Inquire towards the selfless mind that perceives, experiences, thinks, reasons, understands, remembers, feels, desires, acts, reacts, or enjoys and suffers

Inquire towards the mind (the perceiver/the thinker/the experiencer) and the modification/state of the mind (the thought process of the perceived names and forms/the thinking, feelings and emotions/the experiences).

The dreamer is not the dream, even though the dream is projected or existing under the existence and function of the dreamer. The content of dream is being influenced mostly by the selfless thought activities (thoughts/feelings/emotions/desires), or the mind inputs, or the mind perception of names and forms, or the experiences, or the imprints, memories and imaginations, or the physical sensations/conditions, or the surrounding environment, or under the influence of energy/elements/food consumption/hormones/substances/drugs. Even though the dreamer can be 'affected' or 'disturbed' by the content of the dream, either wittingly or unwittingly, however, the dreamer also can be unaffected or undisturbed by the content of the dream, by having the understanding that it is merely part of the selfless impermanent modification of the mind.

Above all, there is no existence of 'the dreamer' if there is no existence of 'the dream', and vice versa. These names and forms exist under the existence of one another.

Similarly,

The selfless perceptive mind can transcend the selfless impermanent modification/state of the mind, that is influenced by the selfless energy and all kinds of influential elements, which also can be influenced by the selfless mind under the presence of certain understanding, willpower, and action/inaction.

Such as 'laziness'. The selfless mind perceives the presence of 'laziness'. The selfless mind is not 'laziness'. The selfless mind can be over-powered by the presence of 'laziness', partially or completely, or it can transcend/over-come as well as eliminate 'laziness', depending on the presence and absence of the different degrees of willpower, where willpower can be developed and empowered, under certain practice or training.

Similarly,

The perceptive mind is not the thought process of processing the perceived names and forms, or the thinker is not the thinking/thoughts, or the experiencer is not the experiences, even though the perceived names and forms are being perceived and processed under the existence and function of the selfless perceptive mind, or the thinking/thoughts are being projected under the existence and function of the selfless thinker, or the experiences are being experienced under the existence and function of the selfless experiencer. The selfless mind can choose whether it wants to do something, or not, (act or react, or not, and how it wants to act or react) towards all kinds of thoughts, feelings, emotions, memories, ideas, and desires, that keep arising, changing, and passing away in the modification of the mind. It can choose whether to be disturbed or undisturbed by all that.

No doubt that, the selfless perceptive mind/the thinker/the experiencer doesn't and cannot exist and function, or function properly, if without the selfless support of the selfless energy and elements, that support the autonomous biological bodily system that sustain life existence up to certain extend (limited and conditional), which also influence the modification of the mind/the thought process/the states of the mind in certain way, that's why the selfless perceptive mind/the thinker/the experiencer is limited and conditional.

However,

The limited and conditional selfless and impermanent perceptive mind/thinker/experiencer can transcend (not being over-powered by) all that, via non-attachment towards and non-identifying/non-associating with the thought process/the thoughts/the experiences (standing as the selfless observer observing towards the selfless impermanent modification of the mind), and hence, not only that the mind is not being determined or over-powered by the perceived names and forms/the thoughts, feelings and emotions/the experiences that are pleasant/unpleasant, or desirable/undesirable, or agreeable/disagreeable, but the mind can also not being determined or over-powered by the autonomous biological bodily system that sustain the selfless life existence and function, that influence the selfless impermanent function and condition in the selfless physical body, and that influence the modification/function/states of mind in certain way, transcending the selfless impermanent conditions of the physical body that are pleasant or unpleasant, as well as transcending the selfless impermanent modification/states of the mind, that are balanced or imbalanced, that are calmed or agitated, that are pure or impure.

The limited and conditional perceptive mind/thinker/experiencer can also make use of the existing knowledge and understanding (ability and opportunity) to be influencing the selfless energy and elements in certain way, and hence, influencing its own limited and conditional conditions/functions, as well as the modification of the mind or the states of the mind in certain way.

The power of influence is not just from one to the other, but there is inter-influencing between one another, where one can be more predominant (over-powering), and vice versa.

The different yoga and meditation practices act as the tool that can influence/render the modification of the mind or the states of the mind to be or not to be in certain way, where this effect of the yoga and meditation practice is also impermanent. However, that momentary influence towards the modification of the mind or the states of the mind, rendering the modification/state of the mind to be calm and quiet momentarily, can remove the veil of ignorance and its by-products (the idea of 'I', egoism, impurities, restlessness, or suffering), that enables the mind to know Thyself, to see the truth of itself and its modification/function, where all that (the perceiver and the perceived names and forms/the thinker and the thinking/the experiencer and the experiences) are selfless and impermanent.

All states of the mind (Tamas, Rajas, Sattva) are selfless and impermanent under the selfless influence of the selfless energy and elements, that are interchanging or swaying between one to another, as well as a mixture of them, depending on which state is more predominant, which can be rendered or influenced by the selfless thinking and acting mind that has certain degrees of correct understanding and willpower to be choosing, or filtering, or restricting the type of physical and mental consumption/energy and element influence/physical and mental inputs and activities.

In the beginning, the mind over-comes the state of Tamas (idleness/lower impure consciousness/the absence of reasoning power) by developing/empowering the state of Rajas (activeness/higher impure consciousness/the presence of impure reasoning power). And then, the mind over-comes the state of Rajas by developing/empowering the state of Sattva (calmness/pure consciousness/purified reasoning power). And then, the mind transcends even the state of Sattva via self-inquiry and self-realization towards selflessness and impermanence, that is possible under the state of Sattva, transcending its own selfless and impermanent existence and function (Silence/Samadhi/The annihilation of the selfless impermanent modification of the mind).

