Mind is the Instrument for Liberation
What is mala? Man commits many offences, knowingly or unknowingly, not only in this life but also in previous lives. The imprint of these actions is carried by the chitta (memory), life after life, like the dust accumulating on the surface of a mirror day after day. Thus the mirror of man’s mind gets covered up by such dirt, which is technically named as “mala.” On account of this mala, man is unable to see clearly the reflection of his real identity in the mirror of his mind.
Digest 2, p. 203
For liberation from bondage and desire, the mind is the only instrument available to man. Turn it towards the objective world and you are bound; turn it towards God and you are on the road to liberation. The mind refuses to be calm even for a fraction of a second. When a continuous shower of stones is falling on the waters of a lake, how can the surface be calm and unruffled? So too, man is throwing stone after stone of desire on the calm lake of the mind. Those who seek to manifest their inner reality should therefore prevent the stones (desires) from disturbing the equanimity of the mind.
Transform the mind into an instrument of progress for liberation. Clarity of mind can be earned only by withdrawing it from external objects and teaching it through meditation to concentrate on the One behind the many. When you see the One and not the many, you are liberated from the coils of delusion. Egoism is a doctrine that binds, but the ego as the reflection of God, in you liberates. However, many trials and tribulations come in the way; look upon them as an unconcerned witness, with detachment, and do not let your mind be affected. Teach the mind this witness attitude. Man has all the capabilities in him, but he is unaware of his glory; he knows only a fraction of his power, and even that faintly and falteringly. He is degrading himself by yielding to three temptations—physical, worldly, and scholastic. The scholastic temptation attracts people who are learned; it prompts them into controversy and competitive exhibitionism and ruins them by bloating their ego. The worldly temptation leads man to seek cheap renown and gain fame and favor through all means available. The physical temptation insists on beautifying the body and resorts to measures which will hide the oncoming of age.
Digest 2, pp. 214 -215
You have to make every effort to turn your mind away from the sense-organs and towards God. This can be described as meditation or yoga, union with God. This is the process whereby you cleanse a mind which has become impure, and again make it pure… If you control this tendency of the mind to go outwards and instead turn it inwards towards God, impure thoughts will diminish. Then you will be using the mind properly, and giving it some rest, as well. This has been described as Abhyasa Yoga, the Yoga of constant practice.
Digest 2, pp. 212
