Chapter 1: The Hypnotic Nature of Our Reality

Do you realize that we inhabit a world steeped in hypnosis? Many of us engage in distorted thinking, navigating through a fantasy constructed from language. Yet, there exists a reality beyond these words, one that is ever-present, timeless, and eternal. Unfortunately, most individuals remain oblivious to their connection with this reality. To truly grasp this reality, one must cultivate self-knowledge.

What exactly is self-knowledge? When you gaze into a mirror, you see a reflection that you identify as "I," associating it with concepts of "me" and "mine." This "I" represents your ego, the thinker within your mind, which constitutes your sense of self. Gaining an understanding of how your ego functions can provide profound insights into your mental landscape, aiding you in navigating emotional turmoil and heartbreaks. Ultimately, this knowledge empowers you to take charge of your own life. Those with a discerning intellect should strive to attain self-knowledge; without it, one may find themselves perpetually pursuing shadows.

The ego's nature is inherently possessive and territorial, rooted in our survival instincts. It seeks to dominate its surroundings, positioning itself at the center of existence. Rather than seeking truth, it pursues self-satisfaction and gratification, desiring immortality while resisting the inevitability of death. The ego acts as a time-traveler, crafting a fantasy world through the imaginative capabilities of the mind.

In my view, the ego is a product of self-hypnosis, manifesting in our conscious awareness through the use of words. The ego employs language to think, often unaware that these words serve to hypnotize us. Thus, when we engage in thought, we are essentially entrancing ourselves. Words possess a hypnotic influence over our minds, and the ego generates them to articulate thoughts, feelings, and emotions. This verbalization also propels us through time, leading us to dwell in a superficial realm defined by language and temporal constructs. Consequently, the ego remains trapped in a cycle of incessant thought, driven by the fear of vanishing if it ceases to engage in mental chatter. This incessant dialogue occupies our lives, fed by the constant stimulation from television, radio, and other forms of entertainment.

In response to this overwhelming thought process, the clever ego has devised meditation techniques to soothe the mind. However, it fails to recognize that it employs similar techniques within its own thought processes (the thinker and the thought). Thus, the meditation methods propagated by various gurus and sages, while calming, often perpetuate self-hypnosis, creating further delusions. Nevertheless, meditation serves a dual purpose: it calms the mind and facilitates the acquisition of self-knowledge.

Next, we must consider how self-hypnosis generates a world of illusions. For example, we often use terms like "spirit" or "spiritual" to describe an imagined realm beyond our present experience. When we begin to believe in such a world, we fall into delusion, much like believing in the existence of Santa Claus.

The typical thinking mode we employ—where the thinker and the thought are intertwined—induces a hypnotic state. So, how can we effectively dehypnotize ourselves and learn to hypnotize ourselves constructively, avoiding delusions? The key lies in adopting the observer and the observed mode. By halting thought, you do not vanish from your mind; instead, your ego transforms into an observer—a passive role it often resists. In this capacity, you become aware of your internal and external experiences, observing how your thoughts and emotions influence you. This awareness allows you to harmonize your inner and outer realities, making meditation a pathway to self-knowledge.

Therefore, there is only one genuine way to meditate: in the observer and observed mode. Any other approach devolves into self-hypnosis, leading to further delusions. No matter where you are, recognize the timeless reality unfolding before you. Your primary aim is to comprehend your relationship with this reality in the present moment. Look around, immerse yourself in the present, and observe everything within your field of vision without verbalizing any thoughts. In doing so, you'll gain a panoramic view of the moment, acknowledging every object without naming it. This awareness of the present remains intact in your mind. This is the mode for meditation or contemplation. In this state, you can consciously rearrange your thoughts. For example, if you typically say, "I hope I will be okay," you can transform it into "I am fine."

As thoughts or emotions arise—and they will—embrace them without attempting to control or dismiss them. Acknowledge their presence and observe how words impact them. When you refrain from verbalizing your thoughts and feelings, you may discover they lack substance. Conversely, verbalization activates them. Thus, you can learn to influence your emotions by using words wisely. If your thoughts are laden with negativity, substitute them with positive expressions and observe the shift in your feelings. Our subconscious responds to words rather than their meanings; positive words foster positive emotions, while negative words yield negative feelings.

In this contemplative mode, you can also address unresolved conflicts from your past. Rather than attempting to erase a person or situation from memory, accept them as integral to your learning journey, expressing gratitude for the lessons they provided. Each experience has contributed to your growth, making you wiser and more resilient. As you reconcile these internal conflicts, your perceptions will shift, leading to a natural sense of peace.

Typically, we operate in the thinker and thought (the thinker thinking) mode throughout our waking hours. Thus, activities like praying, singing, or reading can also serve to hypnotize us. Only by engaging in the observer and observed mode can we dehypnotize ourselves. As enlightenment unfolds, your mind will instinctively transition to the observer and observed mode, which will become your default state of awareness. Enlightenment is not a spiritual phenomenon; it is simply the awakening from self-hypnosis, a realization that we exist in a world of illusions that shouldn't be taken too seriously. When you experience the profound unity of the observer and the observed, you will recognize the timeless dimension that exists in the present moment, and you will feel a sense of oneness with it. This realization allows you to experience Nirvana in life, not merely after death.

Gaining self-knowledge demands the exercise of your cognitive faculties: perception, insight, and awareness. Lacking this knowledge, you drift aimlessly through life, much like a ship without an engine, tossed about by the waves. Conversely, with self-knowledge, you become a ship equipped with an engine, capable of navigating even the roughest waters with ease. Cultivate a thirst for self-knowledge and seize control of your destiny. Nirvana is always accessible in the present moment. Life transforms into an eternal meditation when one awakens from self-hypnosis. After this awakening, prayer may become unnecessary. For further enlightenment, consider reading my online articles.

The first video, Guided Mindfulness Meditation on Awareness of Self - A New Perspective, explores how mindfulness can deepen your self-awareness and understanding of the present moment.

The second video, Mindfulness Meditation to Observe the Self, Be the Witness | Mindful Movement, offers insights into observing your thoughts and emotions without attachment, enhancing your journey towards self-knowledge.