Sadhguru says that Awareness is the art of seeing the unseen; alertness is the practice of catching the moment before it slips away.
Article | Sadhguru Sannidhyan | November 16, 2024
On a serene evening in the mystical ambience of Sadhguru Sannidhyan, where the flickering light of oil lamps danced to the rhythm of an eternal silence, seekers gathered around Sadhguru. His presence exuded a profound stillness, and his eyes carried the depth of ancient wisdom. The fragrance of incense mingled with the cool breeze, as everyone settled into the tranquil setting, eager to absorb the Guru's words.
Sadhguru, seated on a simple wooden platform under a sprawling banyan tree, looked at the gathering with a gentle smile. In his deep, resonant voice, he began:
"Life, my dear ones, is a constant interplay of awareness and alertness. Like two wings of a bird, they are essential to soar beyond the mundane and touch the profound. Without awareness, life becomes a fog; without alertness, it becomes chaos. Let me tell you a story—a story of a young seeker who came to understand this truth through the teachings of a wise sage. Listen carefully, for within this tale lies the essence of a path that each of you must walk."
The gathering fell into a meditative silence as Sadhguru’s voice wove the timeless story of Arav and Guru Dharmesh, illuminating the journey from distraction to clarity, from chaos to balance.
Sadhguru: On a foggy morning in the mystical valleys of the Himalayas, where the air carries whispers of ancient wisdom and the streams murmur tales of timeless truth, there lived an enlightened sage named Guru Dharmesh. His humble ashram nestled amidst towering pines, served as a sanctuary for seekers yearning to unravel the mysteries of existence. Among these seekers were a young aspirant named Arav, a city-dweller burdened by the cacophony of modern life, his mind restless and his heart yearning for clarity.
Arav’s journey began when he read a passage in a tattered manuscript that spoke of two fundamental principles: awareness and alertness. The manuscript described awareness as the silent observer within, the unshaken witness to life’s ebb and flow, and alertness as the focused guide, the vigilant guardian that anchors one to the present. Entranced by these concepts, Arav embarked on a pilgrimage to seek Guru Dharmesh, hoping to understand these qualities and integrate them into his turbulent life.
The Arrival at the Ashram
The ashram exuded simplicity. There were no grandiose temples or ornate idols, only an open courtyard where the sacred fire burned ceaselessly. As Arav entered, he saw Guru Dharmesh seated beneath an ancient peepal tree, his eyes closed, his face radiating a serene glow.
“Welcome, young seeker,” Guru Dharmesh greeted Arav without opening his eyes, as though he had sensed the boy’s arrival long before. “What brings you to this sacred abode?”
Arav knelt, his voice trembling with reverence. “Master, I am tormented by my scattered thoughts and constant distractions. I seek your guidance to find peace and purpose.”
Guru Dharmesh opened his eyes and studied Arav. “You have come seeking awareness and alertness, the two wings that help the soul soar. Stay here, and I will teach you their essence. But remember, this path demands patience and devotion.”
Arav nodded, his heart swelling with hope. Thus began his spiritual journey under the sage’s tutelage.
The Teaching of Awareness
One misty dawn, Guru Dharmesh led Arav to a tranquil lake surrounded by wildflowers. The surface of the water mirrored the sky, its stillness disrupted only by the occasional ripple.
“Look at the lake,” Guru Dharmesh instructed. “What do you see?”
Arav replied, “I see the reflection of the sky and the surrounding trees.”
The guru smiled. “Now pick up a stone and toss it into the water.”
Arav obeyed, and the stone created ripples that distorted the reflection.
“This is the nature of awareness,” the guru explained. “The lake, in its stillness, reflects the truth. When disturbed by the ripples of thoughts and emotions, the clarity is lost. Awareness is the art of observing these ripples without becoming entangled in them. Sit here until the sun sets and simply observe the lake. Do not judge, analyze, or interfere.”
Arav sat cross-legged by the lake, his initial attempts marked by impatience. His mind wandered to the life he had left behind—the deadlines, the relationships, the chaos. But as the hours passed, he began to notice the subtleties of the lake: the interplay of light and shadow, the rhythm of the ripples, the symphony of surrounding nature. A profound stillness enveloped him, and for the first time, he felt a glimmer of awareness.
The Wisdom of the Candle
One evening, Guru Dharmesh handed Arav a lit candle and led him to a dimly lit room. “This candle represents alertness,” he said. “Hold it steady and walk around the room without letting the flame extinguish.”
Arav carefully walked, his eyes fixed on the flickering flame. With each step, he became acutely aware of his movements, the flow of air, and the delicate balance required to keep the flame alive.
“Alertness is like this flame,” Guru Dharmesh said when Arav returned. “It demands focus and vigilance. Life presents countless gusts of distraction—fear, desire, anger. But if your alertness is strong, you will navigate through them without losing your path. Practice this daily, and you will understand its essence.”
The Test of Unity
Weeks turned into months as Arav immersed himself in the teachings. One day, the guru called him for a final test. He handed Arav a bowl of water and said, “Walk to the top of the hill without spilling a single drop. At the summit, you will find the answer to your quest.”
Arav set off, his steps measured and deliberate. The rugged terrain challenged his balance, but he remained focused, the bowl an extension of his being. When he reached the summit, he saw the vast expanse of the valley bathed in golden sunlight. As he stood there, a realization dawned upon him: the journey had been a perfect union of awareness and alertness.
His awareness allowed him to perceive the beauty of the moment—the cool breeze, the scent of wildflowers, the hum of life around him. His alertness kept him grounded, ensuring the bowl remained steady despite the challenges. Together, these qualities brought harmony to his experience.
The Revelation
When Arav returned to the ashram, Guru Dharmesh greeted him with a knowing smile. “Tell me, what have you learned?”
Arav replied, “Awareness is the silent witness that embraces all of existence. It is expansive, like the sky. Alertness is the vigilant guide that sharpens my focus, ensuring I stay true to my path. Together, they create a life of balance and purpose.”
Guru Dharmesh nodded. “You have understood well. Awareness connects you to the eternal, while alertness keeps you aligned with the temporal. One without the other is incomplete. Live with this understanding, and you will find peace amidst chaos and clarity amidst confusion.”
The Journey Continues
Years later, Arav became a guide for other seekers, sharing the wisdom he had learned. He often told the story of the lake, the candle, and the bowl, each a metaphor for the interplay of awareness and alertness. Through his journey, he discovered that these qualities were not merely practices but states of being that illuminated every aspect of life.
As the seasons changed and the valley continued to echo with the teachings of Guru Dharmesh, Arav realized that his journey was not an end but a beginning—a continuous unfolding of deeper layers of awareness and alertness.
In the silence of the mountains, the flame of his being burned steady and bright, a testament to the timeless truth that awareness is the essence of existence, and alertness, is its unwavering guardian.