The mind that is functioning under the influence of ignorance and its by-products of the idea of 'I', egoism, impurities, restlessness, and suffering (the disturbed state of mind), is unwittingly/spontaneously/ignorantly attaching towards and identifying/associating with the modification of the mind/the thought process/the states of mind/the thoughts/the feelings/the emotions/the memories/the desires/the experiences, that are pleasant/unpleasant, desirable/undesirable, or agreeable/disagreeable, that are impermanent, or constantly changing, and hence, the mind/the perceiver/the thinker/the experiencer is in a state of 'restlessness', 'discomfort', 'dissatisfaction', 'suffering', 'doubt', 'confusion', 'fear', or 'not free'. - Under the absence of correct understanding and willpower

Meanwhile, the mind can develop certain degrees of understanding as well as will power, to be initiative and determined (intense desire/yearning) to free the selfless impermanent modification of the mind from the veil of ignorance (the restless impure modification of the mind), to be unattached towards all that, and to transcend all that. - Under the presence of correct understanding and willpower, that is also selfless and impermanent, that is also limited and conditional

Just like all and everything, desire is neither good nor bad. Desire can lead the mind towards constructive or destructive actions and consequences of actions. Desire can empower or annihilate ignorance. The desire that can annihilate ignorance is the intense yearning towards liberation/freedom/peace, under the presence of correct understanding, right attitude, and right effort via the help of certain tools/practices/trainings.

Just as under the presence of extreme pain or life threatening situation, the different mind acts and reacts differently, under the presence or absence of the different degrees of understanding and willpower (self-control or freewill), that are limited and conditional, that can be developed and empowered.

Because of the truth of selflessness and impermanence in all and everything, the selfless mind that is functioning under the influence of ignorance attached onto and identified/associated with the restless modification of the mind and perceives the suffering of restlessness, and hence, the mind is not free, but at the same time, the mind can be free upon the realization of the truth of selflessness and impermanence.

Upon the realization or understanding towards all and everything are selfless and impermanent, the mind is free from ignorance, devoid of attachment/identification/association towards the restless modification of the mind, that enables the mind to be free from all kinds of suffering that derived from ignorance, as well as transcending the selfless impermanent changes governed by the nature's law of cause and effect, or transcending its own selfless existence and function.

Above all, there is no existence of 'the selfless impermanent mind' if there is no existence of 'the selfless impermanent modification of the mind' or 'the mind perception of a worldly life existence that is selfless and impermanent', and vice versa. They exist for one another.

The mind that understands this, is free. More importantly, it doesn't matter whether the mind knows and understands or doesn't know and doesn't understand this or that, it doesn't matter whether the mind enjoys or suffers, and it doesn't matter whether the mind is free or not free, all are selfless and impermanent.

The truth of selflessness, where there is no permanent independent infinite individual existence of 'I' existing in the selfless impermanent body and mind, and in all and everything, it doesn't mean that the selfless mind doesn't have or cannot develop the understanding and willpower of self-control and freewill to influence/modify/render/annihilate and/or transcend the modification/state of mind, and to perform or not perform certain action that would give rise to certain consequences of action/inaction.

The selfless body and mind didn't choose to be existing as what it is - A selfless and impermanent as well as limited and conditional living organism that is in need of constant life maintenance under the selfless support of the selfless energy and elements. (Absence of the freewill of a thinking and acting mind before coming into a momentary selfless impermanent existence, because it didn't exist until its selfless impermanent limited conditional existence begins to exist)

However, as long as the support for maintaining life existence and function is still available, then during its momentary selfless impermanent limited and conditional existence and function being what it is while reaching certain degrees of physical and mental independence/maturity, in this present moment NOW, the selfless mind can choose or influence what and how the body and mind is becoming, to choose what type of physical and mental inputs and outputs, to choose what type of action and inaction, whether to live a specific way of life, or not, whether to stay in or move away from certain condition or situation, whether overcoming/transcending or be over-powered by this and that, and whether to be happy or unhappy/to be kind or unkind/to be selfish or unselfish/to hold on or let go/to be disturbed or undisturbed/to be active or inactive/to believe or disbelieve/to be determined or undetermined by the impermanent physical and mental condition, limitation, ability, and disability/to be determined or undetermined by all kinds of desirable and undesirable life experiences that are impermanent, and so on, under the presence of certain degrees of correct understanding and willpower, even when the life existence and function of the body and mind is limited, conditional, selfless, and impermanent.

It's about the presence and absence of correct understanding (which can be developed and empowered) during the momentary existence between the beginning and the end of the selfless impermanent limited and conditional existence, that leads to certain action/inaction, that gives rise to certain consequences of action/inaction, that can impact the selfless impermanent changes in the body and mind as well as the surrounding environment, or the world that doesn't belong to anyone and anything, in certain way.

The existence and function of the thinking and acting mind is supported and influenced by the selfless energy and elements, where it doesn't exist and cannot function if without the support of energy and elements (not by choice/freewill biological genetic inheritance and by choice/freewill ongoing physical inputs or food/energy consumption for life maintenance), that influence the modification/function of the mind in certain way, but the way of thinking/understanding/reasoning/desire/behavior/action/reaction/outputs of the selfless thinking and acting mind are being conditioned and influenced largely/mostly by the ongoing mind inputs (family parenting upbringing/ideas/beliefs/values/inspirations/imaginations/stories/movies/social or public medias/social interactions and activities/educational learning and training/commercial advertisements/political agendas and manifestations/cultural, religious or spiritual empowerment, and etc) coming from everyone and everywhere.

That's why the upmost importance of the engagement in the mind purification process (to be changing/reconditioning/modifying/influencing the conditional mind behavior pattern as well as to quiet and silent the restless impure thought activities (the veil of ignorance), to annihilate the idea of 'I', egoism, impurities, and restlessness) by filtering and restricting the mind inputs via the observation of dispassion, renunciation, non-blind believing/non-blind following/non-blind practicing/non-blind propagating/non-preaching, Satsanga under the presence of wise company or Asanga under the absence of wise company, solitude, seclusion, silence, mental and emotional independence, self-reliance, self-control, self-discipline, right attitude, right effort, right attentiveness/concentration, meditation (non-grasping/letting go/allowing the restless modification of the mind or churning thought current to subside as it is), direct experience, open mind and self-inquiry towards the truth of everything, and self-realization, to know Thyself, to inquire and see the truth of everything under a rendered momentary purified and calmed state of mind.

It's not about over-powering/conquering/controlling all the others or all kinds of names and forms, to influence or make everything (the perceived reality) to be the way that the selfless mind desires it to be. That is what most minds are trying to do, out of ignorance.

It's about not being determined/influenced by all THAT that is happening in the modification of the mind, of all kinds of names and forms that the mind perceives through the senses, that are selfless and impermanent, that keep arising, changing, and passing away.

