Help on the Quest for Self-realization-Reminders-30

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Help on the Quest for Self-realization-Reminders-30

 

Question: How is the mind to be eliminated or relative consciousness

transcended?

 

Bhagavan: The mind is by nature restless. Begin liberating it from

its restlessness; give it peace; make it free from distractions;

train it to look inward; make this a habit. This is done by ignoring

the external world and removing the obstacles to peace of mind.

 

Question: How is restlessness removed from the mind?

 

Bhagavan: External contacts - contacts with objects other than

itself – make the mind restless. Loss of interest in non-Self

[vairagya: Dispassion; non-attachment] is the first step. Then the

habits of introspection and concentration follow. They are

characterized by control of external senses, internal faculties,

[sama, dama, etc.] ending in samadhi [undistracted mind].

 

Question: How are they practiced?

 

Bhagavan: An examination of the ephemeral nature of external

phenomena leads to vairagya. Hence enquiry [vichara] is the first

and foremost step to be taken. When vichara continues automatically,

it results in a contempt for wealth, fame, ease, pleasure, etc.

The "I" thought becomes clearer for inspection.

 

NOTE: TAKEN FROM: "PADAMALAI", EDITED BY DAVID GODMAN, PAGES 230 AND

231.