A common question that arises for the seeker is " how did the I, the Pure Self, the Infinite Lord, become this little self, the ego?". It is a very valid question as the Guru has repeatedly emphasized that you are none other than the Absolute, the Self. One must wonder as to how the Self got contaminated, so to speak, and become this imperfect self, the ego. The answer to this question again depends on the level of maturity of the seeker. Or rather, from what level of understanding is the seeker approaching this question. For those who can accept the teaching of the Guru, the answer is simply "no particular cause". But, the seeker may not be satisfied with that answer and may continue to wonder or become frustrated for a lack of answer.
To understand this better it is essential for the seeker to undertake a detailed and in-depth study of Vedanta. The important thing to note though is that a study of the subject of Vedanta is in itself not enough. It is important to arrange the ideas that arise from this study in a correct order and to be able to cogitate and meditate on the matter on a daily basis.
It is important to understand that all such questions arise only in the mind. You do not ask these or any other questions when you are in deep sleep. Hence, an easy way may be to find out what exactly is the mind. Once, the nature of the mind is figured out, then the contents of the mind can be more easily figured out.
The mind appears and disappears in a 24 hour period. The mind is absent in deep sleep but is fully functional in the wakeful state and partially so in the dream state. So, what exactly is the mind? Is it a thing?Is it present in the brain as you may be postulating? Just so you know, neuroscience has not yet figured out the exact location of what you may call the "mind". The mind is nothing but thoughts. And thoughts do not have any material mass. To go deeper into the understanding of the mind, one has to go deeper into the understanding of the "person" investigating it.
It boils down to understanding this "I", the "person", the "individual", the self, who is investigating the mind and all other questions about Vedanta. At this juncture, you have the choice of investigating the nature of your self or investigating the nature of the mind. By investigating the nature of your Self, you will without any effort get an answer about the nature of the mind.
But, those who do not want to wait till they find out the nature of the Self, may want an easy answer to the nature of the mind. For this answer, while there are many texts in Vedanta that will answer it, none is more easy to understand than the introduction to Vedanta " Vivekachoodamani" or "The Crest Jewel of Discrimination" written as 580 verses by the great Adi Shankaracharya in the eight century A.D. In this text, the Acharya explains that due to ignorance, man identifies the Self with the not-Self thereby bringing about bondage and the miseries of birth and death. He considers the perishable body as real and nourishes and cherishes it. As a result, he becomes bound much like the silk-worm in its cocoon, woven by its own threads. This bondage comes about due to the fact that you forgot your true self. The cause of this forgetfulness is ignorance (avidya). The acharya gives a wonderful example of the moon(mind) eclipsing the sun(Self) from the observer (me). As long as there is this mind between me and my Self, the glory of the Self is eclipsed from me. Mind being a manifestation of ignorance (avidya) has to be transcended to realize the Self and thereby bring about an end to the idea of bondage and the sufferings associated with it.
Showing posts with label Mind. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mind. Show all posts
Monday, August 15, 2016
Sunday, August 30, 2015
Are You Out of Your Mind?
When one is instructed to focus on the Self, one believes that it means to focus the mind on an objective Self. The reflected light of the mind allows one to perceive objects of the outer world. But, that is not what the Guru has told you to do in the process of Self Inquiry. In fact, the Self being called by various names including the Heart, leads one to believe that it is some thing inside the body. In fact, there is confusion created in the mind of the seeker, when he/she hears of the Heart being on the right side of the chest, whereas we all know that the physical heart is on the left side of the chest. But that is not what the Guru is pointing to. The Guru is only trying to guide your mind towards the source of the "I". The reason as to why the right side of the chest is pointed to is obvious when you consider that in every culture, a person will always point to the right side of the chest when he/she wants to point to himself or herself.
The Self (or the Heart) is actually neither inside nor outside the body and both inside and outside the body. It is like space without any conditioning whatsoever, including the objective description of space. It is beyond or prior to time and space. Time and space are concepts created by the mind.
