The Mind That Got Bored of Its Own Medicine

Move

I tried several ways to calm my mind. One of them was Sadhguru’s mantra - “I am not the body, I am not the mind.”
For a couple of weeks, it felt good. Then the effect faded.

So I did what any practical person does - I set a reminder on my phone. Now it was a routine. I was in its rhythm with the least effort. A few months of doing it sparsely, I started drifting away.
The mantra had become a System 1 activity. My mouth was saying the words. My mind was already planning the next meeting.

See

I was misunderstanding silence. Maun, we call it in Hindi.

I thought maun meant speaking less. Being quiet. Listening carefully.
But as I explore spirituality and try to understand consciousness better, I’m learning that maun is not about external silence. It’s not about being mum.
It’s internal silence.

And internal here means a mind with no thoughts. Or more precisely - a mind where you’re not participating in the thoughts.

Currently, after listening to Sakshi Bhaav from Ashtavakra, I feel I’m getting closer. Maun is not stopping thoughts. It’s about not participating in any thought that occurs in the mind.
Just observing what comes. No judgment. No engagement.

A detached view - like someone high on drugs who can see but is not capable of judging or remembering.

Reflect

Here’s what’s interesting.

My concern about bias didn’t come from spirituality. It came from behavioral economics. Research-backed stuff. Kahneman. Nudge. Predictably Irrational.

But now this maun - this witnessing - is making me listen differently. Comprehend differently. And speak differently.

I speak with the realization that it’s just a way of saying something. The choice of words matters. They should be true, unbiased, and delivered softly and politely - or as the situation demands.

But here’s the twist - with the realization that “this is not me.”

I am just acting.

The world I’m talking to is also part of these worldly acts. Everyone playing a role. To live. To feed their mind and body.

Who really knows what is atma until the prayers happen post the cremation of a human body?

This is fun now. I’m loving my new companion - my mind.

I love how smartly he drifts me into himself. And then he’s surprised to stop throwing any new thoughts when he realizes I am watching him.

Does he fear me? Or is this a test to make me feel enlightened?

The journey continues. The exploration goes on.

Sabri se sabra seekho - but remember, you won’t have to wait your entire life. Sometimes the mind reveals itself faster than you think.