Thought Power
Thought Power
Thought Power
BySRISWAMISIVANANDA
ADIVINELIFESOCIETYPUBLICATION
EleventhEdition:1996
(8,000Copies)
WorldWideWeb(WWW)Edition:1999
WWWsite:http://www.dlshq.org/
ThisWWWreprintisforfreedistribution
TheDivineLifeTrustSociety
ISBN8170520177
PublishedBy
THEDIVINELIFESOCIETY
P.O.Shivanandanagar249192
Distt.TehriGarhwal,UttarPradesh,
Himalayas,India.
PUBLISHERSNOTE
Thevalueofthisgreatlittleworkisevidentevenfromamerereadingofitstableofcontents.Itisabook
ofperennialinterestandmanysidedusefulnessforselfculture,selfknowledge,acquisitionofthepower
ofpersonalityandsuccessinlife.
Itisaworkthatedifies,impartsilluminationtotheintelligence,andempowershumanwillforgoodandfor
achievementofgreatness.Students,grownuppersons,doctors,lawyers,businessmen,seekersafter
TruthandloversofGodallareboundtofindinthepagesofthispublicationplentyofspecificguidance
forthoughtcultureandthoughtpowerandforlivingapositive,dynamic,rich,triumphantandjoyouslife.
THEDIVINELIFESOCIETY.
PREFACE
Thisinstructivebookcarriesinitselfalifetransformingvalue.Nonewhoreadsit,withtheneededinterest
andattention,willeverfeelinclinedtoremainunchangedinpersonalnatureanduntransformedin
conductandcharacter.Agooddealofcarefuljudgmentandconfidencewouldassistusinassertingthat
noonewhoreadsthiswork,willfailtoresistthereadinesstomakeofhisownwillaPowerthataltersand
exaltshisownlifeanddestiny.Theworkisfraughtwithimplicitguidanceforturningourpersonalitiesinto
forcesofcompellinginfluenceandcharm,andforrenderingourlivesintosomanygrandstoriesofthe
epicunfoldmentoftheDivineTruthweenshrine,theDivineLightwebear,andtheDivineperfectionwe
holdinourinnerbeing.
This,then,isasimple,straightforward,inspiringbookthatholdsoutmanymethodsforthecultureand
nurtureofthoughtpower.Itisalsoaworkthatpresentsuswithmanyusefulsuggestionswhichenableus
toreacharegionbeyondtheterrainofthoughtanditspower,arealmoftranscendentalExperienceand
Godconsciousness.
HelpedbyhisownillimitableLoveforallhumanity,anddictatedbythelogicofhisuntiringenergiesforthe
serviceofeveryman,Sivanandahasmadehimselfextremelyusefultoallkindsofpeople,tomeninall
walksoflife,andhaswrittenbooksonarichdiversityofthemesinhisownilluminatingandspiritualway.
EmbodyinginhimselftheveryspiritofthewholeofIndianspiritualculture,Sivanandahaspouredouton
mankindhundredsofgiftsofthebooksthatenshrineWisdomofLife.Thepresentworkwillcommend
itself,andwillyieldmanyrewards,toboththelaypublicandthecommunityofspiritualindividuals.Itwill
befoundveryvaluablemoreparticularlybypersonswho,whilenotbelievinginanyreligion,notgiven
overtoloveanyGod,notsubscribingtoanyarticleoffaith,areyeteagertolivealifeofpower,purity,
peace,prosperity,progress,happinessandfulfilment,rightintheenvironsoftheirworkadayworld.
Sivanandahasattemptedimplicitlytopresentinthiswork,adynamicknowledgeofthoughtpowerat
thesethreedistinctfields:
1.Thefieldofhigherappliedpsychology:HereSivanandaspeaksofthoughtsasforcesthatchisel
countenance,fashioncharacter,changedestiny,andmakeoflifeanallroundsuccess.
2.Thefieldofafullfledgedparapsychology:Thisfieldiscoveredbythosewidelyscatteredpassagesand
chaptersinthiswork,whichthrowilluminationonthefactthathumanMindistheseatandcentreofa
numberofsupernormalpowersandfactors.Sivanandaurgesthereaderstotapthesepowers,andto
makeoperativeintheirownouterlife,thevarioushigherfacultiestheycommand.
3.Thefieldoftranscendentalrealization:WhereverSivanandaprescribesamethodfor,orspeaksof
thoughttranscendence,heisattemptingtoleadusintothedomainsofDivineRealizationinwhich
thoughtceasestobethought,andblazesintoinfiniteConsciousness.
Thiswork,then,representsSivanandatothereaders,inaway,asapracticalpsychologist,aphysicist
andchemistintheworldofthephenomenaofthought,aparapsychologist,aYogi,andthushelpsthem
buildtheirfuture,gaintheirsuccessinlife,andacquirethepowertomanipulatethoughtandwrestfromit
theextraordinarypowersitholds.Thebookwillalsohelpthemtoattainrefinementandcultureby
thoughtdiscipline,usetheircapacityforreleasingwholesome,constructiveandinspiringthought
vibrations,obtainbyaccomplishingsomethinggreatandgrand,peace,happiness,andgainGod
realizationwhichisthemeaning,aim,andultimatedestinyofallhumanlifeonearth.
ChapterOne
THOUGHTPOWERITSPHYSICSANDITSPHILOSOPHY
ThoughtExcelsLightinSpeed
Whilelighttravelsattherateof1,86,000milespersecond,thoughtsvirtuallytravelinnotime.
Thoughtisfinerthanether,themediumofelectricity.Inbroadcasting,asingersingsbeautifulsongsat
Calcutta.YoucanhearthemnicelythroughtheradiosetinyourownhouseatDelhi.Allmessagesare
receivedthroughthewireless.
Evensoyourmindislikeawirelessmachine.Asaintwithpeace,poise,harmonyandspiritualwaves
sendsoutintotheworldthoughtsofharmonyandpeace.Theytravelwithlightningspeedinalldirections
andenterthemindsofpersonsandproduceinthemalsosimilarthoughtsofharmonyandpeace.
Whereasaworldlymanwhosemindisfullofjealousy,revengeandhatredsendsoutdiscordantthoughts
whichenterthemindsofthousandsandstirinthemsimilarthoughtsofhatredanddiscord.
TheMediumThroughWhichThoughtsTravel
Ifwethrowapieceofstoneinatankorapoolofwater,itwillproduceasuccessionofconcentricwaves
travellingallaroundfromtheaffectedplace.
Thelightofacandlewillsimilarlygiverisetowavesofetherealvibrationstravellinginalldirectionsfrom
thecandle.
Inthesamemanner,whenathought,whethergoodorevil,crossesthemindofaperson,itgivesriseto
vibrationsintheManasormentalatmosphere,whichtravelfarandwideinalldirections.
Whatisthepossiblemediumthroughwhichthoughtscantravelfromonemindtoanother?Thebest
possibleexplanationisthatManasormindsubstancefillsallspacelikeetheranditservesasthevehicle
forthoughts,asPranaisthevehicleforfeeling,asetheristhevehicleforheat,lightandelectricityandas
airisthevehicleforsound.
TheEtherofSpaceRegistersThoughts
Youcanmovetheworldthroughthoughtforce.Thoughthasgreatpower.Itcanbetransmittedfromone
mantoanotherman.ThepowerfulthoughtsofgreatsagesandRishisofyorearestillrecordedinthe
Akasa(Akasicrecords).
Yoginswhohaveclairvoyantvisioncanperceivethosethoughtimages.Theycanreadthem.
Youaresurroundedbyanoceanofthought.Youarefloatingintheoceanofthought.Youareabsorbing
certainthoughtsandrepellingsomeinthethoughtworld.
Everyonehashisownthoughtworld.
ThoughtsAreLivingThings
Thoughtsarelivingthings.Athoughtisasmuchsolidasapieceofstone.Wemayceasetobe,butour
thoughtscanneverdie.
Everychangeinthoughtisaccompaniedbyvibrationofitsmatter(mental).Thoughtasforceneedsa
specialkindofsubtlematterinitsworking.
Thestrongerthethoughts,theearlierthefructification.Thoughtisfocussedandgivenaparticular
directionand,inthedegreethatthoughtisthusfocussedandgivendirection,itiseffectiveintheworkitis
sentouttoaccomplish.
ThoughtsAreFinerForces
Thoughtisafinerforce.Thisissuppliedtousbyfood.IfyoureadChhandogyaUpanishadthedialogue
betweenUddalakaandSvetaketuyouwillunderstandthispointwell.
Ifthefoodispure,thoughtalsobecomespure.Hewhohaspurethoughtsspeaksverypowerfullyand
producesdeepimpressiononthemindsofthehearersbyhisspeech.Heinfluencesthousandsof
personsthroughhispurethoughts.
Apurethoughtissharperthantheedgeofarazor.Entertainalwayspure,sublimethoughts.Thought
cultureisanexactscience.
ThoughtsAsWirelessMessages
Thosewhoharbourthoughtsofhatred,jealousy,revengeandmaliceareverilyverydangerouspersons.
Theycauseunrestandillwillamongstmen.Theirthoughtsandfeelingsarelikewirelessmessages
broadcastinether,andarereceivedbythosewhosemindsrespondtosuchvibrations.
Thoughtmoveswithtremendousvelocity.Thosewhoentertainsublimeandpiousthoughtshelpothers,
whoareintheirvicinityandatadistancealso.
ThoughtsAreTremendousPowers
Thoughthasgottremendouspower.Thoughtcanhealdiseases.Thoughtscantransformthementalityof
persons.Thoughtcandoanything.Itcanworkwonders.Thevelocityofthoughtisunimaginable.