In fact, what is self luminous, like the Self, does not need the reflected light of the mind to be seen. Just like the sun does not need the light of a lamp to be seen. It is only in darkness (of ignorance) that one needs a light to be able to see. Similarly, the reflected light of the mind is needed only to see one's own ignorance.
To find your self you have to focus your mind on IT. What then does focusing the mind on the Self mean? It means that instead of focusing the mind on what is outside, such as the body or the objects in the world, one has to TURN the MIND INWARDS towards its SOURCE. As the mind turns its attention inwards it loses itself, leaving the glory of the Self to shine forth effortlessly. What you really, really ARE, is OUT of your Mind!!
The Self (or the Heart) is actually neither inside nor outside the body and both inside and outside the body. It is like space without any conditioning whatsoever, including the objective description of space. It is beyond or prior to time and space. Time and space are concepts created by the mind.
In fact, what is self luminous, like the Self, does not need the reflected light of the mind to be seen. Just like the sun does not need the light of a lamp to be seen. It is only in darkness (of ignorance) that one needs a light to be able to see. Similarly, the reflected light of the mind is needed only to see one's own ignorance.
To find your self you have to focus your mind on IT. What then does focusing the mind on the Self mean? It means that instead of focusing the mind on what is outside, such as the body or the objects in the world, one has to TURN the MIND INWARDS towards its SOURCE. As the mind turns its attention inwards it loses itself, leaving the glory of the Self to shine forth effortlessly. What you really, really ARE, is OUT of your Mind!!
Thursday, April 30, 2015
The Imperfect and the Perfect
When your True Nature is supposed to be so perfect why is it that you feel imperfect? This is a very common question that arises in the mind of the seeker. To answer that question it is important to qualify what is imperfect. Well, a person may say that his or her life is "perfect the way it is right now". In that case, what is the need for searching for any perfection? That is a valid way of thinking and it is perhaps true for some persons to make that statement with a fair amount of certainty in what they are saying at that moment. The question is for how long can one be certain of the status of the current environment that makes one say that it is "perfect as it is right now"? A small calamity may change one's circumstances in a dramatic way and then would it be possible to say that his or her life is "perfect the way it is right now"?
As long as there are desires of the mind, or the body, or the intellect, there is bound to be imperfection. There is imperfection, as long as there is a need for more knowledge, need for more material wealth, need to be loved, need to be appreciated, need to be accepted, need for recognition, need to add or remove something from what is. Imperfection is the lack of satisfaction with the current status or what is or the lack of certainty of satisfaction of the current status continuing into the future. Nothing in this material world is permanent and all is subject to change, like it or not.
Imperfection is the very nature of one's individual identity or ego (jeeva). Imperfections are associated with the material envelopments of your True Nature i.e. the body-mind-intellect. When identified with the body-mind-intellect, you are no longer your True Nature. In your state of Perfection, i.e. your True Nature, you no longer have any association with the material envelopments. There are no needs to be fulfilled, there are no desires to be met, and there is nothing that can be added or removed. Yes, that is perfection.
As long as there are desires of the mind, or the body, or the intellect, there is bound to be imperfection. There is imperfection, as long as there is a need for more knowledge, need for more material wealth, need to be loved, need to be appreciated, need to be accepted, need for recognition, need to add or remove something from what is. Imperfection is the lack of satisfaction with the current status or what is or the lack of certainty of satisfaction of the current status continuing into the future. Nothing in this material world is permanent and all is subject to change, like it or not.
Imperfection is the very nature of one's individual identity or ego (jeeva). Imperfections are associated with the material envelopments of your True Nature i.e. the body-mind-intellect. When identified with the body-mind-intellect, you are no longer your True Nature. In your state of Perfection, i.e. your True Nature, you no longer have any association with the material envelopments. There are no needs to be fulfilled, there are no desires to be met, and there is nothing that can be added or removed. Yes, that is perfection.
