The mind can be a deadly enemy that can delude and degrade us at any moment. To protect ourselves from it, we need to get our consciousness out of the mind’s thoughts. How can we do that? Either by going above it to the soul or by going below it to the body. 

Going above the mind to the soul: When we are situated in spiritual knowledge, we can observe the things outside and the thoughts inside without getting caught in the melodrama at either level. The more we distance ourselves from both, the more we can evaluate the mind’s thoughts on merit and then act appropriately. We can raise our consciousness to the spiritual level through time-tested practices such as meditation. Especially potent is devotional meditation on the supreme spiritual reality, Krishna, as recommended in the Bhagavad-gita (06.14).

Going below the mind to the body: When we focus our consciousness on some specific physical object such as our breath (06.11), the tip of our nose (06.13) or the space between our eyebrows (05.27), that physical focus can aid us in distancing ourselves from the mind. Best is if that physical focus is connected with some spiritual reality, that is, our object of focus is a sacred image or a divine sound. Then the redirection of consciousness from the physical to the spiritual level is faster. Initially however, just going for a walk or retreating to a place close to nature may help us kickstart the process of getting out of our mind. 

When we thus resourcefully learn to get out of our mind, we can protect ourselves from self-destruction and progress toward self-realization. 

 

Think it over:

  • How can we get out of the mind to the spiritual level?
  • How can we get out of the mind to the physical level?
  • For getting out of the mind, what ways work best for you? 

 

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06.13 One should hold one’s body, neck and head erect in a straight line and stare steadily at the tip of the nose.

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