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MIND MYSTERIES & CONTROL - 20. DESIRES & HOW TO DESTROY THEM - Sri Swami Sivananda - The Mind: Its Mysteries & Control
THE MIND: ITS MYSTERIES AND CONTROL - 20. VASANAS - DESIRES IN SUBTLE FORM - Sri Swami Sivananda - The Mind: Its Mysteries and Control - HQ Full Book.
Vasana Desires - How They Manifest
Vasana, a desire in its subtle form, represents a wave in the mind-lake. Its origin lies in the Causal Body (Karana Sharira), where it exists as a seed, dormant and latent. Much like flowers that lie hidden within seeds until they bloom, these subtle desires reside within the mind and causal body, awaiting the right conditions to manifest. They rise to the surface of the mind, generate intentions, and drive individuals to seek and enjoy specific objects of desire. This cyclical process—from desire to action and back—is a vicious circle, where actions further strengthen desires. Upon the realization of Brahman, the Supreme Cosmic Spirit, all desires are annihilated. Vasanas—these subtle desires—are the true enemies. Their eradication is essential for liberation. Just as a mango seed holds within it the potential for a vast tree, so too do vasanas contain the seeds for myriad thoughts and actions. For instance, the vasana of lust emerges subtly during childhood, manifests fully in youth, and often dominates life until maturity, wreaking havoc in its prime years. This critical period, from ages 25 to 45, often sees individuals driven to actions rooted in uncontrolled desires.
Chapalata - Craving
Craving, or chapalata , is a mild form of vasana. Though fleeting, it exerts significant influence. Two key types of cravings include:
1. Tongue-craving : A morbid appetite for varied tastes, often found in those leading luxurious lives. 2. Genital-craving : A desire for repeated sexual gratification. These cravings lead to restlessness and bondage. The moment a craving arises, the mind becomes tethered to the object of desire, creating a stream of thought waves that persist until the object is attained. This restlessness ceases only with the fulfillment of the craving. For most, resistance to these desires is difficult due to weak willpower.
Desire Causes Restlessness and Bondage
Desires form the root of mental restlessness and bondage. The connection between the mind and objects of desire creates an unending cycle of attachment and striving. The absence of desire brings freedom from bondage. When there is no desire within, the external world loses its allure. Desires are the source of all suffering and troubles. The objects created by God—like water, air, and sunshine—bring no pain; it is the desires within the individual that lead to misery. Ego, anger, pride, and attachment stem from these internal creations. Ethical training can suppress negative tendencies like jealousy, attachment, and anger, reducing their intensity but not eradicating them. To achieve true peace, desires must be annihilated entirely.
Eradication, Not Suppression, Is the Remedy
Temporary suppression of a desire often leads to its resurgence with increased force. Like a king’s subjects, the senses obey the mind’s commands. Therefore, the aspirant must eradicate desires at their root through self-effort and pure intention. This requires profound self-inquiry and discrimination between the real (Brahman) and the unreal (worldly objects). Only through such discernment can the restless mind find stillness, like a flame unaffected by wind.
How to Destroy Desires:
Calmness of Mind
The Intellectual Sheath (Vijnanamaya Kosha) acts as a stronghold for the aspirant. Using calmness of mind, one must confront and destroy desires as they arise. The aspirant should attack desires internally, crushing them before they take root in the mind-lake. This inner battle constitutes true renunciation. When a desire surfaces, it pushes the internal senses into motion, which then activate external instruments like hands and eyes. By practicing calmness of mind, one can halt this initial push, preventing the cascade of sensory activity. A calm mind is cooler than ice and remains unshaken by favorable or unfavorable circumstances. It is one of the four sentinels of liberation, alongside contentment, self-inquiry, and association with the wise.