Sunday, June 30, 2013
If Only I could Kill My Ego
As you may be aware by reading through the Advaita literature, that a lot of advice is given on how it is important to kill the ego as the means of Self Realization. Let us look at this topic in our discussion today. The ego is nothing but the "I-thought" or the idea of being an individual. In fact, the ego and the mind are one and the same. Why? The first thought which is the basis of all other thoughts is the thought- "I". When the first person, I, arises, all other thoughts arise and are all linked to this primary thought - "I". Therefore, it is essential to decipher the source of this very first thought, or the "I- thought" as the way to realizing one's True Nature or Self Realization as it is called. The ego is the first person, the I, or the individual that one believes oneself to be. The ego makes one believe that he or she is a separate entity with substance and its own independent existence.
The very idea that you being the ego, will somehow go about and kill the ego is itself ludicrous. There is no doubt that the ego trying to kill itself would be a futile exercise since it would be similar to suicide, though not physically. Well, that is not the goal of Self Realization, certainly! If all who have Realized their Self would be dead, then there should have been no one to pass on this Knowledge to others? As Ramana Maharshi has said, the ego trying to kill the ego is similar to a thief pretending to be the policeman and wanting to catch the thief. There can be nothing more ridiculous. But, despite this very obvious statement, many a seeker still wants to be deluded into believing that somehow the ego can be controlled or killed. Because of this misunderstanding, the seeker will try to somehow seek out a method (or sadhana) to do so. After going around in circles, as would be not surprising considering the very nature of the goal in mind, the seeker becomes frustrated and helpless. Many others will say that Advaita teaching is impractical and still others may say that it is a fatalistic philosophy. Unfortunately, many a seeker has been led astray because of misunderstanding of the teachings.
This statement about the ego needs clarification for many. The ego cannot and should not be sought out for destruction in some way. Instead, it is essential for one to find out if the ego has any existence apart from the consciousness. Does the ego have any substance or independent nature apart from consciousness? Is it not true that you have to be conscious to know you exist as an individual? In this realm of consciousness, the idea of being a first person- "I", arises. This "I" is nothing but the thought- I, or the ego. A thought has no substance. Look for it and SEE for yourself. A thought has no substance and has no independent existence apart from consciousness. When there are no thoughts including the "I-thought", you still exist. Try it and see. Stop all thoughts even for a moment. You do not fall apart.
When sincerely inquired into, the ego is like a ghost. It vanishes like the ghost which never existed in the first place. And yet, there is no denying that there is awareness or the sense of being without being this or that. This stillness, which is pure beingness, is experienced by all when the "I-thought" subsides, however transient it may be. So, the question finally arises, why and how would you want to kill something that doesn't exist? Why kill the ego when it is unreal and has no existence apart from consciousness? Why not instead investigate and find out the nature of the ego and realize that it is like a ghost? How can you kill a ghost? So, give up the idea of killing the ego or the mind, and instead focus on inquiring into the nature of the ego or the mind.
The very idea that you being the ego, will somehow go about and kill the ego is itself ludicrous. There is no doubt that the ego trying to kill itself would be a futile exercise since it would be similar to suicide, though not physically. Well, that is not the goal of Self Realization, certainly! If all who have Realized their Self would be dead, then there should have been no one to pass on this Knowledge to others? As Ramana Maharshi has said, the ego trying to kill the ego is similar to a thief pretending to be the policeman and wanting to catch the thief. There can be nothing more ridiculous. But, despite this very obvious statement, many a seeker still wants to be deluded into believing that somehow the ego can be controlled or killed. Because of this misunderstanding, the seeker will try to somehow seek out a method (or sadhana) to do so. After going around in circles, as would be not surprising considering the very nature of the goal in mind, the seeker becomes frustrated and helpless. Many others will say that Advaita teaching is impractical and still others may say that it is a fatalistic philosophy. Unfortunately, many a seeker has been led astray because of misunderstanding of the teachings.
