Develop One-Pointedness
From the tree of the mind comes the seed of impulses (vasanas). These impulses in turn make the mind. To free the mind from the influence of the impulses one has to get rid of ignorance (ajnana). But ignorance does not exist alone; it has a fiendish offspring—the ego (ahamkara). And the ego in turn has two children—attachment and craving; both of these are closely interrelated. Attachment gives rise to feelings of ‘my’ and ‘mine’ that cause desires (or cravings), this leads to worries. Therefore, to remove ego, attachment, and desires have to be annihilated. And the way to achieve this is through meditation and other spiritual practices. When this is done liberation can be attained.
In this era of technology, it is becoming increasingly difficult to lead a peaceful life; people are falling victim to various physical and mental ailments. Many people in the cities which are on the front line of civilization, have lost the delight of natural sleep. They experience only artificial sleep induced by tablets. Due to such excessive use of medication, heart and blood pressure problems are on the rise. People are becoming unhealthy wrecks who are lost in fear and anxiety. Drugs and pills are produced in millions, but the general health has not improved. In fact, new varieties of illnesses have emerged and are developing fast. Only a few intelligent people have realized the efficacy of yoga and other spiritual practices. This they have confirmed through their own experience.
Attachment makes the mind dwell on the things of the world. When the mind is free of attachment, it remains unaffected by the objective world. The mind is like a cloth and there are three different impulses which color it: satwic, pure impulses that make it white; rajasic, restless tendencies that turn it red, while tamasic, slothful impulses that give it a black color. Some people find these impulses extremely difficult to control even after many years of practice. If you are disturbed by such inclinations, you must fortify yourself with faith and act to conquer them by will power. Meditation and concentration can help you overcome these impulses.
The body is the most wonderful workshop in the entire world, because it is the temple of the Lord. In this ‘spiritual factory’, impulses ought to be sublimated, impurities have to be weeded out and good tendencies nurtured. The uprooting of impulses is the goal here, though this is a very difficult task. While intoxicants enslave you only temporarily, impulses can overpower you for a whole lifetime! But they can be overcome with will-power, faith and determination. Do not give up, whatever the hardship you might face in this struggle. The very purpose of meditation is to attain freedom from these mighty and manifold impulses
The mind plans and executes innumerable deeds and roams over vast expanses, all in the twinkling of an eye! It operates with unimaginable speed. However, while meditating, the mind should not be allowed to wander away from the object of meditation. Whenever it flies off at a tangent, it must be led back to the form meditated upon. Only one form has to be meditated upon in the beginning; do not change the object of focus every day. To concentrate effectively, you must be careful not to have as your focus something your mind does not like, or that which causes pain or shakes your faith; for however hard you may try, your mind will not stay fixed on these. With time, even if unpleasant thoughts come, learn gradually to welcome them as beneficial, and seek to grasp the good in them.
Dhyana Vahini, Ch 13
