The Nature of the Mind: Insights from “Three-Fold Path (Sri Ashish),” “Who Am I? (Ramana Maharshi)”, “Mahamudra Upadesha (Tilopa),” and “I AM Ashish to I AM”

June 16, 2024

Blog Series: Mind & Consciousness, Part 3

Introduction:

The nature of the mind has been explored for centuries in various philosophical, spiritual, and psychological traditions. Insights from these teachings reveal the mind as both a powerful tool and a potential obstacle in the journey toward Self-realization. By understanding the mind’s tendencies, illusions, and true essence, we can navigate the spiritual path more clearly. Here are key lessons on the nature of the mind drawn from Sri Ashish’s “Three-Fold Path”, “Who Am I?” by Sri Ramana Maharshi, “Mahamudra Upadesha” by Tilopa, and “I AM Ashish to I AM” by Dr. Anil Joshi

Understanding and Transcending the Mind (Sri Ashish’s Three-Fold Path)

The “Three-Fold Path” provides a practical framework to understand and transcend the mind through three stages: understanding, implementation, and direct experience.

Right Understanding (remembrance): Begin by studying, listening, or watching spiritual teachings to intellectually grasp the nature of the mind, its structure, its origin and source, and identify its tendencies toward false identification and attachment. From this understanding remembrance of one’s true nature develops.
Right Implementation (abidance & stabilization): Apply these insights in everyday life to witness how the mind creates patterns of attachment and desire. Practicing non-attachment and self-inquiry helps dismantle these patterns and establishes one firmly in the awareness of one’s true nature.
Right Experience (realization & transcendence): Through meditative silence, and surrender, experience directly the mind’s silent nature and transcend the illusion of separation.

Mind as Illusory Power (Sri Ramana Maharshi)

In “Who Am I?”, Sri Ramana Maharshi describes the mind as a “wondrous power” residing in the Self. It generates all thoughts and constructs our perceptions of the world. According to him, apart from thoughts, there is no separate entity called “mind.” It operates like an illusion, creating a sense of separation between the observer and the observed.

Mind and Thoughts: The mind functions through the thoughts that arise within it, but these thoughts are fundamentally transient and ephemeral.
Self-Inquiry: He advocates for the practice of self-inquiry through the question “Who am I?” to identify the root of all thoughts and reveal the underlying awareness.

The above illustration depicts a serene and mystical background depicting a tranquil, ethereal landscape. In the center, a translucent silhouette of a meditating figure with light radiating from the heart and head, symbolizing awareness and enlightenment. Surrounding the figure, abstract representations of thoughts and illusions, such as clouds or mist, gradually dissipate.

The Limitations of the Mind (Mahamudra Upadesha)

Tilopa’s “Mahamudra Upadesha” provides powerful analogies to illustrate the limitations of the mind:

Beyond Concepts: The mind cannot grasp the ultimate reality because it creates constructs that limit understanding. It cannot perceive what lies beyond dualistic concepts.
Rest in Non-Meditation: Tilopa emphasizes the practice of “resting in oneself,” without trying to create or stop appearances, to experience the true nature of mind.

Recognizing the Egoic Self (I AM Ashish to I AM)

“I AM Ashish to I AM” tells the story of spiritual transformation, revealing how the mind builds false identities around the egoic self:

False Self: The egoic self is a construct created by the mind through identification with external achievements, relationships, and roles. It obscures our understanding of the true Self.
Breaking the Illusion: The journey to Self-realization involves questioning and breaking free from these illusions to recognize universal awareness.

Conclusion

The teachings from “Three-Fold Path”, “Who Am I?”, “Mahamudra Upadesha,”, and “I AM Ashish to I AM” collectively illuminate the nature of the mind and offer practical methods to transcend its illusions. By practicing self-inquiry, meditative silence, surrender and non-attachment, we can unravel the mind’s constructs and directly experience our true nature as pure awareness, free from mental conditioning and the illusions of duality.