Discovering Object Awareness: The Truth Beyond Perception
Have you ever stopped to question the nature of the world around you? What if the objects you interact with daily—the chair you sit on, the phone in your hand—aren’t actually objects at all? What if everything you’ve ever known exists only as perception?
This concept, known as Object Awareness, invites us to examine the nature of reality and discover the profound truth of our own existence. By diving into this understanding, we begin to see that the boundaries we assign to things are illusions. What remains when these boundaries dissolve is the infinite, formless space of awareness—the true essence of being.
What is Object Awareness?
Object Awareness begins with recognizing that what we call “things” are only perceptions. No one has ever directly experienced a “thing.” What we interact with are interpretations of sensory information, filtered through our awareness.
When you observe directly—without assumptions, calculations, or predictions—you notice that the world of “things” dissolves into a seamless flow of perception. In this state, awareness becomes your primary experience. As spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle reminds us:
“You are not a drop in the ocean. You are the entire ocean in a drop.”
Object Awareness shifts your focus from external objects to the space in which they arise. This space is inseparable from your consciousness and illuminates the profound connection between all experiences.
The Illusion of Separation
The world as we perceive it is built on the assumption of separateness. Modern science, for example, is deeply rooted in the belief that objects exist independently of perception. Yet no scientist has ever directly experienced an object apart from their own awareness.
This belief in separateness is a form of faith—a reliance on what cannot be proven. Object Awareness challenges this by inviting us to release assumptions and experience life directly. When you stop describing, labeling, and categorizing, you create space for a deeper understanding of what truly is.
How to Cultivate Object Awareness
Awakening to Object Awareness doesn’t require monumental effort. It simply asks for presence.
- Pause Thought
Take a moment to stop thinking. This doesn’t mean falling into a sleepy state—it means maintaining vibrant awareness while suspending thought. - Observe Directly
Without labeling or describing, observe what remains when thought is absent. This is the space of pure perception. - Maintain Awareness
Stay present and resist the urge to analyze. Be awake in the stillness. - Experience the Light Within
Recognize that all experiences arise from the same formless awareness. This is the light that illuminates all creation.
As the Bible beautifully states:
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” – John 1:5
This light is the core of your being. It connects all things, revealing the unity behind the illusion of separateness.
Living in the Light of Awareness
Object Awareness is not about escaping reality but embracing it fully. When you stop clinging to the notion of separateness, you awaken to the truth that everything arises from a shared essence. Love, awareness, and being are inseparable from the objects of perception—they are the foundation of existence itself.
This realization transforms how you live. Life becomes less about acquiring or understanding objects and more about embracing the luminous awareness that illuminates all. In this space, you discover your true nature: formless, infinite, and profoundly connected to all.
Closing Thought
Let Object Awareness be your guide. Step beyond the veil of illusion and rest in the spaciousness of your being. As you awaken to the formless light within, you’ll see that everything—every thought, sensation, and perception—is a dance of awareness.
“Know the light, and you know God. Know everything.”
Diving Deeper into the Video by Bentinho:
Everyday, we move through life believing we’re experiencing real, tangible things. Yet, Bentinho points out a profound realization: we’ve never actually interacted with a “thing”. Instead, all we’ve ever known is perception. It’s a baffling truth to grapple with – we’ve never directly experienced an object outside of our own perception.
Let’s simplify this. Consider for a moment that everything you’ve ever experienced is just a series of perceptions. You’ve never touched a “real” apple, you’ve only interacted with your perception of an apple. 7 billion people move through the world under the assumption that they’re amidst tangible things, yet no one has ever truly encountered a thing outside of their perception.
Interestingly, even science, which we often regard as the beacon of objectivity, is rooted in this same conundrum. Many scientific explorations rest upon the study of objects, yet if we’ve never experienced an actual object, isn’t this pursuit based on a foundational belief? In this sense, science becomes a belief system, similar to religious faith.
But let’s not get lost in the maze of perceptions and beliefs. The real invitation here is to dive into a direct experience of life, without the interference of our descriptive minds. It’s about being present, being heartful, and seeing things as they truly are. As Bentinho emphasizes, “The less you think, the more you see.” It’s a call to awaken awareness.
Take a moment to pause and cease your thoughts. Remain aware of what’s left when your mind stops chattering. What you find might surprise you. When you remove thought, you find the ever-present awareness, the wide open space of your being. This awareness is like a light that illuminates all our experiences, much like a projector casting a movie on a screen.
And this awareness, this light, is inseparable from everything. It’s the foundation, the essence, of every experience. It’s a profound realization to see that everything is made up of this loving awareness, this divine light.
“The less you think, the more you see; when you stop thinking, what remains? Be awake to witness that moment.” – Bentinho Massaro
The Bible reinforces this idea in 1 John 1:5, “God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.” Much like Bentinho’s message, this verse speaks to the omnipresent nature of divine light and awareness.
Summary Points:
- The Illusion of Separation: We perceive a world of separate objects, but this is an illusion created by our minds.
- The Primacy of Perception: All we ever experience is our own perception, not things in themselves.
- The Dreamlike Nature of Reality: The world we experience is a kind of dream, a projection of our consciousness.
- Object Awareness as Awakening: Recognizing the illusory nature of separation leads to a deeper understanding of reality.
- Presence as the Key: Being fully present, without judgment or thought, allows us to experience the world directly.
- Freedom from the Illusion: Letting go of the illusion of things can lead to liberation and a deeper connection with the world.
Actions:
Let Go of Thoughts: Practice quieting the mind and allowing thoughts to arise and pass without attachment.
Practice Mindfulness: Engage in mindfulness practices like meditation to cultivate present moment awareness.
Question Your Perceptions: Challenge your assumptions about the solidity and separateness of objects.
Connect with Your Senses: Pay close attention to your sensory experiences without labeling or judging them.
Spend Time in Nature: Immerse yourself in the natural world and observe the interconnectedness of all things.
Reflect on Your Experiences: Contemplate the nature of your own perception and the reality it creates.