MIND : Its Mysteries & Its Control - Chapter-35-2 Swami Sivananda.
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Saturday, April 30, 2022. 6:00. AM.
CHAPTER 35 - MANONASA-2.
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2. THE MEANING OF MANO-NASA
Destruction of the mind does not mean annihilation of the Self. The Vedantins divide the mind into the higher and the lower, of which the lower one leading to desires is asked to be destroyed.
Destruction of desires, annihilation of Ahankara, destruction of Sankalpa—all mean controlof mind or annihilation of mind (Manonasa or Amanaskata). Destruction of egoism, Raga-Dvesha (attraction and repulsion for objects) and all Vasanas alone is Manonasa. Manonasa comes through the destruction of the Vasanas. Manonasa does not mean that you should take a sword and cut the mind to pieces.
Manonasa means the death of the present form of the mind (i.e., the instinctive mind of emotions and passions), the form which perceives differences where none exists, which identifies the Self with the body. Its death really means its transformation into and, therefore, the birth of cosmic consciousness.
Vast majority of persons live in Annamaya Kosha only. Their thoughts are directed towardseating, cleansing the body and putting on neat dress. That is all. Even the so-called educated persons live in Annamaya Kosha only. Sometimes, they live in Manomaya Kosha (mental sheath). A spiritual aspirant and a Vivekin live in Vijnanamaya Kosha (Buddhi sheath). The Vijnanamaya Kosha is developed by abstract thinking and reasoning, by systematic meditation, Brahma-Chintana, study of the Upanishads, the Yogavasishtha and the Brahma-Sutras. You must all develop the Vijnanamaya Kosha by the study of Vedantic literature and pure thinking. Then you are safe. Mind will stop to deceive and torment you.
LAYA-CHINTANA OF ANTAHKARANA
Mind is absorbed in Mahat or Buddhi. Individual Buddhi is absorbed in the Cosmic Buddhi;Cosmic Buddhi in Avyakta; Avyakta in Brahman. This is the Laya-Chintana or Antahkarana or Mind.
Sambhavi Mudra, Bhrukuti-Drishti (looking at the spot midway between the two eyebrows), Nasikagra-Drishti (looking steadily at the tip of the nose), Nadanusandhana (hearing the sounds of the ear)—all belong to Laya-Yoga. By these practices the mind gets Laya soon. TheUnmani state supervenes rapidly. The Unmani Avastha of Laya-Yogis corresponds to theBhava-Samadhi of Bhaktas. In Sambhavi Mudra, the eyes are open but the mind is fixed on the Lakshya. The eyes do not see the external objects.
When the mind and senses are thinned out and eventually controlled, Karanendriya-Vyapara (the various activities of Antahkarana and senses) ceases. Jivatva (personality-notion and sensation) vanishes. Brahmatva (existence) remains. This is Kevala Asti.
THE TWO KINDS OF MANONASA
Manonasa is of two kinds, viz., (i) Svarupa Manonasa, destruction of the Svarupa of mind, as in the case of the Jivanmukta and (ii) Arupa Manonasa, destruction of the very form of the mind, as in the case of Videhamuktas, when they leave off their physical bodies. The first is termed “destruction of the mind with form.” The second is termed “destruction of the mind without form.”
HOW TO BRING ABOUT MANONASA
There are five ways of effecting Manahkshaya (destruction of the mind). Two are Yogic methods.
Three ways concern Jnana Yoga.
(i) When a thought arises, drive it out. Say unto yourself, “Neti, Neti—not this thought, not this thought. I do not want this thought.”
(ii) Pratipaksha Bhavana—substitute a counter-idea, love for hatred, courage for fear, etc.
(iii) Have Brahma-Bhavana. All Sankalpas will die.
(iv) Be a Sakshi of the mind. Be indifferent (Udasina).
(v) Make the enquiry, “Who am I?” constantly. All thoughts will die. For a man of Vichara (enquiry), the mind dwindles into an airy nothing. This is easier and more effective than the “Neti, Neti” or “Pratipaksha Bhavana” method.
Sankalpa, desire, Raga, Dvesha, Ahankara and mind are the six bricks of the mansion of Jiva. They are the six links of the chain which constitutes the personality—Jiva. Destruction of onebrick or one link brings about the destruction of the whole edifice or whole chain.
Therefore, cut off daily the branches of Sankalpa from this dire tree of Manas and ultimatelydestroy the tree of mind at its root completely. The cutting off the branches is only secondary. The eradication of the tree by removal of ‘I’ is the primary thing. Therefore, if through virtuous actions you destroy the idea of ‘I’ which forms the very root of the tree of mind, then it will not spring up again.
Power, possessions, money and knowledge strengthen the Abhimana, i.e., the idea of ‘I.’ They thicken the mind also. They should be given up in order to thin out the ‘I’ and the mind. It is through Vairagya and Tyaga that you will have to thin out the mind. When the mind becomes thread-like through the thinning process, it is termed Tanumanasi.
The mind can be controlled either through the control of Prana (Hatha Yogic method) or the arrest of the fluctuation of the mind (Raja-Yogic method—“Yogas-chitta vritti nirodhah” of Maharshi Patanjali). Control of mind leads to stoppage of breath and control of breath leads to stoppage of mind, because Prana and mind are under one Sambandha. During meditation, the breathing becomes very slow. Those who practise meditation may be aware of this fact. This goes to show that when the mind is concentrated, Prana stops by itself without any effort.
MIND—ITS MYSTERIES AND CONTROL
Pranayama cannot bring about Manonasa (annihilation of the mind). The Vrittis are quietened only temporarily. Constant and pure thought of Paramatman in our heart would bring about the natural Kumbhaka and absorption of the mind in the heart, the ultimate state and the state which the sages long for. Absorption of the mind in itself is Eternal Bliss (Salvation). Through direct perception of Atman, the mind will be destroyed and will generate infinite Bliss. In such a perception, the seer, sight and the seen become one.
MANONASA AND MANOLAYA
Manolaya is a temporary absorption of the mind in the object of meditation. When you meditate on the form of Bhagavan Sri Krishna, the mind becomes absorbed in the form of Bhagavan Sri Krishna temporarily.
Manolaya takes place during sleep. The mind gets involved into its cause, the Mula Avidya.Manolaya is not sufficient for attainment of Jnana. In Manolaya, the mind is prone to revive. Manolaya cannot save you from bondage. Manolaya cannot give you Mukti. It is only Manonasa (annihilation of the lower mind) that can give you liberation. In Manonasa, the mind revives not and is dead. Manonasa is brought about by Brahma-Jnana.
NEXT
CHAPTER 36
THE MIND COMPARED
RESTLESS LIKE A GHOST
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