Day 182 -The Unattached Mind

Day 182 -The Unattached Mind

VASISTHA continued:

"Listen carefully, O Rama, for I shall now impart to you profound wisdom on the nature of the mind and liberation.

The Unattached Mind

The enlightened mind, Rama, should remain unattached to all things - actions, thoughts, objects, and even the various states of consciousness. It should not be bound by external relations, inner senses, or life-force. Neither darkness nor light, nor even the pure space of the heart should be its dwelling place.

The State of Pure Consciousness

When all attachments have been severed, the individual soul (jiva) becomes no-jiva. In this state of non-attachment, one is not bound by the fruits of action. Let the jiva rest in supreme peace, free from even the slightest comprehension of objects.

The Liberated Being

Such a person, Rama, whether appearing active or inactive to others, remains forever free from sorrow and fear. Though seemingly engaged in worldly affairs, they are inwardly rooted in wisdom, unaffected by happiness or unhappiness.

Deep Sleep in Wakefulness

The state where the mind is free from thought, experiencing only peace, is known as 'deep sleep in wakefulness'. One who attains this lives a non-volitional life, unconcerned with the length of their existence.

The Turiya State and Beyond

As this state matures, it becomes turiya - the fourth state of consciousness. Established in turiya, the sage perceives the universe as a cosmic playground. Beyond even this lies a state of supreme bliss, indescribable and incomprehensible.

The Nature of Self and Body

Understand, Rama, that there is no true relationship between the eternal, pure consciousness of the self and the impermanent, impure body. All is but the one infinite self or consciousness.

The Cause of World-Appearance

The mind alone, Rama, is the cause for the appearance of the world. Ignorance, or non-investigation into the nature of reality, gives rise to this illusion.

The Jiva and Its Many Names

The self, when clothed in ignorance, is known as jiva. It takes on various names - ego, buddhi, mind, nature - based on its different functions. But remember, these categories are merely inventions of men with perverse intellects.

The Persistence of the Jiva

The jiva, bound by mental conditioning, moves from one body to another, experiencing the world-illusion in different times and places. Like a monkey jumping from tree to tree, it seeks new experiences, driven by its psychological tendencies.

Remember, O Rama, that it is the mind that must be transcended for true liberation. When the mind perishes, everything perishes, and there is final liberation. Strive to understand this truth and free yourself from the bondage of mental conditioning."

As Vasistha concluded this teaching, another day came to an end, and the assembly dispersed for their evening prayers.