The biggest power, is not the power that gives/creates life and object, or the authoritarian power to over-power/control this and that, but it's the power of knowing Thyself, of being free from ignorance, that exists in all minds in this momentary selfless impermanent limited and conditional life existence, that transcends all and everything that are selfless and impermanent, limited and conditional, including the power of creation, or survival instinct, that is also limited and conditional, because all selfless existence that exist under the power of creation, and that sustain under survival instinct, have limited existence, and are conditional.

Inquire the truth of everything, and be free.

Yoga for the minds that seek liberation, freedom, and peace

All minds have different intentions, motivations, desires, goals, or expectation towards this selfless impermanent worldly life existence due to the different minds are functioning under different degrees of understanding and non-understanding towards all and everything that is going on in the mind, of the ceaseless thinking/feelings/emotions, or the thought process, or the modification of the mind, on top of there are many ideas and affairs existing in this world that are very confusing/disturbing/disappointing/exhausting to the minds that merely want to have a life, to be able to breathe, and just be what they are, somewhere, in peace.

The goal and the fruit of the yoga practice can appear differently for the different minds under different understanding and non-understanding, and under different intention, motivation, desire, goal, or expectation.

There are some minds might be learning and practicing yoga with the main or sole intention or desire to be enhancing their physical and mental health and fitness condition, in order to stay healthy and fit physically and mentally, and to look good and feel good, however, all these effects or benefits of the yoga practice are merely some momentary by-products of the regular yoga practice. These side-effects are impermanent, and they are not the ultimate goal or the end of the yoga practice. There is nothing bad or wrong with such intention or desire for learning and practicing yoga, as it is still a form of wholesome physical and mental activity that would benefit the body and mind, which is better than engaging in some forms of unwholesome activities that would be detrimental to the physical and mental health and fitness condition.

It is not that difficult for achieving certain degrees of physical and mental health and fitness enhancement, especially if there is regularity, persistence, and determination in performing the yoga practice or any other forms of physical and mental fitness training activities. 

Momentary conditional peace and freedom deriving from the enhanced physical and mental health and fitness condition that allows the body and mind to be able to perform and enjoy many kinds of physical and mental activities (the gratification of desires), is merely part of the side-effects of the regular yoga practice.

More importantly, the enhanced physical and mental good health and fitness condition to be able to perform and enjoy many kinds of physical and mental activities doesn't necessarily mean that the mind is also free from ignorance, the idea of 'I', egoism, impurities, restlessness, or suffering. It doesn't necessarily mean that the highly intelligent and knowledgeable and talented mind is able to be kind towards oneself and all the others unconditionally, or doesn't hurt itself and others, or is free from disturb, violence, and suffering, or not being determined or disturbed by the mind perception of names and forms or life experiences that are not necessarily pleasant, agreeable, or desirable, and that are selfless and impermanent, as well as not being determined or over-powered by the biological physical condition and the state of the mind, or the autonomous bodily system that maintain life existence and bodily functions, that are selfless and impermanent, that are limited and conditional.

There are many minds might be learning and practicing yoga with the main or sole intention or desire of seeking ultimate freedom and/or unconditional peace, or to be liberated from all kinds of limitations and suffering.

However, it is quite challenging and 'almost impossible' for many minds to annihilate the idea of 'I' and egoism from the modification of the mind effectively, in order to realize unconditional peace (devoid of corrupted thinking, impurities, restlessness, or suffering),

that removes the veil of ignorance,

that allows the mind to transcend all kinds of inevitable limitations (for being existing and functioning selflessly and impermanently as what it is).

As most minds are being conditioned by and deep rooted in worldly passionate egoistic ideas, beliefs, values, activities, ties, and connections, to think, reason, desire, and behave in certain way, that derived from while feeds and empowers ignorance, the idea of 'I', and egoism,

which hinders the mind to annihilate ignorance and egoism,

to see the truth of the selfless and impermanent existence and function of itself and all kinds of names and forms,

to transcend all kinds of selfless impermanent changes that are happening within its own selfless existence and function, that merely exists and functions in this present moment NOW being part of the selfless impermanent existence and function of a limited and conditional decaying and disintegrating physical body,

and in all kinds of agreeable and disagreeable names and forms/experiences that it perceives through the senses within this limited and conditional selfless impermanent worldly life existence.

 

If the mind is still struggling,

Do not give up.

Never despair.

 

There are ways, if there is intense yearning towards liberation, freedom, and peace.

It is absolutely possible to be free from ignorance and the suffering deriving from ignorance.

It is absolutely possible to transcend the selfless impermanent modification of the mind while it is still existing and functioning momentarily in NOW under the selfless support of the selfless energy and elements,

if there is immovable determination and perseverance, and under the presence of the basic correct understanding, right attitude, and right effort.

The key words/teachings/practice that lead towards liberation, freedom, and peace -

Simplicity

Self-discipline

Self-control

Self-reliance

Self-inquiry

Introspection

Turn inward (focus within)

Reflect

Non-violence

Openness

Letting go

Renunciation

Dispassion

Desirelessness

Seclusion

Solitude

Silence

Serve

Unconditional dispassionate love (Kindness)

Give

Purify

Concentrate

Meditate

Inquire (the truth of everything)

Realize

Mental and emotional independence

Perseverance

Determination

Forbearance

Adjustment

Adaptation

Accommodation

Acceptance

Non-attachment (Non-grasping)

Non-identification

Non-craving

Non-aversion

Non-comparison

Non-judgment

Non-expectation

Non-blind believing

Non-blind following

Non-blind practicing

Non-blind propagating

Non-preaching

Non-glorifying

Non-admiring

Non-possessiveness

Contentment

Equanimity

Middle path

Direct experience

Self realization

Selflessness

Impermanence

Transcend

Non-duality

Non-separateness

Timelessness

Birthlessness

Deathlessness

Attributelessness

Namelessness

Formlessness

Fearlessness

Peace

Freedom

Liberation

There is only NOW

Live in NOW

Existence is in NOW

All and everything in NOW are impermanent

All and everything in NOW are selfless

 

Even if the mind is still in doubt upon disintegration, it's okay.

