On the spiritual journey, many of us come to believe that the mind is the main obstacle standing between us and true peace. It is often viewed as a relentless source of chatter, confusion, and suffering. But what if the mind, rather than being the enemy, is actually a gateway to awakening?
The key to this realization lies in understanding the distinction between *the movement of the mind* and *the nature of the mind*. These two aspects are profoundly different, yet they are often conflated.
The Movement of Mind: The Cycle of Thought
The movement of the mind refers to the constant flow of thoughts, emotions, and mental activity that dominate our daily experience. For most, this incessant stream seems uncontrollable and all-consuming, shaping our perception of reality and driving our actions. In this state, we become identified with our thoughts, assuming that whatever arises in the mind must be true or important.
This identification with thought is like being swept away by waves on the surface of the ocean. Each wave of thought pulls us into the past, the future, or imaginary scenarios, leaving us feeling fragmented and disconnected from the deeper reality of life.
When we give allegiance to these mental waves, we lose touch with the stillness and clarity that lie beneath them. This is where much of our suffering originates—from chasing thoughts, trying to fix, solve, or escape what the mind presents.
The Nature of Mind: The Depth Beneath the Waves
While the movement of the mind is turbulent and ever-changing, the nature of the mind is akin to the depths of the ocean—vast, still, and unchanging. Beneath the surface level of thoughts, there is a spacious awareness that holds everything. It is here, in the silent depths, that the essence of who we are resides.
To awaken is to recognize that while thoughts, feelings, and sensations arise, they do not define us. They are temporary ripples on the surface, but our true identity lies in the ocean of being that is constant and unshakable.
This realization is pivotal. It’s not about silencing the mind or forcing it to stop. It’s about recognizing that the mind and its movement are part of the totality, but they are not the whole of who we are.
Shifting the Relationship with Mind
When we no longer view the mind as the enemy, we can begin to shift our relationship with it. Instead of battling our thoughts or feeling trapped by them, we can observe them as fleeting phenomena within a larger field of awareness. In this shift, the mind loses its authority as the master of our experience and assumes its rightful place as a tool—a servant of deeper intelligence.
This transformation is not about abandoning the mind or rejecting it, but about allowing it to be in service of a greater wisdom. When aligned with our deeper nature, the mind becomes a vehicle for clarity, creativity, and practical action. It moves from being a source of suffering to being a source of insight and effective engagement with life.
The Mind in Right Relationship
In this new relationship with mind, we are no longer enslaved by thought patterns that cycle endlessly. Instead, the mind can be used intentionally when needed—whether for planning, problem-solving, or creating—but can also be set down when its function is complete. This ability to engage or disengage from thought is a hallmark of inner freedom.
Right relationship with mind occurs when the mind serves the heart—the center of our being. Here, the mind bows to the wisdom that flows from the openness of our true nature. Rather than driving us toward endless striving or anxiety, the mind becomes a means of expressing the deeper intelligence of life itself.
Awakening to Innate Intelligence
As we come into alignment with the stillness of our being, we tap into a reservoir of innate intelligence that is not bound by thought. This intelligence arises from the quiet depths of our consciousness and informs our actions with a clarity that thought alone cannot provide.
In this state, we are no longer ruled by the mind but are guided by a deeper wisdom that transcends mental limitations. The mind becomes a tool for navigating the practicalities of life, while the heart leads us in living with authenticity, openness, and love.
Conclusion: Embracing the Mind as an Ally
Ultimately, the mind is not the enemy of awakening—it is simply misunderstood. When we recognize its true nature and allow it to fall into alignment with our deeper self, the mind transforms from a source of suffering into an ally on the path of awakening.
Rather than rejecting the mind or seeking to silence it, we can embrace it as part of the whole. In this embrace, we awaken not by escaping the mind but by transcending its illusions, discovering the vast ocean of being that holds the waves of thought within its boundless expanse.
- Based on the book ‘Falling Open in a World Falling Apart.’
Amoda’s latest video:
Love this. Just what I’ve been reflecting on more and more recently… And the mind actually seems grateful to not have to take on duties for which it is not capable of.