Dhyana Vahini - Post 38

 

Chapter XIV

 

Remove Defects in Character

 

"But you should avoid the difficult obstacles in the path of meditation, viz. anger, pride, conceit, the tendency to discover the faults of others, mischief, etc. These operate even subconsciously, as the currents in the depths of the ocean.

Spiritual aspirants must be vigilant not to lose their temper on even small things, for that will block their progress. They must cultivate love toward all, and meekness. Then, undesirable habits will fall away from them, since anger is the parent of all wrong behaviour. Anger can turn any person into bad ways, any moment, and in any form. So it should be sublimated first by systematic effort.

Spiritual aspirants must welcome gladly the announcement of their defects by anyone; indeed, they must be grateful to those who point them out. Aspirants must never entertain hatred against them, for that is as bad as hating the “good”. The “good” has to be loved and the “bad” discarded. Remember, the “bad” should not be hated. It has to be given up, avoided. Only people who can do this can achieve progress in meditation and spiritual wisdom.

Conceit, jealousy, the passionate (rajasic) exhibition of one’s superiority, anger, the craving to inform oneself of the weakness of others and their failings, trickery —all these are obstacles in the path of meditation. Even if these are not patently exhibited, the inner impulses urging one along these wrong directions are latent in the mind.

Just as a room kept closed for a long time is found dust-ridden and foul-smelling, is opened, cleaned, and made habitable by elaborate sweeping and dusting, so the mind has to be cleaned by meditation. Spiritual aspirants must, by inward observation, examine the mind and its contents and condition. By proper disciplinary habits, the accumulated dirt should be removed little by little, systematically. 

Conceit, for example, is deep-rooted and unyielding. In the passionate (rajasic) mind, it puts forth many branches in all directions and spreads everywhere. It might appear to be dry and dead for some time, but it will sprout again, easily. As soon as a chance arises for its exhibition, it will raise its hood. So, spiritual aspirants have to be ever vigilant."

 

Introspection

Swami has given the following factors as obstacles in meditation

*           Conceit 

*           Jealousy 

*          The passionate (rajasic) exhibition of one’s superiority    

*          Anger 

*      The craving to inform oneself of the weakness of others and their failings

*           Trickery 

Basically, all of them and even more such obstacles, stem from one single root cause, which is Ego / avidya or ignorance of one’s true divine nature.

On conceit, a monk writes,

“Conceit (Pride) is the cause of self-destruction

Once upon a time, a horse named Keshi represented the demon of vanity. Such a big, gigantic powerful horse scattering the clouds, causing the earth to tremble he actually had the audacity to think that he can conquer Krishna himself, such vanity. 

But Krishna got him perfectly, because everyone knows, if you want to control a horse it’s through his mouth. So, Krishna knows the weakness of everyone and He put His hand right in the mouth of Keshi. 

When we are proud it is inevitable, we have to offend, criticize & defame others, which is the greatest detriment to our spiritual lives.

How to think that I am the servant of the servant of the servant of the servant even though I have so many qualifications. I am a senior devotee, I have been around for a long time, I have been loyal to my wows, so many people are coming & respecting me with folded hands?.

How can I feel myself the insignificant servant of those people who are coming & honoring me? Very difficult but it is essential. Bhakti is not material, Krishna is pleased by our state of consciousness, by our humility, by our surrender by our dedication to the service of his devotees; and that service should be from the heart.” 

 

Love.