Monday, May 14, 2007

The Mind is not Yours


"Desire and anger
are objects of the mind,
but the mind is not yours,

nor ever has been.
You are choiceless,

awareness itself
and unchanging
- so live happily."
-Ashtavakra Gita

The Ashtavakra Gita (Song of Ashtavakra), also known by the name Ashtavakra Samhita, is an influential nondualist Vedic scripture traditionally said to have been spoken by the Sage Ashtavakra, though its authorship is not known with certainty. There is little doubt though that it is very old, probably dating back to the days of the classic Vedanta period. The Sanskrit style and the doctrine expressed would seem to warrant this assessment. It presents the traditional teachings of Advaita Vedanta with a clarity and power very rarely matched. The Ashtavakra Gita does not date itself or brand itself to any region, culture, or peoples, although it does contain Hindu-specific references, especially in the final chapter entitled 'I am Shiva' where it is proclaimed in the final verse that the author is in truth one with God.
-Source Wikipedia

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