That, alone, of acceptance, of desirelessness, of letting go, is liberation, is freedom, is peace.

 

The ability of letting go, or non-grasping/non-attaching towards whatever the mind perceives through the senses within and outside the body and mind, being undetermined or undisturbed by the selfless impermanent changes in the different qualities in all kinds of names and forms, of pleasant and unpleasant/desirable and undesirable/agreeable and disagreeable experiences, relationships, events, conditions, and situations, where the mind is resting in unconditional peace, is the liberation, freedom, and peace that exist in NOW, that cannot be given or taken away by anyone or anything. There is no need forbearance to forbear anything. Forbearance is needed only when the mind can't let go or doesn't know how to let go, or upon there is grasping or attachment. Similarly, suffering doesn't exist under the absence of grasping or attachment, or under the absence of the idea of 'I'.

 

All these names and forms are different as well as non-distinctive from one another.

Inquire the truth of everything, including all that is here, and everywhere.

Inquire towards the power of belief

All kinds of beliefs are not necessarily the truth of things, however, any kind of belief among all kinds of different beliefs is something so 'powerful' in the world of ignorance and egoism, as it is influencing the minds that are functioning under the veil of ignorance and egoism to think, reason, desire, and behave in certain way, that is influencing the general condition and situation in the world to be in certain way.

Power can be something constructive or destructive. Power can build or destroy. It's the same with all kinds of beliefs as well as all kinds of influential elements.

'Belief' becomes something very powerful (destructively), when certain minds with selfish greedy desires and ambitions used 'all kinds of beliefs' to manipulate, tempt or threaten, exploit, and control the thinking, the reasoning, the desire, and the behavior of many other minds, to gain certain power or advantage, that help them to achieve all their selfish greedy desires and ambitions.

'Power' or 'powerful' is neither something good nor bad. It depends on whether it is something that promotes peace and harmony among all kinds of diversities in this world that doesn't belong to anyone and anything, or not.

Just by 'believing in' something, even if that something doesn't really exist, can influence the thinking, the reasoning, the desire, and the behavior of the many minds in certain way, and hence, impacting the condition and situation in the world in certain way.

Even though any kind of belief is something 'powerful' as it is highly influential, just as all kinds of famous charismatic admirable respectable figure or influencer and inspirational event, but all these are not the most powerful thing in the world.

The minds that are free from the influence of ignorance and egoism, they are not being determined or influenced by any kind of belief, or any kind of influential element. They don't need the existence of any particular belief to set as a guideline to live life in certain way. They don't need the existence of any 'leader' to lead them, or to make decision for them. That 'mental and emotional independence of not being determined or influenced by any kind of belief or influential element' is the most 'powerful' among all kinds of so called 'powerful influential elements' in the world, as the liberated mind is not being determined or influenced by any kinds of influential elements, regardless of whether it is some kind of influential belief, or famous charismatic admirable respectable figure/influencer, or inspirational event, or impactful experience, or condition, or situation. The liberated mind is not even being determined or influenced by the ceaseless selfless impermanent changes that are happening in the body and the modification of the mind that is existing and functioning under the selfless support of the selfless energy and elements.

The different minds that are functioning under the influence of ignorance and egoism, they are being conditioned and influenced by the many different kinds of beliefs that are existing in the world, to be thinking and believing that all minds cannot live life without believing in any kind of belief to be the guidance that leads to a particular way of living and behavior, where they believe all and everyone need to hold onto certain belief to live life and behave in certain way, that give rise to a sense of belonging, direction, refuge, purposefulness, meaningfulness, accomplishment, and personal/family/community pride.

All kinds of beliefs are neither good nor bad, but the mind is not free, if it is being conditioned and influenced by certain belief to think, reason, desire, and behave in certain way, regardless of whether the mind thinks and believes that the beliefs are something good or bad, and something agreeable or disagreeable.

The teachings and practice of yoga and/or buddhism, is to free the mind from all that, while respecting the existence of all kinds of beliefs being what they are, as there are many minds still 'need' to hold onto these beliefs to set as a guidance to live life, or else, they will be lost under the sense of purposelessness or meaninglessness, if without setting a specific direction or goal in life.

Before the mind attains mental and emotional independence transcending all kinds of beliefs, or before the mind attains self-realization transcending the selfless impermanent modification of the mind, where it still needs to hold onto certain belief to live life, think, desire, and behave in certain way, that give rise to the momentary sense of goodness, righteousness, positiveness, joyfulness, meaningfulness, refuge, or direction/goal, however, this mind also needs to understand that it cannot impose its own belief unto any other minds/people, where it expects all the others should also believe and follow its own belief to live life, think, desire, and behave in certain way, or the way that it thinks and believes is the good and right way, or the best way to be existing as a human being, while judging others who are different from oneself as bad and wrong, and be disturbed or offended by others who are different from oneself, that oneself dislikes and disagrees with based on one's own belief about how things and everyone should be like. One keeps one's belief only to oneself, and not impose one's belief unto any other, not even one's close family members or community, not to say, all the others that are not one's family members or community. Meanwhile, the mind can keep striving to be free from ignorance, to transcend its own belief or the modification of the mind, to attain mental and emotional independence or self-realization, if it wants.

The world is having so much unnecessary chaos or suffering, is due to there are many minds that are functioning under the influence of ignorance and egoism impose each of their own particular belief unto all the others, and be disturbed and offended by the others whom they dislike and disagree with based on their own particular belief, while generate actions and reactions that are violent and hurtful unto the others who are different from them.

Inquire the truth of everything, and be free.

Love without possessiveness

Most of the 'love' in this world, is possessive love.

Upon falling in love with something, one will also want to possess that something that one 'loves'. Upon possessing that something that one 'loves', one will also wants to 'control' that something that one 'loves' to be 'the way that one likes and desires it to be'.

"I love you. I want you to be mine. You are mine. You belongs to me. I want you to be good, and always good.

When you behave in the way that I don't like and don't desire and don't agree with, and when you don't behave in the way that I like and desire and agree with, or when you are not good, I am unhappy and angry, and I will punish and hurt you."

Similarly,

"I love this land. I want to keep this land to myself. This land is my land. This land is mine. This land belongs to me.

