesday all my love bye bye