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"There is no mind to control if you realize the Self. The mind having vanished, the Self shines forth. In the realized one, the mind may be active or inactive — the Self remains as it is."
The mind shapes your experience of life. When it’s clear and steady, it reflects the qualities already within you—calmness, compassion, humility, peace. When it’s clouded by conditioning, it distorts reality and creates suffering.
An unconscious mind reinforces fear, craving, and confusion. An awakened mind reveals the freedom that has always been here.
Healing the mind is not about fixing something broken. It is about removing what clouds your true nature. Through shadow work, emotional processing, meditation, and self-inquiry, you bring unconscious patterns into the light, feel emotions without resistance, and see thoughts without getting lost in them.
Mental health is fluid—shaped by biology, psychology, and environment—but at the root, it is your relationship to the inner world that matters most. The more you observe rather than identify, the more the old stories lose their grip. In this spaciousness, peace and clarity naturally arise.
Every wisdom tradition points to this: The mind must become still—not through force, but through awareness. When thought loses its dominance and you rest in being, the quiet mind reveals the truth that was always present.
Shift your inner world, and the outer world reflects it.
This guide will go over the main areas you might address.
"A quiet mind is all you need. All else will happen rightly, once your mind is quiet. As the sun on rising makes the world active, so does self-awareness affect changes in the mind. In the light of calm and steady self-awareness, inner energies wake up and work miracles without any effort on your part."
So how do we cultivate this inner stillness in everyday life?
"The mind is by nature restless. Begin liberating it from its restlessness; give it peace; make it free from distractions; train it to look inward; make this a habit. This is done by ignoring the external world and removing the obstacles to peace of mind."
Emotion work involves:
Emotional well-being, on the other hand, refers to the overall state of emotional health and resilience. It’s the end result or the outcome of emotional work, self-care, and healthy emotional practices.
Emotional well-being involves:
So, emotional well-being is more about how you feel overall, your capacity to handle life’s emotional ups and downs, and your ability to maintain balance and harmony in your emotional life.
Emotion work is a crucial aspect of building emotional well-being. By practicing emotion work (like recognizing, regulating, and expressing emotions), you create the conditions for better emotional health and resilience, which is ultimately emotional well-being.
"The main thing is to be free of negative emotions – desire, fear, etc., the 'six enemies' of the mind. Once the mind is free of them, the rest will come easily."
Shadow work is the practice of exploring the parts of ourselves that we’ve hidden, rejected, or left unexamined. These “shadow” aspects often shape our behavior and emotional responses without our awareness. By bringing them into the light of consciousness, we loosen their grip and move toward deeper wholeness.
As Carl Jung said, “Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.”
The shadow is made up of unconscious patterns, emotional wounds, unmet needs, and conditioned beliefs. These can arise from early life experiences, cultural norms, or trauma. They show up in triggers, judgments, addictions, fears, or moments when we react more strongly than expected.
Shadow work is the process of recognizing these hidden forces, understanding their origins, and integrating them with compassion.
Shadow work isn’t about fixing yourself—it’s about bringing awareness and compassion to what’s been left in the dark.
In Advaita Vedanta, samskaras (mental impressions) and vasanas (latent tendencies) mirror what Western psychology calls the shadow. These karmic patterns drive behavior from behind the scenes. Shadow work, in this view, is a way of dissolving these tendencies, making space for your natural self to emerge.
Shadow work frees up energy, deepens emotional clarity, and allows for more authentic relationships. It is not about becoming perfect, but about becoming whole—embracing all of who you are without resistance.
By including what has been excluded, you move closer to your true nature—not the person your conditioning built, but the spacious, aware presence that was never divided to begin with.
While the true work is inner and personal, there may be times when partnering with a wise guide or therapist can be supportive—especially one who understands the deeper journey beyond the personal mind. The right companion does not fix you, but simply points you back to your own innate wholeness.
"The shadow is the greatest teacher for how to come to the light."
