What Is Mind Liberation?

Liberation of the mind means the mind is free from the bondage of afflictions; without afflictions there is no suffering, and without suffering the mind is liberated. Suffering is divided into bodily suffering and mental suffering; bodily suffering does not count as true suffering—only mental suffering is real suffering. As long as the mind does not suffer, that is liberation. Likewise, when the body has suffering, if one does not take bodily suffering seriously, the mind will not suffer—that is liberation; but if one feels that bodily suffering is truly painful, the mind will suffer, and there is no liberation. If one willingly endures bodily suffering, regarding it as nothing significant, or as having some kind of meaning that must be endured, then the mind will not suffer, and may even feel joy. But if one is forced to endure bodily suffering, not voluntarily, then the mind also suffers. Whether there is suffering or not lies in the mind, not in the body; it depends on the mind's understanding of suffering. If the mind takes it to heart, there is suffering; if the mind does not take it to heart, there is no suffering. Regarding suffering as no suffering, the mind is liberated; regarding suffering as suffering, there is bondage. 

Arhats go on alms rounds every day, begging from house to house, yet feel no suffering; ordinary people complain just from cooking a single meal. Pūrṇa once received only cow dung when begging for food, yet felt no suffering—his mind was liberated. The wealthy eat mountain delicacies and seafood every day, yet their minds are not joyful, and their afflictions and bondage are severe. Since suffering and joy differ from person to person, suffering and joy have no fixed dharma; since there is no fixed dharma, they are false and illusory, impermanent, and empty; thus suffering and joy are without self.