Thoughtisadynamicforce.ItiscausedbythevibrationsofpsychicPranaorSukshmaPranaonthe
mentalsubstance.Itisaforcelikegravitation,cohesionorrepulsion.Thoughttravelsormoves.
ThoughtwavesandThoughttransference
Whatisthisworld,afterall?ItisnothingbutthematerializationofthethoughtformsofHiranyagarbhaor
God.
Youhavegotwavesofheatandlightandelectricityinscience.TherearealsothoughtwavesinYoga.
Thoughthastremendouspower.Everybodyisexperiencingthepowerofthoughtunconsciouslytoa
greaterorlesserdegree.
GreatYoginslikeJnanadev,BhartrihariandPatanjaliusedtosendandreceivemessagestoandfrom
distantpersonsthroughmindtelepathy(mentalradio)andthoughttransference.Telepathywasthefirst
wirelesstelegraphandtelephoneserviceeverknowntotheworld.
Justasyoutakephysicalexercises,playgamessuchastennisandcricketinordertomaintainphysical
health,youwillhavetomaintainmentalhealthbyradiatingtherightthoughtwaves,bytakingSattvic
food,mentalrecreationofaninnocentandharmlessnature,changeofmood,relaxationofmindby
entertaininggood,ennoblingandsublimethoughtsandbycultivatingthehabitofcheerfulness.
MarvelsofThoughtvibrations
Everythoughtthatyousendoutisavibrationwhichneverperishes.Itgoesonvibratingeveryparticleof
theuniverseandifyourthoughtsarenoble,holyandforcible,theysetinvibrationeverysympathetic
mind.
Unconsciouslyallpeoplewhoarelikeyoutakethethoughtyouhaveprojectedandinaccordancewith
thecapacitythattheyhave,theysendoutsimilarthoughts.Theresultisthat,withoutyourknowledgeof
theconsequencesofyourownwork,youwillbesettinginmotiongreatforceswhichwillworktogether
andputdownthelowlyandmeanthoughtsgeneratedbytheselfishandthewicked.
DiversityofThoughtvibrations
Everymanhashisownmentalworld,hisownmodeofthinking,hisownwaysofunderstandingthings
andhisownwaysofacting.
Justasthefaceandvoiceofeverymandifferfromthoseofanotherman,themodeofthinkingand
understandingalsodiffers.Thatisthereasonwhymisunderstandingeasilyoccursbetweenfriends.
Oneisnotabletounderstandrightlytheviewsofanother.Hencefriction,ruptureandquarreloccurwithin
aminuteevenamongstfastfriends.Thefriendshipdoesnotlastlong.
Oneshouldbeintunewiththementalvibrationsorthoughtvibrationsofanother.Thenonlycanone
easilyunderstandanother.
Lustfulthoughts,thoughtsofhatred,jealousyandselfishnessproducedistortedimagesinthemindand
causecloudingofunderstanding,perversionofintellect,lossofmemoryandconfusioninthemind.
ConservationofThoughtenergy
Inphysicsyouhavethetermpoweroforientation.Thoughthemassofenergyisthere,thecurrentwill
notflow.Itmustbeconnectedtothemagnetandthentheelectriccurrentwillflowthroughthepowerof
orientation.
Evenso,thementalenergywhichisdissipatedandmisdirectedinvariousworthlessworldlythoughts
shouldbewelldirectedinproperspiritualchannels.
Donotstoreinyourbrainuselessinformation.Learntounmindthemind.Unlearnwhateverhasbeenof
nousetoyou.Thenonlycanyoufillyourmindwithdivinethoughts.Youwillgainnewmentalstrengthas
thedissipatedmentalraysarecollectednow.
TheCelltheoryandtheThoughts
Acellisamassofprotoplasmwithanucleus.Itisendowedwithintelligence.Somecellssecrete,while
somecellsexcrete.Thecellsofthetestessecretesementhecellsofthekidneysexcreteurine.Some
cellsactthepartofasoldier.Theydefendthebodyfromtheinroadsorattacksofforeignpoisonous
matterandgerms.Theydigestandthrowthemout.Somecellscarryfoodmaterialstothetissuesand
organs.
Thecellsperformtheirworkwithoutyourconsciousvolition.Theiractivitiesarecontrolledbythe
sympatheticnervoussystem.Theyareindirectcommunionwiththemindinthebrain.
Everyimpulseofthemind,everythought,isconveyedtothecells.Theyaregreatlyinfluencedbythe
varyingconditionsorstatesofthemind.Ifthereareconfusion,depressionandothernegativeemotions
andthoughtsinthemind,theyaretelegraphicallytransmittedthroughthenervestoeverycellinthebody.
Thesoldiercellsbecomepanicstricken.Theyareweakened.Theyarenotabletoperformtheirfunction
properly.Theybecomeinefficient.
Somepeopleareextremelybodyconscious,andpossessnoideaoftheSelf.Theyliveirregular,
indisciplinedlivesandfilltheirstomachswithsweets,pastries,andsoon.Thereisnorestforthe
digestiveandtheeliminatingorgans.Theysufferfromphysicalweaknessanddiseases.Theatoms,
moleculesandcellsintheirbodiesproducediscordantorinharmoniousvibrations.Theyhavenohope,
confidence,faith,serenityandcheerfulness.Theyareunhappy.Thelifeforceisnotoperatingproperly.
Theirvitalityisatalowebb.Theirmindisfilledwithfear,despair,worryandanxiety.
PrimalThoughtandModernScience
Thoughtisthegreatestforceonearth.ThoughtisthemostpowerfulweaponinthearmourofaYogi.
Constructivethoughttransforms,renewsandbuilds.
Thefarreachingpossibilitiesofthisforceweremostaccuratelydevelopedtoperfectionbytheancients
andputtothehighestpossibleuse.
For,thoughtistheprimalforceattheoriginandbackofallcreationthegenesisoftheentire
phenomenalcreationisgivenasasinglethoughtthataroseintheCosmicMind.
TheworldisthePrimalIdeamademanifest.ThisFirstThoughtbecamemanifestasavibrationissuing
fromtheEternalStillnessoftheDivineEssence.ThisisthereferenceinclassicterminologytotheIchha,
desireoftheHiranyagarbha,CosmicSoul,thatoriginatesasaSpandanaorvibration.
Thisvibrationisnothingliketherapidoscillationtoandfroofphysicalparticles,butissomethinginfinitely
subtle,sosubtleastobeeveninconceivabletothenormalmind.
Butthishasmadeitclearthatallforcesareultimatelyresolvableintoastateofpurevibration.Modern
sciencealsohasnewlyarrivedatthisconclusionafteritsprolongedresearchesinexternalphysical
nature.
RadiumandtheRareYogi
Radiumisararecommodity.Yoginswhohavecontrolledtheirthoughtsarealsoveryrareinthisworld,
likeradium.
Justassweetperfumecontinuouslyemanatesfromanincensestick,soalsodivineperfumeanddivine
effulgence(magnetic,Brahmicaura)radiatefromaYogiwhohascontrolledhisthoughtsandwhois
constantlydwellingonBrahmanortheInfinite.
TheeffulgenceandperfumeofhisfaceisBrahmaVarchas.Whenyouholdinyourhandabouquetmade
ofjasmine,roseandChampakaflowers,thesweetperfumepervadesthewholehallandticklesallalike.
Evensotheperfumeorfameandreputation(YasasandKirti)ofaYogiwhohascontrolledhisthoughts
spreadsfarandwide.Hebecomesacosmicforce.
ThoughtItsWeight,SizeandShape
Everythoughthasgotweight,shape,size,form,colour,qualityandpower.AYogicanseeallthese
thoughtsdirectlywithhisinnerYogiceye.
Thoughtsarelikethings.Justasyouhandoveranorangetoyourfriendandtakeitback,soalsoyoucan
giveauseful,powerfulthoughttoyourfriendandalsotakeitback.
Thoughtisagreatforceitmovesitcreates.Youcanworkwonderswiththepowerofthought.Youmust
knowtherighttechniqueofhandlingandmanipulatingathought.
ThoughtItsForm,ItsNameandColour
Supposeyourmindisrenderedperfectlycalm,entirelywithoutthoughts.Nevertheless,assoonas
thoughtbeginstorise,itwillimmediatelytakenameandform.
Everythoughthasacertainnameandacertainform.Thusyoufindthateveryideathatmanhasorcan
have,mustbeconnectedwithacertainwordasitscounterpart.
Formisthegrosserandnamethefinerstateofasinglemanifestingpowercalledthought.
Butthesethreeareonewhereverthereisone,theothertwoalsoarethere.Wherevernameis,there
areformandthought.
Aspiritualthoughthasyellowcolour.Athoughtchargedwithangerandhatredisofadarkredcoloura
selfishthoughthasabrowncolourandsoon.
ThoughtItsPower,WorkingsandUses
Thoughtisavital,livingdynamicpowerthemostvital,subtleandirresistibleforceexistinginthe
universe.
Throughtheinstrumentalityofthoughtyouacquirecreativepower.Thoughtpassesfromonemanto
another.Itinfluencespeopleamanofpowerfulthoughtcaninfluencereadilypeopleofweakthoughts.
Therearenowadaysnumerousbooksonthoughtculture,thoughtpower,thoughtdynamics.Astudyof
themwillgiveyouacomprehensiveunderstandingofthought,itspower,itsworkingsandusefulness.
WeLiveinaBoundlessWorldofThoughts
Thoughtaloneisthewholeworld,thegreatpains,theoldage,deathandthegreatsin,earth,water,fire,
air,ether.Thoughtbindsaman.Hewhohascontrolledhisthoughts,isaveritableGodonthisearth.
Youliveinaworldofthoughts.Firstisthought.Thenthereistheexpressionofthatthoughtthroughthe
organofspeech.Thoughtandlanguageareintimatelyconnected.Thoughtsofanger,bitternessand
maliceinjureothers.Ifthemindwhichisthecauseofallthoughtsvanishes,theexternalobjectswill
disappear.