Control of Senses
Desires must also be tackled externally through sense control (Indriya Nigraha). External stimuli should be restrained from entering the mind. For example, the desire for sweets can be curbed internally by renunciation and externally by avoiding the sight of sweets and abstaining from sugar. Sense control complements the practice of mental calmness. Giving up small habits, like taking tea, demonstrates how relinquishing desires leads to peace and willpower. Each controlled desire strengthens the aspirant’s resolve, paving the way for greater renunciation. Renunciation is not a loss but a gain, as it leads to increased knowledge, bliss, and power.
Self-Study and Meditation
In the initial stages, aspirants should cultivate a desire for scriptural study to occupy the mind with noble thoughts. Over time, even this desire should be transcended, dedicating all energy to meditation. Desire destruction is achieved through self-inquiry, meditation on Brahman, dispassion, and renunciation.
Self-Inquiry and God-Consciousness
A mind free from desire is emancipated, while one bound by desire perpetuates bondage. Just as a lion escapes its cage by breaking its bars, so too does a sage transcend the physical body by destroying desires through self-inquiry and God-consciousness. Attenuating desires thins the mind, as the mind is essentially a bundle of desires.
Conquest of Ego
Egoism, the root of all desires, must be eradicated. Just as a family depends on its head, desires depend on the ego. By annihilating the ego through constant meditation on the mantra “I am Brahman,” one can overcome desires. This mantra serves as a potent antidote against egoistic thoughts.
The Meaning of Liberation
Liberation does not necessitate withdrawal from worldly activities but involves a state of mind free from impure desires. The Gita teaches that a disciplined self, moving among sense objects without attachment, attains peace. Liberation is achieved through detachment and self-realization. In Brahman, there is no desire. Complete annihilation of desires occurs in formless meditative absorption (Nirvikalpa Samadhi). This ultimate state fries the seeds of desires, bringing the mind to complete stillness, like a flame unaffected by wind. Only through knowledge of Brahman can all desires be extinguished, leading to true liberation.
#MindControl #SwamiSivananda #Vasanas #DesireControl #SpiritualWisdom #Mindfulness #SelfInquiry #InnerPeace #EradicateDesires #YogaPhilosophy #SpiritualAwakening #Liberation #MeditationPractice #CalmMind #EgoControl #SpiritualGrowth #SelfRealization #GodConsciousness #MindfulnessPractice #YogaForLife
Vasana Desires - How They Manifest
Vasana, a desire in its subtle form, represents a wave in the mind-lake. Its origin lies in the Causal Body (Karana Sharira), where it exists as a seed, dormant and latent. Much like flowers that lie hidden within seeds until they bloom, these subtle desires reside within the mind and causal body, awaiting the right conditions to manifest. They rise to the surface of the mind, generate intentions, and drive individuals to seek and enjoy specific objects of desire. This cyclical process—from desire to action and back—is a vicious circle, where actions further strengthen desires. Upon the realization of Brahman, the Supreme Cosmic Spirit, all desires are annihilated. Vasanas—these subtle desires—are the true enemies. Their eradication is essential for liberation. Just as a mango seed holds within it the potential for a vast tree, so too do vasanas contain the seeds for myriad thoughts and actions. For instance, the vasana of lust emerges subtly during childhood, manifests fully in youth, and often dominates life until maturity, wreaking havoc in its prime years. This critical period, from ages 25 to 45, often sees individuals driven to actions rooted in uncontrolled desires.
Chapalata - Craving
Craving, or chapalata , is a mild form of vasana. Though fleeting, it exerts significant influence. Two key types of cravings include:
1. Tongue-craving : A morbid appetite for varied tastes, often found in those leading luxurious lives. 2. Genital-craving : A desire for repeated sexual gratification. These cravings lead to restlessness and bondage. The moment a craving arises, the mind becomes tethered to the object of desire, creating a stream of thought waves that persist until the object is attained. This restlessness ceases only with the fulfillment of the craving. For most, resistance to these desires is difficult due to weak willpower.
