Vasanas

Nature or prakruti is the world of vasanas, (tendencies, desirous impulses). The mind is attracted toward nature and the external objects of the world by means of this tendency for attachment; and it starts contemplating on the objects and dwelling on their qualities, all on account of these vasanas. If one has no vasanas, his mind will not be affected at all by the objective world. The manas (mind) is like a piece of cloth; it takes on any color with which it is dyed. Satvic vasanas [pure tendencies] will make it white; rajasika vasanas [restless tendencies] will change it to red; while tamasic vasanas [impure tendencies] will give it a black color. The type of vasanas with which it is filled shapes the mind. Man has to undertake dhyanam (meditation) and dharana (fixed attention on the ideal) in order to destroy these vasanas. The mind is but a bundle of vasanas.

Of course, even pure desires are a bond. But they are not hindrances, however many they may be. A thorn is removed by another thorn, and both are thrown out afterward, is it not? So also, when impure vasanas are overcome through the influence of pure vasanas, one has to outgrow both. This means that even the purest of vasanas, the craving for moksha or liberation has to disappear in time. Only then can you become That. A shackle is a shackle, whether it is iron or gold. One has to be free from both. That is to say, one should attain a stage when neither good nor bad will attract or repel.

Some aspirants say to themselves that in spite of many years of steady practice, they have yet to acquire success in dhyanam and dharana. The reason need not be specially pointed out. It is just this; they have not been able to uproot the vasanas. Therefore, such practitioners must strive to conquer their innate tendencies. They must fortify themselves with greater faith, and act.

If the sadhaka [spiritual aspirant] is disturbed now and then by impure vasanas, he must overcome them by his will power and his spiritual exercises. The jivanmukta has burnt out his vasanas, but the grihasta or householder is cultivating them. There is no profit in simply controlling them. A cobra becomes harmless only when its fangs are plucked out. Similarly, their roots must be burnt. Then only can man attain the Brahman.

Of all the workshops in the world, the workshop of the body is the most wonderful because it is the tabernacle of the Lord. In such a factory, the impulses are sublimated into vows, the impurities are weeded out, beneficent desires are shaped, and good imaginings are brought about. The main aim is the uprooting of impulse, though this is a difficult task.

He who is a slave to impulses and tendencies is devoid of jnana [knowledge]. He is, in truth, a weakling! But let me assure him, he need not be alarmed. As soon as vasanas are uprooted, he can earn back the divine nature that he has lost by neglect.

Source: Dhyana Vahini, P.59-62

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