Thoughtsarethings.Sound,touch,form,tasteandodour,thefivesheaths,thewaking,thedreamingand
deepsleepstatesallthesearetheproductsofmind.Sankalpa,passion,anger,bondage,timeknow
themtobetheresultofmind.MindisthekingoftheIndriyasorsenses.Thoughtistherootofallmental
process.
Thethoughtsthatweperceiveallroundusareonlythemindinformorsubstance.Thoughtcreates,
thoughtdestroys.Bitternessandsweetnessdonotlieintheobjects,buttheyareinthemind,inthe
subject,inthinking.Theyarecreatedbythought.
Throughtheplayofthemindorthoughtuponobjects,proximityappearstobeagreatdistanceandvice
versa.Allobjectsinthisworldareunconnectedtheyareconnectedandassociatedtogetheronlyby
thought,bytheimaginationofyourmind.Itisthemindthatgivescolour,shape,qualitiestotheobjects.
Mindassumestheshapeofanyobjectitintenselythinksupon.
Friendandenemy,virtueandviceareinthemindonly.Everymancreatesaworldofgoodandevil,
pleasureandpain,outofhisownimaginationonly.Goodandevil,pleasureandpaindonotproceedfrom
objects.Thesebelongtotheattitudeofyourmind.Thereisnothinggoodnorpleasantinthisworld.Your
imaginationmakesitso.
Thoughts,ElectricityandPhilosophy
Thoughtsaregiantpowers.Theyaremorepowerfulthanelectricity.Theycontrolyourlife,mouldyour
character,andshapeyourdestiny.
Markhowonethoughtexpandsintomanythoughts,withinashorttime.Supposeyougetanideatoset
upateapartyforyourfriends.Theonethoughtofteainvitesinstantaneouslythethoughtsofsugar,
milk,teacups,tables,chairs,tablecloth,napkins,spoons,cakes,biscuits,etc.So,thisworldisnothing
buttheexpansionofthoughts.Theexpansionofthoughtsofthemindtowardstheobjectsisbondage
and,therenunciationofthoughtsisliberation.
Youmustbeverywatchfulinnippingthethoughtsinthebud.Onlythenwillyoubereallyhappy.Mind
tricksandplays.Youmustunderstanditsnature,waysandhabits.Thenonlycanyoucontrolitvery
easily.
TheworldsmostextraordinarybookofpracticalphilosophicalidealismofIndiaisYogaVasishtha.The
gistofthisworkisthis:ThenondualBrahmanortheimmortalsoulaloneexists.Thisuniverseas
universeisnot.KnowledgeoftheSelfalonewillfreeonefromthisroundofbirthsanddeaths.Extinction
ofthoughtsandVasanasisMoksha.ExpansionofmindaloneisSankalpa.Sankalpaorthought,through
itspowerofdifferentiationgeneratesthisuniverse.Thisworldisaplayofthemind.Thisworlddoesnot
existinthethreeperiodsoftime.ExtinctionofSankalpasisMoksha.AnnihilatethislittleI,Vasanas,
Sankalpas,thoughts.MeditateontheSelfandbecomeaJivanmukta.
OuterWorldPreexistsintheThoughts
Everythoughthasanimage.Atableisamentalimageplussomeexternalthing.
Whateveryouseeoutsidehasitscounterpartinthemind.Thepupilisasmallroundthingintheeye.
Retinaisasmallstructure.Howisitthattheimageofabigmountainseenthroughasmallapertureor
structurecastonthemind?Thisisamarvelofmarvels.
Theimageofamountainalreadyexistsinthemind.Themindislikeavastsheetofcanvasthatcontains
allthepicturesoftheobjectsseenoutside.
WorldAProjectionofThought
Carefulreflectionwillshowthattheentireuniverseisinrealitytheprojectionofthehumanmind
ManomatramJagat.PurificationandcontrolofthemindisthecentralaimofallYogas.Mindinitselfis
butarecordofimpressionsthatkeepexpressingceaselesslyasimpulsesandthoughts.Themindiswhat
itdoes.Thoughtimpelsyoutoactionactivitycreatesfreshimpressionsinthemindstuff.
Yogastrikesattheveryrootofthisviciouscirclebyamethodofeffectivelyinhibitingthefunctionsofthe
mind.Yogachecks,controlsandstopstherootfunctionofthemind,i.e.,thought.Whenthoughtis
transcended,intuitionfunctionsandSelfknowledgesupervenes.
Thoughthasthepotencyofcreatingorundoingtheworldinthetwinklingofaneye.Mindcreatesthe
worldaccordingtoitsownSankalpaorthought.Itisthemindthatcreatesthisuniverse,(Manomatram
JagatManahkalpitamJagat).Throughtheplayofthemind,aKalpaisreckonedbyitasamomentand
viceversa.Likeadreamgeneratinganotherdreaminitthemindhavingnovisibleformgenerates
existentvisibles.
Thoughts,WorldandtheTimelessReality
ItisthemindthatistherootcauseofthetreeofSamsarawithitsthousandsofshoots,branches,tender
leavesandfruits.Ifyouannihilatethoughts,youcandestroythetreeofSamsaraatonce.
Destroythethoughtsassoonastheyarise.Therootwilldryupthroughtheannihilationofthoughts,and
thetreeofSamsarawillwithersoon.
Thisdemandsconsiderablepatienceandperseverance.Youwillbebathedintheoceanofblisswhenall
thoughtsareextirpated.Thisstateisindescribable.Youwillhavetofeelityourself.
Justasthefireisabsorbedintoitssourcewhenthefuelisburntout,soalso,themindisabsorbedintoits
source,theAtman,whenallSankalpasorthoughtsareannihilated.ThenoneattainsKaivalya,the
experienceoftheTimelessReality,thestateofabsoluteindependence.
ChapterTwo
THOUGHTPOWERITSLAWSANDITSDYNAMICS
ThoughtTheArchitectofDestiny
Iftheminddwellscontinuallyupononetrainofthought,agrooveisformedintowhichthethoughtforce
runsautomaticallyandsuchahabitofthoughtsurvivesdeathandsinceitbelongstotheego,iscarried
overtothesubsequentearthlifeasathoughttendencyandcapacity.
Everythought,itmustberemembered,hasgotitsownmentalimage.Theessenceofthevariousmental
imagesformedinoneparticularphysicallifeisbeingworkedoutinthementalplane.Itconstitutesthe
basisforthenextphysicallife.
Justasanewphysicalbodyisformedineverybirth,soalsoanewmindandanewBuddhiareformedin
everybirth.
Noteasyistheactofexplainingthedetailedworkingsofthoughtanddestiny.EveryKarmaproduces
twofoldeffect,oneontheindividualmindandtheotherontheworld.Manmakesthecircumstancesofhis
futurelifebytheeffectofhisactionsuponothers.
Everyactionhasapastwhichleadsuptoiteveryactionhasafuturewhichproceedsfromit.Anaction
impliesadesirewhichprompteditandathoughtwhichshapedit.
Eachthoughtisalinkinanendlesschainofcausesandeffects,eacheffectbecomingacauseandeach
causehavingbeenaneffectandeachlinkintheendlesschainisweldedoutofthreecomponents
desire,thoughtandactivity.Adesirestimulatesathoughtathoughtembodiesitselfasanact.Act
constitutesthewebofdestiny.
Selfishcovetingofthepossessionsofothers,thoughnevercarriedoutintoactivecheatinginthepresent,
makesoneathiefinalaterearthlife,whilehatredandrevengesecretlycherishedaretheseedsfrom
whichthemurderersprings.
Soagain,unselfishlovingyieldsasharvestthephilanthropistandthesaintandeverythoughtof
compassionhelpstobuildthetenderandpitifulnaturewhichbelongstoonewhoisafriendtoall
creatures.
SageVasishthaasksRamatodoPurushartha,orshowtheprowessofselfexertion.Donotyieldto
fatalism.Itwillinduceinertiaandlaziness.RecognizetheGreatPowersofThought.Exert.Byright
thinkingmakeforyourselfagreatdestiny.
PrarabdhaisPurusharthaoflastbirth.Yousowanactionandreapahabitahabitsownresultsin
character.Yousowacharacterandreapadestiny.
Manisthemasterofhisowndestiny.Youyourselfmake,bythepowerofyourthought,yourdestiny.You
canundoitifyoulike.Allfaculties,energiesandpowersarelatentinyou.Unfoldthem,andbecomefree
andgreat.
ThoughtsChiselYourCountenance
Yourfaceislikeagramophonerecordorplate.Whateveryouthinkisatoncewrittenonyourface.
Everyviciousthoughtservesasachiselorneedletowritedownthethoughtsonyourcountenance.Your
facesarecoveredwiththescarsandwoundswhicharemadebytheviciousthoughtsofhatred,anger,
lust,jealousy,revenge,etc.
Fromthenatureofthescaronyourface,wecanatoncereadyourstateofmind.Wecanatonce
diagnosethediseaseofyourmind.
Hewhothinksthathecanhidehisthoughtsisadunceofthefirstwater.Hispositionislikethatofthe
ostrichwhich,whenchasedbythehunters,hidesitsheadunderneaththesandandimaginesthatit
cannotbeseenbyanyone.
Faceistheindexofthemind.Faceisthemouldofthemind.Everythoughtcutsagrooveintheface.A
divinethoughtbrightenstheface.Anevilthoughtdarkenstheface.Continueddivinethoughtsincrease
theauraorhalo.