Desire Causes Restlessness and Bondage
Desires form the root of mental restlessness and bondage. The connection between the mind and objects of desire creates an unending cycle of attachment and striving. The absence of desire brings freedom from bondage. When there is no desire within, the external world loses its allure. Desires are the source of all suffering and troubles. The objects created by God—like water, air, and sunshine—bring no pain; it is the desires within the individual that lead to misery. Ego, anger, pride, and attachment stem from these internal creations. Ethical training can suppress negative tendencies like jealousy, attachment, and anger, reducing their intensity but not eradicating them. To achieve true peace, desires must be annihilated entirely.
Eradication, Not Suppression, Is the Remedy
Temporary suppression of a desire often leads to its resurgence with increased force. Like a king’s subjects, the senses obey the mind’s commands. Therefore, the aspirant must eradicate desires at their root through self-effort and pure intention. This requires profound self-inquiry and discrimination between the real (Brahman) and the unreal (worldly objects). Only through such discernment can the restless mind find stillness, like a flame unaffected by wind.
How to Destroy Desires:
Calmness of Mind
The Intellectual Sheath (Vijnanamaya Kosha) acts as a stronghold for the aspirant. Using calmness of mind, one must confront and destroy desires as they arise. The aspirant should attack desires internally, crushing them before they take root in the mind-lake. This inner battle constitutes true renunciation. When a desire surfaces, it pushes the internal senses into motion, which then activate external instruments like hands and eyes. By practicing calmness of mind, one can halt this initial push, preventing the cascade of sensory activity. A calm mind is cooler than ice and remains unshaken by favorable or unfavorable circumstances. It is one of the four sentinels of liberation, alongside contentment, self-inquiry, and association with the wise.
Control of Senses
Desires must also be tackled externally through sense control (Indriya Nigraha). External stimuli should be restrained from entering the mind. For example, the desire for sweets can be curbed internally by renunciation and externally by avoiding the sight of sweets and abstaining from sugar. Sense control complements the practice of mental calmness. Giving up small habits, like taking tea, demonstrates how relinquishing desires leads to peace and willpower. Each controlled desire strengthens the aspirant’s resolve, paving the way for greater renunciation. Renunciation is not a loss but a gain, as it leads to increased knowledge, bliss, and power.
Self-Study and Meditation
In the initial stages, aspirants should cultivate a desire for scriptural study to occupy the mind with noble thoughts. Over time, even this desire should be transcended, dedicating all energy to meditation. Desire destruction is achieved through self-inquiry, meditation on Brahman, dispassion, and renunciation.
Self-Inquiry and God-Consciousness
A mind free from desire is emancipated, while one bound by desire perpetuates bondage. Just as a lion escapes its cage by breaking its bars, so too does a sage transcend the physical body by destroying desires through self-inquiry and God-consciousness. Attenuating desires thins the mind, as the mind is essentially a bundle of desires.
Conquest of Ego
Egoism, the root of all desires, must be eradicated. Just as a family depends on its head, desires depend on the ego. By annihilating the ego through constant meditation on the mantra “I am Brahman,” one can overcome desires. This mantra serves as a potent antidote against egoistic thoughts.
The Meaning of Liberation
Liberation does not necessitate withdrawal from worldly activities but involves a state of mind free from impure desires. The Gita teaches that a disciplined self, moving among sense objects without attachment, attains peace. Liberation is achieved through detachment and self-realization. In Brahman, there is no desire. Complete annihilation of desires occurs in formless meditative absorption (Nirvikalpa Samadhi). This ultimate state fries the seeds of desires, bringing the mind to complete stillness, like a flame unaffected by wind. Only through knowledge of Brahman can all desires be extinguished, leading to true liberation.