This statement about the ego needs clarification for many. The ego cannot and should not be sought out for destruction in some way. Instead, it is essential for one to find out if the ego has any existence apart from the consciousness. Does the ego have any substance or independent nature apart from consciousness? Is it not true that you have to be conscious to know you exist as an individual? In this realm of consciousness, the idea of being a first person- "I", arises. This "I" is nothing but the thought- I, or the ego. A thought has no substance. Look for it and SEE for yourself. A thought has no substance and has no independent existence apart from consciousness. When there are no thoughts including the "I-thought", you still exist. Try it and see. Stop all thoughts even for a moment. You do not fall apart.
When sincerely inquired into, the ego is like a ghost. It vanishes like the ghost which never existed in the first place. And yet, there is no denying that there is awareness or the sense of being without being this or that. This stillness, which is pure beingness, is experienced by all when the "I-thought" subsides, however transient it may be. So, the question finally arises, why and how would you want to kill something that doesn't exist? Why kill the ego when it is unreal and has no existence apart from consciousness? Why not instead investigate and find out the nature of the ego and realize that it is like a ghost? How can you kill a ghost? So, give up the idea of killing the ego or the mind, and instead focus on inquiring into the nature of the ego or the mind.
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Why You Are NOT The Mind - Part 2
Now that you have hopefully convinced yourself that you are not the material body, it is time to convince yourself fully that your are not the immaterial mind. Before we go any further, what exactly is the mind? It certainly is not matter, contrary to what you may think. The mind is nothing but a bundle of thoughts. Let us examine if you can be the mind.
There are several ways in which one can go about investigating this subject. It does not matter how you convince yourself as long as you can and develop the strong conviction that there is no way you can be the mind. Depending on what hits home one can reach one's conclusion his or her own way.
One way would be to examine the subject versus the object. For example, right now you are looking at a computer screen, which is an object. If asked as to who owns the computer, you may say "my computer". In that case, there is an "I'(me) -the subject and there is the "not-I" which would be the object or in this case the computer screen. Same way, you can point to your pen and once again you may say "my pen". In this case there is the "me or I"- the subject and there is the pen (not "I"). In the same way, you can point to your hand and say "my hand". Again, "my" (the subject) and the hand ("not-me"). You can also qualify that statement by saying that "I am the knower of the existence of my hand". In this case, the knower would be "I" and the known would be "the hand" ("not I"). You can say "my thoughts" quite correctly since you know the thoughts and are aware of your thoughts. Therefore there is the "I" (the knower of the thoughts) and there are the "thoughts" ("not-I"- the known or the object of your knowledge). Since you know your thoughts you obviously cannot be the thoughts. The knower (subject) cannot be the known (object). Since you are the knower of the mind, you cannot be the mind.
Another way to go about it would be to see if you can actually be a thought. A thought is transient. It comes and goes. However, you cannot deny the fact that you exist apart from thoughts. You KNOW that you are, right now and right here. Even if the thoughts are constantly changing, you remain as you are - unchanging. In the absence of thoughts, you ARE. For instance, there are no thoughts in deep dreamless sleep. Yet, you cannot deny the fact that you existed in deep dreamless sleep. For you wake up and say "I slept". For one to have remembrance or memory of the experience of absence of thoughts(like in deep dreamless sleep) one would have to have existed then and now to recollect that experience. To put it another way, without your existence in deep dreamless sleep, there is no way you can recall your experience of ignorance or forgetfulness or absence of thoughts during sleep. Once again, you are the KNOWER of your experience of absence of thoughts (the KNOWN) in deep dreamless sleep. Therefore, the subject- "I" is beyond or prior to the object and existed in the absence of thoughts. The subject, "I", is beyond objectification for as soon as you try to objectify the "I",there has to be another "I-the knower" of the "I" that you are trying to objectify or know .
There are so many ways in which one can investigate to attain the conviction that one is not the mind. At the end of this investigation, you are sure that you are neither the mind nor the body. So, where does that leave you?
There are several ways in which one can go about investigating this subject. It does not matter how you convince yourself as long as you can and develop the strong conviction that there is no way you can be the mind. Depending on what hits home one can reach one's conclusion his or her own way.