Continuedevilthoughtsincreasethedepthofdarkimpressions,justasthecontinuedstrikingofavessel
againsttheedgeofawellwhiledrawingwatermakesdeeperanddeeperhollowonthevessel.Thefacial
expressiontrulyadvertisestheinnerstateofthemindorthetruecontentsofthemind.
Thefaceislikeanadvertisementboardwhereinisadvertisedwhatisgoinginsidethemind.Your
thoughts,sentiments,modesandemotionsproducetheirstrongimpressionsontheface.
Inyourface,youcanhardlyhideyourthoughts.Youmaywronglythinkthatyouhavekeptupyour
thoughtsinsecret.Thethoughtsoflust,greed,jealousy,anger,revenge,hatred,etc.,atonceproduce
theirdeepimpressionsonyourface.
Thefaceisafaithfulrecorderandasensitiveregisteringapparatustoregisterandrecordallthethoughts
thatareinyourmind.
Thefaceisapolishedmirrortoindicatethenatureofthemindanditscontentsataparticulartime.
ThoughtsFeaturethePhysicalExpressions
Mindisthesubtleformofthisphysicalbody.Thephysicalbodyistheoutwardmanifestationofthe
thoughts.Sowhenthemindiswrought,thebodyiswroughttoo.
Asamanofroughappearancegenerallycannotinvokeloveandmercyofothers,soaroughminded
mancannotinvokeloveandmercyofanybody.
Mindveryconspicuouslyreflectsonthefaceitsvariousstateswhichamanofintelligencecanveryeasily
read.
Thebodyfollowsthemind.Ifthemindthinksoffallingfromaheight,thebodypreparesitselfimmediately
andshowsexternalsigns.Fear,anxiety,grief,cheerfulness,hilarity,anger,allproducetheirvarious
impressionsontheface.
YourEyesBetrayYourThoughts
Theeyeswhichrepresentthewindowsofthesoulbespeakoftheconditionandstateofthemind.
Thereisatelegraphicinstrumentintheeyestotransmitthemessagesorthoughtsoftreachery,
depression,gloom,hatred,cheerfulness,peace,harmony,health,power,strengthandbeauty.
Ifyouhavethefacultytoreadtheeyesofothers,youcanreadthemindatonce.Youcanreadthe
uppermostthoughtordominantthoughtofamanifyouarecarefultomarkthesignsinhisface,
conversationandbehaviour.Itneedsalittlepluck,acumen,training,intelligenceandexperience.
NegativeThoughtsPoisonLife
Thoughtsofworryandthoughtsoffeararefearfulforceswithinus.Theypoisontheverysourcesoflife
anddestroytheharmony,therunningefficiency,thevitalityandvigour.Whiletheoppositethoughtsof
cheerfulness,joyandcourage,heal,soothe,insteadofirritating,andimmenselyaugmentefficiencyand
multiplythementalpowers.Bealwayscheerful.Smile.Laugh.
PsychophysicalImbalances
Thoughtexertsitsinfluenceoverthebody.Griefinthemindweakensthebody.Bodyinfluencesthemind
alsoinitsturn.Ahealthybodymakesthemindhealthy.Ifthebodyissick,themindalsobecomessick.If
thebodyisstrongandhealthy,themindalsobecomeshealthyandstrong.
Violentfitsofhottemperdoseriousdamagetothebraincells,throwpoisonouschemicalproductsinto
theblood,producegeneralshockanddepressionandsuppressthesecretionofgastricjuice,bileand
otherdigestivejuicesinthealimentarycanal,drainawayyourenergy,vitality,induceprematureoldage
andshortenlife.
Whenyouareangry,themindbecomesdisturbed.Similarly,whenthemindisdisturbed,thebodyalso
becomesdisturbed.Thewholenervoussystemisagitated.Youbecomeenervated.Controlangerby
love.AngerisapowerfulenergythatisuncontrollablebypracticalVyavaharicBuddhi,butcontrollableby
purereason(SattvicBuddhi)orVivekaVichara.
TheCreativePowersofThought
Thoughtcreatestheworld.Thoughtbringsthingsintoexistence.Thoughtsdevelopthedesiresandexcite
thepassions.So,thecontrarythoughtsofkillingthedesiresandpassionswillcounteracttheformeridea
ofsatisfyingthedesires.Sowhenapersonisimpressedwiththis,acontrarythoughtwillhelphimto
destroyhisdesiresandpassions.
Thinkofapersonasagoodfriendofyoursandtherethethingiscreatedasareality.Thinkofhimas
yourfoe,thenalsothemindperfectsthethoughtintoanactuality.Hewhoknowstheworkingsofthe
mindandhascontrolleditbypracticeisreallyhappy.
SimilarThoughtsAttractEachOther
Inthethoughtworldalso,thegreatlawLikeattractslike,operates.Peopleofsimilarthoughtsare
attractedtowardseachother.Thatisthereasonwhythemaximsrunasfollows:Birdsofthesame
featherflocktogether,Amanisknownbythecompanyhekeeps.
Adoctorisdrawntowardsadoctor.Apoethasattractionforanotherpoet.Asongsterlovesanother
songster.Aphilosopherlikesanotherphilosopher.Avagabondlikesavagabond.Themindhasgota
drawingpower.
Youarecontinuallyattractingtowardsyou,fromboththeseenandtheunseensidesoflifeforces,
thoughts,influencesandconditionsmostakintothoseofyourownthoughtsandlines.
Intherealmofthought,peopleofsimilarthoughtsareattractedtooneanother.Thisuniversallawis
continuallyoperatingwhetherweareconsciousofitornot.
Carryanykindofthoughtyoupleaseaboutwithyouandsolongasyouretainit,nomatterhowyouroam
overthelandorsea,youwillunceasinglyattracttoyourself,knowinglyorinadvertently,exactlyandonly
whatcorrespondstoyourowndominantqualityofthought.Thoughtsareyourprivatepropertyandyou
canregulatethemtosuityourtasteentirelybysteadilyrecognizingyourabilitytodoso.
Youhaveentirelyinyourownhandstodeterminetheorderofthoughtyouentertainandconsequently
theorderofinfluenceyouattractandarenotmerewillowycreaturesofcircumstances,unlessindeedyou
choosetobe.
SpanishFluandtheContagionofThoughts
Mentalactionsarerealactions.Thoughtistherealactionitisadynamicforce.Itmayberemembered,
thoughtisverycontagiousnay,morecontagiousthantheSpanishFlu.
Asympatheticthoughtinyouraisesasympatheticthoughtinotherswithwhomyoucomeincontact.A
thoughtofangerproducesasimilarvibrationinthosewhosurroundanangryman.Itleavesthebrainof
onemanandentersthebrainsofotherswholiveatalongdistanceandexcitesthem.
Acheerfulthoughtinyouproducescheerfulthoughtsinothers.Youarefilledwithjoyandintensedelight
whenyouseeabatchofhilariouschildrenplayingmirthfullyanddancinginjoy.
Athoughtofjoyinuscreatessympatheticallyathoughtofjoyinothers.Sodosublimeelevatingthoughts.
Keepagoodandhonestmaninthecompanyofathief.Hewillbegintosteal.Keepasobermaninthe
companyofadrunkard.Hewillbegintodrink.Thoughtisverycontagious.
TheApplicationofaPsychologicalLaw
Keeptheheartyoung.Donotthink:Ihavebecomeold.TothinkIhavebecomeoldisabadhabit.Do
notentertainthisthought.At60,thinkIam16.Asyouthink,soyoubecome.Thisisagreat
psychologicallaw.
Asamanthinkethsohebecometh.Thisisagreattruthortruism.Think,Iamstrong,strongyou
become.Think,Iamweak,weakyoubecome.Think,Iamafool,foolyoubecome.Think,Iama
sageorGod,sageorGodyoubecome.
Thoughtaloneshapesandmouldsaman.Manlivesalwaysinaworldofthoughts.Everymanhashis
ownthoughtworld.
Imaginationworkswonders.Thoughthastremendousforce.Thoughtasalreadysaid,isasolidthing.
Yourpresentistheresultofyourpastthoughtsandyourfuturewillbeaccordingtoyourpresent
thoughts.Ifyouthinkrightly,youwillspeakrightlyandactrightly.Speechandactionsimplyfollowthe
thoughts.
UnderstandtheLawsofThought
Everymanshouldhaveacomprehensiveunderstandingofthelawsofthoughtandtheiroperations.
Thenalonecanoneliveinthisworldsmoothlyandhappily.Hecanutilizethehelpingforcestoservehis
endsinthebestpossiblemanner.
Hecanneutralizethehostileforcesorantagonisticcurrents.Justasthefishswimsagainstthecurrent,so
alsohewillbeabletogoagainstthehostilecurrentsbyadjustinghimselfproperlyandsafeguarding
throughsuitableprecautionarymethods.
Otherwisehebecomesaslave.Heistossedabouthitherandthitherhelplesslybyvariouscurrents.Heis
driftedlikeawoodenplankinariver.Heisverymiserableandunhappyalways,althoughheiswealthy
andpossesseseverything.
Thecaptainofasteamerwhohasmarinerscompass,whohasknowledgeofthesea,theroutesandthe
oceaniccurrentscansailsmoothly.Otherwisehissteamerwillbedriftedhereandtherehelplesslyand
wreckedbydashingagainstsomeicebergsorrocks.Likewise,awisesailorintheoceanofthislifewho
hasadetailedknowledgeoftheLawsofThoughtandNaturecansailsmoothlyandreachthegoalofhis
lifepositively.
UnderstandingthelawsofThought,youcanmouldorshapeyourcharacterinanywayyoulike.The
commonsaying,Asamanthinkethsohebecometh,isoneofthegreatlawsofThought.Thinkyouare
pure,pureyouwillbecome.Thinkyouarenoble,nobleyouwillbecome.
