Satyopanisad

[Guest guest]

Swami! Now it is clear that cittas'uddhi is lacking in us due to our bad

thoughts and bad deeds. We have certain weaknesses, lapses, bad qualities and

thoughts. As you have said unless we get over them, cittas'uddhi cannot be

attained. The mind gets polluted very often. How is one to control bad

qualities?

 

It all depends upon your determination and your understanding of the intensity

and the gravity of the problem. It needs an honest and sincere attempt on your

part.

 

A small example. You are moving freely without any hesitation and fear in this

room. There lies a rope in one corner. But, if you come to know that it is not a

rope as you have been thinking it to be, but a snake, would you move freely in

that room any longer? You know that it is dangerous to be anywhere near a

poisonous snake. You know that you will die if that snake bites you, and so you

keep off from that place. Similarly, when you are aware of the danger or harm

you will be put to, you will definitely stop your misdeeds.

 

You keep on holding the rope until you come to know that it is not a rope but a

snake. You drop it down immediately because of the fear of death. So long as you

think that these bad thoughts and evil deeds make you happy, you continue to be

in the same frame of mind. But, when you know that they are dangerous, you will

not hanker after them. Therefore, first of all, you must identify your own bad

qualities and then give them up gradually one after another until you are

perfect.

 

It is also strange to notice that some seekers undergo rigorous discipline for a

set period of time during which they lead a perfect life without any trace of a

bad quality. But after that avowed period of discipline they resume their

previous bad habits with redoubled vigour. This is a big mistake. That which

holds you for some time is artificial. Here withdrawal from bad habits is not

due to the realisation of the evil effects.

 

Here is an example. You see the ceiling fan rotating there. Now, if you switch

it off it will not stop rotating immediately. It stops slowly. The three blades

slowly stop moving. The fan does not stop rotating immediately. Therefore, in

full knowledge of the possible harm and the evil effects, you should give up

your bad habits slowly.