Ruminations of a wandering mind
The essential teaching of Hinduism is that the mind should be stopped from thinking or worrying relentlessly leading to the individual thriving in himself with the cessation of thoughts. All yogic practices eventually lead to the termination of thought as excessive thinking is a disease, according to our ancient texts. No one exemplifies this teaching better than Ramana Maharshi, the wise sage of Arunachala.
A diseased mind is that which identifies with the ego and prevents the real self from shining through. This mind, ego, body identification has to be dropped before the consciousness within can be experienced. It is a subtle concept and Hindu sages sometimes spend entire lifetimes trying to perfect the art of meditation, or a still mind. You don’t have to be an ascetic, mendicant, renunciate or even Hindu to experience this. I personally, have read and pondered over many of his books. The essence of the teaching is to question ‘Who am I?’ for all thoughts to end. The experience that comes after the ego and mind are lost, is true bliss. So, according to the teacher, the mind is the instrument that leads us to misery and should be overcome or harnessed. In Hinduism, all practices, rituals, even the daily chores are meant for you to cease thought. That doesn’t mean that you become thoughtless or insensitive, but with the right attitude you will become thoughtful, intelligent, intellectual and a seeker of truth.
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Over the years, as you practice being a witness to your thoughts, you realize that all that you give importance to is just a thought. Hinduism goes a step further to reiterate that the world itself is the thought, or imagination of the creator and one should not be immensely attached to any worldly object, including other human beings, as all things are transient. After success comes failure, after happiness comes sadness, after life, death. So how does one achieve a relatively permanent state of happiness? By transcending or overcoming the mind!!
This practice will also lead you to develop a questioning mind. Put existing rules, norms, way of life to test and question whether a particular fact is really the truth or a mere perception. When you do this, you will find exceptional answers and paths to existing problems and dilemmas and most importantly, you will get rid of the baggage of the past and learn to live in the present. This is termed evolution, and you will see yourself getting happier, more inspired, less jealous of others, less angry and you will imbibe good qualities. If more and more people practice this, there will be lesser corruption, lesser crime and a more enhanced outlook towards life. You can’t be happy with material excesses, because you will be constantly dogged by disease, death, poverty, squalor. These are sad truths of life. If you disidentify with your mind in overdrive and live in the here and now, without being preoccupied, you will be able to function better, see the truth behind things and most importantly be honest, to yourself and to others. This is not difficult and it is no ordeal, but the only way out for mankind. Try it, it works wonders. Have you experienced awareness? Do you appreciate the beauty of the sky? Do you feel the freedom in the flight of a bird? If no, then these practices will make you more sensitive and sensible to the world around you. For starters, here is where you can go:
www.sriramanamaharshi.org Happy seeking!!!
Neha Singh
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