#MindControl #SwamiSivananda #Vasanas #DesireControl #SpiritualWisdom #Mindfulness #SelfInquiry #InnerPeace #EradicateDesires #YogaPhilosophy #SpiritualAwakening #Liberation #MeditationPractice #CalmMind #EgoControl #SpiritualGrowth #SelfRealization #GodConsciousness #MindfulnessPractice #YogaForLife
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By Sri Swami SivanandaTHE MIND: ITS MYSTERIES AND CONTROL - 20. VASANAS - DESIRES IN SUBTLE FORM - Sri Swami Sivananda - The Mind: Its Mysteries and Control - HQ Full Book.
Vasana Desires - How They Manifest
Vasana, a desire in its subtle form, represents a wave in the mind-lake. Its origin lies in the Causal Body (Karana Sharira), where it exists as a seed, dormant and latent. Much like flowers that lie hidden within seeds until they bloom, these subtle desires reside within the mind and causal body, awaiting the right conditions to manifest. They rise to the surface of the mind, generate intentions, and drive individuals to seek and enjoy specific objects of desire. This cyclical process—from desire to action and back—is a vicious circle, where actions further strengthen desires. Upon the realization of Brahman, the Supreme Cosmic Spirit, all desires are annihilated. Vasanas—these subtle desires—are the true enemies. Their eradication is essential for liberation. Just as a mango seed holds within it the potential for a vast tree, so too do vasanas contain the seeds for myriad thoughts and actions. For instance, the vasana of lust emerges subtly during childhood, manifests fully in youth, and often dominates life until maturity, wreaking havoc in its prime years. This critical period, from ages 25 to 45, often sees individuals driven to actions rooted in uncontrolled desires.
Chapalata - Craving
Craving, or chapalata , is a mild form of vasana. Though fleeting, it exerts significant influence. Two key types of cravings include:
1. Tongue-craving : A morbid appetite for varied tastes, often found in those leading luxurious lives. 2. Genital-craving : A desire for repeated sexual gratification. These cravings lead to restlessness and bondage. The moment a craving arises, the mind becomes tethered to the object of desire, creating a stream of thought waves that persist until the object is attained. This restlessness ceases only with the fulfillment of the craving. For most, resistance to these desires is difficult due to weak willpower.
Desire Causes Restlessness and Bondage
Desires form the root of mental restlessness and bondage. The connection between the mind and objects of desire creates an unending cycle of attachment and striving. The absence of desire brings freedom from bondage. When there is no desire within, the external world loses its allure. Desires are the source of all suffering and troubles. The objects created by God—like water, air, and sunshine—bring no pain; it is the desires within the individual that lead to misery. Ego, anger, pride, and attachment stem from these internal creations. Ethical training can suppress negative tendencies like jealousy, attachment, and anger, reducing their intensity but not eradicating them. To achieve true peace, desires must be annihilated entirely.
Eradication, Not Suppression, Is the Remedy
Temporary suppression of a desire often leads to its resurgence with increased force. Like a king’s subjects, the senses obey the mind’s commands. Therefore, the aspirant must eradicate desires at their root through self-effort and pure intention. This requires profound self-inquiry and discrimination between the real (Brahman) and the unreal (worldly objects). Only through such discernment can the restless mind find stillness, like a flame unaffected by wind.
How to Destroy Desires:
Calmness of Mind
The Intellectual Sheath (Vijnanamaya Kosha) acts as a stronghold for the aspirant. Using calmness of mind, one must confront and destroy desires as they arise. The aspirant should attack desires internally, crushing them before they take root in the mind-lake. This inner battle constitutes true renunciation. When a desire surfaces, it pushes the internal senses into motion, which then activate external instruments like hands and eyes. By practicing calmness of mind, one can halt this initial push, preventing the cascade of sensory activity. A calm mind is cooler than ice and remains unshaken by favorable or unfavorable circumstances. It is one of the four sentinels of liberation, alongside contentment, self-inquiry, and association with the wise.
