[Excerpts from the Series 'Science of Inner Redemption' being published in the Ashram Monthly Journal 'Vicharasetu - The Path of Introspection']

The whole spiritual pursuit revolves around Brahman, the non-dual reality ever present. But the purpose of saadhana is to free the mind from the stranglehold of emotional turbulence and intellectual oscillations. Unless this inner sublimity and enrichment are ensured, spirituality will remain a wasteful indulgence, a sheer pastime, with no specific end in view.

Like the torrential river uprooting the trees from its bank, spiritual wisdom and introspection should become a powerful current exterminating mind’s inheritance of deep-rooted passion and prejudice, and the resulting delight and depression. A saint is one, who constantly delves into his mind and gets at the very source of raaga (attraction) and dvesha (repulsion). If he does not do so, he is not a saint at all.

It is immaterial whether or not people adore him and his sainthood. Mind is the real trouble. The same mind, freed from the trouble, is the ultimate invaluable treasure too. The mind sublimated by enlightened intelligence is the true spiritual goal, merit and attainment.

Bhagavadgeeta declares that egoism and possessiveness are the real traitors in human life. With the mind not feeling “I am doing”, and with the intelligence not fostering any identity with whatever has been done, even if all people are slain, the act will not bind the slayer.

Activities always follow some sequences, encompassing individual and social qualities, all of which are ultimately traceable to the complex Nature. Nonhuman beings do not claim or disclaim anything they do, and they do not also have any notion of bondage and liberation. The mind and intelligence of the human play havoc in him. These have to be set right. It is the possessiveness and ego that cause all disorder, torment and bondage.

Mind is like a tempest of desires. When all desires become extinct, like the flame in a lamp that has run out of oil, one wins over the world. The world will no more be a source of agitation and torment. Sage Vasishtha makes it very unique, when he says that such a Knower is like a great conqueror painted on the wall or screen!

The inner spiritual conquest, compared to that of the kings’ and emperors’, is without bloodshed. It is a victory by the mind over the mind’s own enemies.

The mento-intelligential sublimity and fullness showered by spiritual introspection is a magnificence, exaltation, singular in every way. One who is full within, will have no need to gain anything whatsoever from the world, however rare and exquisite it may be. In any situation, this inner sufficiency will endure.

Even when the objects are gained by effort, is it not the mind that creates satisfaction? The same mind can as well generate contentment without dependence on anything external. Joy is emotional, and the inner instrument, namely the mind is its sovereign Lord.

Liberation of the individual consists in his mind not swinging with the ups and downs of pleasant and unpleasant developments. The world can bring and cause only these two. When one transcends or becomes immune to these, he has won over the world in full!

- Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha

© Narayanashrama Tapovanam, 2011

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