Freedom From The Known

1. Freedom from the Known: Challenging Conditioned Thinking

"To understand ourselves we need no authority either of yesterday or of a thousand years because we are living things, always moving, flowing, never resting."

Conditioned thinking limits our understanding. Our minds are shaped by culture, tradition, and past experiences, creating a framework through which we interpret the world. This conditioning often prevents us from seeing reality as it is, instead filtering it through our preconceptions and biases.

Breaking free requires self-awareness and questioning. To truly understand ourselves and the world around us, we must challenge our ingrained beliefs and thought patterns. This involves:

• Observing our thoughts and reactions without judgment
• Questioning the origins of our beliefs and values
• Being open to new ideas and perspectives
• Recognizing when we're responding based on past conditioning rather than present reality

Freedom comes from living in the present. By freeing ourselves from the burden of past knowledge and future expectations, we can experience life more fully and authentically. This doesn't mean rejecting all knowledge, but rather holding it lightly and being willing to adapt our understanding as we encounter new information and experiences.

2. The Illusion of the Observer and the Observed

"When you look at something with complete attention there is no space for a conception, a formula or a memory."

The division between observer and observed is artificial. We often perceive ourselves as separate from our thoughts, emotions, and experiences. This creates an internal conflict, as we try to control or change aspects of ourselves that we deem undesirable.

True understanding comes from total attention. When we observe without the filter of our past experiences, judgments, or desires for change, we can see things as they truly are. This state of attention dissolves the boundary between observer and observed, leading to:

• Direct perception without mental commentary
• Freedom from the struggle to control or change what is observed
• A sense of unity with the object of observation
• Deeper insight into the nature of reality and consciousness

Practical application in daily life: This principle can be applied to various aspects of our lives, including:

• Self-observation: Watching our thoughts and emotions without judgment
• Relationships: Truly listening to others without projecting our own ideas
• Problem-solving: Approaching challenges with fresh eyes, unencumbered by preconceptions

3. Understanding the Nature of Thought and Time

"Thought is always old. When you see that, you will see the extraordinarily beautiful and subtle thing that a problem cannot be solved by thought."

Thought is rooted in the past. Our thinking is based on memory, experience, and accumulated knowledge. While this is useful for practical matters, it limits our ability to approach new situations with freshness and creativity.

Psychological time creates conflict. The mind's tendency to dwell on the past or project into the future creates a sense of psychological time, which often leads to:

• Anxiety about the future
• Regret or nostalgia about the past
• Resistance to the present moment

Living beyond thought and time: To transcend these limitations, we can:

• Cultivate awareness of the present moment
• Recognize when we're caught in patterns of old thinking
• Allow new insights to emerge by quieting the constant chatter of thought
• Approach challenges with a fresh mind, rather than relying solely on past knowledge

This understanding can lead to a more dynamic and responsive way of living, free from the constraints of outdated mental patterns.

4. Love: Beyond Pleasure and Desire

"When you love there is no relationship; there is only love."

True love transcends self-interest. Much of what we call love is actually based on pleasure, desire, and the need for security. These elements create relationships of dependency and possession, rather than genuine love.

Characteristics of authentic love:

• Freedom from attachment and expectation
• Absence of jealousy, comparison, and control
• Unconditional acceptance of the other
• A sense of wholeness that doesn't depend on external validation

Cultivating love in our lives: To experience love in its purest form, we must:

• Examine our motivations in relationships
• Let go of the need to possess or control others
• Develop self-awareness to recognize when we're acting from fear or desire
• Practice compassion and understanding towards ourselves and others

By moving beyond the confines of self-centered love, we open ourselves to a more expansive and fulfilling experience of connection with others and the world around us.

5. The Art of Listening and Looking Without Interpretation

"If you can look at all things without allowing pleasure to creep in—at a face, a bird, the colour of a sari, the beauty of a sheet of water shimmering in the sun, or anything that gives delight—if you can look at it without wanting the experience to be repeated, then there will be no pain, no fear, and therefore tremendous joy."

Direct perception leads to clarity. Our minds constantly interpret and categorize our experiences, often preventing us from truly seeing what's in front of us. By learning to observe without immediate judgment or analysis, we can gain deeper insights and a more authentic connection with reality.

Practical steps for developing this skill:

• Practice mindful observation: Focus on sensory experiences without labeling or judging
• Notice when your mind starts interpreting or comparing, and gently return to direct perception
• Cultivate curiosity about your immediate experience, as if seeing things for the first time
• Listen to others without preparing your response or fitting their words into your existing beliefs

Benefits of this approach:

• Enhanced creativity and problem-solving abilities
• Improved relationships through better understanding of others
• A richer, more vibrant experience of life
• Reduced anxiety and mental clutter

By developing the capacity for clear, unfiltered perception, we can engage with life more fully and respond to situations with greater wisdom and effectiveness.

6. The Quiet Mind: Beyond Discipline and Control

"Control in any form, like suppression, produces only conflict. So control and outward discipline are not the way, nor has an undisciplined life any value."

Traditional approaches to mental quietude often fail. Many people attempt to achieve a quiet mind through forceful discipline, control, or suppression of thoughts. However, these methods often create internal conflict and tension, rather than true peace.

The path to a quiet mind:

• Understand the nature of thought and its limitations
• Observe mental activity without judgment or interference
• Let go of the desire to control or achieve a specific mental state
• Cultivate awareness of the space between thoughts

Benefits of a naturally quiet mind:

• Increased clarity and insight
• Enhanced creativity and problem-solving abilities
• Greater emotional stability and resilience
• A deeper sense of peace and contentment

By approaching the quest for mental quietude with understanding rather than force, we can discover a natural state of calm that arises from within, rather than being imposed from without.

7. Death and Living: The Urgency of Understanding

"To find out actually what takes place when you die you must die. This isn't a joke. You must die—not physically but psychologically, inwardly, die to the things you have cherished and to the things you are bitter about."

Confronting death enhances life. Our fear of death often prevents us from fully engaging with life. By exploring the nature of death and impermanence, we can develop a more profound appreciation for the present moment and live with greater intensity and purpose.

Psychological death and renewal:

• Let go of attachments to past experiences and identities
• Release grudges, regrets, and unfulfilled expectations
• Embrace uncertainty and the unknown
• Cultivate a willingness to change and adapt

Living with the awareness of mortality:

• Prioritize what truly matters in life
• Appreciate the preciousness of each moment
• Develop deeper, more authentic relationships
• Act with courage and integrity in the face of life's challenges

By integrating an understanding of death into our daily lives, we can live more fully, with greater freedom and less fear of the unknown.

8. The Limitations of Experience and the Search for Truth

"To come upon truth the mind must be completely free, without a spot of distortion."

Experience alone doesn't lead to truth. We often seek transformative experiences or accumulate knowledge in the pursuit of truth and understanding. However, these experiences are filtered through our existing conditioning and may reinforce rather than challenge our limited perspectives.

Obstacles to discovering truth:

• Attachment to past experiences and knowledge
• Desire for specific outcomes or experiences
• Interpretation of new information through existing beliefs
• Mistaking temporary states or insights for ultimate truth

Approaching truth with an open mind:

• Cultivate a state of not-knowing, free from preconceptions
• Question your assumptions and beliefs, including spiritual or philosophical ideas
• Remain open to the possibility that truth may be different from what you expect or desire
• Focus on direct perception rather than conceptual understanding

By recognizing the limitations of experience and cultivating a mind free from distortion, we open ourselves to the possibility of encountering truth in its purest form, beyond the confines of our conditioned thinking and expectations.

Last updated: October 14, 2024