Traditionally, four main yogas are described, each a doorway into the same truth:
•Jnana Yoga – the path of wisdom and inquiry
•Bhakti Yoga – the path of love and devotion
•Karma Yoga – the path of selfless action
•Raja Yoga – the path of meditation and stillness
Each yoga speaks to a different temperament, yet all point back to the Self. Some are drawn more to inquiry, others to prayer, others to action, others to meditation. In practice, the paths naturally overlap and blend into one another.
All spiritual practice—sadhana—finds its place here. Whether through knowledge, devotion, service, or meditation, every path dissolves into the same realization: the Self you are seeking is the Self that is already here.
"When the senses are stilled, when the mind is at rest, when the intellect wavers not—then, say the wise, is the highest state. This calm of the senses is yoga. Then one abides in the Self."
Jnana Yoga is the path of direct self-inquiry — the quest to realize the truth of who you are, beyond all mental constructs and identities.
Jnana Yoga involves:
Absolute nothingness.
It is not knowledge you gain, but ignorance you lose.
"There is nothing to be attained. You simply have to remove the ignorance that you are not free."
The Direct Path is the simplest and most immediate approach to realizing your true nature. It is not a practice aimed at gradual progress. It is the immediate turning of attention inward to recognize what is already fully present — the quiet peace, clarity, and light that underlie all experience. This simple recognition is the essence behind all true spiritual practices and traditions.
This inquiry is not about finding an answer at the level of thought. It is about noticing what remains when all assumptions about yourself are let go.
You are not the body. You are not the mind. You are not the stream of thoughts, emotions, or memories.
Self-Inquiry involves:
This guide will walk you through the key areas to explore.
"The 'I' thought is said to be the sum total of all thoughts. The source of the 'I' thought has to be enquired into. Then, all other thoughts get merged in it. Self-inquiry is the one infallible means, the only direct one, to realize the unconditioned, absolute Being which you really are."
Bhakti Yoga is the path of love — the complete surrender of the mind and heart to the divine. It is not about worshiping an external God, but about dissolving the false sense of separation between yourself and Reality.
True devotion is love without conditions. It is the recognition that the Self — pure consciousness — is not different from the truth you seek.
In Bhakti:
The forms of devotion — prayer, chanting, bowing, service — are only means to melt the ego. They point you back to the truth that you are already one with the truth you seek.
Devotion often begins with prayer or surrender to an external form — a deity, a teacher, or a personal God. This is natural. The human mind more easily directs love and longing toward something tangible and relatable. But as devotion matures, it leads beyond the form. You come to recognize that the God you worship is not separate from your own Self.
The external form is a doorway. It helps the heart open. Ultimately, devotion turns inward and merges into pure Being — beyond all names, forms, and duality. True Bhakti is not a relationship between two. It is the collapse of the imagined distance between “you” and “God,” until only love remains — pure, formless, unconditional.
In the end, the devotee, the act of devotion, and the divine become one.
Bhakti, in its purest essence, is the total offering of oneself into the Heart of existence, where no separation remains.
"God, guru, and Self are one and the same."
"Chant until the chanter disappears, and only silence remains."
In Karma Yoga:
When actions are performed without selfishness, fear, or attachment, the mind becomes purified. The restlessness caused by clinging and resisting falls away. A deep inner peace takes root, even amidst outward activity.
"Do what you must, but without attachment. That is the way of the wise."
Raja means “royal,” and Raja Yoga is often called the “royal path” because it deals directly with the mind—the king of all our faculties. While the body, senses, and actions shape our lives, it is the mind that colors every experience.
Through meditation, concentration, and inner discipline, Raja Yoga gradually quiets the restless waves of thought. Patanjali described it simply: “Yoga is the stilling of the fluctuations of the mind.”
"When the mind is silent, you see your true nature."
Meditation is the simple act of being. It is not about fighting thoughts, controlling the mind, or achieving a special state. It is the gentle return to what is already present beneath all activity—stillness, awareness, and peace.
It is the art of remaining aware—whether walking, working, speaking, or resting.
