The first two verses of Amritabindu Upanishad contains the teachings on mind. The two verses are pregnant with meaning and contains numerous symbolism. The two verses are also explained by Swami Chidananda of Chinmaya Trust in this blog post.
The desire ridden mind is impure. Other impurities like anger or jealousy are its side products. When obstructed desire becomes anger, when someone else enjoys what one desires, it turns into jealousy. When one gets what one wanted, greed or pride arises.
The desire ridden mind is impure. Other impurities like anger or jealousy are its side products. When obstructed desire becomes anger, when someone else enjoys what one desires, it turns into jealousy. When one gets what one wanted, greed or pride arises.
“Mind is considered as two-fold: pure and impure. It is impure with the resolve of personal desire. It is pure when devoid of all selfish desires” – Amritabindu Upanishad Mantra 1.
Mind binds, mind liberates! Thoughts are the medium through which the ego, the limited Self, appears and paves the way for all our likes and dislikes, pleasure and pain. Innocence of a child is free from attachment or hatred. As we reach deep within ourselves – we see this childlike nature of pure – undivided awareness due to attachment to sense objects. We pursue pleasure out of mere habit and not as a true need. Paying attention to the subtle ways our mind is indeed desireless state.
“Mind alone is the cause of bondage and liberation for human beings. The mind attached to sense objects leads to bondage and that which is free of sense objects sets one free. So it is said”. – Amritabindu Upanishad Mantra 2.
The mind is like a white cloth. Dip it in red dye, it turns red; dip it in green, it turns green. Put it in sunlight for long, it looses its colors. The mind truly is the Self itself, with no color. Attachment to sense objects are the colors that our mind has taken. Meditation brings the original freshness of the mind. A spiritual seeker starts with keeping away from temptations.
Swami Chidananda of Central Chinmaya Mission Trust, Mumbai