Nisargadatta, an Indian teaching master, tells students during satsang: “Whatever you witness will not remain with you” (Prior to Consciousness: Talks with Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj, p. 56). This is at once simple and profound. Like a sharp knife.

Any sight, sound, smell, touch, or taste you witness will not remain with you. Therefore, it is not you. Therefore, discard it.

What are you?

Any thought or emotion you witness will not remain with you. Therefore, it is not you. Therefore, discard it.

What are you?

Anything witnessed by witnessing awareness is “out in front.” Who is back behind it all? Who contemplates witnessing awareness? Find that out.

If you are neither something physical nor something mental, then what are you?

Nisargadatta’s statement yields a koan: “Whatever you witness will not remain with you.” So, what remains?