The Secret to Inner Contentment: Free Yourself from Desires of the Mind
Chapter 2 v.55
Discover how to free yourself from restless desires and find true satisfaction through wisdom, meditation, and mindful living rooted in Self-awareness.
Contents
What Steadfast Wisdom Looks Like?
The Cloud of Desire and the Clear Sky of Superconsciousness
Recognizing Our Innate Wholeness
Experiencing Wholeness in Meditation
Understanding and Witnessing the Mind
Transforming the Ego Through Wisdom
Wisdom from the Buddha and Rumi
Practical Strategies to Reduce Desire
Desires Are Not Who We Are
Living in Inner Freedom
PODCAST EPISODE: The Significance of a Steady Mind
By observing, understanding, and gently releasing desires through meditation, self-study, and mindful living, we naturally become established in the tranquility and luminosity of the Self.
As we continue our contemplation of the second chapter, we arrive at a pivotal teaching that addresses a fundamental question on the spiritual path: What does steadfast wisdom truly look like, and how does one established in higher consciousness live in the world?
What Steadfast Wisdom Looks Like?
The response to this profound question begins in verse 2.55, stating:
"When a person completely casts off all the desires of the mind and is satisfied in the Self by the Self, then that one is said to be of steady wisdom."
This verse beautifully encapsulates both the essence and the means to attain steadfast wisdom. But what exactly is being taught here? What does it mean to cast off desires, and how do we find satisfaction in the Self by the Self?
"When a person completely casts off all the desires of the mind and is satisfied in the Self by the Self, then that one is said to be of steady wisdom."
—Bhagavad Gita
The Cloud of Desire and the Clear Sky of Superconsciousness
The teaching here reveals that the desires that cloud our minds—restless cravings and the heaviness of sorrow—must be renounced. The most effective and powerful way for this renunciation to occur is through being established in superconsciousness, abiding continually in the Self, the Divine Self, the higher true Self. When we experience this deeper state of Self-knowing, desires don't simply vanish; rather, they naturally fall away.
In this higher state, the mind is no longer clouded by rajas guna (restless desire) or tamas guna (sorrow and heaviness). Instead, the mind becomes sattvic—clear, luminous, and capable of receiving intuitive wisdom spontaneously. This clarity allows us to act from the soul's guidance, spontaneously and harmoniously.
Recognizing Our Innate Wholeness
When we experience our innate wholeness directly, as described beautifully in a prayer from the Upanishads—"All this is full, all that is full. When fullness is taken from fullness, only fullness remains"—we are freed from the erroneous belief that we must constantly seek something more to complete us.
The ego-based identity, by definition, operates from a sense of lack. It cannot perceive or experience wholeness because it sees itself as separate. This separateness always drives it to seek fulfillment externally. But once the ego (ahamkara) is dismantled through realization of the true Self, a remarkable transformation occurs. A new spiritual consciousness emerges, allowing spontaneous right action without selfish motives.
Experiencing Wholeness in Meditation
Meditation retreats are powerful environments for experiencing this transformation. They provide ideal conditions to reduce external distractions and allow deep meditative experiences to arise. In these states of profound meditation, even brief encounters with superconsciousness can awaken the clear recognition of our sufficiency, our wholeness, and our inherent fullness.
During extended meditation retreats, we often observe our restless desires—to do, have, or accomplish something—naturally subsiding. In those moments, we experience profound contentment simply in being present. This direct realization is described beautifully as "being satisfied in the Self by the Self."
Understanding and Witnessing the Mind
An essential aspect of spiritual study involves understanding the functions of the mind:
- Chitta: The field of awareness.
- Manas: The sense-mind that processes sensory input.
- Buddhi: The intellect or faculty of discernment guiding right action.
- Ahamkara: The ego, the "I-maker."
By observing our mental activity closely, we can discern what is arising in the mental field, recognize patterns, and become increasingly receptive to intuitive, spontaneous awareness. When we experience direct insights into the Self, we start to become established in an unwavering state of inner knowing.
Transforming the Ego Through Wisdom
Baba Hari Dass illuminates verse 2.55 by explaining:
"As soon as the ignorance that veils the intellect is removed, the ego, which was rooted in the intellect, is transcended, and the individual consciousness becomes one with the Self. In this state, there is no discontentment—only complete bliss, identified as 'satisfied in the Self by the Self.'"
The ego-self, driven by craving and worldly desire, creates its own restlessness and misery. But once this craving subsides, the ego-self returns to its fundamental nature of pure existence, consciousness, and bliss—solidified wisdom.
Wisdom from the Buddha and Rumi
Buddha describes the release from the illusionary ego beautifully in the Dhammapada:
"Vainly I sought the builder of my house through countless lives. Now I see you, O builder, and never again shall you build my house. I have snapped the rafters, split the ridgepole, and beaten out desire. My mind is free."
Rumi poetically illustrates a similar awakening:
"Something happens—call it grace. There’s a worm addicted to eating grape leaves. Suddenly he wakes up. Call it grace, whatever. Something wakes him. And he’s no longer a worm. He’s the entire vineyard and the orchard too, and the fruit. A growing wisdom and joy that doesn’t need to devour."
Both illuminate that once awakened, the compulsion to endlessly seek externally simply disappears.
Practical Strategies to Reduce Desire
Since not everyone lives continuously in the state of samadhi, how can we practically reduce desires?
Consider playing the "Name that Desire" game:
- Identify the desire clearly.
- Examine its source: Is it genuine need, envy, or craving?
- Question: Will it truly enhance peace, well-being, or freedom?
There are four primary forms of desires, which we can practice identifying and releasing:
- Vasana: Latent tendencies or samskaras. Notice subtle impressions or conditioned desires arising.
- Spriha: Longing or envy. Recognize if appreciation is mixed with wanting what others have.
- Iccha: The yearning to possess or avoid. Use wisdom-guided will consciously rather than impulsively.
- Trishna: Insatiable thirst for more. Recognize scarcity thinking or compulsive desire that’s never fulfilled.
When we notice desires, we can practice appreciating without possessing. It frees us from unnecessary craving and cultivates inner peace.
Desires Are Not Who We Are
A profound realization that helps dissolve desires is recognizing they are mental constructs, not aspects of our true nature. Desires do not affect the true Self, nor do they originate from it. Remembering this empowers us to gently release the grip that desires can have over our minds.
Living in Inner Freedom
Verse 2.55 teaches us that true wisdom is the freedom from restless desires. It is the experience of lasting satisfaction in the fullness of our inherent Self. By observing, understanding, and gently releasing desires through meditation, self-study, and mindful living, we naturally become established in the tranquility and luminosity of the Self.
Thus, we find that the fulfillment we seek has always existed within us, quietly awaiting our recognition.
Listen to the full podcast episode below.
Bhagavad Gita, pt 13: The Significance of a Steady Mind
Chapter 2 v. 55
This verse emphasizes the importance of cultivating a steady mind for spiritual progress. According to Lord Krishna, a person with a calm and composed mind can attain perfect peace and contentment, which are essential for spiritual growth.
BONUS teachings on four types of desires.
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