You don’t need to retreat from life; you can meet life fully, with open attention.
You can be aware of your breath while typing an email. You can listen fully when speaking to someone. You can feel the weight of your body while walking across a room.
True meditation is about maintaining mindfulness and inner stillness regardless of external circumstances.
"Meditation will help you to find your bonds, loosen them, untie them, and cast your moorings. When you are no longer attached to anything, you have done your share. The rest will be done for you."
Pranayama, derived from the Sanskrit words prana (life force or vital energy) and ayama (expansion or control).
Certain practices, like slow deep breathing, alternate nostril breathing, or extending the exhale, can help calm the nervous system and settle the mind for meditation. But the real purpose of breathwork is not to master techniques—it is to use the breath as a doorway back to presence.
Breath control is the means for mind control. When one of them is controlled, the other gets controlled.
"Breath control is mind control, breath mastery is mind mastery."
"Asanas are not exercises; they are gateways to stillness."
The yogas are not separate paths. They are facets of one truth. Knowledge without devotion is dry. Devotion without wisdom can be blind. Action without awareness binds. Meditation without surrender becomes struggle.
"In whatever way one may worship, it leads to Me."
Psychedelics, such as psilocybin, DMT, LSD, and ayahuasca, can temporarily dissolve the usual boundaries of mind and self. Many who explore these substances report glimpses of deeper truths—moments of unity, insight, and connection to something beyond ordinary experience.
While such glimpses can be profound, they are not lasting liberation. True self-realization arises not from peak experiences, but from sustained inner work—through self-inquiry, meditation, and a life rooted in presence. Psychedelics may open a door, but walking the path requires stability of mind and heart.
What you are seeking is already here, without the need for external substances. If used wisely and with respect, psychedelics may reveal unconscious patterns or offer temporary clarity. But dependency on them can become another form of seeking—another way the mind tries to grasp at truth instead of resting in it.
Psychedelics also carry risks, particularly for those with a history of mental health challenges. They should always be approached with caution, proper guidance, and a willingness to integrate whatever is revealed through continued inner work.
"Yoga and meditation show us what we really are. LSD only reminds us."
You don’t have to worry about finding the perfect teaching, technique, or teacher. The right guidance will come when it’s needed, often without effort. You will naturally be drawn to the right books, people, and experiences when the time is ripe. Trust this unfolding. Don’t overthink or force it.
You don’t have to make a quiet mind a prerequisite for peace. Stillness arises naturally when you rest in being; it is not something to manufacture. Every genuine practice must be rooted in the understanding that what you are looking for is already present—not hidden away in some future attainment.
Sadhana is not confined to meditation cushions or retreat centers. Every moment of life—every thought, emotion, and action—can become part of practice. Whether in silence, in work, in challenge, or in simple being, each experience is an invitation to turn inward, to remain aware, and to rest in what is always here.
"The seeker is he who is in search of himself. Give up all questions except one: Who am I?"
This is not about obsession or overindulgence in the body, but about maintaining it wisely, like tending to a boat before setting sail. If the ship is seaworthy, the journey can unfold smoothly. If it is neglected, the path becomes unnecessarily difficult.
Treat the body as a sacred instrument — not as who you are, but as a support for realizing who you are. Care for it, honor it, but do not be enslaved by it. Let it serve its highest purpose: helping you discover the truth beyond it.
This guide will walk you through the key areas to explore.
"We must take care of the body by giving it food, shelter, and clothing. This is necessary because the journey to the Self is only easy when the body is healthy. If a ship is not in need of repair, if it is in good condition, we can easily use it to go on a journey."
Addiction is not just about substances. It can take the shape of thoughts, desires, emotions, or attachments—anything we believe we cannot be whole without. At its root, addiction is identification with the restless mind, which is always reaching outward for completion.
Even subtle habits—like compulsive thinking, endless scrolling, or the need for validation—pull the mind outward, away from stillness. Instead of resting in presence, attention becomes caught in loops of wanting, avoiding, or numbing—reinforcing identification with the mind, body, and emotions.
