Sai message for the day

[Guest guest]

We are indeed very fortunate to have been listening to you. We are in

a blissful state. You alone can answer our questions like this, out

of your infinite compassion for us. None can do that. Swami, pardon

me for this question. It is now very clear to us what enquiry is. But

why am I unable to do so? Why is my mind not steady? Is it the nature

of the mind to waver? Is it the natural quality of the mind to remain

unstable and unsteady that prevents me from concentration on enquiry?

 

You complain that your mind is unsteady and that you are not able to

concentrate. This is not true. In fact, there is no mind as such. It

is nothing but a bundle of desires. It is a bundle of thoughts. It is

like a piece of cloth with yarn closely interwoven. When you separate

the yarn or threads one after another, the cloth does not exist any

more. So also, when the desires are gone and the thoughts withdrawn,

the mind does not exist any more. This is called amanaska, withdrawal

of the mind, or manolaya annihilation of the mind.

 

You say that your mind wavers. This is also not quite true. You see a

tree here. The leaves flutter. Why? It is the wind that makes the

leaves of the tree flutter. But when there is no wind they do not

move. So, the movement is due to the wind and not due to the quality

of the leaves or the tree. The tree of life like leaves of the human

mind flutters as the wind of desires blows.

 

You also say that you are not able to concentrate your mind. This is

not true again. How are you riding your bicycle or driving your car

without concentration? Is it not dangerous`? Will it not lead to

accidents? How could you concentrate in order to drive your car or

ride your bicycle? As you read a book, a paper, or a draft, how are

you able to concentrate? Without concentration, how could you grasp

all that is mentioned in a book? In your profession are you not doing

your job with full attention and concentration? Are you doing this

with your mind engaged elsewhere or absent-minded? If you do so,

don't you spoil the work assigned to you? You would have been

summarily dismissed from your service had you been doing your job

without concentration. Are you not concentrating your mind on every

activity of your daily life? Yes, you do it beyond doubt. But,

concentration of mind becomes a very difficult task only in respect

of God. Is it not a misfortune? The mind is stable and it

concentrates easily and naturally. The loss of concentration with

respect to God implies that you do not have as much love for and

interest in Him as you have in worldly matters. Concentration, hence,

depends on the degree of your interest. You can't blame the mind. It

is like a mirror. It only reflects what is kept in front of it. So I

often lay stress on good and pure thoughts. As is the thought so is

the mind. You know one who has manas (mind) is manisi, a human being.

The most valuable thing in this world in your estimate is a diamond.

But `diamond' means `die-mind' or withdrawal of mind.