Beyond the Mind’s Constructs
Mindfulness is all about being present, reducing stress, and being more aware.
But for those who’ve been at it for a while, a deeper question often comes up: Who’s doing all this observing?
This deeper question takes us from using mindfulness as a tool to using it as a way to understand what consciousness really is.
The ancient technique of Neti Neti from Advaita Vedanta, which means “not this, not that,” helps us peel away layers of what we think is “me.”
It’s like taking off layers of an onion to find there’s nothing inside, or rather, everything.
Neti Neti: The Practice of Deconstruction
Neti Neti isn’t about just observing; It’s beyond observing.
It’s about saying no to anything we might think is our true self.
You look at your thoughts, feelings, body, and even the sense of “I” and say, “Nope, not me.”
You must observe your thoughts until the observer of those thoughts ceases to exist.
While mindfulness teaches us to watch our thoughts come and go,
Neti Neti goes further.
It doesn’t just watch;
It breaks down the idea that any of these thoughts or the one thinking them is who we really are.
This shift moves us from being caught up in our thoughts to realizing we are the awareness behind them.
Ego as a Mental Construct
In psychology, the ego is like the manager of our identity. It’s what gives us a sense of being separate from everything else.
In Neti Neti, the ego is just another thought, a story we tell ourselves to get by.
Mindfulness helps us see the ego’s stories without getting too attached. Neti Neti goes further, showing us how to move beyond the ego:
- Thoughts come up, like “I’m anxious,” and we notice them. Then we ask, Is this really me? “No, not this.”
- Feelings like anger arise, and we feel them but realize, “This isn’t me either. Not this.”
- Self-beliefs like “I’m successful” or “I’m a failure” pop up, and we dismiss them, “Not this, not that.”
Eventually, we see even the idea of being a separate “I” is just another layer to let go of. In this letting go, the ego fades away, showing us pure awareness without any conditions.
Modern Mindfulness and the Non-Dual Path
Modern mindfulness often focuses on being here now, paying attention to our breath or body. It’s great, but sometimes it stays on the surface.
Neti Neti builds a bridge. It turns mindfulness from a way to feel better to a way to see our true nature.
It asks not just what we’re aware of, but who is aware. This small change can lead from self-improvement to realizing there’s no separate self to improve.
Practical Tips for Integrating Neti Neti into Mindfulness Practice
If you’re ready to go deeper with your mindfulness:
- Start with Mindfulness: Tune into the now. Focus on your breath, body, or thoughts. Just watch them.
- Ask Questions: When a thought or feeling shows up, ask, Is this me? Use “Not this” to let go of identifying with it.
- Rest in Awareness: After questioning everything, notice what’s left. It’s the space of awareness, formless and vast.
- Reflect: After your practice, think about what changed. Did you catch a glimpse of something beyond your usual self?
Conclusion: From Thought to Awareness
For those looking beyond the mind’s noise, Neti Neti shows a way to take apart the ego and see there’s no real boundary between us and everything else.
While mindfulness helps us see thoughts without clinging, Neti Neti shows even the watcher of those thoughts isn’t who we are.
In the end, this practice guides us to see that consciousness itself, the pure awareness not tied to any concept, is who we really are.