As we start to meditate we begin the process of releasing the stresses stored up in the nervous system which are inhibiting us from experiencing the truth of our nature, the basis of our being which is that unbounded state of awareness, bliss consciousness. We start to have direct experience of that state of fulfilment, pure consciousness twice a day and slowly over time our awareness expands and starts to integrate Being into activity, into daily life. We are upgrading the hardware of the body, meditation by meditation.

Then we have the intellect, an aspect of the mind, manas (in sanskrit), which is still running Windows 5.0, while our body and state of consciousness is now running Windows 11 and is ready for an upgrade of the software of the mind. The intellect has collected many ideas through social conditioning and stress over our lifetime based on the fundamental mis-take of separation. Those negative thoughts that form the "tape" that plays in our head come from this fundamental mis-take of the intellect. I am separate from that which I desire, from nature, from those around me. I need to protect myself, cut myself off from others, get there first, make sure it happens for me, make myself feel better or superior to another in order to feel good about myself, feel safe, and "get" happiness. When we meditate we start to awaken to the truth of our nature and that of totality which is one-ness, bliss, fulfilment, at one with all of nature.

The intellect has been running the show for a long time and those are some well worn grooves which have formed habits of the mind. The mistaken intellect, pragya aparadh in sanskrit (often called 'PP" for short as the 'a' of aparadh is silent - pronounced prag-ya par-rad), needs correction. This is the second part of the process towards higher states of awareness and the full establishment of the fulfilment state, cosmic consciousness meaning all-inclusive, awareness.

How can we correct the intellect? Meditation gives us agency over thoughts. We have some more space in our awareness to choose to engage with certain thoughts and ignore others. We can choose to ignore those thoughts that do not take us towards more unity, connection, creativity, the flow of life. Those thoughts of separation and negativity which do not match the truth of our nature are just the mind, the intellect, playing the same old tape of the same 80-90,000 thoughts we had yesterday and the day before. We can come into our senses and the present moment.

We can also saturate the mind daily with reminders - reading conscious material, listening to podcasts, spending some time with our attention on nature. I recommend highly the podcasts by my teacher The Vedic Worldview by Thom Knoles as a wonderful starting point to gaining greater insight into the full body of Vedic knowledge and the practical means of living life from the understanding that not only am I one with the Universe, I am the Universe - aham brahm asmi - I am totality. See the resources page for my recommendations.

For deeper immersion and acceleration of this process I recommend the Exploring the Veda knowledge courses. These were an essential part in my own path and have a profoundly purifying effect on the intellect and the way you experience life. It’s always a pleasure and an honour to take all those who feel charmed to join me on a deep dive into this supreme knowledge.

Remember to relax and enjoy the process, trust that life is unfolding exactly as it is meant to.

Love and Jai Guru Deva*

Georgia x

*victory of light over darkness