Becomeanembodimentofgoodnature.Thinkgoodofall.Doalwaysgoodactions.Serve,love,give.
Makeothershappy.Livetoserveothers.Thenyouwillreaphappiness.Youwillgetfavourable
circumstancesoropportunitiesandenvironments.
Ifyouhurtothers,ifyoudoscandalmongering,mischiefmongering,backbiting,talebearing,ifyouexploit
others,ifyouacquirethepropertyofothersbyfoulmeans,ifyoudoanyactionthatcangivepainto
others,youwillreappain.Youwillgetunfavourablecircumstancesoropportunitiesandenvironments.
Thisisthelawofthoughtandnature.Justasyoucanbuildyourgoodorbadcharacterbysublimeor
basethinking,soalsoyoucanshapeyourfavourableorunfavourablecircumstancesbydoinggoodor
badactions.
Amanofdiscriminationisalwayscareful,vigilantandcircumspect.Healwayswatchescarefullyhis
thoughts.Heintrospects.
HeknowswhatisgoingoninhismentalfactorywhatVrittiorGunaisprevailingataparticulartime.He
neverallowsanyevilthoughttoenterthegatesofhismentalfactory.Heatoncenipstheminthebud.
Byhisgoodthinking,bywatchingthenatureofhisthoughts,byintrospection,byactivenoblethinking,the
manofdiscriminationbuildshisnoblecharacter,formshishighdestiny.Heiscarefulinhisspeeches.He
speakslittle.Hespeakssweetlovingwords.Heneveruttersanykindofharshwordsthatcanaffectthe
feelingsofothers.
Hedevelopspatience,mercyanduniversallove.Hetriestospeaktruth.Thusheputsacheckonthe
VakIndriyaandtheimpulsesofspeech.Heusesmeasuredwords.Hewritesmeasuredlines.This
producesdeeplyprofoundandfavourableimpressiononthemindsofthepeople.
HepracticesAhimsaandBrahmacharyainthought,wordanddeed.HepracticesSauchaandArjava
(straightforwardness).Hetriestokeepupbalanceofmindandtobealwayscheerful.Hekeepsup
SuddhaBhava.HetriesthesethreekindsofTapas(physical,verbalandmental),andcontrolshis
actions.Hecannotthinkanyevil.Hecannotdoanyevilaction.
Heprepareshimselftogetalwaysfavourablecircumstances.Hewhospreadshappinesswillalwaysget
suchfavourablecircumstancesascanbringhimhappiness.Hewhospreadspaintootherswill,
doubtless,getaccordingtothelawofthoughtsuchunfavourablecircumstancesascanbringhimmisery
andpain.Therefore,mancreateshisowncharacterandcircumstances,bythemannerofhisown
thinking.
Badcharactercanbetransmutedintogoodone,bygoodthoughts,andunfavourablecircumstancescan
bechangedintofavourablecircumstancesbydoinggoodactions.
TheLawsImpliedinHigherThoughts
Asyouthink,soyoubecome.Asareyourthoughtssomustbeyourlife.Improveyourthinking.Better
thoughtsbringbetteractions.
Merethinkingoftheobjectsofthisworldispain.Bondageiscausedbytheveryactofthought.Pure
thoughtisamightierforcethanelectricity.
Themindwhichisattractedbyobjectsofsense,tendstobondage,whilethatwhichisnotsoattracted
tendstoemancipation.Mindisadacoit.Slaythisminddacoit.Youwillbehappyandfreeforever.
Manifestallyourstrengthinthetaskofconqueringyourmind.ThisistruemanlinessorPurushartha.
Selfdenialisameanstothepurificationandrefinementofmind.Purifyandstillthethoughts.Thelayers
ofignorancecoveringknowledge,willnotberemovedwithoutacalmmind.
Thesubtlepartoffoodformsthemind.Mindismanufacturedoutoffood.Thesubtlepartoffoodis
transformedintomind.Fooddoesnotmeanmerelywhatweeat,butwhatwegatherthroughallour
senses.
LearntoseeGodeverywhere.Thisisrealfoodfortheeye.Purityofthoughtdependsuponpurityoffood.
Youcanseebetter,hearbetter,tastebetter,thinkbetter,whenyouentertainsublimedivinethoughts.
Lookatanobjectthroughagreenorredglasstheobjectappearsgreenorred.Evenso,theobjectsare
colouredbythedesiresthroughthemirrormind.Allmentalstatesaretransitorytheyproducepainand
sorrow.
Havefreedomofthought.Freeyourselffromtheslaveryofprejudicethatbluntsintellectanddulls
thoughts.ThinkoftheimmortalAtman.Thisistherightmethodofdirect,originalthinking.TheAtman
revealsItselfafterthepurificationofthoughts.Whenthemindisserenewithoutanywant,withoutany
motive,withoutanycravingordesireorthought,withoutanycompulsion,withouthope,thenthesupreme
Atmanshines.ThereistheexperienceofBliss.Livethewayinwhichsaintslive.Thisistheonlywayto
victoryoverthoughts,mindandthelowerselfanduntilyouhaveconqueredmind,therecanbenosure
andpermanentvictory.
ThoughtABoomerang
Becarefulofyourthoughts.Whateveryousendoutofyourmind,comesbacktoyou.Everythoughtyou
think,isaboomerang.
Ifyouhateanother,hatewillcomebacktoyou.Ifyouloveothers,lovewillcomebacktoyou.
Anevilthoughtisthricecursed.First,itharmsthethinkerbydoinginjurytohismentalbody.Secondly,it
harmsthepersonwhoisitsobject.Lastly,itharmsallmankindbyvitiatingthewholementalatmosphere.
Everyevilthoughtisasasworddrawnonthepersontowhomitisdirected.Ifyouentertainthoughtsof
hatred,youarereallyamurdererofthatmanagainstwhomyoufosterthoughtsofhatred.Youareyour
ownsuicide,becausethesethoughtsrebounduponyouonly.
Amindtenantedbyevilthoughtsactsasamagnettoattractlikethoughtsfromothersandthusintensifies
theoriginalevil.
Evilthoughtsthrownintothementalatmospherepoisonreceptiveminds.Todwellonanevilthought
graduallydeprivesitofitsrepulsivenessandimpelsthethinkertoperformanactionwhichembodiesit.
ThoughtsandtheWavesoftheSea
Thoughtsarelikethewavesofanocean.Theyarecountless.Youmaybecomedesperateinthe
beginningofyourattempttoconquerthem.
Somethoughtswillsubsidewhilesomeotherthoughtswillgushoutlikeastream.Thesameoldthoughts
thatwereoncesuppressedmayagainshowtheirfacesaftersometime.Neverbecomedespondentat
anystageofpractice.Youwillsurelygetinnerspiritualstrength.Youareboundtosucceedintheend.All
theYoginsofyorehadtoencounterthesamedifficultiesthatyouareexperiencingnow.
Theprocessofdestructionofmentalmodificationsisdifficultandlong.Allthoughtscannotbedestroyed
inadayortwo.Youshouldnotgiveupthepracticeofdestroyingthethoughtsinthemiddlewhenyou
comeacrosssomedifficultiesorstumblingblocks.
Yourfirstattemptshouldbetoreduceyourwantsanddesires.Reduceyourwantsanddesiresthen,the
thoughtswilldecreasebythemselves.Graduallyallthoughtswillbeextirpated.
ColourandInfluenceofSaintlyThoughts
TheBuddhadeclared,Allthatweareismadeupofourthoughts.Itisourthoughtsthatcausetheround
ofbirths.So,weshouldalwaysstrivetopurifyourthoughts.
Whenwegoandsitnearasage,wefeelauniquecalmnessbutifweareinthecompanyofabadand
selfishperson,wefeeluneasy.Itisbecausethevibrationsofpeaceandcalmnessemanatefromtheaura
ofthesage,whereasfromtheauraoftheselfishpersonemanatevibrationsofevilandselfishthoughts.
Thesecondeffectofthoughtisthecreationofadefiniteform.Thequalityandthenatureofathought
determine,thecolourandtheclearnessofthatthoughtform.Athoughtformisalivingentityandithasa
strongtendencytocarryouttheintentionofthethinker.Bluethoughtformsdenotedevotion.
Thethoughtformofselfrenunciationisofthelovliestpaleazurewithawhitelightshiningthroughit.
Thoughtformsofselfishness,prideandangerareofgreybrown,orangeandredcolour,respectively.
Wearealwayssurroundedbythesethoughtformsandourmindsareseriouslyaffectedbythem.Not
onefourthofourthoughtsareourown,butaresimplypickedupfromtheatmosphere.Mostlytheyareof
evilnature.SoweshouldalwaysutterGodsnamementally.Itwillalwaysprotectusfromtheirevil
influence.
AuraandDynamicsofaDevelopedMind
Particularlyaroundmindsofhighlydevelopedthoughtpower,wesensethemanifestphenomenonofa
powerfulaura.
Thepalpableinfluenceofahighlydevelopedmindoveralessdevelopedmind,needstobespecially
marked.ItisnotpossibletoprovideadescriptionofwhatitisliketobeinthepresenceofaMaster,ora
developedadept.
Tositinhispresence,thoughhehardlyspeaksaword,istofeelathrillingsensationanddiscoverthe
impactsofnewinspirationsthatitwieldsonourminds.
Mindcarriesauramentalauraorpsychicaura.TheSanskrittermforauraisTejas.Itisbrillianceorhalo
thatemanatesfromthephenomenonofmind.Inthosewhohavesoughtthefulldevelopmentoftheir
minds,wefinditextremelyeffulgent.Itiscapacitatedtotravellongdistancesandaffectinthemost
beneficialmanneralargenumberofpersonswhoareprivilegedtocomeunderitsinfluence.Itmustbe
notedthatthespiritualauraisfarmorepowerfulthaneitherpsychicorPranicormentalaura.
