This talk reflects on the nature of the observing self as described by Joko Beck. The observing self is distinguished from the conceptual or personal self. In a sense it is a knowing or awareness that is embodied. We are aware of being aware. This is the miracle. This body is aware. We can see and describe our body as object, but we cannot describe the body as subject. The body as subject cannot be observed. The observing self is no other than the body as subject. We can describe our experience of the contents of awareness but not that which is the experiencer. Awareness is the light or the lamp that “lights up” these contents. Practice is to illuminate these contents and explore them at greater and greater depth. When we are “lost in thought” we have fallen asleep, and we have lost the observing function. We have identified with the thought. In order to “wake-up” from the dream we return to the observing function. We wake up to the “wonder”. What is this wonder?

“This space of wonder- entering into heaven – opens when we are no longer caught up in ourselves: when it is no longer “I”, but “Thou”. There is no barrier. The gate is really no-gate. The barriers are the veils – the dualistic emotions and constructs that blind us to the wonder that is always here. This very body is Buddha!