The Journey Beyond Separation: A Tale of the Observer and the Observed from Krishnamurti’s insights

Once in a village nestled between the mountains and the sea, there lived a young man named Arjun. Arjun was a seeker of truth, always inquisitive and eager to understand the deeper mysteries of life. He spent his days contemplating the nature of existence, and his nights were filled with vivid dreams that seemed to offer glimpses into another realm.

One day, as Arjun sat beneath a sprawling banyan tree, he found himself pondering the nature of the observer and the observed. He thought about the way he saw the world around him, and the way he experienced his own thoughts and emotions. Arjun wondered why there always seemed to be a sense of separation between the observer – the one who experiences – and the observed – the experience itself.

As he meditated on this question, a wise old sage appeared before him. The sage, sensing Arjun’s confusion, offered to share his knowledge of the observer and the observed. With a warm smile, he began to tell Arjun a story.

“Once upon a time,” the sage said, “there was a great kingdom ruled by two powerful beings – the Observer and the Observed. The kingdom was vast, encompassing all the thoughts, emotions, and sensations that anyone could ever experience. The Observer was the ruler of this kingdom, watching over everything, while the Observed was the manifestation of every experience, taking countless forms.

The Observer and the Observed existed in a state of harmony, their existence intertwined like the roots of the banyan tree beneath which you sit. But as time went on, they began to drift apart. The Observer became more and more detached, watching from a distance, while the Observed grew increasingly fragmented, its experiences becoming more diverse and complex.

This separation led to the rise of a great wall, dividing the once-unified kingdom into two distinct realms. On one side of the wall, the Observer resided, detached and distant, while on the other side, the Observed continued to manifest in myriad forms, each one disconnected from the others.

Arjun, captivated by the story, asked the sage, “But why did they drift apart? What caused the separation between the Observer and the Observed?”

The sage replied, “The separation began when the Observer started to identify with its own thoughts, emotions, and experiences. Instead of seeing itself as an inseparable part of the whole, it began to believe that it was separate, distinct from the Observed. This belief created a false sense of identity, a sense of ‘I’ that became the root of all division and conflict.”

Arjun’s eyes widened as he realized the implications of the sage’s words. “So, the separation between the Observer and the Observed is an illusion, created by our own minds?”

The sage nodded. “Yes, Arjun. The true nature of the Observer and the Observed is one of unity, not division. To transcend this illusion, you must embark on a journey of self-discovery. You must turn your attention inward and observe your own thoughts, emotions, and sensations without judgment or attachment. Through this process of choiceless observation, you will begin to dissolve the wall that separates the Observer and the Observed.”

Arjun thanked the sage for his wisdom and set out on a journey to explore the depths of his own mind. Through years of diligent self-inquiry and observation, he began to see the interconnectedness of all things and the illusory nature of the separation between the Observer and the Observed.

And as the wall of separation crumbled, Arjun discovered a profound sense of peace, freedom, and wholeness that transcended all limitations. In this state of unity, he finally understood the true essence of existence and the boundless potential of the human spirit.

As the years passed, Arjun became a wise and compassionate teacher, guiding others on their own journeys of self-discovery. He shared the story of the Observer and the Observed with all who sought his counsel, reminding them of the illusion of separation and the unity that lies at the heart of existence.

In time, the message of unity spread throughout the land, and people from all walks of life began to embrace the wisdom of the Observer and the Observed. They learned to look within, to observe their thoughts and emotions without judgment, and to recognize the interconnected nature of all things.

The kingdom, once divided by the great wall of separation, was reunited, and harmony reigned once more. The Observer and the Observed, no longer divided, danced together in an eternal celebration of life, free from the shackles of illusion.

And so, the legacy of Arjun and the wisdom of the Observer and the Observed lived on, passed down from generation to generation, as a reminder that the true nature of existence lies not in division and conflict but in unity and harmony.

In this tale of the Observer and the Observed, we are reminded to look within, to examine our own minds and the divisions we create. Through choiceless observation and self-inquiry, we can begin to dissolve the illusion of separation, embracing the unity and interconnectedness that is our true nature.

As we embark on our own journeys of self-discovery, may we, like Arjun, find the wisdom to transcend the limitations of the conditioned mind and the courage to share this understanding with others, fostering a world in which the harmony of the Observer and the Observed reigns supreme.