Qualities of Our True Nature III

Now we conclude our contemplation and discussion of the concept of the ego as “The Veil That Obscures Who We Are.”

So, what is it that is being “veiled?” What is our True Nature?

Last week we looked at the Dzogchen concept of Nature of Mind. This week, we look at the qualities of Pure Consciousness or Pure Awareness from the perspective of Non-Dual tradition, particularly as described in Advaita Vedanta. In this tradition, Pure Consciousness is regarded as the ultimate reality.

Three Qualities of the Pure Consciousness in the Non-Dual Tradition:

1. Sat (Existence): Pure consciousness is described as eternal existence. It is the unchanging reality that underlies all phenomena. Unlike the impermanent and transient world, pure consciousness is ever-present and unchanging.
   
2. Chit (Consciousness or Awareness): Pure consciousness is the self-aware, luminous, and knowing quality which is the basis of all knowledge and experience. It is not an object of perception but the subject that makes perception possible. This awareness is not limited or conditioned by any mental or physical states.
   
3. Ānanda (Bliss or Peaceful Joy): Pure consciousness is characterized by bliss, which is not an emotional state but the natural, unconditioned happiness of being itself. This peaceful joy is the result of realizing one’s true nature as non-separate from the whole of reality.
   

The Non-Dual Tradition emphasizes the intrinsic existence of pure consciousness, its self-luminous nature as the basis of all experience, and the peaceful joy that comes from realizing this true nature.

So, again, if we can accept this description, even for the sake of investigation, then the questions apply:

• Can we find this True Nature within ourselves? Where else would we go to find it?
  
• What are the qualities of our nature that we recognize from our own experience within (or outside of) our meditation practice? Do they align or resonate with the qualities above.
  
• If we recognize these qualities, can we truly accept that these qualities are who we really are, our True Nature?
  
• Do we need to understand our nature in order to accept it? Or is our True Nature, in some sense, beyond the conceptual mind?