1.3 – Then the seer (knowingly) abides in its own essential nature.
तदा द्रष्टुः स्वरूपेऽवस्थानम् ॥३॥
tada drashtuh svarupe avasthanam
- tada – then
- drashtuh – the seer; the perceiver; the witness
- svarupe – nature; quality; essence; appearance; original form
- avasthanam – resting place; abode; dwelling
Commentary on Sutra 1.3:
“Meditation is for the purpose of helping us rest at the seat of power, creativity, and intelligence.” ~ Roy Eugene Davis
That which sees is our Self, our eternally present true essence, the Power of Awareness (Chiti-Shakti – see Sutra 4.34). It’s from this center point, this place of infinite potential, that all thoughts, emotions, and actions originate.
In ordinary states of consciousness, we get caught up in the whirlwind of that activity. We become attached to actions and experiences, identify with them, and forget what we really are. But behind all the movements and fluctuations in consciousness, Awareness remains untouched, unconditioned, boundless, and free.
“Weapons cannot cut It, nor fire burn It; water cannot wet It, nor wind dry It.” – Bhagavad Gita
Awareness is the power that experiences all things yet remains unaltered by those experiences. It’s not another thing to be aware of or another experience to be had. It’s That which has been there throughout all the events of our life and is present here and now. To abide in it is to rest within the hub of the wheel.
In truth, we are always abiding in our own essential nature. Where else could we reside? But we’ve become so enchanted by Maya’s play that we become blind and lost.
The goal of our yoga practice, then, is to bring us back into an intimate recognition of Chiti-Shakti. All our training is for the sole purpose of opening to, abiding in, and living from the Presence that we already are.