I love this animal. I want to keep this animal with me. This animal is my pet, my family. This animal is mine. This animal belongs to me.

I love my family, my partner, my children, my brothers and sisters, my community, my people, my pet, and my land.

When the animal, the land, the family, the partner, the children, the brothers and sisters, the community, and the people are the way that I don't like and don't desire and don't agree with, or when they are not the way that I like and desire and agree with, or when they don't give me what I want and they give me what I don't want, I am unhappy and angry, and I will punish and hurt them, because I want them to be good."

What love?

No love.

Only possessiveness and control.

Only anger and vengeance.

Only selfish desires and expectation.

"I don't love you or anything. I don't even love myself. I only love my desires of getting what I want, what I like, and what I agree with, and not getting what I don't want, what I don't like, and what I don't agree with."

Don't fall in love with anything or anyone, if one doesn't know what is love, and doesn't know how to love, but one will be hurting everything and everyone that one thinks one 'loves' very much, out of possessiveness and control and desires.

If one really wants to love, then

Love without possessiveness.

Love without desires of craving and aversion.

Love without control and expectation.

Love unconditionally, and let go.

 

Inquire the truth of everything.

How to deal with all kinds of ignorance and ignorant affairs in this world

No doubt that there are many people/minds that are functioning under the influence of ignorance and its by-products, and hence, there are many ignorant affairs that are happening in this world that doesn't belong to anyone and anything.

How to deal with all kinds of ignorance and ignorant affairs in this world is the same as how would one be dealing with the many people/minds that are suffering from certain degrees of certain kind of mental illness. And there are many people/minds are not aware of themselves are mentally ill, and they don't like and would feel very disturbed and offended when they are being referred as 'mentally ill'.

Pride is a form of mental illness. Possessiveness is a form of mental illness. Greed and jealousy is a form of mental illness. Anger and hatred is a form of mental illness. Being over-powered by all kinds of impurities influencing one's behavior/action/reaction is a serious form of mental illness. Being ignorant towards ignorance in oneself is the most serious form of mental illness. The minds that are ignorant towards ignorance in themselves don't have any self-control or reasoning power. They are existing and functioning on the instinctive level, being over-powered by or operating under 'the basic survival instinct' that exists in all living organisms, even if they are well educated, highly knowledgeable, or talented and skillful in many things.

The people/minds that are mentally healthy, they don't perceive 'those who are mentally ill' or 'mental illness' or 'ignorance and impurities' as something bad, negative, wrong, inferior, shortcoming, insulting, humiliating, or shameful.

The people/minds that suffering from some kind of mental illness, that are mentally ill, are not different from wild animals, where sometimes they are very calmed and 'cute', while some other times they are very disturbed, agitated, aggressive, violent, and 'hurtful', where they might behave/act/react spontaneously and irrationally, that would hurt oneself and others and the surrounding environment, either intentionally or unintentionally, and either deliberately or randomly.

One cannot reason with those who are mentally ill.

One doesn't need to be angry with those who are mentally ill, and doesn't need to be determined or disturbed by their 'damaging hurtful destructive behaviors'.

Just as one cannot reason or be angry with the wild animals for their unpredictable behaviors most of the time.

Ignorance is destructive. It is like any of the destructive 'natural disasters'. One doesn't need to or cannot be angry with the destructive natural disasters being what they are. One can be angry, if one wants to be angry, but it's one's own responsibility for hurting oneself with anger.

Just as one accidentally (or deliberately) fall into a 'hole' that is there being what it is, and got injured and feels pain, one cannot be angry with the hole, or out of annoyance and anger, one kicks and punches the space of the hole or the wall of the hole in order to release one's anger and pain, to revenge, but it is hurting and injuring oneself further out of one's action/reaction, while it doesn't change the hole being what it is. One might want to fill up the hole with earth, to make the hole disappear, and hence, one digs another hole to get the earth for filling the existing hole, which doesn't make sense.

One can only be vigilant not to fall into any holes. And there are many 'holes' and there will be more and more 'holes' everywhere in this world.

One can only see what one can do, to watch out for any kinds of 'natural disasters', to avoid or minimize coming in contact with 'natural disasters' directly, and see what one can do to 'clean up the mess' and/or 'repair or rebuild what have been damaged or destroyed', or not, without attachment or expectation.

If one wants to clean up the mess and/or repair or rebuild what have been damaged or destroyed, then know that there might be another and/or many other natural disasters will be happening again or repeatedly, where all and everything would be damaged or destroyed again and again after one's continuous effort of 'cleaning up' and 'repairing/rebuilding' the aftermath every time, while remains equanimous and at peace, without being determined, or disturbed, or disappointed, or hurt, or angered by all that.

Just as those who are looking after the people that are suffering from certain serious mental illness, where mentally ill people are not aware of (ignorant towards) what is happening in themselves or their behaviors. They are dealing with a very difficult situation, as they might be 'attacked' and 'injured' at anytime by those that they are looking after with care and loving kindness.

The healthy people/minds that have certain degrees of correct understanding, they don't suffer for other people's/minds' ignorance and the consequences of their ignorance, even if they are being affected physically and mentally, directly or indirectly.

Why hurt oneself further or continuously by something that the mind thinks and believes as other people's 'ignorance', that is 'bad' and 'wrong'?

Under the presence of correct understanding (wisdom), the selfless thinking and acting mind is not being determined or disturbed by the ignorance and ignorant affairs in this world that doesn't belong to anyone and anything. The physical body might be in a bad or weak and uncomfortable condition, but that also doesn't determine the thinking and acting mind that is devoid of ignorance, the idea of 'I' and egoism, that has transcended the selfless impermanent modification of the mind, that is being aware of the selfless impermanent physical condition under the absence of grasping, or attachment, or identification.

There are minds that have not yet developed any degree of self-control (the absence of freewill to make choices to behave/act/react in certain way, or not) or reasoning power (correct understanding) at all, being completely over-powered by survival instinct and influential elements, ignorantly attaching and identifying and associating with the restless impure modification of the mind/the selfless impermanent state of mind, and being the slave of the influential elements/ignorance/egoism/desires/impurities/restlessness.

