August 2022 - Dear Ego, There's No Room For You Here!
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There was a beautiful video that was released by Vedanta NY, where Swami Sarvapriyananda Ji discussed tools for controlling the mind. I recommend watching it and thinking about it.
This talk reminded me something of what my Guru once said when your ego comes into the way of the Formless, then you can strongly instruct your ego that there is no room for it here. Firstly, I like to establish that ego is when we strongly identify ourselves with this body-mind complex and this leads us to a vast array of issues. When we identify only as the body-mind then we allow the senses to control us and this causes a few issues like attachment, chasing desires endlessly etc.
Spiritual practice begins when we first identify there is a problem. Sometimes, we don’t feel happy or content with life. Or we find we are missing something. Once we identify the problem, then we look for solutions. So in this regard, we may go to a Guru or the scriptures. We read and try to contemplate the message. Then we start finding the ego along with the senses start getting a little tamed, a little controlled and then out of nowhere, it fights back with increased strength. The ego will trigger the senses to desire objects without any pause, it will create an attachment to objects of the world that seems to get stronger and stronger.
However, what is the antidote to all this? It is Brahm Gyana - or the Knowledge of Brahman - the Ultimate Reality or what I refer to as Formless Awareness. Now, when I understand that this Formless Awareness is Sat, Chit, Ananda, I immediately understand my true existence and what I am. I am Sat - which means the Ground of Being or Existence. I am chit - I am Awareness itself, Pure Consciousness that is beyond all forms and Ananda, which is Bliss that is uncreated, ever-present and ever-lasting as I am now identifying as Formless Awareness. This starts breaking down the body-mind identification even more so and the ego’s hold starts disintegrating. Why is this occurring? This occurs because we are integrating the mind more and more with that Formless Awareness.
Now the mind and the ego may put up one last battle to end this inner spiritual war and so it will attempt again to sway. At this point, we become aware of the mind and ego and their attempts and we then can instruct the ego to step aside or tell it that there is no room here because this space is occupied by this Sat - this ground of Formless Awareness. When the ego is then told this, the ego then let’s go completely of its identification as the body and mind alone but identifies that it is Formless Awareness that contains the body and mind. The ego is then controlled and utilized for this world, which is ultimately mithya (both real and unreal). Our senses are directed towards devotion and meditation, whenever there is a moment spare in our daily routine activities. The ego understands that the body and mind are functions of Formless Awareness and that is the beginning and end of it.
Once we have fully established our Self with Formless Awareness, then this shines forth effortlessly. The ego functions in this transactional reality of the world yet understands its boundaries. Whilst the Light of the Self, of this Formless Awareness is boundless, infinite and ever-present.
This practical way of using the mind to transcend the mind has been very helpful for me and I have practised this when my Guru said that we can tell the ego that there is no room for it here to create havoc. What is important is immersing in this Formless Awareness and constantly relating all thoughts to Brahm Gyana or the Knowledge of Brahman.
Please share your views with me on this topic as I am interested in what you have to say.
The Bearded Mystic Poetry
In the spirit of devotion, The Lord shines within, I drown myself in remembrance, Ego attempts to break through. The ancient battle continues Between the ego and the Self, Wanting a way out, I search everywhere within and without. Many arrive to conclusions, Many give up without any practice, Some practice half-heartedly, Giving up and claiming it's not practical. All I have done is follow the direction That my Guru has set for me, Steering my mind in the right direction, I came to lose all false identifications. I utilize my body and mind appropriately and this is my Guru's Absolute Grace, Now there is only this Nirguna Brahman, Sat, Chit, Ananda is the only Reality for all. With this boundless space within the mind, It is up to you what you want to choose, Either you fill this space with false identification Or you fill it with Formless Awareness consciously.
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Thank you for reading!
Take care and do share this with others!
Aum Shantih Shantih Shantih. Aum Peace Peace Peace
Lots of love
Rahul