DynamicsofThoughtsandMoods
Peopleofgloomymoodsattracttothemselves,gloomythingsandgloomythoughtsfromothersandfrom
theAkasicrecordsinthephysicalether.
Personswithhope,confidenceandcheerfulspiritsattractthoughtsofsimilarnaturefromothers.They
arealwayssuccessfulintheirattempts.
Peoplewithnegativemoodsofdepression,anger,andhatreddopositiveinjurytoothers.Theyinfect
othersandraisethesedestructiveVrittisinothers.Theyareculpable.Theydogreatdamageinthe
thoughtworld.
Peoplewithhappyandcheerfulmoodsareablessingtosociety.Theybringhappinesstoothers.
Justasayoung,beautifulladycoversherfaceanddoesnotliketocomeouttomixwithothersinsociety
whenshehasanastyfesteringsoreonhercheeksornose,alsoyoushouldnotcomeinpublicandmix
withyourfriendsandotherpeoplewhenyouhaveamoodofdepression,amoodofhatredorjealousy.
For,youwillinfectotherswiththesemoods.Youwillbeamenacetothesociety.
ThoughtdynamicsinUniversalEnvirons
Thoughtactuallyleavesthebrainandhoversabout.Whenathought,whethergoodorevil,leavesthe
mindofapersonitgivesrisetovibrationsintheManasormentalatmosphere,whichtravelfarandwide
inalldirections.
Itentersthebrainsofothersalso.AsagelivinginaHimalayancavetransmitsapowerfulthoughttoa
cornerofAmerica.Hewhotriestopurifyhimselfinacave,reallypurifiestheworld,helpstheworldat
large.Nobodycanpreventhispurethoughtscomingoutandpassingontothoseothersthatreallywant
them.
Justasthesungoesoncontinuouslyconvertingintovapoureverydropofwaterthatisonthesurfaceof
theearthandjustasallthevapourthusrisingupgatherstogetherintheformofclouds,allthethoughts
thatyouprojectfromyourownlonelycornerwillmountupandbewaftedacrossspace,joinsimilar
thoughtsprojectedbythosewhoarelikeyouand,intheend,alltheseholythoughtswillcomedownwith
tremendousforcetosubjugateundesirableforces.
ChapterThree
VALUEANDUSESOFTHOUGHTPOWER
ServeOthersbyThoughtvibrations
AtruemonkorSannyasincandoeverythingthroughhisthoughtvibrations.ASannyasinorYogineednot
becomethePresidentofanAssociationortheleaderofasocialorpoliticalmovement.Itisafoolishand
puerileidea.
IndianshavenowimbibedthemissionaryspiritoftheWestandcryoutthatSannyasinsshouldcomeout
andtakepartinsocialandpoliticalactivities.Itisasadmistake.
ItisnotnecessarythataSannyasin,asaintshouldappearontheplatformtohelptheworld,topreach
andelevatethemindsofpeople.
Somesaintspreachbyexample.Theirverylivesareanembodimentofteaching.Theirverysight
elevatesthemindsofthousands.
AsaintisalivingassuranceforothersforGodrealization.Manydrawinspirationfromthesightofholy
saints.
Noonecancheckthethoughtvibrationsfromthesaints.Theirpure,strongthoughtvibrationstravela
verylongdistance,purifytheworldandenterthemindsofmanythousandsofpersons.Thereisnodoubt
inthis.
DoctorsCanHealbySuggestion
Doctorsshouldhaveathoroughknowledgeofthescienceofsuggestion.Sincere,sympatheticdoctors
areveryrare.Doctorswhohavenoknowledgeofsuggestiondomoreharmthangood.Theykillpatients
sometimesbyunnecessarilyfrighteningthem.
Ifthereisalittlecoughofanordinarynature,thedoctorsays:Now,myfriend,youhavegotT.B.You
mustgotoBhowaliorSwitzerlandorVienna.Youmustgoinforacourseoftuberculininjection.Poor
patientisfrightened.Thereisnotatallanysignofconsumption.Thecaseisanordinaryone.Itissimple
catarrhofthechestfromexposuretochills.Thepatientactuallydevelopsphthisisbyfrightandworry
owingtothewrongdestructivesuggestionofthedoctor.
Thedoctoroughttohavetoldhim:Oh,itisnothing.Itissimplecold.Youwillbeallrightbytomorrow.
Takeapurgativeandinhalealittleoilofeucalyptus.Adjustyourdiet.Itisbetteryoufasttoday.Such
doctorisGodHimself.Hemustbeadored.
Adoctormaysaynow:Well,sir,ifIsayso,Iwilllosemypractice.Icannotpulloninthisworld.Thisisa
mistake.Truthalwaysgainsvictory.Peoplewillruntoyouasyouaresympatheticandkind.Youwillhave
aroaringpractice.
Thereishealingbysuggestion.Thisisadruglesstreatment.Thisissuggestivetherapeutics.Bygood
andpowerfulsuggestion,youcancureanydisease.Youwillhavetolearnthisscienceandpracticeit.All
doctorsofHomeopathic,Allopathic,AyurvedicandUnanisystemsshouldknowthisscience.Theycan
combinethissystemalongwiththeirownsystems.Theywillhavearoaringpracticebythishappy
combination.
YoginsPreachbyThoughttransference
ThroughtheirspiritualvibrationsandmagneticauratheunknownrealYoginshelptheworldmorethan
theYoginsoftheplatform.Preachingfromthepulpitsandplatformsbelongstomenofsecondgrade
spirituality,whohavenoknowledgeandneverputtousethesupernormalfacultiesandpowerslatentin
them.
GreatadeptsandMahatmastransmittheirmessagethroughtelepathytodeservingaspirantsindifferent
cornersoftheworld.MeansofcommunicationthataresupernormaltousarequitenormaltoaYogi.
InfluenceOthersbyThought
Youcaninfluenceanothermanwithoutanyaudiblelanguage.Whatiswantedisconcentrationofthought
thatisdirectedbythewill.Thisistelepathy.
Hereisanexerciseforyourpracticeintelepathy.Thinkofyourfriendorcousinwhoislivinginadistant
land.Bringaclearcutimageofhisfacetoyourmind.Ifyouhavehisphoto,lookatitandspeaktoit
audibly.Whenyouretiretobedthinkofthepicturewithintenseconcentration.Hewillwritetoyouthe
desiredletterthefollowingdayorso.Trythisyourself.Donotdoubt.Youwillbequitesurprised.
Youwillgetsuccessandfirmconvictioninthescienceoftelepathy.Sometimes,whenyouarewriting
somethingorreadinganewspaper,suddenlyyougetamessagefromsomeonenearanddeartoyou.
Youthinkofhimsuddenly.Hehassentamessagetoyou.Hehasthoughtofyouseriously.
Thoughtvibrationstravelfasterthanlightorelectricity.Insuchinstances,thesubconsciousmindreceives
themessagesorimpressionsandtransmitsthesametotheconsciousmind.
VariedUtilityofThoughtPower
Thescienceofthoughtpowerisveryinterestingandsubtle.Thisthoughtworldismorerealrelatively
thanthisphysicaluniverse.
Thepowerofthoughtisverygreat.Everythoughtofyourshasaliteralvaluetoyouineverypossible
way.Thestrengthofyourbody,thestrengthofyourmind,yoursuccessinlifeandthepleasuresyougive
toothersbyyourcompanyalldependonthenatureandqualityofyourthoughts.Youmustknow
thoughtculture,anddevelopthoughtpower.
PowersofThoughtTheirValue
Ifyouhaveacomprehensiveunderstandingoftheworkingsofthethoughtvibrations,ifyouknowthe
techniqueofcontrollingthethoughts,ifyouknowthemethodoftransmittingbeneficialthoughtstoothers
atadistancebyformingclearcutwelldefinedpowerfulthoughtwaves,youcanusethisthoughtpowera
thousandfoldmoreeffectively.Thoughtworkswonders.
Awrongthoughtbinds.Arightthoughtliberates.Therefore,thinkrightlyandattainfreedom.Unfoldthe
occultpowershiddenwithinyoubyunderstandingandrealizingthepowersofthemind.Closeyoureyes.
Slowlyconcentrate.Youcanseedistantobjects,heardistantsounds,sendmessagestoanypartnotonly
ofthisworld,butoftheotherplanetsaswell,healpersonsthousandsofmilesofffromyouandmove
abouttodistantplacesinnotime.
Believeinthepowersofthemind.Interest,attention,will,faithandconcentrationwillbringthedesired
fruit.RememberthatmindisbornoftheAtmanthroughHisMayaorIllusoryPower.
ThoughtsAccomplishManyaMission
Youcanaidafriendintroublebytransmittingtohimthoughtsofcomfort,rightfromtheplacewhereyou
are.YoucanhelpafriendinsearchofTruthbythoughts,clearanddefiniteofthetruthsyouknow.
Youcansendintothementalatmospherethoughtswhichwillraise,purifyandinspireallwhoaresensible
tothem.
Ifyousendoutaloving,helpfulthoughttoanotherman,itleavesyourbrain,goesdirectlytothatman,
raisesasimilarthoughtofloveinhismindandreturnsbacktoyouwithredoubledforce.
Ifyousendoutathoughtofhatredtoanotherman,ithurtsthatmanandhurtsyoualsobyturningback
toyouwithredoubledforce.
Therefore,understandthelawsofthought,raiseonlythoughtsofmercy,loveandkindnessfromyour
mindandbehappyalways.
Whenyousendoutausefulthoughttohelpothers,itmusthaveadefinite,positivepurposeandaim.
Thenonlyitwillbringoutthedesiredeffect.Thenonlythatthoughtwillaccomplishadefinitework.
