Knowing Consiousness

 

As we do not clearly know consioussness and its function as it is, we hold onto knowing something, something that we get to know, in other words we tend to associate a name form. It is the state of naming a form that we encounter, for e.g. as a thing with colour and shape. However, if we endeavour to understand consioussness as it is, we need to focus on the process of consioussness.

In the simile of the bicycle, for instance, we only see the movement of the bicycle rather than its actual function. We only observe its movement from one place to another but not its mechanism, i.e. how its rear wheel rotates with turning of the push pedals, causing its  movement. 

Similarly, to understand the process of consioussness we need to focus on its function and not things that we get to know. How we comprehend consciousness as a process is the role of wisdom. On the other hand, if we focus on the name form, we are overlooking the actual process of consciousness . 

For e.g. When we talk about a building that we see, we are talking about what we see but not the process of knowing (consciousness). If knowing is discerned correctly, i.e. the consciousness as it occurs, we cannot find a building but the process of knowing or consciousness.

Wisdom enables us to clearly discern the function of consciousness where we will not find a thing that we encounter, transcending duality. Therefore, it is said that comprehension of consiousness with penetrative insight transcends the existence. 

The Buddha called it the state of 'Anidassana Vinnana' or 'unmanifested consiousness'.

It is  'Where water, earth, fire, 

& wind have no footing.

'Consciousness without feature,
without end,
luminous all around:
Here water, earth, fire, & wind
have no footing.

Its ‘Where long & short,
coarse & fine,
fair & foul,
name & form are
brought to an end.
With the cessation of consciousness
each is here brought to an end.’"

(Kevatta Sutra : DN)