There are minds that have developed different degrees of self-control and reasoning power of choosing how to behave/act/react in certain way, or not, transcending the survival instinct and all kinds of influential elements, or transcending the selfless and impermanent modification of the mind/the state of mind, via non-grasping/non-attachment/non-identification/non-association and thinning-out/annihilating the ignorance/egoism/desires/impurities/restlessness.

Patience, tolerance, forbearance, perseverance, adjustment, adaptation, accommodation, acceptance, contentment, calmness, generosity, letting go, non-attachment, non-identification, non-craving, non-aversion, non-comparison, non-judgment, non-expectation, non-violence, self-control, reasoning power, correct understanding, determination, and etc, might be presence or absence in different minds, or might be presence under different degrees in different minds, but at the same time, all that can be developed or be strengthened, under self-initiation and self-effort.

"I am disturbed and angry. I want to behave destructively to hurt everyone and everything to express and release my anger."

Or,

"There is disturbance and anger arise in the mind. This is impermanent. It will pass away. It's neither 'I' nor 'mine'. There is no need to behave destructively to hurt anyone and anything."

What will this mind choose?

Inquire the truth of everything.

All will pass away

No matter how good or how bad it is, all will pass away.

No matter good people or bad people, all will pass away.

No matter easy life or difficult life, all will pass away.

No matter healthy or unhealthy, all will pass away.

No matter happiness or unhappiness, all will pass away.

Live in the present moment. There is no living outside/before/after the present moment.

There is only the present moment now, and everything in this present moment is impermanent. There is no "other moment that is not this present moment now".

Just do what one can do in the present moment now.

Just do what is possible in the present moment now.

One can choose to act, or not to act.

And let go.

Let it be.

When one thinks there is nothing one can do, then just be in peace, regardless of whether in action or inaction.

That is the most precious thing in oneself, and that can be given to the world in the present moment now.

Inquire the truth of everything.

Go beyond the accumulated knowledge in the mind or what the mind thinks it knows

The mind only knows what it knows, or the accumulated knowledge and information that it has been coming in contact with, learning, studying, researching, and accumulating as well as memorizing.

The mind doesn't know what it doesn't know (yet).

The teachings and practice of yoga and/or buddhism is not a belief.

The truth of selflessness and impermanence in all kinds of names and forms, regardless of whether living organisms or non-living objects, as well as the nature's law of cause and effect, is not a belief.

Science, or "what things are, as they are", is not a belief.

If a mind thinks and believes, and says, "I believe that the universe is like this, or the human minds are like that, based on my conclusion coming from my own dedicated research on top of studying other people's research for many years," while denying certain knowledge/information/understanding that is different from its own understanding/conclusion based on its own accumulated knowledge and some others' accumulated knowledge, then it indicates that this mind only knows what it knows. It shows that this mind is still functioning under the veil of ignorance and egoism, even if this mind is the most knowledgeable mind among all minds in this world.

It doesn't mean that the knowledge/information or the understanding of this mind is wrong or incorrect, however, it is not the absolute knowledge or complete understanding. It's merely the partial knowledge/information/understanding that would lead the mind towards the absolute knowledge or complete understanding, provided if this mind knows how to go beyond or unattached towards what it thinks it knows, of all its accumulated knowledge/information and the current understanding/conclusion.

Such as there is nothing wrong and it's correct about "You are what you eat", "Develop positive thinking to overcome negative thinking", "Do good, don't do bad", "Treat others the way that yourself want to be treated by others", "Love yourself", "Be grateful and thankful", "The state of mind is being influenced by the energy field that is influenced by food consumption, substances or drugs, hormones, all kinds of positions and activities, the surrounding environment, or all kinds of physical/mental/emotional/sensory inputs and activities", and/or "I am That," however, that is not the absolute knowledge or complete understanding, or the goal of the teachings and practice. That's why there are many different types of initial practice and observation that served the purpose to render the state of mind in certain way, which is also impermanent, and it's not the goal of the teachings and practice, but it can prepare and lead the mind towards some other forms of practice for transcending all that.

Such as it's correct about "All minds are functioning under the veil of ignorance, and all are ignorant," but it's not complete. The veil of ignorance can be eliminated via self-effort and through persistence and determination. It is not easy, but it is absolutely possible to be free from ignorance.

Such as it's correct about "The behavior/action/reaction is being conditioned/influenced by the mind behavior pattern," but it's not complete. The mind behavior pattern is also limited and conditional, where it can be modified or changed. That's why there are many different types of practice that are available for initiate the process to modify or change the conditional mind behavior pattern.

Such as it's correct about "The past generated cause and effect cannot be undone," but it's not complete. How the mind acts and reacts in this present moment now towards the past generated cause and effect that cannot be undone, can determine the fresh cause and effect being generated in the present moment.

Such as it's correct about "There is no 'I' existing in the selfless body and mind to be in control of its own selfless and impermanent function and existence," but it's not complete. As long as the selfless body and mind is still existing and functioning under the selfless support of the selfless energy and elements in this present moment now, it can develop willpower and self-control, or non-attachment and correct understanding, it can choose what type of 'minds'/'activities'/'connections' that it wants or doesn't want to get involve with, and it can choose to perform or not performing certain actions that can influence the selfless impermanent changes or the surrounding environment in certain way, in the present moment now, while respecting or allowing the fruit of its action or inaction to be what it is.

The selfless mind can choose and perform action to free itself from ignorance, or not, while allowing the fruit of choices/actions to be what it is. The mind can choose whether it wants to be kind or unkind. The mind can choose whether it wants to realize unconditional peace, or not. The mind can choose to let go, or not. The mind can choose whether to believe or disbelieve in something or anything. The mind can choose to be happy or unhappy, regardless of whether it is experiencing something painful or difficult, or not. There are autonomous functions/activities/actions/reactions in the selfless bodily system to maintain life existence, and there are non-autonomous freewill by choice activities/choices/actions/reactions/desires coming from the selfless thinking and acting mind, either under the presence of ignorance or under the absence of ignorance.

Knowing that this is poison, the mind can choose whether to consume the poison, or not. If knowing that this action will inflict damage or suffering unto oneself and others, and the mind still wants to do it, that is ignorance, that is nothing to do with selflessness (there is no 'I' existing in all kinds of names and forms). All are selfless. The only difference is whether the selfless mind is functioning under the influence of ignorance and its by-products, or not.

