About Chaitanya
Before I became a monk, I was called Peter.
For twenty years, Awakening was the central concern of my life. I meditated, went on retreats, spent time with Thich Nhat Hanh and other awakened teachers, read thousands of spiritual books, and experienced many temporary awakenings. Still, the question remained: Why am I not awake? What’s missing?
In 2005, during a near-death experience, the separation between “me” and Reality disappeared completely. After a few years, that temporary realization became stable.
What became clear was simple: Awakening is not something a separate person finally gets. The very search for Awakening hides it.
What we awaken to is always here.
Much of my Satsang is silent for that very reason. Words can point, but eventually the looking has to be your own.
My name is Chaitanya. It used to be Peter.
But that’s not what I am.
What I am cannot be described or imagined.
But it can be directly realized.
And that’s exactly what I hope for you.
When an interviewer asked Papaji who he was, he replied, “I am you.”
And I don’t think there is a better answer to that question.
I am you.
A man sat up on his roof today
A short autobiographical song about Awakening
that is as much about you as it is about me.
Connect
If you have any questions
not answered on this website,
feel free to email me directly at
chaitanya [at] n-lightenment [dot] com
I read all messages personally,
and will answer when I can.
Please write “N-lightenment”
as the subject so
I don’t miss it.
Ask Chaitanya
You can also read
questions others have asked,
see their answers, and ask
your own questions
here:
Ask Chaitanya
More Info
If you would like
more information
about me,
there are several
interviews, and a
chapter from my
latest book
available in the Library.
Library
