The “convoluted mind tunnel” a metaphor for the passage through dimensions of consciousness, resonates deeply with spiritual teachings across various traditions. While my own experiences through meditation and empathy practice at House of Empathy reflect a deeply personal realization, the teachings of figures like Guru Nanak, and other mystical traditions, offer a broader lens to view this phenomenon.
Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, profoundly addressed the nature of consciousness and the journey beyond form. Central to his teachings is the concept of Ik Onkar, the belief in the one, formless source that permeates all existence. Nanak often spoke of the limitations of the human mind, which is entangled in maya (illusion) and trapped within the confines of form and material existence.
In this context, the convoluted mind tunnel could be seen as a symbolic representation of this entrapment—an intricate maze of thoughts, illusions and ego-driven perceptions that cloud our true nature. For Nanak, liberation comes when one breaks free from this web of illusion through Naam Simran (meditation on the divine name) and dissolves into the formless divine presence. The transition from the world of forms to the formless essence mirrors my own experience in meditation, where the vast blackness of the void gives way to an infinite network of tentacles and tunnels, much like the spiritual insights one gains through devotion and surrender.
In my personal practice, the jellyfish-like form I encounter, transparent yet complex, embodies the ego and the mind’s attempts to understand the infinite. Nanak’s teachings suggest that while this form may represent the mind’s struggle to comprehend the divine, it is through the practice of stilling the mind and focusing on the one truth that we can transcend this complexity and enter the realm of the formless.
Mystical traditions such as Sant Mat and Sufism also provide rich perspectives on the mind’s intricate structure and the passage through dimensions. In Sant Mat, the practice of surat shabd yoga (meditation on the inner sound) aligns closely with the idea of navigating a convoluted mind tunnel. Here, the tunnels could represent different planes of consciousness, each leading the practitioner deeper into the inner realms of the self and ultimately to the divine source. The first tunnel, as described in my meditation, reflects the initial stages of awakening—when the mind begins to recognize its vastness and the interconnectedness of all things.
In Sufi mysticism, the journey of the soul through fana (annihilation of the self) and baqa (remaining in God) parallels the passage through these tunnels. The convoluted nature of the mind, with its countless connections and dimensions, can be likened to the labyrinthine process of shedding layers of ego and illusion. In Sufi poetry, the seeker moves through a series of veils—each veil a step closer to the ultimate truth. The tentacles and tunnels in my meditation symbolize these veils, where each dimension represents a different layer of the self that must be transcended to reach unity with the divine.
At House of Empathy, we explore the mind’s complex emotional and spiritual landscape, often delving into deep meditative states and exploring the interplay between self, empathy, and consciousness. The convoluted mind tunnel is not just an abstract spiritual concept; it reflects the real experience of confronting the layers of our conditioned mind and its entanglements. Within this practice, I’ve found that navigating these tunnels involves cultivating empathy—not only for others but for our own mind’s complexity.
Empathy allows for a deeper understanding of the mind’s convoluted nature. As we journey through different dimensions of consciousness, empathy becomes the bridge that helps us see through the illusion of separation. In my meditative experience, when the network of tentacles arises, it often symbolizes the interconnectedness of all beings. Each tentacle is a connection, a path to another soul, another dimension of consciousness. At House of Empathy, the practice is to embrace these connections with compassion, knowing that we are all part of this same vast network.
The realization that the jellyfish—the mind itself—is not the ultimate reality, but merely a vehicle for experiencing dimensions, is key to transcending the convoluted mind tunnel. The goal is not to become trapped in the complexity of the mind but to use empathy and awareness as tools to move beyond it. This mirrors the teachings of the mystics: the mind, while intricate and beautiful in its design, is not the destination but a passageway.
Both the mystical teachings of Guru Nanak and my personal experiences point to the ultimate realization that the convoluted mind tunnel is a journey toward the formless. Guru Nanak taught that through devotion and meditation, one could experience the sach khand, the realm of truth, where the soul merges with the formless divine. Similarly, in my meditations at House of Empathy, the second tunnel leads to a place beyond form, where the mind, body and ego dissolve and only pure presence remains.
In this state, the convoluted nature of the mind is seen for what it is—an illusion. The journey through the mind’s tunnels is not meant to trap us but to guide us toward the formless essence that lies beyond. The formless realm, which both Guru Nanak and other mystics describe, is not empty; it is filled with potential, with infinite dimensions that are all interconnected. It is a landscape of pure consciousness, where all dualities dissolve and there is no separation between the self and the divine.
The convoluted mind tunnel, both in personal experience and within spiritual traditions, represents the intricate and often bewildering nature of consciousness. Whether seen through the lens of Guru Nanak’s teachings, Sant Mat, Sufism or my own practice at House of Empathy, the mind is a complex system of dimensions and layers that we must navigate on the path to awakening. But this journey is not about getting lost in the complexity; it is about recognizing the mind for what it is—a tool that, when used with awareness and empathy, can lead us beyond form, beyond illusion and into the vast, formless essence of truth.