PowerofThoughtsThatPrompt
Gainaclearunderstandingofsuggestionsandtheireffectsuponthemind.Youshouldbecarefulinthe
useofsuggestions.Nevergivewrongsuggestionwhichwillhavedestructiveresultstoanybody.Youwill
bedoingagreatharmandadisservicetohim.Thinkwellbeforeyouspeak.
Teachersandprofessorsshouldhaveathoroughknowledgeofthescienceofsuggestionandauto
suggestion.Theycaneducateandelevatestudentsinanefficientmanner.
InSouthernIndia,whenchildrencryoutinhousesparentsfrightenthembysaying:Lookhere,Balu!
Irendukannan(thetwoeyedman)hascome.Keepquiet,orIwillhandyouovertothisman.Puchandi
(orghost)hascome,andsuggestionsofthissortareverydestructive.Thechildbecomestimid.
Themindsofchildrenareelastic,tenderandpliable.Samskarasareindeliblyimpressedatthisage.
ChangingorobliteratingtheSamskarasbecomesimpossiblewhentheygrow.Whenthechildgrowsinto
aman,hemanifeststimidity.
Parentsshouldinfusecourageintothemindsoftheirchildren.Theyshouldsay:Hereisalion.Seethe
lioninthispicture.Roarlikealion.Becourageous.SeethepictureofShivaji,ArjunaorClive.Become
chivalrous.
IntheWest,teachersshowthepicturesofbattlefieldstochildrenandsay:Lookhere,James!Seethis
pictureofNapoleon.Lookathischivalry.WontyouliketobecomeaCommanderinchiefofthearmyor
aBrigadierGeneral?Theyinfusecourageintothemindsofchildrenfromtheirverychildhood.When
theygrow,theseSamskarasgetstrengthenedbyadditionalexternalstimuli.
PracticeThoughttransference
Practicetelepathyinthebeginningfromashortdistance.Itisbettertopracticeatnight,tostartwith.
Askyourfriendtohavethereceptiveattitudeandconcentrationattenoclock.AskhimtositonVajrasana
orPadmasanawithclosedeyesinadarkroom.
Trytosendyourmessageexactlyattheappointedtime.Concentrateonthethoughtsthatyouwantto
send.Willstronglynow.Thethoughtswillleaveyourbrainandenterthebrainofyourfriend.
Theremaybesomemistakesinthebeginninghereandthere.Whenyouadvanceinpracticeandknow
thetechniquewell,youwillalwaysbecorrectinsendingandreceivingmessages.
Lateron,youwillbeabletoforwardmessagestodifferentcornersoftheworld.Thoughtwavesvaryin
intensityandforce.Thesenderandreceivershouldpracticegreatandintenseconcentration.Thenthere
willbeforceinsendingthemessages,clarityandaccuracyinreceivingthemessages.Practiceinthe
beginningtelepathyfromoneroomtothenextroominthesamehouse.
Thisscienceisverypleasantandinteresting.Itneedspatientpractice.Brahmacharyaisveryessential.
ParapsychologyandSubconsciousThoughts
EvenasthesacredGangatakesitsorigininGangotri,Himalayas,andrunsperenniallytowardsGanga
Sagar,thethoughtcurrentstaketheiroriginfromthebedofSamskaras(impressions)intheinnerlayers
ofthemind,whereinareembeddedtheVasanasorlatentsubtledesires,andflowincessantlytowards
theobjectsbothinwakingstateandindreamingstate.Evenarailwayengine,issenttotheengineshed
forrest,whenitswheelsbecomeoverhotbutthismysteriousengineofmindgoesonthinkingwithouta
momentsrest.
Practiceoftelepathy,thoughtreading,hypnotism,mesmerismandpsychichealingclearlyprovesthatthe
mindexistsandthatahighermindcaninfluenceandsubjugatethelowermind.Fromtheautomatic
writingandtheexperiencesofahypnotizedperson,wecanclearlyinfertheexistenceofthe
subconsciousmindwhichoperatesthroughoutthetwentyfourhours.ThroughspiritualSadhanachange
thesubconsciousthoughtsandmindandbecomeanewbeing.
PowerofVigorous,DivineThoughts
Thoughtislife.Whatyouthink,thatyouare.Yourthoughtcreatesyourenvironment.Yourthoughts
constituteyourworld.
Ifyouentertainhealthythoughts,youcankeepgoodhealth.Ifyouholdontosicklythoughtsinthemind,
thoughtsofdiseasedtissues,thoughtsofweaknerves,thoughtsofimproperfunctioningoforgans,of
viscera,youcanneverexpectgoodhealth,beautyandharmony.
Rememberthatbodyisaproductofthemindandisunderthecontrolofmind.
Ifyouholdontovigorousthoughts,yourbody,too,willbevigorous.Thoughtsoflove,peace,
contentment,purity,perfection,Divinity,willmakeyou,andalsoothersaroundyou,perfectandDivine.
Cultivatedivinethoughts.
ChapterFour
THEFUNCTIONSOFTHOUGHTPOWER
ThoughtsPromoteRadiantHealth
Thebodyisinternallyassociatedwiththemind,ratherthebodyisacounterpartoftheminditisagross
visibleformofthesubtle,invisiblemind.Ifthereispaininthetoothorinthestomachorintheear,the
mindisatonceaffected.Itceasestothinkproperlyitisagitated,disturbedandperturbed.
Ifthereisdepressioninthemind,thebodyalsocannotfunctionproperly.Thepainswhichafflictthebody
arecalledthesecondarydiseases,Vyadhi,whiletheVasanasordesiresthatafflictthemindaretermed
mentalorprimarydiseases,Adhi.
Mentalhealthismoreimportantthanphysicalhealth.Ifthemindishealthy,thebodywillnecessarilybe
healthy.Ifthemindispure,ifyourthoughtsarepure,youwillbefreefromalldiseasesprimaryand
secondary.Menssanaincorporesanoasoundmindinasoundbody.
ThoughtsDevelopPersonality
Asublimethoughtelevatesthemindandexpandstheheartabasethoughtexcitesthemindandrenders
thefeelingsmorbidanddark.
Thosewhohaveevenalittlecontrolovertheirthoughtsandspeechwillhaveacalm,serene,beautiful,
charmingface,asweetvoiceandtheireyeswillturnbrilliantandlustrous.
ThoughtsAffecttheBody
Everythoughtoremotionorwordproducesastrongvibrationineverycellofthebodyandleavesa
strongimpressionthere.
Ifyouknowthemethodofraisinganoppositethought,thenyoucanleadahappyharmoniouslifeof
peaceandpower.Thoughtoflovewillatonceneutralizeathoughtofhatred.Athoughtofcouragewill
immediatelyserveasapowerfulantidoteagainstathoughtoffear.
ThoughtPowerChangesDestiny
Mansowsathoughtandreapsanaction.Hesowsanactionandreapsahabit.Hesowsahabitand
reapsacharacter.Hesowsacharacterandreapsadestiny.
Manhasmadehisowndestinybyhisownthinkingandacting.Hecanchangehisdestiny.Heisthe
masterofhisowndestiny.Thereisnodoubtofthis.Byrightthinkingandstrongexertion,hecanbecome
themasterofhisdestiny.
Someignorantpeoplesay:Karmadoeseverything.Itisalldestiny.IfIamdestinedbymyKarmatobe
likethisorthatwhythenshouldIexert?Itismydestinyonly.
Thisisfatalism.Thiswillbringinertia,stagnationandmisery.Thisisperfectmisunderstandingofthelaws
ofKarma.Thisisafallaciousargument.Anintelligentmanwillcertainlynotputsuchaquestion.Youhave
madeyourowndestinyfromwithinbyyourthoughtsandactions.
Youhaveafreewilltochoosenow.YouhavegotSvatantratainaction.Arogueisnotaneternalroguefor
alltimes.Puthiminthecompanyofasaint.Hewillchangeinnotime.Hewillthinkandactnowina
differentwayandwillchangehisdestiny.Hewillbecomesaintlyincharacter.
DacoitRatnakarwaschangedintoSageValmiki.JagaiandMadaiweretransformed.Theywererogues
ofthefirstwaters.YoucanbecomeaYogioraJnani.Youcanmakeyourdestiny.Youcanmakeyour
Karmainanywayyoulike.UsethePowerofThought.Thinkrightly,thinknobly.Youwillhaveonlyto
think,andtoact.Byrightthinking,byrightdesiring,byrightacting,youcanbecomeaSage,amillionaire.
YoucanattainthepositionofIndraorBrahmabygoodthoughtandaction,bygoodKarma.Manisnota
helplessbeing.Hehasafreewillofhisown.
ThoughtsCausePhysiologicalDisorders
Everychangeinthoughtmakesavibrationinyourmentalbodyandthiswhentransmittedtothephysical
bodycausesactivityinthenervousmatterofyourbrain.Thisactivityinthenervouscellscausesmany
electricalandchemicalchangesinthem.Itisthoughtactivitywhichcausesthesechanges.
Intensepassion,hatred,longstandingbitterjealousy,corrodinganxiety,fitsofhottemperactuallydestroy
thecellsofthebodyandinducediseasesoftheheart,liver,kidneys,spleenandstomach.
Itisapointworthytonotewithcarethateverycellinthebodysuffersorgrows,receivesalifeimpulseor
adeathimpulse,fromeverythoughtthatentersthemind,foryoutendtogrowintotheimageofthat
whichyouthinkaboutmost.
Whenthemindisturnedtoaparticularthoughtanddwellsonit,adefinitevibrationofmatterissetup
andoften,moreofthisvibrationiscaused,themoredoesittendtorepeatitselftobecomeahabit,to
becomeautomatic.Thebodyfollowsthemindandimitatesitschanges.Ifyouconcentrateyourthought
theeyesbecomefixed.
