LIBERATION AND THE MIND

[Ms Tercy Lonan]

LIBERATION AND THE MIND
It is a strange metaphysical paradox that the mind and intellect which is our greatest
problem, our greatest barrier and bondage, is the one and only instrument we have to approach the
great Reality. It is a paradox that we have to recognise. It is a paradox that cannot be solved; it has to
be transcended. You have to go beyond the mind and intellect by using it in the constant exercise of
three sadhanas: Enquiry into who am I and what should be my life if it is to be real and authentic;
discrimination based upon this enquiry; and genuine dispassion which is the outcome of earnest and
continuous enquiry and discrimination. These three sadhanas are the soul of the spiritual life; they
are an indispensable support of all other sadhanas.
All people want to concentrate, but all people have the same complaint: Mind runs hither
and thither; it does not fix itself upon the object of meditation. This is precisely because seekers are
only aware of one aspect of concentration; they are not aware of the second, broader aspect.
The first aspect of concentration is the technique—when you sit upon an asana, try to be
steady and concentrate your mind. The body should be motionless, but in the most relaxed way
possible. There should be nothing in your posture to drag your attention from the mind dimension to
the body dimension.
The second aspect of concentration pertains to the remaining part of the twenty-four hours.
During the rest of the day, towards what is your mind focussed? Is it in its usual uncontrollable state,
or are you trying to give it a definite direction? By the way you live, are you trying to reduce to the
barest, irreducible minimum the different directions the mind has to take?
Concentration has to be understood in its integrate, holistic state. Your entire external life
from morning till night should be an ongoing continuous state of being concentrated upon the
Supreme Being. Your heart, mind, intellect, feelings and actions must be habitually focussed upon
the Divine. Mind has to be educated, trained, disciplined, to keep itself constantly stayed upon the
Eternal.
Are you working in a planned manner to do this? If not, how can your technique of
concentration be successful? Thus, pay attention to both aspects of concentration. Then see the
effect!