5. You don't need Mind to be Alive🔗

I want you all to know an important truth, which my yoga guru, Yogi Yogananda Puri, once told me.

Listen: you always think that mind is bigger than brain. That is what you think.

My yoga guru gave me a very deep insight into this subject. He told me beautifully, 'The mind is just one action of the brain.'

I was shocked!

Understand, you can perform many actions with your legs. Walking is one such action. You can also kick or run or play using your legs. So many other things can also be done with the legs. Walking is just one action. Same way, with the hand, eating is one action. So many other things can also be done with the hand. Same way, he said very beautifully, 'Mind is only one action of your brain!'

We always think that brain is just physical; mind is subtle. Because of that, we think that the mind is more powerful than the brain, and the mind is everything. When I started experimenting with what my master told me, I understood that it is true! What you think of as mind, what you experience as mind, is only one action of your brain.

If I realize that moving is only one action of my hand, I can relax. If I want, I can move it, if I don't want, I can relax. Same way, thinking is only one action of my brain. I can start it when I want, I can relax when I don't want. Understand this one truth. Thinking is one action of your brain - if you want, you can relax from it, you can rest from it.

When I looked into this truth with deep respect and started analyzing it, I realized that it is true! When I learnt how to be silent, I understood. Listen: even when you are mentally silent, or even when you are in deep sleep, your whole body is functioning. It means, your mind is only one part of your brain. Even without your mind, your brain is able to operate your day-to-day life, your brain is able to live your life.

Now, whatever he says further are only going to be different methods to experience the same space.

If you understand this one sutra, if a click happens with this one sutra, you don't need to go further. You don't need anything else. Just this one sutra is enough.

Now, sit with yourself and contemplate on this - 'Mind is action. It is my own action. I can stop it.'

(Silent contemplation for a few minutes)

Alright. If you can have this awareness, nothing else is needed!

Understand: Whenever action is performed, you wanted it. Whenever you want, silence can be created. If this one understanding

Living your life without what you call 'mind' is what I call Living Enlightenment! That is the essence.

Realizing that your mind is only one part of your brain, and living independent of that part, is Living Enlightenment. When you want, you can switch it on and use it; when you don't want, you can switch it off and relax. Living independent of that part is what I call Living Enlightenment.

If you have the courage and clarity to switch off your mind when needed, it is your slave; it is under your control. If not, please understand that you are a slave to it! These are some of the important truths, the essence of what Patanjali is expressing.

Patanjali is not wasting time by giving examples. He is delivering the truth straightaway. In the very first sutra, he has delivered the whole book! clicks with you, you don't need anything further. You are qualified for Yoga. But if you have objections like, 'I have tried many methods, I know it is not that easy', 'My mind is filled with negativity, your mind is different Swamiji' and so on - then you need to read further. You need to read further.

What I experience as mind is only one action of my brain!