'Simple Being is the Self,' said the Maharshi. This being is Consciousness. The very living principle of each one of us is
this Consciousness. Any form of awareness is imbedded only in this vast expanse of Consciousness. The triple principle
dominating man's activities, called triputi, comprising the knower, the object known, and the act of knowing, occurs only
in Consciousness. Experiences are classified into avastha thraya - the waking, dreaming and the deep sleep states, -- which
also take place only in Consciousness. Likewise, the pairs of opposites, called dhwandhava, like right and wrong, good and bad,
day and night, or concepts like being and non being, get exposed only in the backdrop of Consciousness.
Thus, Consciousness is the ground or screen on which the play of the triputi, avastha thraya, and dhwandhva is enacted
endlessly. While one is aware constantly and gets involved deeply in this drama, the basis or stratum on which the play
takes place is totally forgotten.
'By whom?'
To turn one's attention from the details or activities to the source of the activity is called 'introspection'. This turning inward
is the beginning of spiritual effort, called Sadhana.
contd.,
Arunachala Siva.