Disciple: Master, may I ask you about consciousness? I hear the word often, but I cannot grasp its meaning.
Master: Of course. But first, tell me—who is it that asks this question?
Disciple: It is me.
Master: And who are you?
Disciple: I am… myself. The one who thinks, feels, and speaks.
Master: Now, turn your gaze inward. Look closely. Can you find this “me” you speak of? Who is it that thinks your thoughts and looks through your eyes?
Disciple: I… I don’t know. It feels like something is there, but I cannot find it.
Master: This “something” is your consciousness. You might call it your soul, your spirit, or your true self. It is not a thing, but an awareness. It is always present—silent, observing, understanding. It is the stillness beneath all movement.
Disciple: Does it never change? My life is always in motion—my body, my thoughts, my feelings are all different from what they were before.
Master: Exactly. Your body changes; your thoughts arise and vanish; your emotions surge and subside. Yet beneath it all, there is something constant. The “I am” that has been with you since childhood is unchanged. That is consciousness.
Disciple: I see. And why is this so important?
Master: Because most people are unaware of it. They drift through life lost in memories of the past or dreams of the future. Their bodies are here, but their minds are elsewhere. Like a house with the lights on but no one home, they are absent from the present moment.
Disciple: How can I change that?
Master: Through mindfulness. Watch your thoughts and emotions without clinging to them. Be a witness, not a participant. This practice reveals your true Self, freeing you from the mind’s tyranny.
Disciple: So the problem lies not in having thoughts, but in identifying with them?
Master: Precisely. The mind is not your enemy—it is a tool. But when the tool becomes the master, suffering arises. The chaos of an uncontrolled mind breeds conflict, both within and without. Wars, division, suffering—all are born from this.
Disciple: And what happens when we live in this mindful awareness?
Master: You discover a profound peace. An openness that cannot be shaken. When you are awake, you no longer see the world through the distorted lens of your mind. Instead, you see it as it truly is, and in that clarity, you can live with full presence and devotion.
Disciple: That sounds beautiful, Master. How do I begin?
Master: Begin by simply listening. Not to silence your thoughts, but to notice them. Watch them arise and pass, like clouds crossing the sky. This awareness is the key. As you practice, you will find yourself rooted in the present moment. And there, life reveals its true depth.
Disciple: Thank you, Master. I think I am beginning to understand what it means to be truly awake.
Excerpt from the book "The Wisdom of Consciousness" by Ervin K. Kery