We have often heard the words, Cleanliness is next to Godliness. Most of us have kept our bodies clean, our houses clean, our vehicles clean and many other physical objects with which we are in contact. We smugly congratulate ourselves on our cleanliness and sneer at the dirt in many third world countries or in poor neighborhoods. But, let us reflect back on the so called cleanliness that we feel is the end of our quest for cleanliness.
Are we free of mass murders, gang rapes, jealous colleagues, angry spouses etc? If we are honest, our answer is a resounding NO. I am not speaking rhetorically here, nor am I am trying to become a preacher and tell people how to live. I will, as the article progresses, try to draw attention to the real dirt we should be cleaning, the impact of not cleaning and techniques for cleaning. When we talk of a despot doing mass murders, what should we look to clean? For a person jealous of his colleague and plotting some political game for his downfall, what should we clean? Surely not the physical body ! No amount of soap, shampoo or detergent can cleanse this.
Before deciding on cleaning, should we not look at the source causing the dirt in the first place? We can spend millions cleaning up a dirty pond. But if the factory nearby continues to pour its waste into the pond, how can we ever clean the pond? The solution is to either cut off the inflow of dirt from the factory or to clean the factory process to eliminate dirt. Either way, the solution is not where the dirt is seen, but in the source causing the dirt. This is obvious, one may yawn and say. But then, for the type of human dirt, I mentioned above, what is the source?
To understand this, we have to understand basics of any action. Action does not happen in a vacuum. Action is preceded by a desire and desire is preceded by a thought. So, for a dictator, there has to be a desire to kill and before that a thought of killing should arise. This process of thoughts and desires happen in our subtle body and is controlled by the Mind. The mind is relentlessly active with tens of hundreds of thoughts, some of which translate into desires, which the mind then commands the action organs to fulfill.
In addition to creating havoc on the outside world, an impure mind has a more deleterious effect on the individual. As stated earlier, each of us is nothing but the Supreme consciousness. It is the mind that creates an illusion of separation and causes all the problems we face. As the mind becomes cleaner, it is able to reflect the pure consciousness better and be able to direct all action towards realizing the oneness of the individual with Supreme. An impure mind cannot do this. As human beings, we are the only species which can think and analyze and take steps to achieve the ultimate purpose of human life, which is to realize the Oneness with the Supreme. Without this, we are doomed to multiple lives of sorrow and suffering.
So, if dark or bad thoughts arise in the mind, some of them get converted to burning desires which then get converted to dark actions. So, just as we had to cut off the flow of waste into a pond or clean the factory waste so as to keep the pond clean, the only way to clean the dirt of violence, rape, anger etc is to cut off such thoughts in the mind or to fill the mind with good thoughts. It is not possible to have a mind that is empty of thoughts just as it is impossible to have an ocean without waves. The only way a mind can be cleaned of bad thoughts is to gradually replace it with good thoughts. But how can this be done? There are a variety of techniques to ensure that the mind is occupied with something good and prevent the rising of bad thoughts.
1. Visit to holy places
A visit to a holy place like a temple, church or whatever place depending on the individual belief will potentially reduce the flow of bad thoughts and encourage the flow of good thoughts. It could also include places of pilgrimage. The sheer exposure to so many people in a worshiping mode can potentially replace bad thoughts with good thoughts.
2. Attending lectures on spirituality
Any action that will ensure that the mind does not think of bad thoughts is a positive to reduce negative action. While it is fine to even attend a lecture on physics, maths or on any worldly topic, it is better to attend lectures on spirituality, philosophy so that the mind at least gets exposure to higher aspects of life.
3. Doing social work
Whether a social work is done with a pure intention to serve or not, the very act of doing service to others, will create flow of thoughts that are positive and curb the negative thoughts.
4. Reading uplifting books
Again, so long as a good book is read, be it physics, history or whatever, anything that takes the mind away from negative thoughts is a big plus. However the most benefit can come by reading books about morality, spirituality, biographies/autobiographies of great people.
