Total Absorption: The Path to Freedom and Spiritual Realization
In life, there’s a power to doing things fully, with your entire being. The philosophy of total absorption teaches that when you pour yourself into any action, without hesitation or doubt, you experience an unparalleled sense of freedom. You leave behind incomplete actions, and in doing so, free yourself from the karmic cycle. In total absorption, there is no room for regret or second thoughts. This clarity sharpens one’s perception, enabling them to understand the deeper, often hidden, aspects of reality.
The modern world, with its constant distractions and unfinished tasks, often makes people feel as though they are burdened with incomplete actions. Have you ever noticed how rare it is for people to fully complete one task before jumping onto the next? This restless energy creates inner chaos, and it clouds the mind, filling it with mental clutter. This is karma in action—the cycle of incomplete actions that tie you down, making it harder to move forward in life with freedom and clarity.
Total Absorption in Action: A Key to Clarity
When you immerse yourself fully in an action, you are free from distractions, judgments, and the pull of the past. The phrase “never look back” becomes more than a motivational line; it becomes a way of life. The idea is not to ignore your past but to transcend it. A person who acts with total absorption understands the value of moving forward without letting past actions cloud their vision. Every moment becomes a new beginning, and each action is complete in itself. This is the key to a clear and focused mind.
In Eastern philosophy, particularly in the teachings of Buddhism, this concept is central. Karma, in its essence, means unfinished or incomplete action. When you complete actions with your full presence, you dissolve karma, and with that, the cycle of suffering. A person who understands this lives with freedom—freedom from the past and its hold over them.
The Symbolism of Intuition and Logic
Saraha, an ancient Buddhist figure, offers an enlightening example of total absorption and spiritual realization. In a key moment of his life, he encounters a woman who embodies the perfect balance between intuition and logic. As she works, she is neither too focused on her actions nor overly detached. She finds herself in the middle—a place of grace, beauty, and balance. This moment, for Saraha, is a revelation. It helps him realize that life itself is meditation when one is absorbed completely in the present moment.
This woman’s actions, though ordinary, possess an extraordinary beauty because of the totality of her absorption. It’s not the actions themselves that create this beauty; it’s the presence and awareness behind them. Saraha recognizes that true meditation is not confined to a specific practice or place. Meditation can be as simple as doing everyday tasks with complete focus and awareness, free from the distractions of the mind.
The Two Hemispheres of the Mind
In Buddhist teachings, and later supported by modern psychology, the human mind is divided into two halves—the left hemisphere, which governs logic and reason, and the right hemisphere, responsible for intuition and creativity. These two parts of the mind are often in conflict with one another. In our daily lives, we tend to rely heavily on the left hemisphere. We value reason, logic, and systematic thinking. However, this reliance often leads to a disconnect from the intuitive, creative side of the brain.
The encounter between Saraha and the woman illustrates the need for balance between these two aspects of the mind. The woman’s gesture of closing one eye while keeping the other open symbolizes the closing of the logical mind and the opening of the intuitive mind. True wisdom, Saraha realizes, comes not from analysis or reason alone but from a synthesis of intuition and logic.
Knowing the Unknown: The Spiritual Journey
One of the core teachings of Buddhism is the journey toward the unknown. In this context, the unknown is not something that can be understood through logic or reason alone. It is the realm of spiritual realization, where the boundaries between the self and the universe blur, and one experiences a deep, indescribable connection with all of existence.
For Saraha, aiming at the unknown means seeking unity with the universe—a state where there is no longer a division between subject and object, between the individual and the cosmos. It’s a state of pure awareness, free from the constraints of the thinking mind. In this state, all dualities disappear, and one experiences the profound truth of non-duality: there is no ‘I’ and no ‘thou,’ no seeker and no sought. There is only oneness.
The Realization of the New Man
As one progresses on the spiritual journey, a transformation takes place. The old self, with its attachments and limitations, dissolves, making way for a new, more expansive consciousness. This transformation is not an intellectual understanding but a deep, lived experience. The new man is born when the destructible elements of the self are destroyed, leaving only the indestructible essence—the eternal awareness that lies at the core of every being.
In Christian teachings, this idea is mirrored in Jesus’s statement: “Until you are reborn, you will not know it.” Rebirth, in this context, is not a physical event but a spiritual one. The old self, with all its attachments, has to die for the new self to emerge. This is the process of spiritual awakening, where one moves beyond the ego and experiences the oneness of existence.
FAQs
What is total absorption?
Total absorption refers to the state of being fully present and engaged in whatever action you are performing. It involves focusing all your attention and energy on the task at hand, free from distractions or incomplete actions.
How does total absorption free you from karma?
Karma, in spiritual terms, refers to the accumulation of incomplete actions. When you perform actions with total absorption, you bring them to completion, thus dissolving the karma associated with those actions.
What is the significance of balancing intuition and logic?
Balancing intuition and logic allows for a fuller understanding of life and reality. Logic helps us understand the tangible aspects of life, while intuition connects us with the unseen, spiritual truths.
How does total absorption relate to meditation?
Total absorption is a form of meditation. It involves being fully present in each moment, whether you’re engaged in an everyday task or a more formal meditation practice.
Why did the woman close one eye and open the other?
Closing one eye symbolized shutting down the logical, reasoning mind, while opening the other eye represented activating intuition and awareness, which leads to spiritual insight.
What does it mean to become a “new man” in spiritual terms?
Becoming a “new man” means undergoing a spiritual transformation where the old, ego-driven self is left behind, and a new consciousness, connected with the eternal, emerges.
Conclusion
Total absorption is more than just a practice; it is a way of life. By living in the present moment, fully absorbed in each action, you free yourself from the burdens of incomplete tasks and karma. You balance the two hemispheres of the mind—logic and intuition—allowing you to access deeper truths that go beyond mere reason. Ultimately, total absorption is a pathway to spiritual freedom and realization, where the boundaries between self and universe dissolve, and you experience life in its purest, most profound form.