If the mind truly understands, it won't think and believe in such way, or debate and argue to justify and prove that "this is right and that is wrong" or "I am right and you are wrong".

The mind that understands "I only know what I know, and what I don't know, I don't know," is not free yet, but at least, it is on the way towards transcending the idea of 'I' and what it thinks it knows and doesn't know (yet).

The mind that thinks and believes, "I know a lot. I know more than the others. My knowledge/research/understanding is correct or more accurate than some others' knowledge/research/understanding that is different from mine," and justify, "My knowledge/research/understanding is correct/true, and other knowledge/research/understanding that is different from mine is incorrect/false," is currently stuck in its own thinking and accumulated knowledge/research and partial incomplete understanding.

And there is neither right nor wrong, and it's neither good nor bad, about all that. It's the freedom of thinking and understanding of all and everyone.

"All are selfless and impermanent. All are limited and conditional," is both restricting as well as liberating.

A mind that was very violent and hurtful can also change and become less violent and less hurtful, or even, non-violent and non-hurtful, or vice versa, if it (really) wants to change.

That's why the highly importance of self-inquiry towards "Who am I?", or more specifically, "What is the 'I' that the thinking in the selfless thinking faculty of the selfless human body that thinks/believes/acknowledges/identifies as I, or me, or my independent and infinite individual self existence?"

That's why the highly importance of Self-realization, of knowing Thyself, or more specifically, knowing what is the restless modification of the selfless impermanent perceptive cognitive intellectual emotional thinking and acting mind? or what is ceaseless births and deaths, or what is the ego and egoism? or what is ignorance and suffering? or what is Selflessness and Impermanence? or what is 'That'? or what is transcending time, space, and causation? or what is transcending the modification of the mind/the state of mind/restlessness/suffering or all kinds of thought activities/feelings/emotions/ideas/beliefs/values/desires/duality/likes and dislikes/agreements and disagreements? or what are all those influential and conditional teachings/beliefs/ideas/philosophies/knowledge/values/practices/inspirations/aspirations coming from all and everyone and everywhere?

That's why the highly importance of open mind, non-grasping, self-effort, self-reliance, dispassion, renunciation, solitude, seclusion, the observation of Mauna, desirelessness, mental and emotional independence, mind purification process, regular persistent concentration and meditation practice, turning the outgoing tendency of the mind inward for self-introspection, sharpening and purifying the intellectual reasoning power not to be influenced by worldly egoistic ideas/beliefs/values/practices/desires, intense yearning towards liberation, and thinning-out/starving/eliminating the idea of 'I' and egoism, a.k.a. activate the practice of non-attachment, non-identification, non-craving, non-aversion, non-comparison, non-judgment, and non-expectation, that prepare the mind to perform inquiry towards all and everything, including all kinds of 'scientific' research, all kinds of ideas/beliefs/philosophies/teachings/values/practices/desires/inspirations/aspirations, and all the teachings of yoga and/or buddhism from anyone and everyone, or from anywhere and everywhere.

Inquire the truth of everything.

Letting go

What to be letting go?

Let go the idea of 'I' (the ego) and egoism of attachment, identification, desire of craving and aversion, possessiveness, comparison, judgment, and expectation, as well as all kinds of by-products that come along under the presence of the idea of 'I' and egoism, that give rise to all kinds worldly passionate egoistic ideas, beliefs, values, practices, activities, desires, visions, inspirations, aspirations, or ambitions, that give rise to all kinds of impurities and restlessness.

Let go the idea of 'I' and egoism doesn't mean that one doesn't love or be kind to oneself, or doesn't strive to improve and doesn't look after the well-being of oneself, while deliberately doing everything that would be damaging or hurtful unto oneself.

Let go all kinds worldly attachment and identification of family ties and connections doesn't mean that one abandons one's duty and responsibility towards those who are in some kind of ties and connections with oneself, or doesn't love and be kind to all of them, while deliberately doing everything that would be damaging or hurtful unto all of them.

Let go attachment towards the world doesn't mean that one doesn't look after the well-being of the world, while deliberately doing everything that would be damaging or hurtful unto the world.

It's about performing all one's duties and responsibilities towards looking after oneself and others and the world, without attachment, identification, desires of craving and aversion, possessiveness, comparison, judgment, and expectation.

It's about performing actions while renouncing the fruit of actions.

One is kind towards oneself, all and everyone, and everything, unconditionally, without attachment and identification or the sense of separateness, of 'myself' and 'others', of 'my family and friends' and 'not my family and friends', of 'my community' and 'not my community', of 'my belongings' and 'not my belongings'.

There is no "This is how much I give, and this is how much I deserve to receive in return."

The minds that don't understand the real meaning and practice of letting go, they would be in a state of selfishness, lovelessness, depression, loneliness, and meaninglessness, when they try to 'let go'.

The minds that understand, there is no selfishness, lovelessness, depression, loneliness, and meaninglessness, when they let go 'what I think is myself', all kinds of attachments and identifications, all kinds of ties and connections, and the world.

Inquire the truth of everything.

If still in doubt, contemplate upon this

There is neither right nor wrong and it is neither good nor bad in all kinds of spiritual/religious beliefs, including the misinterpreted or contaminated 'teachings and practice of buddhism and yoga' that are existing in the world, even if they appeared to be something very disagreeable, or wrong, or bad, or destructive, or that inflict/generate many unnecessary evitable suffering unto oneself/others/the surrounding environment and into the world that doesn't belong to anyone, for those minds that have developed certain degrees of mental and emotional independence, correct understanding, or clarity of thinking and reasoning power, but somehow there is still a thin layer of ignorance, where they are still in doubt, where they are still not free from being bound by the idea of 'I'/dualism/disturbs/suffering/painful sorrow.

If the mind is still in doubt, couldn't understand why there is neither right nor wrong and it is neither good nor bad about all that, the mind can contemplate upon this -

Most minds are functioning under the thick veil of ignorance.

And hence, the mind is thinking/reasoning/desiring/behaving/acting/reacting in certain way under the influence of ignorance and the by-products of ignorance, either wittingly or unwittingly, that would be damaging and hurtful unto itself/others/the world/the surrounding environment, which also bring along the consequences of all that.