The level of effort needed to clean the mind depends on the personality of the individual. Assume we have a mirror with a thin coating of dust. To make it reflect properly, all that is needed is a gentle wipe with a cloth. Similarly for people who are at a significantly high level of positive thinking, a simple prayer daily may help remove lingering negativity. These are technically called as Satviks or those who have a predominance of Sattva or goodness. Then, there are the next set of people who are not so evolved on the good thought scale and probably have a significant proportion of bad thoughts. These people are like a reflecting mirror which has been disused for a long time and has cobwebs and dust covering it up. So a gentle wipe with a cloth may not be enough. The glass may need to be cleaned with a jet of water and then wiped so as to reflect well. Similarly, for such people, a simple prayer may not be enough. They may have to follow a couple of methods from the list above, like reading a book daily and attending lectures daily. Such people are called Rajasik. Finally we come to another class of people who are totally steeped in ignorance. They do not care for anything or anyone's advise. They are like a mirror which not only has been disused, but has been exposed to so much dirt, that it has a thick coating of grime on it. For such a mirror, even a jet of water may not be enough. It may need chemicals to melt the grime and then water to clean and then a polish to restore the surface. Similarly for the absolute Tamasik people, it is unlikely that any of the above methods could work. They may need all of it. However, since they are so deeply ignorant, they may need to be forced into doing those activities. Just as a animal is trained using the carrot and stick approach, such people may need a mixture of pressure and gentle persuasion to get them on the path and once on the path, all of the above to make their minds clean.
This article broadly covered the necessity of cleaning the mind, the ways to clean the mind and the type of methods to be used depending on personality types. Readers are encouraged to mull over the article and after reflection, select the best method for cleaning their minds.
As readers may be aware, 3 of my books on spirituality are available on Amazon.com.
I invite readers of my blog to try any of the books and give me feedback so that I can make changes in the next edition.
1. My Humble Understanding Of Spirituality
My Humble Understanding Of Spirituality
2. Attain Infinite Bliss
Attain Infinite Bliss - A Spiritual Guide
3. The Spirit Of Spirituality
The Spirit Of Spirituality
Are we free of mass murders, gang rapes, jealous colleagues, angry spouses etc? If we are honest, our answer is a resounding NO. I am not speaking rhetorically here, nor am I am trying to become a preacher and tell people how to live. I will, as the article progresses, try to draw attention to the real dirt we should be cleaning, the impact of not cleaning and techniques for cleaning. When we talk of a despot doing mass murders, what should we look to clean? For a person jealous of his colleague and plotting some political game for his downfall, what should we clean? Surely not the physical body ! No amount of soap, shampoo or detergent can cleanse this.
Before deciding on cleaning, should we not look at the source causing the dirt in the first place? We can spend millions cleaning up a dirty pond. But if the factory nearby continues to pour its waste into the pond, how can we ever clean the pond? The solution is to either cut off the inflow of dirt from the factory or to clean the factory process to eliminate dirt. Either way, the solution is not where the dirt is seen, but in the source causing the dirt. This is obvious, one may yawn and say. But then, for the type of human dirt, I mentioned above, what is the source?
To understand this, we have to understand basics of any action. Action does not happen in a vacuum. Action is preceded by a desire and desire is preceded by a thought. So, for a dictator, there has to be a desire to kill and before that a thought of killing should arise. This process of thoughts and desires happen in our subtle body and is controlled by the Mind. The mind is relentlessly active with tens of hundreds of thoughts, some of which translate into desires, which the mind then commands the action organs to fulfill.
In addition to creating havoc on the outside world, an impure mind has a more deleterious effect on the individual. As stated earlier, each of us is nothing but the Supreme consciousness. It is the mind that creates an illusion of separation and causes all the problems we face. As the mind becomes cleaner, it is able to reflect the pure consciousness better and be able to direct all action towards realizing the oneness of the individual with Supreme. An impure mind cannot do this. As human beings, we are the only species which can think and analyze and take steps to achieve the ultimate purpose of human life, which is to realize the Oneness with the Supreme. Without this, we are doomed to multiple lives of sorrow and suffering.
