Mind Fog
2026, May, Issue 202
Clarity,
Shrouded in mist,
Covered,
obscured somewhat
with horizons vanishing
in the distance
with banks of fog rolling through,
an amazing distraction of not knowing,
unable to function,
unable to find meaning where there is none
in that most terrible Rorschach test
where objects and reflections fade
into hazy befuddlement;
even that mind fog
springs from clarity;
Be at ease young traveler!
You have always known the way,
You have always been there,
Just here in your real nature!
Look within and see,
See with mind,
See with empty cognizance,
remaining perfectly at ease,
remaining without tension,
at ease without straining yourself any further,
Enjoy what appears,
seeing that illusion for what it is,
allowing that to be,
allowing that appearance
to simply be
AS
IT
IS
A poem by Robert Aho © 2026
A close relative wanted me to write about brain fog. Well, not being a medical professional, I’m not so sure about that, or how the brain functions for that matter, nor do I have any sort of qualifications to discuss how that bodily organ actually works. From my point of view, the brain is just a transmitter, not much more than that. Mind is not in the body, nor is it outside, nor is it something else that can be located. Even though we are sometimes aware of when our mind becomes foggy or confused, it’s not dependent upon a physical body. This becomes quite obvious with just a little bit of investigation through meditation.
My knowledge, carried by transmigrating consciousness through many lifetimes, revealed through a very strenuous application of Spiritual Practice, is more specific to practices of mind and the Nature of Mind. Since the Nature of Mind is continually clear, mind is where this lack of clarity occurs; and that, having personally spent many lifetimes examining mind through a wide variety of meditative and spiritual practices, is something that I can discuss with you with great confidence, maybe even give you some suggestions that could be utilized to help clear away the clutter and the fog.
If we are to awaken, the mind fog must be cleared away. All obstacles must be overcome. In order to do this, we must examine mind. We must look within. When we do so, we start to see the illusory nature of thoughts, emotions, memories, as well as all that appears to mind. We start to have some idea of how unaware we have been from throughout the infinite expanse of time immemorial. This realization should be the impetus for staying focused on Spiritual Practice in general. It’s important to start learning about just what is going on here.
Our mind is clouded by the three poisons of ignorance, attraction and aversion. If we see something and immediately start judging whether it is good or bad, all while not really knowing much about it, thinking that our separateness has some sort of validity in this discernment, then our mind is clouded. We are not observing phenomena as it is when we have mind fog.
If we are not being realistic, which is seeing with clarity, then we will continue in cyclic existence. If we start to see things realistically, then we can begin to awaken. This means that early in our Spiritual Practice we must begin to understand the illusion. We must pay attention in our daily life, as well as in our dreams. When we realize that there is absolutely no difference between dreams and daily life, then we have discovered something rather useful. Our Spiritual Practice can become energized at that point.
It is important to remember that we must utilize Bodhicitta with this realization. If we think that this illusion is nothing, then we will create problems for ourselves, which could become a much larger obstacle than this fog of delusion. We must develop great compassion in everything that we do, without forgetting our Aspiration to Awaken. A good sign is that nightmares diminish or disappear altogether. Our dreams and daily life become filled with joyfulness and love.
It is very important to pay attention to how our mind is clearing. If we are less agitated, that is a good sign. If we are able to remain undistracted, that is a good sign. If we feel like our heart and mind are opening more and more, then we will know the fog is clearing. Our capacity will naturally increase.
In reality, we have millions of types of meditative practices that we can do. The important thing, however, is to find practices that will help, then keep it simple. If we take on too much or make it too elaborate, we can become easily discouraged. We start with our very simple Aspiration to Awaken, then expand that as needed. This Aspiration to Awaken is the same as full enlightenment, even though we don’t know that at first. It is a bright spark that can be cultivated with our own Spiritual Practice, remaining focused on clearing away the mind fog so that we can realize just what that bright clear condition actually is.
I have no doubt that every single person who Aspires to Awaken will actually Awaken. Even if you stumble or forget, it will come back. You will definitely Awaken.
Blessings of Source,
Rigdzin Robert Aho
Robert Aho is the author of Timeless Luminosity and The Frog: A Spiritual Autobiography, Spanning Many Lifetimes. Both books, written after his death experience, give advanced spiritual advice regarding the complete Spiritual Path, inspiration for living each day and words of encouragement, with the intention of helping people to stay committed to their Spiritual Path, as well as preparing for death. This ultimately leads to discovering your own power within, which leads to Awakening. Both books are available on Amazon, Zenith Bookstore, as well as various other sources.