One way would be to examine the subject versus the object. For example, right now you are looking at a computer screen, which is an object. If asked as to who owns the computer, you may say "my computer". In that case, there is an "I'(me) -the subject and there is the "not-I" which would be the object or in this case the computer screen. Same way, you can point to your pen and once again you may say "my pen". In this case there is the "me or I"- the subject and there is the pen (not "I"). In the same way, you can point to your hand and say "my hand". Again, "my" (the subject) and the hand ("not-me"). You can also qualify that statement by saying that "I am the knower of the existence of my hand". In this case, the knower would be "I" and the known would be "the hand" ("not I"). You can say "my thoughts" quite correctly since you know the thoughts and are aware of your thoughts. Therefore there is the "I" (the knower of the thoughts) and there are the "thoughts" ("not-I"- the known or the object of your knowledge). Since you know your thoughts you obviously cannot be the thoughts. The knower (subject) cannot be the known (object). Since you are the knower of the mind, you cannot be the mind.
Another way to go about it would be to see if you can actually be a thought. A thought is transient. It comes and goes. However, you cannot deny the fact that you exist apart from thoughts. You KNOW that you are, right now and right here. Even if the thoughts are constantly changing, you remain as you are - unchanging. In the absence of thoughts, you ARE. For instance, there are no thoughts in deep dreamless sleep. Yet, you cannot deny the fact that you existed in deep dreamless sleep. For you wake up and say "I slept". For one to have remembrance or memory of the experience of absence of thoughts(like in deep dreamless sleep) one would have to have existed then and now to recollect that experience. To put it another way, without your existence in deep dreamless sleep, there is no way you can recall your experience of ignorance or forgetfulness or absence of thoughts during sleep. Once again, you are the KNOWER of your experience of absence of thoughts (the KNOWN) in deep dreamless sleep. Therefore, the subject- "I" is beyond or prior to the object and existed in the absence of thoughts. The subject, "I", is beyond objectification for as soon as you try to objectify the "I",there has to be another "I-the knower" of the "I" that you are trying to objectify or know .
There are so many ways in which one can investigate to attain the conviction that one is not the mind. At the end of this investigation, you are sure that you are neither the mind nor the body. So, where does that leave you?
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Anchor the Mind to Its Source
The mind is both the source of joy and sorrow. Since the seeker associates himself or herself to be an entity with a mind, the entity goes up and down with the mind. Hence, the feeling of being happy or sad. This problem of ups and downs is the reason most seek out an answer. Everyone wants to be only happy and who would not? There are two ways to go about figuring out how to get out of this mess. The best way is to disregard the mind and investigate the entity ("me"). The other way is to investigate the mind itself and realize its nature, its functioning and source.
A lot of spiritual practices will encourage one to control the mind. Mind is nothing but a bundle of thoughts. It is not an objective entity. One who has tried to control the mind will be able to testify how difficult this can be. Instead, would it not be a lot easier if the seeking entity (called "me") SEES the falseness of itself and disengages from the activities of the mind? If one can come around to doing Self-Inquiry (vichara), there is no better solution than that. However, this article is for those of us for whom Self-Inquiry is not feasible or easily understood. Perhaps for some, purifying the mind may be the first step towards greater and eventual goals like knowing one's own True Nature.
It is peace of mind which the seeker wants and is that not what most of us want? How can one get peace of mind? Common experience tells you that the more you try to control it the more it rebels. Meditation is certainly a temporary solution. If peace of mind, even temporary, is what you want, then meditation is not a bad answer. But what kind of meditation?
When one keeps oneself engaged in thoughts, the thoughts multiply. One gets lost in more and more thoughts. The thoughts lead one away from one's own self. However, if the mind can be turned around and gently focused on the source from where the thoughts arise, then the thoughts gradually lose their energy and subside into their source. Do not try to stop the thoughts. Just watch where they come from and be the silent witness of the thoughts. Do not get carried away into the thoughts. Always bring your attention back to the source of the thoughts. Anchoring the mind to its source brings about peace almost immediately. One falls into the state of thoughtlessness, which is your Natural State. Repeated practice of this simple meditation of bringing one's attention to the source of the thoughts will take one deeper into further insights of one's own True Nature.
