In Vipassana, we observe sensations in different parts of our bodies. There are always sensations in different parts of the body, whether we are aware of them or not. Even when we are not practicing Vipassana, we occasionally feel them. For example, we feel heat when it is extremely hot, we sweat, we feel strange sensations in our stomach when we are ill-prepared for a crucial meeting or examination, and we feel heat when we get extremely angry. Through these sensations, the mind communicates with the body and vice versa. Our thoughts activate the secretion of different hormones, which result in changes in the functioning of internal organs, which are experienced by us in the form of sensations in different parts of the body.
However, the body too is a storehouse of unconscious memories. When it experiences similar sensations again, the old memories get triggered, and the body starts sending signals to the brain. For example, had we had a free fall in a lift and felt extreme fear. The brain would have felt extreme fear of consequences and commanded to release of a huge dose of adrenaline to prepare the body to fight the danger, resulting in sudden, strange sensations in different parts of the body. This experience would be stored by the body unconsciously. The next time we get into the lift, our brain will again perceive the risk and will trigger the secretion of adrenaline, resulting in similar sensations in different parts of the body. These sensations will trigger the old memories stored unconsciously in the body, and the body will start sending the panic signals to our brain. With these signals, the brain will produce more adrenaline. This loop may soon go out of control, and we may get panic attacks.
This is the cycle of suffering. We love our families and friends. Every day we adore this feeling. We live with them, talk to them about our feelings, feel connected, and so much so that all the good relationships make us feel incomplete without them. Every time we talk to them, something is happening at the level of unconscious memories. The pleasant sensations are getting stored in our bodies. Our body feels "good" with those sensations. It signals to us unconsciously to get a similar experience again. If we do not get to meet our close friends and relatives for a long time, our bodies crave those sensations and make our brains feel uncomfortable. That's what happens when we suddenly lose a relative. The body craves those pleasant sensations felt in the company of the deceased. It sends signals to the brain. The brain feels emotionally deprived, and we become conscious of the pain. The brain recalls good old memories, and results in the secretion of more hormones, and we become more uncomfortable.
Thus, the body and the brain work in close coordination. Our body gets addicted to different types of pleasant sensations and craves them. The moment we get out of the comforts of air conditioners, the body craves those pleasant sensations and sends signals to the brain to switch on the button of the AC. If we do not get food that our taste buds are used to for a long time, we become uncomfortable and crave tasty food. That's what happens when we go abroad for a long duration. Every day and almost every moment, we are adding to the cause of our sufferings. The stronger these memories are and the greater the craving and consequently the greater is our suffering. What matters is the strength of unconscious habit patterns and memories. That's why people who have a very strong bond with their kids are absolutely sure that they can do any and everything for their kids. Even if their kids murdered someone, they would support them wholeheartedly. It is because their conscious as well as unconscious memories of their attachment with kids are so strong that they can't think of any possibility of being separated from them and will fight tooth and nail for them. On the other hand, a few individuals grow consciously and realize that it is not fair to support the immoral acts of the kids, and therefore are in a dilemma. On the other hand, some people have thought over these issues so much that the understanding has travelled deeper to their unconscious mind, and that's why they are absolutely clear about not supporting their kids when it comes to immoral activities.
It all depends on who is in the commanding seat. In most cases, our unconscious mind is in the driving seat. It rules, and most of the decisions are actively influenced by the unconscious. We have an unconscious desire, the body craves, the mind feels compelled, and despite having a contradictory conscious thought, we end up dancing to the tune of the unconscious mind. For most people, the unconscious mind and the conscious mind are perfectly tuned, and they understand that the purpose of their lives is just the fulfillment of desires. They are quite certain. They have "clear" views on almost everything. In our spiritual journey, the first step is that our conscious mind gets in touch with an alternate thought process. We start challenging our thought process consciously, and that creates some conflicts between the conscious and the unconscious. We get confused about many matters. Slowly and gradually, our conscious mind can see reality, but the unconscious is out of control. The real magic takes place when the unconscious also experiences reality. However, for that to happen, we need to learn to be in a witness mode.
That's what Vipassana is all about: observing sensations in different parts of our body as a witness, without any reaction. People ask, "How will we not react? How will we not feel the pain when there is a body ache?" Naturally, we will feel the pain and experience different types of sensations in different parts of the body. But we have a choice: to consciously react to these sensations or to simply witness them. When we witness them, we observe how the body sends signals to the brain, but the conscious brain, which is well aware, decides not to react. It takes a few moments to observe rather than to react. Those moments reveal the reality of how old habit patterns force the body to crave comfort and pleasure while avoiding pain. An aware, conscious mind can also recognize that these cravings and sensations, if not reacted to, will eventually fade away. Slowly, this awareness is transmitted to the unconscious mind, and we become conscious of many more such unconscious memories, which awareness helps us let go of. As we gain awareness of more and more of our unconscious world, we become liberated and free. That freedom fills us with joy. After all, happiness is not about finding ways and means to have more pleasant sensations; rather, it is the realization that all these cravings are the root cause of suffering. Therefore, being aware of them and letting them go leads to freedom.
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