See what is happening. Recognize what is aware.
Vimal Kriya™ is Vimal Joshi's direct awareness framework for investigating experience through three dimensions: Paristhiti, Manosthiti and Atmasthiti — from what is happening, to what the mind is doing, to the question of Being.
Three layers. One simple act of seeing.
Paristhiti — What is happening.
The external situation as it is being experienced, including the body as part of the observable physical experience.
Manosthiti — What the mind is doing.
Thoughts, emotions, interpretations and reactions arising in response to the situation.
Atmasthiti — The being state.
The recognition of the aware presence in which the situation, thoughts, emotions and reactions are known.
Do not immediately solve the experience. First see it.
Vimal Kriya™ is an invitation to distinguish what is happening from the mental response to what is happening — and then notice the awareness in which both are appearing.
1. Recognize the situation.
What is actually happening right now?
2. Notice the mind.
What thoughts, emotions, interpretations or reactions are appearing?
3. Recognize awareness.
What is aware of this entire experience?
4. Rest without adding more.
Allow the experience to be known without immediately turning it into another problem to solve.
Someone criticizes your work.
Paristhiti
The person says something critical. That is the observable event.
Manosthiti
Thoughts may arise: “They don't respect me.” Emotion may arise: anger, hurt or defensiveness.
Atmasthiti
You notice the entire experience — words, sensations, thoughts and emotion — is being known. The seeing creates space before the next response.
Vimal Kriya™ is not another method for changing experience.
It is a way of looking. The body, thoughts and emotions are experienced as changing aspects of life. Self-inquiry then asks: what is aware of these changes?
The movement is from identifying with what is happening to recognizing the knowing presence in which what is happening is experienced.
Experience is present. Experience is known.
From there, inquiry can become simpler: knowing is prior to interpretation; knowing is self-evident; nothing needs to be added to what is already present.
Awareness becomes practical when you can recognize it in the middle of life.
Vimal Kriya™ can be explored through guided experiences, self-inquiry and practical awareness work.