5 minute read

One of the core teachings of Hindu dharma is that we are jiva or individual soul. We experience being born as several forms through several births – human, animal, plant, etc. This jiva is not different from the Supreme, Atma or Brahman. Atma cannot be destroyed by the destruction of the physical body and is eternal.

It is due to our ignorance or limited perception that we think we are only this physical body and mind and are heavily identified with it. If we are to attain a powerful vision, we will see how many such bodies we have left behind in our past births.

The whole purpose of our human life is to be able to remove the layers of ignorance and impurities to recognize our existence that transcends the physical body and mind (which is Atma) and gain freedom from the cycle of birth and death (moksha). Devotion to the Supreme, detachment and direct knowledge of Paramatma are our goals.

The human birth is the vehicle through which we can attain the state of recognizing our Supreme form or Atma (pure consciousness). Therefore, we are also the body-mind, but our existence is not limited to just that.

When we wish to heal from physical ailments and mental anguish, our Gurus remind us that we are not just this body and mind, to help us uplift ourselves from our state of misery that comes with the deep ego identification we have towards our body and life. This helps us heal faster by freeing us from intense fear of death and loss that hamper our recovery. At the same time, we are asked to heal our body physically and direct our mind towards the positive and sacred.

Both the aspects of being beyond body-mind and operating through this body-mind are acknowledged and utilized in totality for our welfare.

When we are injured or are beaten, we experience physical pain. We feel upset when we are harmed by others. We experience heat-cold, sadness-joy, pain-pleasure. We like to get the credit of good things done by us. We have many roles to play in our family, at work and in human society. We all seek physical comfort and mental peace. This means that our living experience is that of a state of duality and we function with full attachment as the body-mind since we have not yet attained any kind of Supreme realization of being Atma.

Let us say that you decide to interact with the world as Atma or soul. We shall illustrate this with a simple example –

If you are engaging with the world as Atma, it implies that you are using no identification with your physical body or personhood (gender, age, background, etc). This means, you could choose to be in any kind of physical state and walk out of your house.

With the logic, that you are not this body (or identified with it), you decide not to wear clothes and go to the market to buy groceries.

Ground reality of where you live – You are not a forest dweller with a culture of remaining naked. You live in an Indian city or town where people wear clothes. You are educated and are considered respectable if you cover your body appropriately.

Since you feel you have this extra spiritual knowledge that you are Atma, you decide to just go all the way with it.

What will happen?

The moment people see you as a naked man or woman on the street; they call the police or the ambulance. They will either think you are a shameless criminal/sex-worker/pervert, or they will think you have lost your mind.

Is the above because they do not know the basics of Hindu philosophy that you are Atma and not the “body-mind”?

The policemen will come to question you for such behaviour; they cover you with a cloth and maybe even start beating your legs with a stick if you resist (particularly, if you are male).

You will start crying, shouting and protesting.

Why?

This is because you are indeed identified and attached to your body. You feel bad about being handled by the police and you are also physically injured by their physical force.

Since you are attached to your mind and personhood, you are angry because you are being called names and are being treated as a criminal or someone who needs an asylum. Now, suddenly, you become identified with body-mind again and forget that your true essence is Atma (the mood with which you left your home in a naked state).

The above illustration shows how half-knowledge can be very dangerous.

Till we have this body-mind and are attached to it, we cannot disregard its existence and pretend to be just Atma. Our Hindu system guides all types of individuals. An enlightened master (detached from everything) engages with the world for lokasangraha or everyone’s benefit (thus following certain decorum). Even a yogi, who is detached from the world does the minimum to sustain his body functions, till it’s time to leave it (which he can do by choice). A seeker, who has a strong fire of knowing the Truth, is expected to engage fully in study of scriptures and meditating upon the Supreme. Those of us who are attached to our material world and yet are keen to gain spiritual growth, are asked to remember Bhagavan, engage in rituals like daily puja, and perform all our daily functions, play various roles in society, with the spirit of karma yoga.

We are not expected to behave in the world as if we are not the body and mind. It would be very foolish to attempt this.

Taking in view the shared example, our tradition asks us to dress modestly as per our gender, culture, climate and the occasion.

Our Hindu traditions empower us with the right methods to live in this world so that we can attain growth. These methods are aligned beautifully with nature. For example, a jivatma born as female is expected to nurture her children and give motherly love to them. This helps the woman to have her complete feminine expression, create a bond with her babies, and gives the best type of care suited to the children, furthering wholesome development.

Both the aspects – of knowing we are beyond body-mind and operating through this body-mind are seen in totality for our welfare as per Hindu dharma. Disregarding either of these aspects will create utter chaos.

Where does the problem lie?

It is true that you are not just the body-mind. No doubt on this point. The problem arises when you miss the word “just” and try to follow in your practical living “I am not the body-mind” in absolute sense of the phrase, and literally.

We must make intelligent use of our body and mind to direct it towards the path of knowledge that shall lead us to the ultimate truth that we are Atma in our essence (beyond body-mind). This does not mean we discard the role of the body and the mind.

To interact with the world, protect us, and maintain our own sanity we must not think that we do not require any identification with our body-mind. The identification with our body and mind facilitates a sensible interaction with our surroundings. Our roles in our family, workplace and society are also based on such identification.

At the same time, we must be conscious of the higher goal of attaining what is beyond the body and mind, and through the methods of study, japa, meditation and following guidance of our Gurus, we attempt to cultivate detachment.

If you constantly tell yourself that “I am not body and I am not the mind”, the fixation with this thought may become so strong that you end up acting in a way that shall risk your life.

If anyone suggests that you must not care about your body, mind or emotions – remember, they are putting you in a very dicey space where you would be available for exploitation by many (physically, mentally and emotionally).

To be obsessed with your mind body, mind and emotions is another extreme to be avoided. Plus, know that we humans do not follow all the instincts of the body like animals do (which makes us different from them).

Disconnecting yourself from the body-mind at a mental level is a dangerous path that shall only lead to physical pain, personal trauma, mental imbalance, exploitation and self-destruction.

We must condition our body and mind in a way that is favourable to for our self-improvement and inner and outer growth. Remember, your body-mind is precious. It is the instrument through which you can grow personally, in this worldly existence as well as transcend beyond to discover your true nature, that is, Sat Chit Anand. Protect it and use it wisely.

Author: Team Tulasi Vanam