Watch Just Watch – In Gita Verse 14.18 Those situated in the mode of goodness gradually go upward to the higher planets; those in the mode of passion live on the earthly planets; and those in the abominable mode of ignorance go down to the hellish worlds.
Krishna indicates that residing in the mind, the source of passion and ignorance, breeds misery and perpetuates duality. In contrast, dwelling in no-mind leads one upward, away from duality.
To delve deeper, it is imperative to define “mind” and “no-mind.”
The mind is a relentless projector, overlaying its own narrative upon the canvas of reality. It interferes, distorts, colors, and shapes our perception, preventing us from experiencing the world as it truly is.
Recent scientific insights reveal that our senses and the mind, once regarded as conduits to reality, act more as sentinels, permitting only a fraction of reality to penetrate our consciousness. What little does get through is so heavily filtered that it barely resembles its original form.
Meditation, then, is about sidelining the mind to prevent its interference with reality. Why does the mind interpose itself in the first place? The mind is society’s product, an internal agent shaped by societal influences – it defends social constructs over individual perceptions.
Your mind may be Christian, Hindu, Buddhist, or any other identity imposed upon it. These identities fragment our perception of reality, truth, and divinity, all of which are singular and unfragmented. Meditation challenges us to lay these conditioned minds aside and to simply observe.
Transcending the societal mind begins with self-love, a deep acceptance of your whole being beyond society’s praise or critique. This self-love defies the pressures to conform, celebrating your unique identity and diminishing society’s hold over you.
Self-love is a boundary against societal dictates, recognising their transient nature and freeing you from the relentless internal critic. Through meditation, mindfulness, and honoring your personal needs, you build resilience against cultural impositions.
This profound self-affection helps unveil that societal conditioning is not the fabric of your being. It enables you to find true freedom and authenticity, liberating you from imposed narratives and letting you live as your genuine self. Self-love is not just an act of rebellion; it is the foundation of true freedom from within.
The next step is to cultivate a habit of constant vigilance – a non-judgmental, passive awareness. Watching everything, from mundane acts to the profound. Eventually, even sleep falls within the domain of your watchful eyes. In this reversal, the body rests, but consciousness remains ever vigilant.
Krishna’s wisdom unfolds as the mind’s grip loosens. Unburdened by identification with any state, watching from the tranquil heights, we are radiant beings on the peaks of awareness. In this state of pure witnessing, questions dissolve, the mind’s chatter ceases, and we meet existence in its barest form – just being.
Krishna teaches that true alignment with the mode of goodness can only transpire when completely immersed in the now. That state is the essence of the watcher on the hill, unattached and wholly present, a stark contrast to those still wandering through the valley of the mind’s shadows.
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