Awareness Quote by Barbara Gowdy
““Life is oblivion erupting, for a brief moment, into nonoblivion in order so that oblivion may proclaim... "I am." The assumption being, that living things are aware enough to make such a proclamation. Let us suppose that they are. Let us suppose that they are, to a degree, self-aware. This makes for the possibility of life recognizing itself, yes, but not as oblivion, only as life. In order for life to recognize itself as a fleeting pulse of oblivion, self-awareness, must be refined into pure awareness, which is observation unimpaired by either ego or preconceptions.””
About This Quote
The quote explores how fleeting consciousness emerges from oblivion, suggesting true self‑awareness requires pure, unbiased observation.
In simple terms: Life briefly rises from nothingness, then returns, needing clear, ego‑free perception.
Key Takeaway
Seek clear, ego‑free awareness.
Themes
consciousness
self‑awareness
existential
philosophy
Mood
thoughtful
introspective
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- meditation
- philosophical inquiry
- creative writing
- spiritual practice
Key Concepts
oblivion
pure awareness
ego
preconceptions
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we cultivate observation without ego?
- What does “pure awareness” mean to you?
A Different Perspective
The concept is abstract and may be inaccessible to many readers.
![“In the worldly life, due to maadakta (intoxication of the ego of ‘I am Chandubhai’), one has completely lost awareness of everything about one’s self. Everything in the worldly life is nothing but intoxication. The food is intoxicating, the senses are intoxicating. [Therefore] Go to the one, who…” quote by Dada Bhagwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2b3/dada-bhagwan-31_absolute_in-the-worldly-life-due-to-maadakta-into_3662.jpg)
