Living Untethered

1. You are conscious awareness, distinct from your body, thoughts, and emotions

You are not your body; you are the one who notices the characteristics of your body.

Consciousness is the observer. Your true self is the awareness that experiences everything, not the experiences themselves. This consciousness remains constant while your body changes, thoughts come and go, and emotions fluctuate. It's the same "you" that has been present throughout your entire life, watching the world through your eyes.

Witness consciousness is key. By recognizing this distinction, you can cultivate a sense of detachment from the constant chatter of your mind and the ups and downs of your emotions. This doesn't mean suppressing or ignoring these aspects of your experience, but rather observing them without getting caught up in them.

Practice noticing:

• The thoughts in your mind
• The sensations in your body
• The emotions in your heart
• Ask yourself: "Who is aware of all this?"

2. The world is not personal; it's the result of billions of years of cosmic evolution

The moment in front of you right now has absolutely nothing to do with you.

Reality is impersonal. The universe, including Earth and everything on it, is the result of 13.8 billion years of cosmic evolution. The atoms that make up everything around you were forged in the hearts of stars. This vast, impersonal process has been unfolding long before you existed and will continue long after you're gone.

Appreciate the miracle. Instead of getting caught up in personal preferences about how things "should" be, cultivate a sense of awe and wonder at the fact that anything exists at all. The world you experience is an incredible gift, full of complexity and beauty that took eons to create.

Consider:

• The vast emptiness of space
• The intricate processes that led to life on Earth
• The countless factors that had to align for you to exist at all
• Practice gratitude for the opportunity to experience this moment, regardless of its content

3. Your mind and heart create a personal reality based on past experiences

These impressions that stay stuck in the mind are called samskaras in yogic science.

Past shapes perception. Your mind and heart store impressions (samskaras) from past experiences, especially those you resisted or clung to. These impressions color your perception of present events, often distorting reality to fit your existing mental and emotional patterns.

Personal reality is limited. This process creates a highly personal, yet limited view of the world. It's as if you're looking at reality through a lens smudged with the residue of your past experiences, likes, and dislikes. This personal reality often leads to suffering because it's not aligned with the actual, impersonal nature of the universe.

Examples of how samskaras affect perception:

• Fearing all dogs because of one bad childhood experience
• Idealizing a new relationship based on past romantic notions
• Interpreting neutral comments as criticism due to past insecurities
• Notice how your reactions to situations are often based on past patterns rather than present reality

4. Suffering stems from resisting reality and clinging to preferences

Buddha's first noble truth: All of life is suffering. Now we get to the second noble truth: The cause of suffering is desire.

Resistance creates pain. When you resist what is happening in the present moment, you create inner tension and suffering. This resistance often stems from a mismatch between your preferences (based on past samskaras) and the reality of the situation.

Clinging prolongs suffering. Similarly, clinging to specific outcomes or experiences creates suffering. When you insist that things must be a certain way to be okay, you set yourself up for disappointment and frustration. True peace comes from accepting reality as it is, not as you think it should be.

Common forms of resistance:

• Complaining about the weather
• Holding grudges
• Wishing you were somewhere else
  Examples of clinging:
• Obsessing over past experiences
• Demanding that others behave according to your expectations
• Attachment to material possessions or status

5. Spiritual growth involves letting go of blockages and accepting what is

Spirituality is about learning to thank your heart for the beautiful expressions it is creating within you.

Acceptance is key. True spiritual growth comes from learning to accept reality as it is, rather than constantly fighting against it. This doesn't mean becoming passive or apathetic, but rather cultivating a deep understanding that resistance to what already is creates unnecessary suffering.

Release internal blockages. Work on identifying and releasing the samskaras that cause you to resist reality. This process involves facing uncomfortable emotions and thoughts rather than suppressing them. By allowing these blocked energies to flow and be released, you create space for more positive experiences.

Practices for letting go:

• Mindfulness meditation
• Journaling about past experiences and current triggers
• Body scanning to release physical tension
  Benefits of acceptance:
• Reduced stress and anxiety
• Increased emotional resilience
• Greater capacity for joy and love

6. Meditation and mindfulness help cultivate witness consciousness

If you can learn to sit back and simply watch that voice inside your head, you can free yourself.

Develop awareness of awareness. Meditation and mindfulness practices help you cultivate the ability to observe your thoughts, emotions, and sensations without getting caught up in them. This cultivates witness consciousness, allowing you to experience life from the perspective of the observer rather than being lost in the contents of your mind.

Practice regularly. Consistency is key in developing this skill. Even short periods of daily meditation can have profound effects over time. Start with just a few minutes a day and gradually increase the duration as you become more comfortable with the practice.

Simple meditation technique:

1. Sit comfortably and focus on your breath
2. When thoughts arise, gently return your attention to the breath
3. Notice the part of you that is aware of both the thoughts and the breath
   Mindfulness in daily life:

• Pay attention to sensory experiences (e.g., the taste of food, the feeling of water on your skin)
• Notice your thoughts and emotions without judging them
• Practice being fully present in conversations and activities

7. Transmute blocked energies into spiritual growth rather than suppressing or expressing them

The highest use of the energy is transmutation.

Energy transformation. Instead of suppressing uncomfortable emotions or expressing them in harmful ways, learn to transmute this energy into spiritual growth. This involves facing and accepting the blocked energy, allowing it to move through you without resistance, and channeling it towards positive change.

Growth through challenges. View difficult experiences and emotions as opportunities for spiritual evolution. By working through your blockages, you free up energy that can then flow to higher levels of consciousness, leading to greater peace, love, and understanding.

Steps for transmutation:

1. Recognize when blocked energy is arising
2. Relax and create space for the experience
3. Allow the energy to move without suppressing or expressing it
4. Direct the energy towards spiritual growth (e.g., compassion, self-understanding)
   Benefits of transmutation:

• Increased emotional intelligence
• Greater inner peace
• Enhanced ability to handle life's challenges

8. Live with unconditional love and joy by freeing yourself from past impressions

There is a state within you that is always filled with love and a sense of happiness. Yogananda called it ever-new joy.

Uncover your true nature. As you release blockages and clear away past impressions, you uncover your innate capacity for unconditional love and joy. This state is not dependent on external circumstances but arises naturally from your true self.

Cultivate inner abundance. By freeing yourself from the limitations of your personal mind and heart, you tap into an inexhaustible source of wellbeing. This inner abundance allows you to approach life with generosity, compassion, and enthusiasm, regardless of external conditions.

Characteristics of unconditional love and joy:

• Not dependent on getting what you want
• Arises spontaneously from within
• Encompasses all experiences, both pleasant and unpleasant
  Practices for cultivating inner abundance:
• Gratitude exercises
• Loving-kindness meditation
• Acts of selfless service
• Remember: Your true nature is already complete and whole; spiritual practice is about removing the obstacles to experiencing this truth

Last updated: October 23, 2024