Daily Living In The Knowledge

Neelam Nimare

*The knowledge of the Self, knowledge of Oneness and Knowledge of Illusion seems quite abstract for a new seeker. It seems impractical. The seeker has doubts wether this knowledge can be applicable in daily life. This article discusses how the knowledge can be applied in daily living and how transformative it can be.*

## Daily living in the knowledge

What is this knowledge we are talking about ? 
It is not the knowledge we get as information through our learning or education.
This is the knowledge of the Self, who really I am, What is my true nature.
This knowledge is the realisation that My true identity is not this body, mind or ego, but it is the eternal and unchanging Existence. Existence is All that is, whatever is, is the Existence and that is what I am. I Am formless, infinite, Blissful, beyond birth, death and change. Identification with the mind and body happens when I am not aware of my true nature and this is the cause of all suffering.
 This knowledge is also the realisation that the world with all its objects, the bodies and the mind which are perceived by the senses are unreal. They are simply illusory appearances. The eternal self is the experiencer or witness of the illusory actions of the body and mind. It does not perform any actions and is not affected by them. Actions are carried out by the body, mind or senses as per their automated systems. Also, this knowledge gives the realisation that all appearances are forms of the Existence itself, so all forms are essentially same. The essence of everything is the same. All are one. There is no separation. I am separate from others- This is a belief formed due to ignorance of the oneness of everything.
This knowledge may seem to be quite abstract and impractical, but realising ones true nature is deeply practical and transformative when applied to daily living. By being in the knowledge, we can live a life of peace and freedom even in the middle of worldly challenges.
So lets explore how the knowledge of our true nature can guide us in our daily living..

### By Being established in the Experiencer.
How to be established as the Experience? It is by always remembering that I am not the body or mind but the witness or Experiencer of them. This rememberance is called as awareness. So how is being in awareness going to be useful for us in daily living ? Whenever in a situation, if there is a feeling or an emotion that makes you miserable, like anger ,fear ,sadness, envy etc.. just pause and watch..Observe the thoughts and emotion arising, observe what is happening in the body,..say to yourself This is arising in the mind, but I am not the mind. I am the witness. This is the way to be in awareness. Without awareness ,the behaviour and reactions are in autopilot mode, the body and mind is preprogrammed to react in that way. There is no awareness or regulation of the reactions. By regulation, it does not mean to act or change the behaviour in that situation. Just be aware. Nothing needs to be done. If the awareness reaches a certain level, whatever is necessary will happen by itself because there is actually no doer, no one to act. The body or mind will behave the way it has to. Daily living gives ample opportunity to be in Awareness. There is constant interaction with people ,environment and also with oneself. Awareness allows to be the witness of what other people say, do or behave, what is happening in the surroundings and what conversations are going on within me. Here you dont need to convey to people what you have observed, or take any action to change something in the environment, or condemn anything running in your mind. Just observe. Be the Experiencer which you already are, who just sits back and enjoys the entertainment put up by the many mind body forms. Be a witness to all the drama that the minds create and how automatically the body reacts. It is just like the mind is the kid doing all sorts of mischief, but the grown ups simply laugh and have good time watching his mischief, they do not intervene .They let it happen and enjoy from a distance. If anything needs to be done it will happen if necessary. The parents do not condemn the naughty acts, because the child is essentially their own. Awareness is cultivated through practice. Constant reminding that I am the witness will gradually establish the Self in the Experiencer.
This detachment from the activities of the mind removes the suffering because suffering is because attaching with the various identities of body and mind. Knowledge gives the realisation that the self is the silent observer or Experiencer of all thoughts, emotions and actions without being involved. It remains unaffected by what it is Experiencing, whether it is pleasure, pain, joy or success, failure. Being in the knowledge brings acceptance of lifes Dualities. One recognises that world is full of dualities but it reminds us that these opposites do not affect my real nature.This is called as the state of Bliss and it is my fundamental nature. I am eternally blissful. Knowledge reminds us that life challenges are like the passing clouds and you are the unchanging presence like the sky.

### Realising Non doership..
Being in the knowledge of the self relieves the Ego of its sense of doing. The true Self is the witness of all actions but It does take part in any actions nor is affected by them. The Actions are carried out by the body, mind or senses according to their nature. All these are nothing but illusory or false. So essentially there is no one doing any actions . This is the realisation of Non Doership. Recognising that there is no doer allows one to perform actions without attachment to outcomes. Because most of our actions are outcome oriented, and when the results are/are not as per expectation there is a pleasure or pain. Non Doership also eliminates the guilt of failure and pride of achievements. When failure arise, knowledge of non doer helps the person to accept them as natural happenings rather than personal failures. When the illusion of Doership dissolves, living becomes peaceful and spontaneous, in a flow, without the usual highs and lows.
Here there can be a misinterpretation about Non doership that is inaction or Passivity. Non doership does not mean that one needs to stop actions or working. Actions continue to happen, but the Egos claim that I am the Doer is dropped. Also that non doership is not denying responsibility. The person continues to act ethically and with compassion. Awareness enables more responsible actions.

### There are no Two in Existence. How to incorporate this teaching in daily living?
When ignorance is systematically removed on the path of knowledge, it is revealed that the Essence of everything is one. All beings, objects, phenomena are all the manifestation of one Existence. The apparent distinction between individuals ,objects, world is an illusion that arises out of ignorance of ones true nature. Ego, Fears, envy, hatred etc stem from the idea of separateness. Separation is belief system that is out of alignment with our true nature. Realisation of oneness of all dissolves the separation between the self and others. In reality, there are no others! In our interactions remember that there are no others. Beneath the outer appearance, they are of the same Essence as me. Separation dissolves the boundaries of religion, race or nationality. Seeing others as extension of yourself cultivates love and harmony. There is freedom from fear and anxiety.

### Reality exists here and now..
Self is the Existence which is eternally present. There is no time or place where it exists. It is non temporal and non local. Reality exists only in the eternal present moment. Here and Now. Knowledge of this truth can transform daily living deeply. Time is an illusion that is mind created, So past and future are illusions. They do not exist . Past is a memory and Future is a projection. Whatever is, is experienced in the present moment. When there is remembrance of this, dwelling in past or worrying about future outcomes will be reduced. Focus on the present moment will allow full engagement in the task or moment at hand. Mindfulness appears in all actions. The result is greater joy and satisfaction in simple every day working.

### Knowledge of the illusory nature of Experience.
There is the realisation that world, body and mind are illusory appearances within the Existence. The impermanence nature of the illusion shifts the perspective of the seeker. There is freedom from over attachment to the body, activities of the mind, possessions or relationships. Greater resilience is found in ups and downs in life because of the understanding that all phases are impermanent. Chasing of external goals like wealth, power ,fame may seem futile .The focus may shift towards inner goals .
Though the world is illusory, it is not dismissed. All experiences that come forth, continue go on as a play. Living becomes an effortless flow.

### Sharing the bliss..
When there is the realisation that I am ever blissful, make daily living about expressing and sharing the Bilss.
How can this happen? By sharing unconditional love and Selfless service wherever opportunity comes.
Sharing love and serving is the way to share the bliss with all.