Introduction: The Art of Saying “Not This, Not That”

In a world obsessed with adding more, the wisdom of negation (Neti-Neti: “Not this, Not that”) teaches us that sometimes, the best way to understand reality is by eliminating what it is not.

One of the profound texts that explains this is Drig Drishya Viveka, which explores the relationship between the seer (Drig) and the seen (Drishya). Through this process, we refine our perception, just like debugging a complex system—eliminating errors until only the essential remains.

1. What is Drig Drishya Viveka?

Drig Drishya Viveka is a Vedantic inquiry that helps us distinguish between the observer (Self) and the observed (world). The core principle is:

“The Seer is different from the Seen.”

It is based on three levels of negation:

1. Negation of External Objects → The world is seen, but I am the seer. So, I am not the world.

2. Negation of the Body & Mind → My body is seen, my thoughts are seen, but I am the one aware of them. So, I am not the body or mind.

3. Realization of the Pure Consciousness (Atman) → That which cannot be negated is my true Self.

2. How the Process of Negation Works

This method follows a logical sequence:

1. Observation (Drishya Analysis):

• You see objects, emotions, and thoughts.

• But anything that is seen cannot be the seer (just like your eyes can see everything but not themselves).

2. Elimination (Negation):

• If something is changing, it is not the real “I”.

• Example: Your thoughts change, your body ages, your emotions fluctuate—so, these are not “You.”

3. Self-Inquiry:

• If I am not my body, not my thoughts, not my emotions—then what am I?

• What remains is the pure awareness that watches everything but is itself unchanging.

3. How This Applies to Modern Life

While this may sound like deep metaphysics, Drig Drishya Viveka’s process of negation is highly practical—from mental clarity to AI prompt engineering (yes, really!).

A. In Daily Life: Debugging Your Identity

Just as a programmer removes buggy code to optimize a system, you can remove limiting beliefs that don’t serve you.

🔹 Example:

• Thought: “I am a failure.”

• Negation: “No, failure is an event I experienced, not what I am.”

• Realization: “I am the observer of my experiences, not defined by them.”

This shift helps detach from suffering and refocus on what truly matters.

B. In AI & Prompt Engineering: Removing Noise for Accuracy

• Just as negation eliminates false identity, in AI, we use negative prompts to remove irrelevant details and refine output.

• Example: Instead of saying “Describe meditation”, say “Describe meditation, but exclude religious aspects.”

• This helps AI focus on the essence, just as Vedanta helps us focus on our true nature.

C. In Science & Logic: The Power of Elimination

• Science advances through falsification—disproving theories until the truth remains.

• Vedanta does the same—negating illusions to reveal the ultimate truth.

• Example: “I think I am my body” → “But my body changes, so I am not it” → “What remains unchanged?”

4. Final Realization: The Un-Negatable Truth

Negation helps strip away illusions, but what remains cannot be negated. That is Pure Awareness (Atman)—the constant observer of all experiences.

As Sri Ramana Maharshi said:

“Discard everything that can be negated. What remains is You.”

So whether you’re trying to find inner peace, write better AI prompts, or debug a life crisis, the power of negation is your ultimate tool.

And if all else fails? Just negate the nonsense and move on!