Can we hold the mind responsible for all our bad actions?
Can we hold the mind responsible for all our bad actions-3.48-1990 May 24
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Mind is responsible for both
Bondage and Liberation |
The mind is very noble. Mana Eva Manushyaanaam Kaaranam Bandha Mokshayoho – Mind alone is responsible either for man’s bondage or for his liberation. So, how can you condemn the mind as bad, when it is capable of leading you to Moksha (supreme goal of liberation)? It can lead you to bondage and it can also set you free from bondage. We need to recognize the right method to use the mind. We may have a knife in the hand. The knife can be used to cut fruits, vegetables or any knot in a rope. However, in a fit of anger, we could also use it to cut the throat. But is this the fault of the knife? No. No. It is the defect in the manner in which we use the knife. The mind is also similar. If used along the right path, it will take us to the most sacred (elevated) place. The mind is also referred to as delusion.
The mind may be compared to a cat. It is indeed a cat. If we enquire correctly into the nature of a cat, we will find the impact of mind very similar to it. In order to protect its kittens, the cat gently catches hold of them with its mouth and takes them to a safe place. With the same mouth, when it catches a rat, it takes away its life. The mouth is one, but in the former case, because of the feeling that they are her kittens, she takes them to a safe place. And in the case of the rat, thinking that it is its food, it punishes it (by killing it).
The mind too is similar to this. For those who contemplate on God, perform noble activities, entertain a noble mind and walk along the righteous path; the mind takes them along the appropriate path to a safe destination. On the other hand; it inflicts suffering on the wicked and the evil and on those who engage in unrighteous conduct.
Therefore, though the mind is one, it assumes many forms. This is just like mono acting. Each thought takes its own unique form.
24 May 1990
01 July to 07 July 2013
What are the four roles played by the human mind?
What are the four roles played by the human mind-4.18-1990 May 24
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| Four manifestations of the mind |
The mind itself assumes subtle forms in the name of Antha Karana (inner instruments). It dons four roles, namely: Manas (mind), Buddhi (intellect), Chitta(memory), and Ahamkara (ego). Buddhi, Chitta and Ahamkara are the subtle forms of the mind itself. The mind takes on a particular name when it performs a particular function; just as the same Brahmin individual is called a priest (pujaribrahmin) when he performs worship in a temple, a cook (brahmin cook) when he cooks in the kitchen, a teacher (aadhyapikabrahmin) when he teaches students, and an astrologer (panchaanga brahmin) when he interprets the almanac (panchaanga). Though the Brahmin individual is the same; based on the profession he takes up, he assumes such different names.
In the same manner when the mind is engaged in wavering thought processes, it is called Manas (mind). When the mind is engaged in the process of enquiry with discrimination, so as to arrive at some decision, it is named as Buddhi (intellect). This form of enquiry based on discrimination is also called Discrimination knowledge. The third aspect is Chitta. When the mind functions as a repository of memories, it is known as Chitta (memory). When the mind identifies itself with the physical body, it goes by the name of Ahamkara (ego). Thus, it may be seen that the same mind, although basically one, displays these varied forms on account of the different roles and positions assumed by it. In fact, the mind alone is the cause of all things. This entire world is based on the mind – “Manomoolam Idam Jagat”.
24 May 1990
24 June to 30 June 2013
What is true purpose of listening to Scriptures and Masters?
What is true purpose of listening to Scriptures and Masters-2.31-1996 August 22
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| What is true listening? |
At the time of king Bhojaraja, a sculptor brought three idols and presented them to the king. All the three idols were made by the sculptor in such a way that they looked exactly identical. All were beautiful. The king summoned the Minister. He asked the Minister to decide which among these was the best “first class”; deserving enough to be given a prize.
“Lord, forgive me, I will return in 5 minutes”, said the Minister to the king. The king replied, “The idols are here only. Why then do you need 5 minutes? Do you need to go to the bathroom? What other work do you have?” The Minister went in and came out with a metal wire. He took the wire and inserted it into the ear of one of the idols. It came out of the other ear of the idol. He said this is the worst idol and pushed it aside. He then inserted the wire into the ear of the second idol. The wire came out of the mouth. He said, “this idol must receive the second prize”. Next, he inserted the wire into the ear of the third idol. The wire went inside. He said, “this must receive the first prize”.
What does this mean? Taking things that we hear into us (i.e. assimilating what we hear and learn) begets the first prize. The one who repeats whatever she/he hears, like a parrot, would get only a second prize. In this modern world, there are many who listen through one ear and let it out through the other ear. There are others who repeat like a parrot, what they read in scriptures or hear from Swami. There are yet others, who absorb what they hear and assimilate the same.
22 August 1996
17 June to 23 June 2013
What is the freedom that we human beings must strive for?
What is the freedom that we human beings must strive for -3.59- 1990 May 22
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| What is true freedom? |
Some students who consider themselves to be very clever and smart, try to argue thus, Look at the birds. They are having full freedom to eat what they want, to make friendship with anyone they want and to fly or wander as they wish. Cattle and beasts also are enjoying their own freedom. When birds, cattle and beasts enjoy their freedom, is it not necessary for man to enjoy his freedom? True, you too can enjoy freedom. But, what kind of freedom do the cattle enjoy? They enjoy cattle freedom. What kind of freedom do the animals enjoy? They enjoy animal freedom. You are a human, so you can enjoy human freedom. There is nothing wrong in that. But being a human; is it not wrong of you to enjoy animal freedom?
We are trying to give several wrong meanings, misleading interpretations and definitions to the word “freedom”; thus forgetting its true meaning. This is not true freedom. What is the meaning of freedom? Is to be free to wander around wherever you want? Is it to be free to indulge in your senses as you wish? No, no, no, no. Atma Jnanam (knowledge of the Self), Atma Nigraham (self-control or self-restraint), Atmaanandam (bliss of the Self) – is true freedom.
However, some stubborn people claim that it is God’s mistake to have given an outgoing orientation to man’s senses. There is no mistake of theirs in it. They argue that God has given them eyes, but He provided the eyes with doors that open to the outside (world) and not inwards; He gave ears that turn outwards towards the external world (to hear external sounds) but did not turn them inwards; He gave noses that can only inhale the air from outside and not from within. They contend, therefore, that the fault lies with creation only and there is no fault of humans in this. This is wrong.
People make many mistakes and say, “I am after all a human”. This is so wrong. It is a sin. They justify themselves stating that they are humans and to err is after all natural to humans. This is very wrong. Being humans, you must actually not make mistakes. If animals commit mistakes, it is quite understandable. As it is an animal, it behaves like an animal. Being a human being, you must not make such mistakes. To consider that making mistakes is natural to human beings is only a defensive attitude. Being born as an animal, it behaves like an animal. It is so contradictory that we are born as human beings and we behave like animals. Therefore, conduct yourself as human beings.
22 May 1990
10 June to 16 June 2013
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| Divert mind towards good thoughts |
There was a preacher of Christian religion by name Thomas. He used to go to every village and propagate his religion. One day, he boarded a horse carriage and was travelling to a village. On the way, there came a (railway) level crossing. The horse was running very well; there was no problem in its movement. But as they approached the level crossing, the driver took the stick and started beating the horse severely. As Thomas was a preacher of religion, he had faith in compassion as the main message of Jesus. He asked the driver, “Sir, why are you troubling this horse that is running so well?”
