Deeper insights into body and Mind

In the previous post, we saw how Buddha explains a way of coming out of the association with our bodies. This is part of Vipassana or often called ‘Insight meditation’ talked about by Buddha. 

We are not just body. We have a mind too, and the Buddhists recognize that fact. Buddha says that we have to understand the reality of this mind too and come out of its association. That is the Vipassana of the mind.  How does one do that?

Buddha says that when you experience a feeling, you should ask yourself about the source of this feeling. You should act just as a mere witness to the feeling without getting overpowered by it. After some time, the feeling fades away. You should note that also. That means, the feelings have a definite start and an end.

Most of us may find it difficult to separate ourselves from our feelings and to watch it in an unconcerned manner. But Buddha says that by the regular practice of Sati and Vipassana techniques (that I talked about in the earlier posts), it is possible.

As one progresses in this practice of bearing witness to whatever goes on, Buddha says that we will finally reach an advanced stage where we can watch each and every event (Damma) that keeps happening in our mind in an equanimous manner. 

The end result?

We realize that not only our body is impermanent, but our mind too is transient. It has a definite start and an end. The contents of the mind keep changing from time to time. Whatever happens is only a phenomenon (Damma) and that there is no permanent entity.

Though Buddha does not say it categorically, Buddhists conclude that there is nothing else – ‘no soul’ or ‘anatta’! It is not clear to me how the transiency of the body and mind automatically lead to the conclusion of non existence of the soul!

If the soul were something that is beyond the domain of body and mind – as believed by the Upanishadic seers (see my book “Upanishads – A journey into the unknown”), can we conclude its existence or otherwise by mere insight, however sharply focused it is? This is exactly the argument the Advaita philosopher Sankara puts forth to pull down his opponents who deny the existence of the eternal Atma or soul.

May be I should defer this important concept of anatta to a later post and see what exactly Buddha had said.