Is the Institutionalization of "Witnessing" (sAkSi) a Recipe for Mass
Psychosis?
Potentially, it is.
The principle of Sakshi (sAkSi) or witness-consciousness is a well
known evolutionary stance present in a number of traditions. From my
experiential POV (srsti) and both the advaita of Gaudapada and
Buddhist atiyoga, the development of witness-consciousness and it's
natural resolution is a natural part of inner evolution. In
bioenergetic terms this often begins at the level of the hrdyam, the
heart chakra. When awareness is centered there, the witness "awakens"
during the deep sleep phase. As presence evolves, this is carried on
to the throat chakra and witnessing becomes present during dreaming
sleep. As presence is integrated at the level of the ajna-chakra,
witnessing pervades the waking state. These are all preludes to
samadhi and therefore pre-samadhic states of integratation. It is
only above the ajna that samadhi truly can be said to occur.
These are not however linear phenomenon, they can occur in any order
based on the our own unique subtle physiology. In some people, they
may not occur at all. Some traditions (Dzogchen atiyoga) even
approach these as unified states of awareness rather than residual,
dualistic witnessing states pointing at unitary states.
But what happens when witnessing becomes an institutionalized "idea",
a dogma? Does it lead to the "real thing"? Or does it present an
altogether different situation, one where a "favored" and sought
after experience is replaced with the genuine article? Since there
are so many meditative and psychologically pathologic states which
*resemble* witness-consciousness this situtation can become extremely
problematic in institutions which by design or by accident elevate
"witnessing" to some important status.
In term of it's evolutionary status, what witnessing represents in
Hindu forms of meditation is a form of consciousness whereby the
unconscious mind can unburden itself of patterns which are no longer
helpful and set the stage for more unitary modes of awareness (or
consciousness). Since, in the state of realtive ignorance, we still
have much attachment to neagtive thoughts, emotions and patterns
(obscurations or avarana); witnessing these without being involved in
them is an evolutionary stance for purification of our own
consciousness.
"Other" states which can be mistaken for witnessing:
-psychosis
-high "vata"
-over-meditative spaciness /over-meditation/ non-regulation of practice
-unbalanced kundalini awakening or diverted awakenings
-dissociation
-depersonalization
-extreme fear
-non-integrated issues or issues we cannot face or repressed issue
which are resurfacing which we cannot face
-trauma and post traumatic stress disorder
-unprocessed and undigested issues of any kind
So how do we know and assure that the states of consciousness we are
trying to develop are in fact witness-states and not some form of
dissociation, meditative disturbance or psychosis? We know by
engaging in proper methods and by being instructed in the proper
signs and fine-points of their practice and cultivation. We also know
by observing ourselves and knowing ourselves: observing body (the
condition of our body), Mind and Voice (our energy or subtle body).
Witness-consciousness, like any other state, has it's methods. If you
haven't been instructed in these techniques, you should be therefore
wary of institutions that put them out in front, like a spiritual
"carrot", without giving you proper instruction or technique.