The mind that is functioning under the veil of ignorance cannot perceive or understand something that it couldn't perceive and understand, such as the eyes cannot see themselves, or the eyes couldn't see anything under the absence of light or under the presence of hindrance, and hence, it needs to depend on certain 'tools' or 'reflective objects' and 'the presence of light' as well as 'the absence of hindrance', in order to annihilate the veil of ignorance, to see/know Thyself.

All minds are functioning under the different degrees of ignorance, including the great teachers such as Siddhartha Gautama, Swami Sivananda, Ajahn Chah, and all the other enlightened gurus, saints and sages. That's why they are called "The enlightened one", as they were in doubt, and they needed to be approaching certain 'teachers', or coming in contact with and studying certain 'teachings', and engaging in certain form of discipline, or practice, or purification process, before they attained "enlightenment".

The different degrees of ignorance is like the different thickness of cataract that built up in the lens of the eyes.

The sun or the light is always there, just as the truth is always there. The earth that is turning at a particular speed and direction that makes the sun or the light appears and disappears, while generating the illusion of 'time'/'day and night', while the clouds or the atmosphere in the space also act as the 'hindrance' or 'colour filter' that changes the 'appearance' and 'disappearance' of the sun or the light.

The cataract is like the veil of ignorance, which can be removed. The only difference is that, the cataract has to be removed by some others (the eye surgeon, or a machine that is programmed to perform such task), but the veil of ignorance in the mind can only be removed by the mind itself through self-awareness, self-initiative, self-effort, self-inquiry, direct experience, and self-realization. During the process of removing the cataract or the veil of ignorance, certain 'tools' are needed.

There are very few minds that don't need any particular 'tool'/'teacher'/'teachings'/'guidance', as the veil of ignorance is almost transparent or non-existing, where it can see all and everything as they are, as well as all and everything that it perceives naturally appeared to be 'the teachers' or 'the reflective object that reflects all and everything as they are' that allow the mind to see/know Thyself.

All kinds of spiritual/religious beliefs, regardless of believing or disbelieving in 'this' or 'that', as well as the buddhism and yoga Scriptures/Sutras/books/materials, where they all can be and will be contaminated and misinterpreted, all are existing and acting as 'the tools'. Regardless of whether they are contaminated or non-contaminated, they all served the purpose as an initial 'guidance', or 'practice', or 'discipline', or 'path', or 'direction', for the wandering or lost minds that are functioning under the thick veil of ignorance.

Most minds need to hold onto certain 'beliefs' or 'teachings' before they can transcend all kinds of beliefs or teachings. Very few minds don't need all that.

First, the mind is heading towards a particular direction or goal (by engaging in certain discipline or practice genuinely and determinedly), and during that purification process, the mind will eventually start to see 'things' clearer and clearer, and then, eventually the mind can start to see all and everything clearly as it is (transcending all kinds of teachers/teachings/beliefs/Scriptures/Sutras/practice/discipline/path/direction/goal).

First, the ignorant minds are being encouraged to believe and have faith in 'That', to be taking refuge in 'That', to be praying to 'That', and to be grateful as well as be fearful towards 'That', or to be fearful towards 'unpleasant or painful consequences', or to be fearful towards 'ceaseless and restless births and deaths'.

And then, upon the annihilation of the veil of ignorance, or upon the mind sees/knows Thyself, the mind transcends 'That' and 'all that', that only served or acted as a 'tool'/'guidance'/'teacher'/'teachings'/'path'/'practice'/'direction'/'goal'/'refuge', or 'the light' that allows the eyes to see.

First, the illusive 'I' that is 'ignorant', that is in 'doubt', and that perceives 'suffering', that keeps hurting itself and others out of ignorance and suffering, is performing certain 'practice', or is engaging in certain 'observation and discipline', and is desiring to attain 'enlightenment', or 'salvation', or 'liberation'.

And then, upon Self-realization or knowing Thyself, there is no 'I'. There is no 'ignorance'. There is no 'end of ignorance'. There is no 'doubt'. There is no 'fear'. There is no 'suffering'. There is no 'end of suffering'. There is no 'path'. There is no 'goal'. There is no 'direction'. There is no 'practice'. There is no 'enlightenment'. There is no 'salvation'. There is no 'liberation'. There is no 'That'.

And yet, the engagement in mind purification process in order to know Thyself, or to be free from ignorance and its by-products, or to remove the veil of ignorance, is upmost important, or the highest duty of mankind, so that the mind doesn't hurt or stops hurting itself and others and the surrounding environment, or the world, during its momentary selfless and impermanent existence and function in this space that doesn't belong to anyone or anything.

The train, the train track, the fuels, and the train driver, served the purpose of bringing the travellers to any particular destination. If for any reasons, the travellers decide to leave the train before arriving at the final destination, that is their own freedom. While either intentionally or unintentionally, some travellers would sabotage or cause damages unto the train, or cause interference, disruption, and even injury unto some other travellers onboard, or claim possessiveness and control over the train and those onboard, or hinder and stop some others from embarking onto the train, or persuade/force some other travellers to leave the train, or even divert the train path heading towards some other directions and destinations. Meanwhile, some travellers might have embarked onto a train that they thought it would bring them to where they want to go, however, during the journey, they realized that they have taken the wrong train, and they leave the train and embark onto another train that would bring them to where they want to go. Upon reaching the (final) destination, all that are useless as well as 'non-existence' to the travellers upon Self-realization. All that exist along with the existence of travellers that need to travel to somewhere. If there are no travellers, all that doesn't need to be existing. The travellers don't take or keep the train/the train track/the fuels/the driver with them. But, all and everyone needs to embark onto the train (that also has the train track/fuels/driver), or else, they are not going anywhere.

Just as performing many different types of physical and mental yoga and meditation practice passionately and regularly without implementing the elimination of ignorance, the idea of 'I' and egoism, while enjoying all kinds of momentary benefits/effects of the practice, doesn't lead the mind towards Self-realization.

That's why the importance of Satsanga (wise company).

That's why the importance of if there's no Satsanga, it's better to be Asanga (devoid of company) than to be having Kutsanga (ignorant egoistic impure company).

That's why the importance of solitude and seclusion.

That's why the importance of renunciation and dispassion.

Be free.

Inquire the truth of everything.