Beyond the Mind: A Path to Self-Realization and the State of Meditation

The Limits of Interpretation

Western thought, particularly in the realm of psychoanalysis, often anchors itself to the mind and its thoughts. The self is defined by the narrative of the brain, suggesting that our deepest understanding can only be found within the confines of our conscious and unconscious mental processes.

Yet, as you point out, the true journey of realization begins precisely at this limit. The ultimate spiritual quest requires a move beyond thoughts and their interpretations, a shift from the domain of the cerebral to the domain of pure being.

The Beginner’s Question: Attaining the State

The biggest question for anyone seeking this deeper state is how to attain it. The term “Dhyan” (meditation) immediately comes to mind, but for beginners, the challenge is daunting: How does one concentrate? How do we sit in stillness to feel that connection with the Supreme Being?

Philosophers and spiritual masters throughout history have wrestled with the problem of the wandering mind, which often feels like an unstoppable force, a tree of thoughts growing wildly with endless branches. Two primary approaches have been advised:

1. The Path of Containment: Using external tools, such as chanting or reciting mantras, whose meaning may be irrelevant in the moment. The sole purpose is to occupy the conscious mind with a single, repetitive task, thereby preventing it from wandering and gradually reducing the intensity of its activity.

2. The Path of Inquiry: Allowing the mind to delve into its own processes, following the trail of thoughts back to their origin. In the beginning, this feels impossible due to the sheer volume and intensity of mental activity.

The Practice of Unrooting the Thought-Tree

To master the second path and effectively reach the root of the thought-tree, a powerful yet simple practice of mental re-evaluation is necessary. This is the basic groundwork for true meditation:

When a thought arises, instead of allowing it to lead you, turn your attention to the thought itself. Subject it to a simple, rigorous inquiry:

• What has led to this thought?
• Why am I thinking about this right now?
• Is this thought truly important?
• Why have I given it such importance?
• Is this thought so powerful as to change the essential course of my life?

The honest answer to the final question must be ‘no.’ Nothing in this world is more important than your self-realization.

The day this truth becomes a lived reality, the intensity of thoughts will gradually diminish. They will not disappear entirely, that is the mark of a very advanced stage, but their power over you will dissolve. This simple, non-reactive practice is the foundation that transforms an impossible task into an attainable one.

Meditation: A State, Not an Action

The common perception is that we do meditation. But this is the key misunderstanding. Meditation is not an action or a chore; it is a state of mind into which we are able to delve through consistent practice. We move in and out of it, and with practice, the time spent there expands.

This state is often described as existing between the conscious and unconscious mind. The experiences during this phase can be deeply transformative, much like a dream, providing glimpses of profound unity and stillness. It is in this state that the fragmented pieces of the self begin to cohere, revealing the effortless connection with the Supreme Being.

The practice is simple; the attainment is profound.