Gaudapadacharya “asparsa yoga” for attaining “no mind”: A historical method of advaita vedanta for teaching “human liberation” in a profound way
International Journal of Yoga - Philosophy, Psychology and Parapsychology July 1, 2021 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.4103/2347-5633.329692 via Semantic Scholar
Summary
According to Gaudapada's Mandukya Karika and Shankara's commentary, human suffering arises from perceiving a subject-object duality. Nonduality (Advaita) is freedom. Through repeated discrimination between real and unreal, one attains 'no-mind' (Amanibhava): a state where the mind no longer grasps or desires because it realizes the self as Existence-Consciousness-Bliss (Brahman). This non-grasping mind is liberation from worldly suffering. This Vedantic Samadhi differs from the mystical Samadhi of the Yoga system.
Study at a glance
| Design | theoretical or philosophical paper |
|---|---|
| Key finding | The 'no-mind' state attained through discrimination and negation of phenomena is the Vedantic conception of liberation from worldly suffering. |
Abstract
This article is based on the two verses from the 3rd chapter known as “Advaita Prakaranam” (section of nonduality) of text called “Mandukya Karika” written by the author Gaudapada. At the beginning of the text Gaudapada tells, the problems which human beings have in the world (Samsara) are due to the perception of duality (subject-object duality). He says, the duality causes Samsara (problems in the worldly life) and nonduality (one without a second) is the freedom. Hence, “Advaita” (nonduality) is the freedom (Moksha) and duality (Dvaitam) is “Samsara” (Worldly troubles or bondage). According to Shankara's commentary on Gaudapada's texts, “no-mind” can be attained by constant practice of discrimination between the real and the unreal (repeated discrimination), all based upon reasoning. Gaudapada says “Amanibhava” (no-mind) means managing the mind or spiritualizing the mind. It means when a person realizes the truth about oneself as the “Existence, consciousness, Bliss” (The Absolute or Brahman) then, in the mind, there will be no more desiring or reaching out or grasping. When the mind finds nothing out there to grasp then it becomes a “nongrasping mind” (Agraham) that is called a “no-mind” state. This “no mind” state is referred to “freedom or liberation” from worldly suffering according to Advaita Vedanta Philosophy. This state of complete identity with nondual Brahman, arrived at as a result of discrimination and negation of phenomena, is the Vedantic conception of Samadhi (which is quite different from any mystical state described as Samadhi in the Yoga system).