Chapter 1: Understanding the Nature of the Mind

This Sunday, we delve into a verse that profoundly resonates with our essence, inviting us to engage with the ideas of freedom and the workings of our minds. The Ashtavakra Gita, a text rich in wisdom, presents timeless insights, and this particular verse encapsulates that:

The Mind

“The mind craves this,

And mourns that.

It cherishes one thing,

And rejects another.

At one moment it feels rage,

At another, joy.

Thus, you find yourself bound.

But when the mind craves nothing

And mourns nothing,

When it experiences neither joy nor anger

And, holding onto nothing,

Turns away from nothing…

Then you are free.”

Ashtavakra Gita

The mind is an influential force that perpetually sways between wants and sorrows, joy and frustration. This very ebb and flow entraps us, forming a cycle of attachment and aversion that feels nearly unavoidable. However, the Ashtavakra Gita presents a transformative answer — liberation resides in the absence of desire and aversion. Achieving a state of wanting nothing and grieving for nothing may seem like an overwhelming challenge. How can one attain such a condition when our lives are intricately linked with aspirations, fears, and desires?

The essence of this verse is not to advocate for an emotionless existence but to guide us towards inner equilibrium. It urges us to witness our emotions without becoming entangled in them and to engage with life fully, without clinging to results or resisting what is. This teaching does not advocate for abandoning the world or repressing our natural instincts. Instead, it emphasizes that authentic freedom arises from within. Once we cease to allow our happiness to rely on external factors, we unearth a deep reservoir of peace and joy that remains unshakeable. This state of being represents true freedom — liberated from the shackles of the mind, free from the emotional rollercoaster, and free to embrace life in its purest essence.

As we ponder this verse from the Ashtavakra Gita, let us reflect on the aspects of our lives where we feel constrained by desires and aversions. May we gently remind ourselves of the possibility to enter a realm of freedom, a space where we neither repel life nor cling too tightly to it. Within this realm, we uncover our authentic selves, beyond the chaos of the mind, in a tranquil haven of freedom and serenity. By embracing the teachings of the Ashtavakra Gita, may we progress towards the realization of our limitless nature, where genuine freedom awaits. This Sunday, as we reflect alongside the masters, let their wisdom inspire us to appreciate the beauty of a liberated life, unfettered by the limitations of the mind.

Chapter 2: Cultivating a Heart of Freedom

Let us aspire to embody this profound wisdom, nurturing a heart that desires nothing and mourns nothing, thereby uncovering the infinite freedom that is our true essence.

Reference: ‘The Heart of Awareness’ by Thomas Byrom.

Thank you for your attention. I welcome your thoughts and insights!