The Witness

A Profound Cultural Experience

This week brought a profound experience into my life. My girlfriend and I attended a Brit Mila—a Jewish circumcision and naming ceremony—invited by a close friend. It was a momentous occasion, especially since I hadn't engaged with Jewish rituals in quite some time, and my girlfriend was entirely new to such ceremonies. The intensity of the event was palpable, but I'll spare the details of the ritual to focus on a particular aspect that has always intrigued me.

Legend has it that the spirit of the prophet Eliyahu attends every Brit Mila to witness the ceremony. Reflecting on this during and after the event stirred a realization within me. We, like all living organisms—from trees to flowers—are part of a cyclical, rhythmic pattern of existence. As Eliyahu Levitas, I am more than just a biological entity; there is something within me experiencing life through my being.

Contemplating Consciousness

As I sat in a coffee shop later, typing this blog post, I contemplated this notion further. My physical body functions—eyes seeing, fingers typing—yet, it is the consciousness within that truly experiences life. This consciousness, or divine energy, transforms routine physical actions into vivid experiences. It's this energy that allows us to perceive colors, hear sounds, and feel emotions—essentially witnessing life through our otherwise mechanical existence.

Consider this: Eliyahu Levitas, like any human, is an organism that adheres to societal norms, has aspirations, and undergoes natural life rhythms—eating, sleeping, working, and forming relationships. Similarly, a tree grows from a seed, extends its roots, and interacts with its surroundings, following its unique life pattern.

Without this consciousness, life would simply happen. But it is this awareness, this divine presence, that allows us to truly experience life. It turns mere existence into a rich tapestry of experiences. Recently, I've been meditating on this concept, and it has enabled me to quickly recognize and understand my emotions—like instantly knowing why a comment made me sad.

Defining Divine Presence

This awareness is perhaps what we mean when we speak of the presence of God—it is the witness to our lives, enabling us to experience and interact with the world in a meaningful way.

Practice: Engaging the Witness Within

To deepen your understanding and experience of the witnessing consciousness discussed in this post, I invite you to try the following practice. This simple yet profound exercise can help you connect with the divine presence within and enrich your daily experiences:

Mindful Observation Exercise

Step 1: Choose a Routine Activity

Select an activity you do daily without much thought, such as drinking a cup of coffee, walking, or even commuting.

Step 2: Engage Fully

As you begin the activity, slow down and pay close attention to every detail. Notice the colors, textures, sounds, and sensations associated with the activity. For example, observe the warmth of the coffee cup, the aroma of the coffee, the taste of each sip, and the feeling of the liquid as you swallow.

Step 3: Acknowledge the Witness

While you are observing these details, acknowledge the part of you that is noticing these things—the witness. Recognize that while your body performs the activity, it is your consciousness that truly experiences and appreciates these moments.

Step 4: Reflect on the Experience

After completing the activity, spend a few minutes reflecting on the experience. How did it feel to engage so deeply with a routine activity? Were there any new discoveries or sensations? How did recognizing the witness within alter your perception of the activity?

Step 5: Daily Application

Try to incorporate this practice into different activities throughout your day. The more you engage the witness, the more vivid and enriched your daily experiences will become.

This exercise is designed to help you cultivate a heightened state of awareness and appreciation for the mundane activities that make up your life. By practicing mindful observation, you can transform routine actions into meaningful experiences, allowing the divine witness within to illuminate the richness of everyday life.