Control of Senses
Desires must also be tackled externally through sense control (Indriya Nigraha). External stimuli should be restrained from entering the mind. For example, the desire for sweets can be curbed internally by renunciation and externally by avoiding the sight of sweets and abstaining from sugar. Sense control complements the practice of mental calmness. Giving up small habits, like taking tea, demonstrates how relinquishing desires leads to peace and willpower. Each controlled desire strengthens the aspirant’s resolve, paving the way for greater renunciation. Renunciation is not a loss but a gain, as it leads to increased knowledge, bliss, and power.
Self-Study and Meditation
In the initial stages, aspirants should cultivate a desire for scriptural study to occupy the mind with noble thoughts. Over time, even this desire should be transcended, dedicating all energy to meditation. Desire destruction is achieved through self-inquiry, meditation on Brahman, dispassion, and renunciation.
Self-Inquiry and God-Consciousness
A mind free from desire is emancipated, while one bound by desire perpetuates bondage. Just as a lion escapes its cage by breaking its bars, so too does a sage transcend the physical body by destroying desires through self-inquiry and God-consciousness. Attenuating desires thins the mind, as the mind is essentially a bundle of desires.
Conquest of Ego
Egoism, the root of all desires, must be eradicated. Just as a family depends on its head, desires depend on the ego. By annihilating the ego through constant meditation on the mantra “I am Brahman,” one can overcome desires. This mantra serves as a potent antidote against egoistic thoughts.
The Meaning of Liberation
Liberation does not necessitate withdrawal from worldly activities but involves a state of mind free from impure desires. The Gita teaches that a disciplined self, moving among sense objects without attachment, attains peace. Liberation is achieved through detachment and self-realization. In Brahman, there is no desire. Complete annihilation of desires occurs in formless meditative absorption (Nirvikalpa Samadhi). This ultimate state fries the seeds of desires, bringing the mind to complete stillness, like a flame unaffected by wind. Only through knowledge of Brahman can all desires be extinguished, leading to true liberation.
#MindControl #SwamiSivananda #Vasanas #DesireControl #SpiritualWisdom #Mindfulness #SelfInquiry #InnerPeace #EradicateDesires #YogaPhilosophy #SpiritualAwakening #Liberation #MeditationPractice #CalmMind #EgoControl #SpiritualGrowth #SelfRealization #GodConsciousness #MindfulnessPractice #YogaForLife
Vasana Desires - How They Manifest
Vasana, a desire in its subtle form, represents a wave in the mind-lake. Its origin lies in the Causal Body (Karana Sharira), where it exists as a seed, dormant and latent. Much like flowers that lie hidden within seeds until they bloom, these subtle desires reside within the mind and causal body, awaiting the right conditions to manifest. They rise to the surface of the mind, generate intentions, and drive individuals to seek and enjoy specific objects of desire. This cyclical process—from desire to action and back—is a vicious circle, where actions further strengthen desires. Upon the realization of Brahman, the Supreme Cosmic Spirit, all desires are annihilated. Vasanas—these subtle desires—are the true enemies. Their eradication is essential for liberation. Just as a mango seed holds within it the potential for a vast tree, so too do vasanas contain the seeds for myriad thoughts and actions. For instance, the vasana of lust emerges subtly during childhood, manifests fully in youth, and often dominates life until maturity, wreaking havoc in its prime years. This critical period, from ages 25 to 45, often sees individuals driven to actions rooted in uncontrolled desires.
Chapalata - Craving
Craving, or chapalata , is a mild form of vasana. Though fleeting, it exerts significant influence. Two key types of cravings include:
1. Tongue-craving : A morbid appetite for varied tastes, often found in those leading luxurious lives. 2. Genital-craving : A desire for repeated sexual gratification. These cravings lead to restlessness and bondage. The moment a craving arises, the mind becomes tethered to the object of desire, creating a stream of thought waves that persist until the object is attained. This restlessness ceases only with the fulfillment of the craving. For most, resistance to these desires is difficult due to weak willpower.