As Mooji said, “The Self has no addictions. Only the mind clings. Be the witness of the mind, and you are free.”
The real question is not how to get rid of the habit, but who is the one that claims to have it? The addicted self is only a bundle of thoughts and conditioning. When you turn inward and see that clearly, something loosens. You recognize that the Self—the pure awareness you are—has never been touched or bound.
Freedom is not in suppressing or fighting the addiction, but in seeing it for what it is: a movement in the mind, witnessed in silence. As awareness rests in itself, the pull of habit naturally fades.
This guide will walk you through the key areas to explore.
"Don’t struggle to drop the habit. Find out who is the one that claims to have it, and it will vanish on its own."
In many traditions, food is seen not just as fuel for the body, but as nourishment for the mind and spirit. What we eat directly influences our clarity, energy, and emotional state.
In yogic philosophy, food is classified into three categories—sattvic, rajasic, and tamasic—each influencing the mind in different ways.
Sattvic foods are pure, fresh, and natural — fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and herbal teas. These foods promote mental clarity, calmness, and balance. They support a peaceful, steady mind, ideal for meditation, self-inquiry, and spiritual growth.
Rajasic foods — spicy, overly salty, caffeinated, or heavily processed items — stimulate restlessness and agitation. While they may boost energy and drive temporarily, they can lead to emotional turbulence, impatience, and distraction.
Tamasic foods — stale, heavy, processed, or intoxicating substances like fried junk foods, excessive sweets, and alcohol — dull the mind and weigh down the body. They foster inertia, confusion, lethargy, and disconnection from higher awareness.
Sattvic nourishment is not about rigid rules; it’s about supporting a clear, vibrant mind and a healthy body as the foundation for deeper inner work. A calm body leads to a calm mind — and a calm mind opens the door to realization.
This guide will walk you through the key areas to explore.
"When diet is wrong, medicine is of no use. When diet is correct, medicine is of no need."
This guide will walk you through the key areas to explore.
"Sleep is the best meditation."
Dopamine is the brain’s primary driver of motivation, attention, and reward-seeking. It isn’t about pleasure itself—it’s about the anticipation of reward. Modern life overstimulates this system. Social media, notifications, sugar, endless scrolling, constant excitement—each offers a quick hit of dopamine, training the mind to chase novelty, distraction, and immediate gratification.
When the mind is no longer chasing a reward, it becomes quiet. And in that quiet, awareness shines through.
"It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society."
Conversely, when you slouch or adopt a posture of defeat, it can drain your energy and cloud your thinking. The body sends signals to the brain, shaping your feelings in ways you might not always realize. For example, when your body feels tense or tight, it often triggers a cascade of negative emotions, like sadness or anxiety. But by choosing to move, stretch, or shift posture, you can release these emotions and feel lighter.
By listening to these body signals, and responding with awareness, you can transform how you feel. It’s a practice of tuning into the body’s wisdom, and letting that guide you toward more balanced, centered living.
"Your body shapes your mind. Your mind shapes your behavior. And your behavior shapes your future."
As you dive deeper into Advaita, or non-duality, you’ll see that all great spiritual traditions converge on one essential truth: the mind must become quiescent—calm, peaceful, and relaxed. It is in the stilling of the mind that self-realization naturally reveals itself.
The more you try to suppress thoughts, the stronger they grow. The more you try to force silence, the louder the mind becomes. So what’s the way beyond the mind?
Eventually, even techniques like meditation, breathwork, or mantra serve their purpose and fall away. They are tools, not the truth. The Self needs no practice to be what it already is.
Ultimately, your role is simple: Cultivate a peaceful, quiet, and relaxed mind. Do whatever it takes—then let even that go.
"Is it the mind that wants to kill itself? The mind cannot kill itself. So your business is to find the real nature of the mind. Then you will know that there is no mind. When the Self is sought, the mind is nowhere. Abiding in the Self, one need not worry about the mind."