The Self & Mind | Yoga Psychology

The Self: Are You Really Who You Think You Are?

Often, we walk around with a very strong sense of "I." We identify with our body, our thoughts, our feelings, our name. But what if this 'self' is more of an elaborate construct than a fundamental truth?

In the Zero Point System, we start with a rather bold idea: identity is an auto-generated cognitive functional defence against a world perceived dualistically. Think about it. If you experience happiness, you're also inherently aware of sadness. The more intense one is, the more intense the other can be. This duality shapes our perception of the world and, by extension, our sense of self.

Consider the common idea of "self-esteem." Most people strive for high self-esteem, right? But in our system, we aim for freedom from self-esteem. This isn't about having low self-esteem, which is equally problematic. It's about transcending the need for it entirely. Why? Because if you have positive self-esteem, there's often an underlying shadow of shame or fear of not measuring up. If you're constantly worried about what others think, or if you constantly need justification to love yourself, you're not truly free.

Imagine a fire-dominant person; they might need justification to love themselves. If they don't get it, they might label themselves a "loser". A wind-dominant person, however, might not care for such societal definitions, rising above them to love themselves "despite and in spite of whatever anybody thinks". What if the 'self' is not a solid, fixed thing you can even love or hate? It's changing every day – physically, psychologically, spiritually, emotionally. So, what exactly are you loving then?

The deepest truth here is that your personality is a collection of biases. It's a "unique memorial property of the individual". Your memories are, in a sense, the only property you truly own, and this is why people find change so hard; you're asking them to give up what they believe is theirs. But here's the kicker: you are the subject of your memories, not their master. We are owned by our memories, rather than owning them.

Think about a skin cell. Does it know it's part of you? No, it identifies only as itself. In the same way, we, as 'Earth cells,' might not fully grasp the 'Earth mind.' This analogy hints at how deeply localized and limited our sense of self can be.

The Mind: The Canvas of Your Reality

Now, let's shift to the mind. In Yogic psychology, we operate on the premise that everything is a psychological process. The external world – the chair you're sitting on, the words you're reading – is experienced by the measure of your consciousness. There's no proof of anything except consciousness. This means you have an incredible power: you can make whatever you want of the world.

But how does this 'mind' work?

• Consciousness is borrowed: Our existence is Prakriti (nature/matter), and our sentience (the ability to experience) is Purusha (pure consciousness). Together, they form sentient existence. The 'light' of consciousness that makes Prakriti sentient is borrowed from Purusha.

• The soul's information: The soul itself is information, specifically in the form of Samskaras. These are experiences encoded without symbol or language. They are closer to feelings and sensibilities than intellectual processes. This is crucial because, in Yoga psychology, we believe thoughts come from emotions, not the other way around. No matter how sophisticated or logical your thoughts, their wellspring is often deeper emotional patterns.

• Intuition vs. Intellect: You might have flashes of intuition – a "flash and a bang" – but without the right training, your ego might struggle to understand it. For the ego to truly grasp intuition, it needs intellect. A clear mind, cultivated through practices like Samadhi, can bridge this gap, allowing you to bring that intuitive knowledge into a more comprehensible form, like music or art.

The mind is not just a brain. The brain comprises neurons, biochemical and bioelectric functions. The mind is the cognizing factor of consciousness. It's the difference between the physical organ and the awareness that utilizes it.

Towards the Zero Point: A Path of De-Learning and Balance

The Zero Point System isn't primarily about spiritual enlightenment (though that can be a consequence). It's designed for dynamic homeostasis, balance, and progress. It’s about re-engineering your internal architecture, moving from a fixed, unbalanced state to one of fluidity and control.

Instead of 'learning' new things, the Zero Point System emphasizes de-learning processes. It's about letting go of old, ingrained ways of experiencing the world, rather than accumulating more information. This process is tough because you're asking your mind to shed associations it has clung to, sometimes for a lifetime.

A core concept here is detachment. This doesn't mean apathy or not caring. On the contrary, it's about detachment with ultimate concern and compassion, but without attachment. It's the ultimate form of control because when you're detached, objects and situations no longer have power over you. Imagine walking through a supermarket, enjoying the sights and sounds, but without the urge to buy anything – you're simply having an immersive, detached experience.

The ultimate goal of many yogic practices is to inhibit mental processes – "yogas citta-vritti-nirodhah". This isn't about stopping thought entirely, but about gaining control over the incessant 'changing of the mind'.

At the 'Zero Point,' you have access to all traits without being subject to any of them. Think about a chameleon – it changes its color based on the environment, not because it's reacting passively, but because it proactively adapts. Similarly, at the Zero Point, you can respond to situations with 'situational assonance' – behaving in the most ideal way for that specific moment, whether it requires proactive action or responsive flexibility. This means your actions are no longer dictated by a fixed personality, but by what the situation truly demands.

How do we work towards this? Through understanding the architecture of our inner world – the chakras and petals. Chakras are domains of consciousness, and petals are clusters of specific traits within them. These clusters, with their unique qualities, capacities, and intensities (Sattva, Rajas, Tamas), form the complex tapestry of our personality.

One powerful tool in this system is Yoga Nidra, often referred to as "dream engineering". It's a way to re-engineer the relationships between your traits, bypassing the ego's resistance in a hypnagogic state. By carefully crafted sequences of archetypes, presented orally, Yoga Nidra helps you access deeper layers of consciousness, fostering integration and dynamic balance, and can even lead to the experience of Turiya, the fourth state of consciousness beyond waking, dreaming, and deep sleep.

Ultimately, the Zero Point System invites you to question the very foundation of your self-perception. Are you limited by a fixed identity, controlled by your memories and conditioned responses? Or are you a dynamic, evolving being capable of embracing all potentials, free from self-obsession, and in perfect assonance with life itself? The choice, and the journey, is yours.