So, if dark or bad thoughts arise in the mind, some of them get converted to burning desires which then get converted to dark actions. So, just as we had to cut off the flow of waste into a pond or clean the factory waste so as to keep the pond clean, the only way to clean the dirt of violence, rape, anger etc is to cut off such thoughts in the mind or to fill the mind with good thoughts. It is not possible to have a mind that is empty of thoughts just as it is impossible to have an ocean without waves. The only way a mind can be cleaned of bad thoughts is to gradually replace it with good thoughts. But how can this be done? There are a variety of techniques to ensure that the mind is occupied with something good and prevent the rising of bad thoughts.
1. Visit to holy places
A visit to a holy place like a temple, church or whatever place depending on the individual belief will potentially reduce the flow of bad thoughts and encourage the flow of good thoughts. It could also include places of pilgrimage. The sheer exposure to so many people in a worshiping mode can potentially replace bad thoughts with good thoughts.
2. Attending lectures on spirituality
Any action that will ensure that the mind does not think of bad thoughts is a positive to reduce negative action. While it is fine to even attend a lecture on physics, maths or on any worldly topic, it is better to attend lectures on spirituality, philosophy so that the mind at least gets exposure to higher aspects of life.
3. Doing social work
Whether a social work is done with a pure intention to serve or not, the very act of doing service to others, will create flow of thoughts that are positive and curb the negative thoughts.
4. Reading uplifting books
Again, so long as a good book is read, be it physics, history or whatever, anything that takes the mind away from negative thoughts is a big plus. However the most benefit can come by reading books about morality, spirituality, biographies/autobiographies of great people.
The level of effort needed to clean the mind depends on the personality of the individual. Assume we have a mirror with a thin coating of dust. To make it reflect properly, all that is needed is a gentle wipe with a cloth. Similarly for people who are at a significantly high level of positive thinking, a simple prayer daily may help remove lingering negativity. These are technically called as Satviks or those who have a predominance of Sattva or goodness. Then, there are the next set of people who are not so evolved on the good thought scale and probably have a significant proportion of bad thoughts. These people are like a reflecting mirror which has been disused for a long time and has cobwebs and dust covering it up. So a gentle wipe with a cloth may not be enough. The glass may need to be cleaned with a jet of water and then wiped so as to reflect well. Similarly, for such people, a simple prayer may not be enough. They may have to follow a couple of methods from the list above, like reading a book daily and attending lectures daily. Such people are called Rajasik. Finally we come to another class of people who are totally steeped in ignorance. They do not care for anything or anyone's advise. They are like a mirror which not only has been disused, but has been exposed to so much dirt, that it has a thick coating of grime on it. For such a mirror, even a jet of water may not be enough. It may need chemicals to melt the grime and then water to clean and then a polish to restore the surface. Similarly for the absolute Tamasik people, it is unlikely that any of the above methods could work. They may need all of it. However, since they are so deeply ignorant, they may need to be forced into doing those activities. Just as a animal is trained using the carrot and stick approach, such people may need a mixture of pressure and gentle persuasion to get them on the path and once on the path, all of the above to make their minds clean.
This article broadly covered the necessity of cleaning the mind, the ways to clean the mind and the type of methods to be used depending on personality types. Readers are encouraged to mull over the article and after reflection, select the best method for cleaning their minds.
As readers may be aware, 3 of my books on spirituality are available on Amazon.com.
I invite readers of my blog to try any of the books and give me feedback so that I can make changes in the next edition.
1. My Humble Understanding Of Spirituality
My Humble Understanding Of Spirituality
2. Attain Infinite Bliss
Attain Infinite Bliss - A Spiritual Guide
3. The Spirit Of Spirituality
The Spirit Of Spirituality
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