We are Not Our Minds - Mind Mastery by Psychologist Life Coach
In my many discussions with my clients there is always this conversation that ends up with me guiding them to the the awareness and new Believe that they are NOT their Minds. In fact they have lost their peace of mind and happiness because they identified too much with their minds which is the leading cause of mental health issues starting from mild unhappiness to severe depression ! It is not uncommon for me to eventually guide them to detach and observe their mind from a seemingly external perspective. The first step to Mind Mastery is to see the Mind as an Instrument and establish clearly - “I am not Mind”.
Identifying with the Mind is the Main Cause of Unhappiness
To further explain and justify this I draw on my numerous reading of Eastern Spiritual Texts that I delve into While not claiming to be a Master myself of all these texts I share a few insights I have garnered over the years. Perhaps some of you can relate with this Yet for others I hope it’s an eye opener to grasp this concept and pursue reading more on what strikes your fancy
Just a note of advice - if you cannot grasp the concept of Self, Consciousness et just try to imagine it as your Soul While it is technically not correct as I understand it but initially for the beginner reader Soul is an easier word to grasp
In Eastern philosophy, several schools of thought propose that we are not our minds. Here are some justifications from different Eastern philosophical traditions:
1. Advaita Vedanta: Advaita Vedanta, as expounded by ancient Indian philosopher Adi Shankaracharya, asserts that our true nature is beyond the mind. According to Shankaracharya, the mind is an instrument or a tool that the self (Atman) uses to experience the world. The self is distinct from the mind and is eternal, unchanging, and unaffected by the fluctuations of the mind. This view is presented in texts such as the "Vivekachudamani" and the "Upanishads."
2. Zen Buddhism: Zen Buddhism emphasizes direct experience and meditation as a means to realize our true nature. In Zen philosophy, the mind is seen as a barrier to that realization. Zen masters often use paradoxical questions or statements, known as koans, to help practitioners go beyond conceptual thinking and transcend the mind's limitations. The emphasis is on attaining a state of direct awareness or "no-mind" (Mushin). Key texts in Zen Buddhism include the writings of Zen masters like Dogen Zenji and Hakuin Ekaku.
3. Taoism: Taoism, rooted in ancient Chinese philosophy, also presents the notion that we are not our minds. The Tao Te Ching, attributed to Lao Tzu, teaches that the self or the Tao is formless, transcending the dualities of the mind. The mind, according to Taoism, is considered a source of attachment, desire, and ego. To truly understand the Tao, one must go beyond the confines of the mind and embrace the state of wu-wei (non-action) and emptiness.
4. Yoga Philosophy: In Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, a foundational text in classical Yoga philosophy, the mind is viewed as a separate aspect of our being. Patanjali describes the nature of the mind (Chitta) and aims for practitioners to attain a state of stillness and clarity by transcending the mind's fluctuations. This state is known as "Yoga Chitta Vritti Nirodha," where the seer (Purusha) is distinct from the seen (Prakriti).
It's important to note that these philosophical traditions provide different perspectives and methods for realizing our true nature beyond the mind. Each tradition offers unique insights and practical approaches to cultivating self-awareness and transcending the limitations of the mind.
