Why the Conceptual Mind Blocks Self-Realization
Seekers who find the Advaitan teachings usually apply their minds to understand. The function of the mind is to “think” conceptually. In other words, the mind creates mental pictures or images to interpret what is understood. The mind has been doing this for all of “your” relative lifetime. Hear the word (label) dog – and a mental image or picture with attributes is conjured up. If there are positive connotations with the word “dog” the attributes and images may involve characteristics like being playful, sleeping in the sun, gnawing on a bone, “memories” of dogs that have been named, known and enjoyed etc. If the connotations with the word “dog” are negative, it is likely that images that involve barking, urine on couches, cleaning up dog poo, a “memory” of a painful dog bite etc may be evoked. Can you see that the mind creates a CONCEPT, a mental image or a set of fixed ideas based on a label?
Take a few moments to reflect on the pre-existing concepts or mental images you have about these random words: terrorist, anti-apartheid activist, vegetarian, private school, anarchy, lingerie, strawberry, realization. In all likelihood, a stream of images, thoughts, and preferences / opinions arose around each word. This is what the mind does: throughout a relative lifetime, it accumulates a databank of learned ideas, concepts, and beliefs and then selectively draws items from this databank in response to an environmental stimulus. The data is regularly juggled and manipulated unconsciously to support whichever ego state is at the fore. This is why, for example, the “faithful husband” can turn into the “adulterous spouse” in an instant. The mind will search for and select the ideas, beliefs, and “memories” to support whatever the prevailing point of view is. This is the instability of the psychological state of the Non-Realized.
Now, let’s examine two pointers by Maharaj to see why the conceptual mind blocks Realization.
“The individual, the world and the supreme Self are all concepts.”
“Self-knowledge is beyond all words and concepts.”
Can You see the logical conundrum at work here? The non-dual, no-concept Absolute Reality cannot be described; cannot be spoken. “The state prior to words is nameless.” – Maharaj. However, when the “teacher” offers pointers to this Nameless Reality – the mind responds to each pointer with … a preformed idea / image or concept.
A pointer towards the Absolute State is that it is without concepts or concept-free. So – is not any idea about that state a concept? Any concept is something that is added … and hence creates the unbreachable abyss of separation.
A pointer towards the Absolute State is that it is without attributes. So – is not any idea about that state an attribute? Any attribute is something that is added … and hence creates the unbreachable abyss of separation.
A pointer towards the Absolute State is that it is formless. So – is not any idea / image or concept about that state creating form? Any formed idea is something that is added … and hence creates the unbreachable abyss of separation.
In other words, the mind “blocks” Realization by throwing up obscuring conceptual clouds. Can You see now why Maharaj says: “If you try to reach the Self, you remain separate from it. You are the Self; so there is no question of attaining it.”
Know this: if it was possible to taste for an instant the bliss of this non-dual concept-free state, the imprisonment of the conceptual mind would be tossed in an instant. However, “As long as your are entangled in concepts, you cannot develop further. Continuously hold on to what you are and not to what you know.” “The world will never provide an answer to your questions. Find out for yourself what it is that is changeless.” – Maharaj
Please enter into the silence of contemplation. (To be continued)
(See the ebook: There’s No Such Thing as Peace of Mind for extending teachings of the databank of false concepts and how these block understanding.)
Comments / clarifications may be sent to louise.advaita@gmail.com – a temporary email address available for the duration of these guest postings.
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