While a spiritual guru would often say that certain knowledge is beyond intellect, I will still try an approach in two parts to prove logically that a being is beyond a body-mind complex.
Part-A
Let us consider the following statements:
If I can witness a book lying on the table, I am not that book. The book is separate from me.
If I can witness my pen, I am not that pen. My pen is separate from me.
If I am a witness to myself listening to music, I am not music. The music is separate from me.
This can go on and on…….
Based on the above, we have the following axiom:
Axiom: If I can witness something or if I am a witness to something, I am not that something. I am separate from that. Now, consider the following deductions:
I can witness my hands, legs etc. or my body, so I am not my body.
I am a witness to the reflex action that happens due to electric shock, sudden pain etc., so I am not my nervous system.
I am a witness to my drowsy state at the time of sleeping. So, I am not my subconscious mind.
I am a witness to the emotions of being happy, sad etc. and am a witness to the sensations of taste, smell etc. So, I am not my conscious mind.
I am a witness to my intellect making choices, so I am not my intellect.
Part-B
During deep sleep, while my mind is unconscious or it does not seem to exist, I do find myself when I am awake. This means that I did exist even when the mind did not seem to exist. So, I cannot be my unconscious mind.
Generally, a person identifies himself/herself with body-mind and is not aware of the presence of the source. In some moments one can experience a silent presence if one pays attention. In such moments the inner-self becomes aware of itself.
Meditation (ध्यान/dhyan) is the experience of the inner-self. It is a state where one does not identify with the body-mind and experiences the inner-self. In this state one can observe the activities of the body-mind without getting attached to the thoughts. Since most of the human suffering is due to the attachment with the thoughts, it ends when this attachment ceases. In deep state of meditation, one identifies with the inner-self itself (which means witnessing body-mind as a separate entity) and eventually there is a sense of oneness with everything which is called Samadhi. Samadhi is like deep sleep with full awareness. In the highest state of Samadhi, the individual being identifies with the universal field or experiences expanded-self.
1. A flower blossoms with its natural beauty and smell whether anybody notices it or not.
2. I want to sing like the birds sing, not worrying about who hears or what they think – Rumi.
3.
– Gita
The above implies that you control your actions, but never the fruits of the actions. Let not the fruits of actions be your motive, nor let your attachment towards something be a cause of inaction.
Original tune composed for Kabir’s, “Moko kahan dhoondhe re bande” is embedded below. The words simply mean that the source is within and not outside. If your browser does not display Devanagari fonts properly, you can click here.
मोको कहाँ ढूंढे रे बन्दे
मैं तो तेरे पास में
ना तीरथ में ना मूरत में
ना कंठ निवास में
ना मंदिर में ना मस्जिद में
ना काबे कैलास में
ना मैं जप में ना मैं तप में
ना मैं बरत उपास में
ना मैं किरिया करम में रहता
नाहीं जोग सन्यास में
नाहीं प्राण में नाहीं पिंड में
ना ब्रह्माण्ड आकाश में
ना मैं प्रकृति प्रवर गुफा में
सब स्वासों की स्वांस में
खोजि होए तुरत मिल जाउं
इक पल की तालास में
कहत कबीर सुनो भई साधो
मैं तो हूँ विश्वास में
Moko kahan dhoondhe re bande
Main to tere paas mein
Na teerath mein na moorat mein
Na kanth niwas mein
Na mandir mein na masjid main
Na Kabe Kailas mein
Na main jap mein na main tap mein
Na main barat upaas mein
Na main kiriya karam mein rehata
Na hi jog sanyas mein
Na hi pran mein na hi pind mein
Na bramhand aakaash mein
Na main prakrati pravar gufa mein
Sab swason ki saans mein
Khoji hoye turat mil jaoon
Ek pal ki taalas mein
Kehat Kabir suno bhai saadho
Main to hoon vishvas mein
Vyast Jeevan Mein Aadhyatm / Spirituality in Busy Life – A talk by Dr. Anil Kumar Agrawal. Dr. Agrawal is professor in B.H.U. Varanasi by profession who is actively seeking self realisation. The large player version is available here .
The word, “Yoga” brings into mind images of various postures to most people – some of them being quite difficult ones and hence repulsive. However, the word “Yoga” simply means union. It may involve various practices all of which leading towards the realisation that a being is neither the body, nor the mind but is consciousness. Once this realisation takes place one sees oneself in everything and thus the union takes place.
Have at least one higher goal in your life which will act as an anchor for your mind.
Body stress can give rise to mental unrest. Eat according to your body type (Vata/Pitta/Kapha etc.). A very careful analysis may be required to understand your body type probably requiring professional ayurvedic consultation.
Nature made us to do some physical labour. Make it a point to do some physical exercise daily.
Experience the sensation of breath above the upper lip every few minutes.
Be aware of your presence, body sensations and activities of the surroundings once in awhile.
Periodically mentally say “I Am” or “AUM” and abide in IAmness.
Periodically watch how thoughts pop-up on their own. Also watch body parts doing various activities. This is witness attitude.
Relax/Take a Nap/Slow Down. Listen to your body.
Listen to music.
Try a herb like Gotu Kola (Centella Asiatica) for certain minimum duration in consultation with an Ayurveda Doctor.
Take deep breath occasionally.
Increase the flow of blood in the brain by bending the head towards the floor after taking Sukhasana posture once/twice a day.
Accept yourself, i.e. don’t be over critical of yourself.
Try to develop the attitude of play in your activities.
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