Value: Mindfulness - August 2025
Fourth Week: Leave the mind
The Patanjali Yoga Sutras state, "योगः चित्तवृत्ति-निरोधः," which translates to "Restraining the mind is Yoga." The practice of yoga involves a disciplined approach to both the body and the mind. Restraining the mind means mastering it and curbing its habitual tendencies. Discipline requires consistent practice, and regularity is essential.
On the other hand, the path of wisdom focuses on clarity of thought and commitment to knowledge. Keeping the mind engaged in selfless actions reflects the path of action, while surrendering the mind to God embodies the path of devotion. Ultimately, restraining the mind through discipline represents the path of Yoga, and challenging the illusions of the mind illustrates the path of wisdom.
Reduce the thought flow
Sri Ramana Maharshi advises us to question the reality of the mind. According to him, this inquiry into the mind is the direct path to liberation. The bondage we experience is caused by the mind, and we can release ourselves from this bondage by realizing that it is ultimately false.
Pujya Gurudev illustrated this concept with the following story: In an ashram, the students were assigned by the Guru to take the cows to graze every day after the morning class. They diligently carried out this duty. One day, however, it rained heavily, so the students brought the cows to the shed and tied them securely before the day ended. The next morning, when they went to untie the cows to take them out for grazing, one cow that had not actually been tied the previous day refused to move, despite the student's efforts. Frustrated, he complained to the Guru, who instructed him to do the gesture of untying the cow. When he did so, the cow began to move.
To the surprised student, the Guru simply explained, "Every day, you tied the cow, and it has grown accustomed to seeing you untie it the following day. This is merely a mindless belief!"
We also believe that there is a mind, but ultimately, there is only Consciousness. The mind is an illusion. We often fail to recognize this when we continuously follow the flow of thoughts. Reducing the flow of thoughts is emphasized in Vedanta as a way to transcend the mind.
The thought "I am the body" arises shortly after you wake up from sleep and not before. This illusory thought is the root cause of all subsequent thoughts related to your relationships, responsibilities, and worries. If you start your day with the affirmation "I am Brahman," which has no ties to the material world, you can choose your next thought without feeling compelled. It is important to return to "I am Brahman" throughout the day. This will significantly reduce the number of thoughts.
Shift the attention from the object of the thought to the subject
Watch a leaf. Initially, the focus of your thought is the leaf as seen by your eyes. Now, shift your attention from the leaf to your eyes. Keep them open. This change in focus transfers your attention from the leaf to the eyes. Next, direct your attention towards your thought. At this point, the focus has shifted to the thought itself. There is no longer a leaf or watching eyes—only the thought: "I am." Remain in this state for as long as you can.
The thought "I am" will not give rise to another thought. If it does, return to the beginning until you arrive again at "I am." Maintaining a single awareness of "I am" is the path to transcending the mind. Initially, having an external object for support is important in your practice.
By shifting your focus from an external object to a thought, and then from that thought to "I am," you have renounced the illusory mind and arrived at the reality of "I am."
