“The Mind of man
is not an independent entity. It has neither specific shape nor form. It is not
self-supporting but struts about invisibly on the two crutches of the aspects
of the Ego that are ‘I’ and ‘Mine’.
“Where then does the Mind derive its immense power from? Elementary,
Dr Watson, the Mind is a projection of the life-energy or the soul which has, as
its Source and Origin, the
“Sage Vasishta gives nine metaphors to
enable us to understand the Mind prior to devising ways and means to discipline
it. Shall we see the comparisons?
(1) Mind is a poison-tree that is deep-rooted in
the ground which is the physical body. Expectations are the branches of this
tree; fancies, its glittering leaves; desires, its buds; and worries, its
flowers. Birth and Death and Misery are its bitter fruits. Only with the axe of
Self-Inquiry (Atma-vicharam) would you be able to cut
down this tree, root-and-branch.
(2) Mind
is a wild elephant roaming at will on the slopes of the senses. Hatred and
Jealousy are its inflamed eyes. Attachment and Anger are its two tusks with
which it roots out the shade-yielding saplings that are satvic
qualities.The tusker does
yearn to taste the lotus-honey of divine qualities but because of impatience, it
tramples down the very flowers. Intellect sharpened by Self-Inquiry is the only
implement that can control and discipline this rogue-elephant.
(3) Mind
is a crow that is constantly foraging about for the base pleasures of the
senses. Harsh speech and evil deed are the two segments of its beak, selfishness
is its squinted vision, and adverse imprints are its feathers. The steady beat
of Self-Inquiry alone will drive away this inauspicious bird.
(4) Mind is a goblin. With its consort that is
worldly desires it is perched on the tree-branch of Ignorance. Your Master’s
Teaching is the efficacious mantram to exorcise this
goblin.
(5) Mind
is a serpent. Worry constitutes its venom with which it has felled countless
bodies, abstracting the life-energy from which it has been slithering from birth to birth. The
tongs of Self-Inquiry alone would extract the fangs of this reptile.
(6) Mind
is a vulture inhabiting the graveyard that is the physical body, subject to
disease and death. If through Self-Inquiry you are able to ensure internal and
environmental purity, this bird would flee.
(7) Mind is a dark cloud wafted about by the
winds of Imprints. Expectations are the myriad flashes of lightning, and
Misery is the downpour. If desire for world-objects is removed by Self-Inquiry
this cloud would be dispelled.
(8) Mind is a net woven out of the ropes of
Thoughts and Desires working to form the knots of Deed-imprints. By renouncing
Attachment, this net will be cut to pieces; and thereafter it can be reduced to
ashes in the fire of Self-Inquiry.
(9) Mind is a python lying in wait with open
jaws for the deluded soul to come its way. If you arm yourself with the flaming
torch of Self-Inquiry betimes and proceed on your journey, this python will not
be able to harm you in any manner.
“After listing these nine metaphors, Sage Vasishta
concludes the day’s lesson with the following words: ‘O Rama,
you are a warrior. If an arrow is aimed at you, are you not trained to shoot a
counter-missile to tackle the dart? In the same manner, whenever a wrong
thought arises in your mind, counter it with right thought. If you develop non-attachment
(vairagya) to the point of considering even heavenly
pleasures (swarga-bhogam) as trifling (ducha), then your mind would remain in your control and
unbroken Bliss would come to be actualised by you.’
“You have heard me speak
on Yoga Vaasishta for a number of days now. Will you
check up whether changes have come about in your mode of thinking and outlook? Are
there some indications at least that friction with your environment is getting
reduced? If so, consolidate the gains and take the appropriate resolve to live
in peace and happiness by doing all you can and must to fulfil the purpose of
life…”
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