THE MIND: ITS MYSTERIES AND CONTROL - 38. THE MIND IN A LIBERATED SOUL - Sri Swami Sivananada - The Mind: Its Mysteries and Control - HQ Full Book.

The Mind in a Liberated Soul
In the journey toward spiritual realization, the mind plays an essential role, both as an obstacle and as a tool for transcending the limitations of the material world. In Chapter 38 of The Mind: Its Mysteries and Control, titled "The Mind in a Liberated Soul," Swami Sivananda delves into the nature of the mind in a liberated being—someone who has attained self-realization and reached a state of liberation while still living. Through this chapter, Swami Sivananda elucidates the profound transformation of the mind in such a soul and its ability to remain unaffected by the dualities of the material world.

The Disappearance of Attachment and the Realization of the Supreme Self
The chapter begins with a pivotal assertion: "With the disappearance of the attachment of the body and with the realization of the Supreme Self, to whatever object the mind is directed, one experiences the Deep Meditative Absorption." This statement speaks to the core of spiritual liberation. For the liberated soul, the attachment to the physical body and worldly possessions is dissolved. Such a person, having realized the Supreme Self (Brahman), can direct their mind toward any object, yet they experience a state of deep meditative absorption. This absorption arises not from attachment to the object but from the realization of the oneness of all things with the Supreme. Swami Sivananda introduces the term Amana or "without mind," explaining that the condition of Amanaskata represents a state where the mind itself is absent. This "mindlessness" is not an absence of awareness or consciousness, but rather a profound stillness that is characteristic of the highest level of spiritual attainment. The liberated soul experiences this state of Amanaskata, where the mind no longer governs their actions or perceptions. This condition can be found in the lives of great sages who have transcended the limitations of mental and emotional fluctuations.

Residual Purity and the Role of the Mind in a Liberated Soul
One of the central ideas Swami Sivananda conveys is the notion of Residual Purity in a liberated soul. While the instinctive and worldly desires of the mind are eradicated, there remains a spiritual Pure mind that retains a residue of purity. This residue is the cause of intelligence and serves as a tool for worldly interactions. Even after achieving self-realization, the mind of the liberated soul does not become annihilated. Instead, it continues to serve as an instrument for the individual's engagement with the world, allowing them to perform actions for the greater good without attachment. Swami Sivananda uses the example of Raja Janaka, a historical figure who attained self-realization yet continued to engage in worldly duties for the welfare of others. Similarly, he references Sri Rama and Sri Krishna, who, despite their divine nature and realization of the Supreme, utilized their minds and bodies as instruments to govern and guide humanity. These examples highlight that the liberated soul does not renounce the world or the mind; rather, they transcend the limitations of ego and use the mind for selfless service.

The Nature of Existence and the Role of the Mind in Perception
In the state of liberation, Swami Sivananda clarifies that while the empirical world appears to vanish, it is not annihilated. Instead, the Empirical Existence—the world perceived through the senses—ceases to exist in the way it is perceived by the unenlightened mind. The liberated soul no longer sees the world through the limited lens of space, time, and causality. The Existence-Reality, however, remains unchanged. The liberated soul sees the world not as an external reality but as a manifestation of the all-pervading Brahman, and thus their perception of the world shifts to a higher, more unified view. The mind of the wise, as Swami Sivananda explains, becomes stainless, like copper transmuted into gold through alchemical processes. It is no longer a mind bound by individual desires and attachments but a mind that reflects the purity of the self-realized soul. For the enlightened being, the world appears as a mere dream. Even while engaging with the world, they remain deeply rooted in the realization of their oneness with the Supreme.

The Perfectly Balanced Mind
One of the hallmarks of a liberated soul is a perfectly balanced mind. Swami Sivananda describes that the mind of such an individual is unshaken by the pairs of opposites—such as happiness and sorrow, gain and loss, or victory and defeat. These dualities no longer affect the liberated soul, as their mind remains equanimous in all circumstances. Whether in pleasure or pain, the mind of the wise remains unaffected and at peace. Swami Sivananda explains that this equanimity is not merely a passive state of indifference but a result of internal contentment and freedom from desires. The mind of a liberated soul is free from anger, lust, or other impure emotions. It is above the distractions of the material world, untouched by the ups and downs that typically govern the lives of ordinary individuals. This state of detachment allows the liberated soul to engage with the world without being emotionally disturbed by its transient nature.

Dual Consciousness: The Wisdom of the Wise
Swami Sivananda introduces the concept of dual consciousness in the liberated soul. A fully realized sage possesses the ability to operate on two planes simultaneously—one in the material world and one in the realization of the Supreme. While performing worldly activities, the liberated soul maintains full awareness of their oneness with Brahman. They see the world as a mere illusion, a dream, and yet they participate in it for the benefit of others. This dual consciousness is akin to an occultist's ability to function on multiple planes of existence. The wise individual, however, has transcended the need for esoteric practices and lives in constant Deep Meditative Absorption. There is no division for them between the state of meditation and worldly activity; both are seamlessly integrated into their awareness of the Supreme.

Balanced Feeling and Balanced Vision
Swami Sivananda concludes the chapter with a discussion of Balanced Feeling and Balanced Vision. The former refers to the state of the mind, where the liberated soul is unaffected by external circumstances such as pleasure or pain. The latter refers to the knowledge and wisdom through which the liberated soul perceives all beings and objects as manifestations of the same divine reality. Whether it is a king or a scavenger, the wise person sees the Atman (the Self) in all beings, recognizing the underlying unity of all existence. The difference between the Balanced Feeling and Balanced Vision lies in the distinction between emotional detachment and intellectual realization. While the former pertains to the emotional stability that arises from self-realization, the latter pertains to the wisdom that recognizes the true nature of the world.

Conclusion
In Chapter 38: The Mind in a Liberated Soul, Swami Sivananda offers profound insights into the nature of the mind after liberation. For the realized soul, the mind is no longer a source of attachment, suffering, or distraction. It becomes a pure instrument through which the soul serves the world while remaining grounded in the ultimate reality of Brahman. The liberated soul's mind is perfectly balanced, unaffected by dualities, and operates with dual consciousness. Through deep meditative absorption, the wise perceive the world as a dream, seeing the oneness of all existence and recognizing that everything is Brahman. In this way, the liberated soul lives in the world, yet remains untouched by it, embodying the highest wisdom and peace.  

#SriSwamiSivananda #LiberatedSoul #MindControl #DeepMeditativeAbsorption #Brahman #SelfRealization #SpiritualAwakening #Mindfulness #Liberation #Wisdom #Equanimity #DualConsciousness #SpiritualPath #Enlightenment #BrahmanConsciousness #InnerPeace #Detachment #Meditation #Atman #SageWisdom #Vedanta