Throughout human history, we’ve known there’s more than meets the physical eye, and scientists have spent a great amount of effort investigating the physical world, from the microscopic to the boundaries of our universe and beyond. Research on human consciousness has lagged behind somewhat, but there are well-developed philosophies elaborated by those who spent time investigating it.

Historically, these are the ṛṣis, the seers, the see-ers—those who have turned their awareness inside to their own consciousness—exploring and investigating its makeup to describe the nature of reality. And what some of these seers discovered—not unlike what modern science has discovered—is that there is a unifying energy, a source that underlies, unfolds, and enfolds all of the material world.

The Tantric tradition articulates that beyond the physical reality and our everyday bodily existence there is a Sourceplace that is the ground of being, which pulsates everything into existence as part of Itself. This statement is such an extraordinary and paradoxical teaching that it is challenging for us to understand within the limited perspective of our body-mind.

In fact, some traditions simply say “it” cannot be described and refuse to do so. And they are right to some extent, because any words will inevitably fall short of fully representing the highest reality. This unmanifest sourceplace has been given many names in the different streams and traditions of yoga. The Upaniṣads speak of Brahman, and the Tantric tradition speaks of Śiva, Śiva-Śakti, Cit, and Citi, among other names.

The Tantric tradition asserts that everything emanates into existence from Source, including you. You are not separate. You are Consciousness. This profound and core teaching requires a willingness to sit with paradox. For now, simply allow these ideas to permeate your awareness.

Before going further, stop to contemplate how YOU think about this highest sourceplace.

Ask yourself

Who am I?

What animates your everyday consciousness? Where does your moment-by-moment awareness come from?

What is beneath the surface awareness?

Do you think of a higher consciousness as separate from you, or part of you?

Is it possible that you are God incarnate?

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SS 1.1 caitanyam–ātmā

caitanyam: supreme Consciousness

ātmā:Self

Consciousness is the Self.

The first sūtra from the core text of Tantra, the Śiva Sūtra, says that the highest reality, Caitanya, is our very own self, ātmā (SS 1.1). The first word of this first sūtra, caitanya, comes from the word cit, meaning “Consciousness,” pure eternal intelligence. As already noted, this Highest Consciousness has many names including Cit. This sūtra indicates that Cit is the nature of the Self, here called the ātmā.

Ātma or ātman is a word used in many of the older texts, particularly the Upaniṣads, to name individual Consciousness, that spark of divinity or spirit within each of us. SS 1.1 is simply translated as: “Consciousness is the Self.” The full, free, perfect Consciousness is the true Self and the essence of the individual self. This is so important to remember: in Tantric philosophy, when discussing the Highest, we are not talking about something separate or out there but, instead, that which is our own innate consciousness.

Word order is important in these sūtra texts, and “Consciousness” is the first word of the first sūtra, indicating that it is the most important and highest teaching of this text. Then the first sūtra, “Consciousness is the Self,” indicates that supreme Consciousness manifests as our very own Self. Part of how this sūtra encapsulates the highest teaching is that it captures the paradox of our humanity.

There is a sense that every human being at essence is good, full, and perfect, which some call “divine.” Yet, as individuals in the domain of the relative manifest reality, we don’t necessarily experience ourselves and others as divine. Turning the translation around to “Self is Consciousness” in this sūtra indicates there is a pathway from our individual self back to the absolute Consciousness. This is our path of yoga.

REFLECT AND EXPLORE

Contemplate any of the following:

– the notion of Consciousness

– the notion of Self/ātmā

– the alternate translations of SS 1.1 as “Consciousness is the self” and “Self is Consciousness.”

Consider the statement “I am Consciousness.” How have you experienced this?