I remember coming out of one of my spontaneous mystical experiences of Reality with a very strong, persistent human word that was the perfect explanation for what I had just experienced.
The word was ‘Observer’. I identified with it rather than with the human me, (to me, the human me is difficult to accept as relevant now). But the meaning of this ‘Observer’ with which I identified has remained a mystery.
Years later the word leaped out at me from a Hindu religious book I was trying to read. While I was attracted by the coincidence, I still didn’t realise any significance, or what my Observer experience meant.
Today, out of nowhere it seems, it came to me to ask chatgpt.com, “What does Hinduism say about The Observer in mystical experiences?”
Immediately, ChatGPT replied as follows:
“In Hinduism, the concept of the Observer is central to many mystical and philosophical traditions. It aligns with the idea of the witness consciousness (Sakshi), a core aspect of many Hindu philosophies, particularly Advaita Vedanta and Yoga.
“The Observer represents the eternal, unchanging awareness that witnesses all experiences without being affected by them. Here’s how it is interpreted in mystical contexts:
“1. The Sakshi (Witness) in Advaita Vedanta
In Advaita Vedanta, the self is seen as Brahman (the ultimate reality), and the Observer is the pure consciousness (Atman) that perceives all phenomena without attachment.
“Mystical experiences are viewed as moments when the mind becomes quiet, allowing one to identify with the Observer rather than the ego or body-mind complex.
“This realization leads to liberation (moksha), as the individual understands that the Observer and the universe are one.
“2. Meditative Experiences in Yoga
In Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, the practice of meditation (dhyana) aims to transcend the fluctuations of the mind (chitta-vrittis). The Observer is the true self, distinct from these mental modifications.
“Mystical experiences occur when the practitioner reaches a state of Samadhi, where the Observer merges with the universal consciousness, revealing profound truths.
“3. Mystical Encounters with the Divine
In Bhakti traditions, the Observer may experience the divine through devotional practices. However, even in these experiences, the underlying philosophy emphasizes the distinction between the transient mind and the eternal Observer.
For instance, during deep states of devotion or surrender (sharanagati), the Observer witnesses divine revelations or mystical insights.
“4. The Observer in Mystical Texts
Texts like the Upanishads explore the concept of the Observer extensively. For example, the Kena Upanishad states that the ultimate reality is “the eye of the eye, the ear of the ear,” pointing to an awareness beyond sensory perception.
The Bhagavad Gita also describes this in Chapter 13, where Krishna explains the distinction between the Kshetra (field of experience) and the Kshetrajna (knower of the field).
“5. Practical Implications
The Observer in mystical experiences is often associated with the state of non-duality (Advaita). When one experiences themselves as the pure Observer, distinctions between subject and object dissolve, leading to unity with all existence.
“This state is described as a realization of bliss (ananda) and truth (satya).
“In summary, Hinduism regards the Observer in mystical experiences as the true self (Atman), which is eternal, infinite, and untouched by worldly phenomena. The goal of spiritual practices* is to realize and abide in this witnessing awareness, which leads to enlightenment.”
*Keith: My mystically given observations have finally given me to know I don’t have any need of ’spiritual practices’. Reality is in charge of our existence. I am in a state of grateful submission simply because the spiritual experiences give me no alternative, nor do I seek any.
The words reported here are human, ChatGPT attempts to explain the mystical experience of Reality, (MER), without having actually experienced the phenomenon.
A true mystic has no use for ‘Sakshi’, ‘Vedanta’, ‘Moksha’, ‘Yoga’, ‘Samadhi’, ‘Bhakti’, ‘Sharanghati’ ‘devotion’, ‘Upanishads’, Bhagavad Gita’, ‘Ananda’, or ‘Satya’, etc.
All human logic and reason, science and scholarship are irrelevant to the Ultimate Reality revealed to mystics. This Reality, that creates all things, gives what is needed and has no interest in human wants, nor does it need or ask for any help!
All Is Well.
Mystical Experiences of Reality 