THE MIND: ITS MYSTERIES AND CONTROL - 14. MENTAL IMPRESSIONS - Sri Swami Sivananda - The Mind: Its Mysteries & Control - HQ Full Book.

Chapter 14, "Mental Impressions", from Swami Sivananda's The Mind: Its Mysteries and Control,  delves into the profound concept of mental impressions (samskaras), their formation, their influence on thoughts and actions, and how one can transcend them to achieve spiritual liberation.
What Are Mental Impressions?
Swami Sivananda defines mental impressions as subtle imprints left in the subconscious mind by thoughts, actions, and experiences. When a thought arises, it creates a disturbance or wave in the "mind-ocean." This wave may sink below the conscious mind and become a dormant, hidden potential—termed a mental impression. These impressions exist in the subconscious mind (also referred to as the unconscious or subjective mind), located in the cerebellum or hindbrain. They act as the reservoir of past experiences, which can resurface in the conscious mind as memories. Memory, Sivananda explains, is the revival of these mental impressions. The process of remembering involves bringing a past experience stored in the subconscious mind back into conscious awareness.
Formation of Mental Impressions
Every experience we undergo leaves a distinct mental impression in the subconscious mind. The formation of these impressions is instantaneous—there is no delay between an experience and its imprint. These impressions serve as the seeds of memory and are specific to the experiences that created them. For instance, tasting an orange for the first time forms an impression of its flavor and appearance, which can later recall the memory of the orange.
The Cycle of Thoughts and Mental Impressions
Swami Sivananda illustrates a cyclical relationship between thoughts and mental impressions. A thought wave in the mind produces a mental impression, and this impression, in turn, gives rise to new thoughts. This feedback loop mirrors the relationship between a seed and a tree, where each begets the other. The cyclic causation of thoughts and impressions is beginningless but can end through spiritual liberation. Liberation dissolves these impressions into their primordial state, rendering them incapable of influencing the liberated soul. This dissolution requires intense meditative absorption to "fry" the impressions and free oneself from the cycle of birth and death.
Virtuous and Vicious Mental Impressions
Mental impressions can be virtuous or vicious, depending on the nature of the thoughts and actions that created them. These impressions co-exist in the mind, often aiding or inhibiting one another. When a virtuous impression, such as compassion, arises, it may bring forth similar impressions, prompting actions like helping someone in distress. Conversely, vicious impressions can obstruct the fulfillment of virtuous tendencies. During spiritual practices like meditation, negative impressions may emerge with force, creating internal conflict. This phenomenon is described as the "crowding of mental impressions," where opposing impressions struggle for dominance. However, positive impressions can assist in overcoming negative ones, reinforcing virtuous actions and thoughts.
Mental Impressions and Karma
Mental impressions are deeply tied to the doctrine of karma. They are the accumulated results of past actions, shaping an individual's tendencies, preferences, and inclinations at birth. These impressions determine the mental and moral faculties a person carries into their next life. The impressions from previous lives—including those of animalistic, divine, or human experiences—reside in the subconscious mind. While only relevant impressions surface in a given lifetime, all impressions influence the soul's journey until liberation is achieved.
The Enslaving Nature of Mental Impressions
Mental impressions are the root cause of desires, attachments, and cravings. When a memory of pleasure arises, the mind begins to imagine and plan ways to fulfill those desires. This leads to attraction (raga) and aversion (dvesha), forming a cycle of virtue and vice, pleasure and pain. This cycle perpetuates the wheel of samsara—the endless cycle of birth and death. Sivananda emphasizes that desires and thoughts are products of one's mental impressions. Therefore, cultivating good impressions through virtuous actions is essential for spiritual growth. By replacing negative impressions with positive ones, one can transform the mind and pave the way for liberation.
Transforming and Overcoming Mental Impressions
To overcome the bondage of mental impressions, Sivananda recommends systematic spiritual practices:

1. Meditation and Repetition: Regular meditation and repetition of sacred mantras or God's name can create new, positive impressions. For example, repeating the mantra "Om" strengthens the impression of divine consciousness.
2. Spiritual Study: Studying sacred texts, such as the Bhagavad Gita, imprints the mind with uplifting and enlightening ideas.
3. Service and Charity: Performing selfless acts of service fosters virtuous impressions that counteract negative tendencies.
4. Association with the Wise: Spending time with saints and spiritual teachers helps acquire spiritual impressions, which are a valuable asset for future lives.
5. Pilgrimage and Sacred Practices: Visiting holy places and engaging in rituals can reinforce spiritual impressions and facilitate self-purification.

Liberation Through the Death of Mental Impressions
The ultimate goal of spiritual practice is to dissolve mental impressions completely. As long as impressions persist, they bind the soul to the cycle of samsara. Liberation occurs when the impressions, along with the desires and thoughts they generate, are eradicated. This state of freedom can be attained through intense and consistent effort in spiritual practice. Sivananda advises aspirants to seize the present moment to embark on the spiritual path, emphasizing the potential to cut short the cycle of birth and death in this very life. By diligently practicing meditation, self-inquiry, and virtuous living, one can awaken to the eternal truth of their divine nature.
Practical Analogies
To illustrate the process of replacing negative impressions with positive ones, Sivananda uses the analogy of a nail driven into a plank. If a bad habit represents a nail in the mind, it can be removed by hammering in a new, good habit on top of it. With each repetition of the new habit, the old nail is gradually pushed out. This analogy underscores the need for persistent effort to transform one's mental conditioning.
Conclusion
In Chapter 14, Swami Sivananda sheds light on the intricate dynamics of mental impressions and their profound impact on human life. He provides practical guidance for transforming the mind, emphasizing the importance of spiritual practices in replacing negative impressions with positive ones. By dissolving these impressions, one can transcend the cycle of karma and attain liberation. The teachings in this chapter serve as a powerful roadmap for those seeking to understand and master the mysteries of the mind.  

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