Desire Causes Restlessness and Bondage
Desires form the root of mental restlessness and bondage. The connection between the mind and objects of desire creates an unending cycle of attachment and striving. The absence of desire brings freedom from bondage. When there is no desire within, the external world loses its allure. Desires are the source of all suffering and troubles. The objects created by God—like water, air, and sunshine—bring no pain; it is the desires within the individual that lead to misery. Ego, anger, pride, and attachment stem from these internal creations. Ethical training can suppress negative tendencies like jealousy, attachment, and anger, reducing their intensity but not eradicating them. To achieve true peace, desires must be annihilated entirely.
Eradication, Not Suppression, Is the Remedy
Temporary suppression of a desire often leads to its resurgence with increased force. Like a king’s subjects, the senses obey the mind’s commands. Therefore, the aspirant must eradicate desires at their root through self-effort and pure intention. This requires profound self-inquiry and discrimination between the real (Brahman) and the unreal (worldly objects). Only through such discernment can the restless mind find stillness, like a flame unaffected by wind.
How to Destroy Desires:
Calmness of Mind
The Intellectual Sheath (Vijnanamaya Kosha) acts as a stronghold for the aspirant. Using calmness of mind, one must confront and destroy desires as they arise. The aspirant should attack desires internally, crushing them before they take root in the mind-lake. This inner battle constitutes true renunciation. When a desire surfaces, it pushes the internal senses into motion, which then activate external instruments like hands and eyes. By practicing calmness of mind, one can halt this initial push, preventing the cascade of sensory activity. A calm mind is cooler than ice and remains unshaken by favorable or unfavorable circumstances. It is one of the four sentinels of liberation, alongside contentment, self-inquiry, and association with the wise.
Control of Senses
Desires must also be tackled externally through sense control (Indriya Nigraha). External stimuli should be restrained from entering the mind. For example, the desire for sweets can be curbed internally by renunciation and externally by avoiding the sight of sweets and abstaining from sugar. Sense control complements the practice of mental calmness. Giving up small habits, like taking tea, demonstrates how relinquishing desires leads to peace and willpower. Each controlled desire strengthens the aspirant’s resolve, paving the way for greater renunciation. Renunciation is not a loss but a gain, as it leads to increased knowledge, bliss, and power.
Self-Study and Meditation
In the initial stages, aspirants should cultivate a desire for scriptural study to occupy the mind with noble thoughts. Over time, even this desire should be transcended, dedicating all energy to meditation. Desire destruction is achieved through self-inquiry, meditation on Brahman, dispassion, and renunciation.
Self-Inquiry and God-Consciousness
A mind free from desire is emancipated, while one bound by desire perpetuates bondage. Just as a lion escapes its cage by breaking its bars, so too does a sage transcend the physical body by destroying desires through self-inquiry and God-consciousness. Attenuating desires thins the mind, as the mind is essentially a bundle of desires.
Conquest of Ego
Egoism, the root of all desires, must be eradicated. Just as a family depends on its head, desires depend on the ego. By annihilating the ego through constant meditation on the mantra “I am Brahman,” one can overcome desires. This mantra serves as a potent antidote against egoistic thoughts.
The Meaning of Liberation
Liberation does not necessitate withdrawal from worldly activities but involves a state of mind free from impure desires. The Gita teaches that a disciplined self, moving among sense objects without attachment, attains peace. Liberation is achieved through detachment and self-realization. In Brahman, there is no desire. Complete annihilation of desires occurs in formless meditative absorption (Nirvikalpa Samadhi). This ultimate state fries the seeds of desires, bringing the mind to complete stillness, like a flame unaffected by wind. Only through knowledge of Brahman can all desires be extinguished, leading to true liberation.
#MindControl #SwamiSivananda #Vasanas #DesireControl #SpiritualWisdom #Mindfulness #SelfInquiry #InnerPeace #EradicateDesires #YogaPhilosophy #SpiritualAwakening #Liberation #MeditationPractice #CalmMind #EgoControl #SpiritualGrowth #SelfRealization #GodConsciousness #MindfulnessPractice #YogaForLife