A lot of spiritual practices will encourage one to control the mind. Mind is nothing but a bundle of thoughts. It is not an objective entity. One who has tried to control the mind will be able to testify how difficult this can be. Instead, would it not be a lot easier if the seeking entity (called "me") SEES the falseness of itself and disengages from the activities of the mind? If one can come around to doing Self-Inquiry (vichara), there is no better solution than that. However, this article is for those of us for whom Self-Inquiry is not feasible or easily understood. Perhaps for some, purifying the mind may be the first step towards greater and eventual goals like knowing one's own True Nature.
It is peace of mind which the seeker wants and is that not what most of us want? How can one get peace of mind? Common experience tells you that the more you try to control it the more it rebels. Meditation is certainly a temporary solution. If peace of mind, even temporary, is what you want, then meditation is not a bad answer. But what kind of meditation?
When one keeps oneself engaged in thoughts, the thoughts multiply. One gets lost in more and more thoughts. The thoughts lead one away from one's own self. However, if the mind can be turned around and gently focused on the source from where the thoughts arise, then the thoughts gradually lose their energy and subside into their source. Do not try to stop the thoughts. Just watch where they come from and be the silent witness of the thoughts. Do not get carried away into the thoughts. Always bring your attention back to the source of the thoughts. Anchoring the mind to its source brings about peace almost immediately. One falls into the state of thoughtlessness, which is your Natural State. Repeated practice of this simple meditation of bringing one's attention to the source of the thoughts will take one deeper into further insights of one's own True Nature.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Faith in the Guru
A seeker must have complete faith in the sayings and teachings of the Guru. The Guru may sound incomprehensible at times and the mind of the seeker may have doubts about the teachings. In fact, it is not uncommon for the Guru to contradict himself/herself quite often. This can create confusion in the mind of the seeker. But, realize that the Guru is trying to quell any doubts in the mind of the seeker from all angles. The Guru wants to ensure that the ego (seeker) has no chance of escape from the sword of the Guru. The seeker must not take the contradictions in the teachings as a sign of lack of knowledge on part of the Guru. The Guru, if addressing multiple seekers, has to present different types of pointers to the Truth to different seekers depending on their mental conditioning. Hence, the numerous pointers to the one and only Truth.
Having complete faith in the Guru is extremely essential to realize the Truth. In fact, complete and unconditional surrender to the Guru is absolutely a must for one to realize the Truth. On listening to the Guru, the most common error on part of the seeker is trying to conceptualize the teachings. On the other hand, when one surrenders completely to the Guru, all conceptualizing ends and the mind and the intellect having surrendered, the subtle intuitive powers take over and reveal the Truth. On listening to the Guru, one cannot intellectually comprehend the Truth. However, on surrendering one's mind and intellect at the feet of the Guru, something clicks at an intuitive level and suddenly the Truth, which was always present but not obvious, becomes obvious.
Remember, the words of the Guru are final. Have no doubt about that. The Guru is not an individual or an entity. The Guru is none other than your Self.
Having complete faith in the Guru is extremely essential to realize the Truth. In fact, complete and unconditional surrender to the Guru is absolutely a must for one to realize the Truth. On listening to the Guru, the most common error on part of the seeker is trying to conceptualize the teachings. On the other hand, when one surrenders completely to the Guru, all conceptualizing ends and the mind and the intellect having surrendered, the subtle intuitive powers take over and reveal the Truth. On listening to the Guru, one cannot intellectually comprehend the Truth. However, on surrendering one's mind and intellect at the feet of the Guru, something clicks at an intuitive level and suddenly the Truth, which was always present but not obvious, becomes obvious.
Remember, the words of the Guru are final. Have no doubt about that. The Guru is not an individual or an entity. The Guru is none other than your Self.
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