I am not this body, I am not this mind

It is hard for anyone to come to terms with this phrase, "I am not this body, I am not this mind."

Our sense organs are the portals through which we experience the world. We see, taste, touch, hear and smell through the outward attention of our five senses. Our desires and pursuits are driven by whatever we know through the five senses: what we can see, hear, taste, touch and smell. Beyond the five senses, there is another sense, a 'sense' of self, the sense of "I", or mostly known as the ego. The sense of the doer, the one taking the credit for the action.

Is there something that transcends these five senses and the sense of self?

This is what the ancient Yogis tried to find out - who am I beyond this body, mind and sense complex (BMSC).

When we practise meditation, we get a glimpse of this transendence. Usually the mind is following where the senses go and gets lost in the thoughts that arise. In meditation, the mind withdraws from the senses and goes inwards. After some time, if the mind holds steady, the body consciousness starts to fade away and just maybe, our mind can have a glimpse of this peace that is not arising from any senses but instead, from the withdrawal of senses.

This peace and tranquility is the awareness that lies within us when our minds go quiet.

What is the body, if it is not just a bunch of sensations? What is the mind, if it is not just a bundle of thoughts? When we practise the withdrawal of senses - pratyahara - and bring our awareness within, we experience this deep sense of calm within. We become aware - and - we become the seeer who sees.