Life used to be a whirlwind. Work deadlines chased me; relationships felt like rollercoasters; and a nagging sense of unease lingered beneath everything. I was constantly searching for something, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on what it was. Then, a few years ago, I stumbled upon the Mandukya Upanishad, a small but powerful text from Hinduism.
The Upanishad is like a wise old friend, whispering secrets about the universe and ourselves. It talks about four states of consciousness: waking, dreaming, deep sleep, and a mysterious fourth state called Turiya. At first, it felt a little head-scratchy. But as I delved deeper, I started to see how these states reflected my own daily experiences.
There’s the waking state, where I rush through the day, bombarded by emails, phone calls, and a never-ending to-do list. This is the state where I feel most separate from everything; the world seems “out there,” and I’m stuck “in here.” Then comes the dreaming state. Ah, dreams! Dreams are those fantastical journeys where everything seems possible. But when I wake up, the dream world dissolves, leaving a faint echo of emotions.
Deep sleep, though—that’s blissful. No worries, no thoughts, just pure rest. But even that fades away when the alarm clock screams. The Upanishad says there’s something beyond these three states—Turiya. It’s like the silent witness to everything else—the unchanging reality that underlies the constant flow of experience.
I won’t lie; understanding Turiya took time. It’s not something you can grasp with your mind alone. But through meditation, I started to catch glimpses. It felt like a space of pure awareness, calm and peaceful, yet completely awake. It was like coming home to myself—a place untouched by the ups and downs of life.
This connection to the unchanging self (Atman) that the Upanishad talks about—that’s where I found my peace. It wasn’t about escaping from life’s challenges, but about facing them with a newfound sense of inner strength. The anxieties that used to grip me started to lose their power. The constant yearning for something more? The yearning for something more didn’t disappear, but it did shift.
The focus wasn’t on external things anymore, but on living authentically, aligned with my true nature. It wasn’t about achieving some grand purpose but about contributing to the world in a way that felt meaningful. Maybe it was helping a friend in need, volunteering at a cause I cared about, or simply being present with my loved ones.
The Mandukya Upanishad doesn’t offer a quick fix. It’s a lifelong journey of self-discovery. But what are the benefits? They’re real. It’s not just about peace, though that’s a pretty sweet perk. It’s about living a life with more purpose, more clarity, and a whole lot less stress.
Now, I’m not saying this is easy. There are days when the old patterns creep back in. However, having the Upanishad as a guidepost makes a world of difference. It serves as a reminder that I can always find peace and purpose, just waiting to rediscover them.
So, if you’re feeling lost or unfulfilled, give the Mandukya Upanishad a try. It might just be the missing piece you’ve been looking for. After all, the greatest adventure is often the one that takes you inward.