ThoughtPowerCreatesEnvironments
Itisoftensaidthatmanistheresultofhisenvironmentalforces.Thisisnottrue.Wecannotbelievethis,
becausethefactsalwaysprovethecontrary.Manyoftheworldsgreatestmenhavebeenborninpoverty
andinadversecircumstances.
Manywhohavebeenbornintheslumsandfilthysurroundingshaverisentothehigheststatusinthe
world.Theyhavewonlaurelsoffameanddistinguishedthemselvesinpolitics,literatureandpoetry.They
havebecomebrilliantgeniusesandbeaconlightsoftheworld.Howdoyouaccountforthis?
SriT.MutthuswamyAiyar,thefirstIndianHighCourtJudgeinMadraswasborninabsolutepoverty.He
hadtostudyatnightundermunicipallanterns.Hehadnotsufficientfood.Hewascladinrags.He
struggledhardandachievedgreatness.Heroseabovetheenvironmentalforcesbyhisstrongwillpower
andirondetermination.
IntheWest,sonsofcobblersandfishermenhaverisentoveryhighposition.Boyswhodidpolishingof
bootsinthestreetsandwhoweresellingbeerinbarsandwerecookinginhotelshavebecomefamous
poetsandablejournalists.
Johnsonwasplacedinquiteadverseenvironments.Goldsmithwaspassingrichwith40poundsayear.
SirWalterScottwasverypoor.Hehadnoplacetolivein.ThelifeofJamesRamsayMacdonaldisworth
mentioning.HewasamanofgreatPurushartha.Herosefrompovertytopowerfromthefieldoflabour
tothestatusofPrimeMinisterofBritain.Hisfirstjobwasaddressingenvelopesfor10Shillingsaweek.
Hewastoopoortobuyteasohedrankwaterinstead.Hismainmealeverydayformonthswasathree
pennybeefsteakpudding.Hewasapupilteacher.HetookgreatinterestinPoliticsandScience.Hewas
ajournalist.Hegraduallythroughrightexertion(Purushartha)rosetothepositionofaPrimeMinister.
SriSankaracharya,theexponentofAdvaitaphilosophy,aspiritualgiantandabrilliantgeniuswasbornin
poor,unfavourableenvironmentsandcircumstances.Therearethousandandoneinstanceslikethese.It
isquiteobvious,therefore,thatunfavourableenvironmentscannotannihilatethepotentialgreatnessand
excellenceofthefuturegeniusesandthatonecanoutgrowenvironmentsbydiligentapplication,
patience,perseverance,truthfulness,honesty,integrity,sincerityofpurpose,ironwillandstrong
determination.
EverymanisbornwithhisSamskaras.Themindisnotatabularasaorablanksheetofpaper.It
containstheimpressionsofthoughtsandactionsofthepreviousbirths.Samskarasarethelatent
potentialities.ThesegoodSamskarasarevaluableassetsforman.Eventhoughheisplacedin
unfavourableenvironments,theseSamskarasgivehimprotectionfromextraneous,undesirable,hostile
influences.Theyhelphisgrowthandevolution.
Missnotanyopportunity.Availyourselfofallopportunities.Everyopportunityismeantforyourupliftand
development.Ifyouseeasickmanlyingdownontheroadsideinahelplesscondition,takehimonyour
shouldersorvehicletothenearesthospital.Nursehim.Givehimhotmilkorteaorcoffee.Shampoohis
legswithDivineBhava.
Feeltheallpervading,allpermeating,interpenetratingindwellingGodinhim.Seedivinityintheglowin
hiseyes,inhiscry,inhisbreath,inhispulsationandmotionofhislungs.
Godhasgiventhisopportunityforyoutodevelopmercyandlove,topurifyyourheartandtoremove
Ghrina,hatredandjealousy.Sometimesifyouareverytimid,Godwillplaceyouinsuchcircumstances
whereinyouwillbeforcedtoexhibitcourageandpresenceofmindbyriskingyourlife.Theseworld
figureswhohaverisentoeminencehaveutilizedallopportunitiestothebestadvantage.Godshapesthe
mindsofhumanbeingsbygivingthemopportunities.
Rememberthatinyourweaknessliesthestrength,becauseyouwillbealwaysonyouralerttosafeguard
yourself.Povertyhasgotitsownvirtues.Povertyinfuseshumility,strength,powerofenduranceand
luxurybegetslaziness,pride,weakness,inertiaandallsortsofevilhabits.
Donotgrumble,therefore,ofbadenvironments.Createyourownmentalworldandenvironments.That
manwhotriestoevolveorgrowinadverseenvironmentswillbeaverystrongmanindeed.Nothingcan
shakehim.Hewillbeofasternerstuff.Hewillhavestrongnerves.
Maniscertainlynotacreatureofenvironmentsorcircumstances.Hecancontrolandmodifythembyhis
capacities,character,thoughts,goodactionsandrightexertion(Purushartha).Tivra(intense)
Purusharthacanchangethedestiny.ThatisthereasonwhyVasishthaandBhishmahaveplaced
Purusharthaabovedestiny.Therefore,dearbrothers!Exert.Conquernatureandrejoiceintheeternal
SatchidanandaAtman.
ThoughtsFormthePhysicalBody
Thebodywithitsorgansisnootherthanthethought.Themindcontemplatinguponthebodybecomes
thebodyitself,andthenenmeshedinit,isafflictedbyit.
Thisphysicalbodyisthemouldasitwere,madebythemindforitsownenjoyment,foritsoutpouringof
energyandtherebygainingdifferentexperiencesofthisworldthroughthefiveavenuesorchannelsof
knowledge,thefiveJnanaIndriyas(organsofknowledgeorperception).Thebodyisreallyourthoughts,
moods,convictionsandemotionsobjectified,madevisibletothenakedeyes.
Allthebodieshavetheirseatinthemindonly.Withoutwatercanagardenexist?
Itisthemindwhichtransactsallbusinessandisthehighestofbodies.Shouldthisgrossbodybe
dissolved,themindwillassumefreshbodiestoitslikingveryquickly.Shouldthemindbeparalyzed,then
thebodywillnotevinceourintelligence.
Withthemajorityofmankind,thethoughtisgreatlyunderthecontrolofthebody.Theirmindsbeingvery
littledeveloped,theyliveinAnnamayaKosa,mostly.DeveloptheVijnanamayaKosaandthrough
VijnanamayaKosa(Buddhi)controltheManomayaKosa(mind).
Theerroneousthoughtthatyouarethebodyistherootofallevils.Throughwrongthinkingyouidentify
yourselfwiththebody.Dehadhyasaarises.Youareattachedtothebody.ThisisAbhimana.Then
Mamata(mineness)arises.Youidentifyyourselfwithyourwife,children,house,etc.Itisidentificationor
attachmentthatbringsaboutbondage,miseryandpain.
ChapterFive
THEDEVELOPMENTOFTHOUGHTPOWER
AcquisitionofThoughtPowerbyMoralPurity
Amanwhospeaksthetruthandhasmoralpurityhasalwayspowerfulthoughts.Onewhohascontrolled
angerbylongpracticehastremendousthoughtpower.
IfaYogiwhosethoughtisverypowerfulspeaksoneword,itwillproducetremendousimpressiononthe
mindsofothers.
Virtuesliketruthfulness,earnestnessandindustryarethebestsourcesofmentalpower.Purityleadsto
wisdomandimmortality.Purityisoftwokinds,internalormentalandexternalorphysical.
Mentalpurityismoreimportant.Physicalpurityisalsoneeded.Withtheestablishmentofinternalmental
purity,cheerfulnessofmind,onepointedmind,conquestofIndriyasandfitnessfortherealizationofthe
Selfareobtained.
ThoughtPowerbyConcentration
Thereisnolimittothepowerofhumanthought.Themoreconcentratedthehumanmindis,themore
powerisbroughttobearononepoint.
Theraysofthemindarescatteredinthecaseoftheworldlymindedpersons.Thereisdissipationof
mentalenergyinvariousdirections.Forpurposesofconcentration,thesescatteredrayshavetobe
gatheredbythepracticeofconcentrationandthenthemindmustbemadetoturntowardsGod.
Cultivateattention,youwillhavegoodconcentration.Aserenemindisfitforconcentration.Keepthemind
serene.Becheerfulalways.Thenalonecanyouconcentrate.Beregularinyourconcentration.Sitinthe
sameplace,atthesametime,4a.m.
Celibacy,Pranayama,reductionofwantsandactivities,dispassion,silence,seclusion,disciplineofthe
senses,Japa,controlofanger,givingupreadingnovels,newspapersandvisitingcinemasareallaidsto
concentration.
Toomuchphysicalexertion,toomuchtalking,toomucheating,toomuchmixingwithworldlypersons,too
muchwalking,toomuchsexualindulgence,areobstaclestoconcentration.
ThoughtPowerbyOrganizedThinking
Destroyrandomthinking.Takeasubjectandthinkofitsdifferentaspectsandbearing.Whenyouthinkso
ononesubject,neverallowanyotherthoughttoentertheconsciousmind.Withdrawthemindagainto
thesubjectonhand.
Takeforinstance,youbegintothinkonthelifeandteachingsofJagadguruAdiSankaracharya.Thinkof
hisbirthplace,hisearlylife,hischaracter,hispersonality,hisvirtues,histeachings,hiswritings,his
philosophy,someoftheimportantutteringsofhisworksorSlokas,theSiddhisthatheexhibitedfromtime
totime,hisDigvijaya,hisfourdisciples,hisfourMutts,hiscommentaryontheGita,theUpanishadsand
theBrahmaSutras.Thinkoftheseitemsonebyoneinorder.Exhaustthem.Againandagain,bringthe
mindtothepoint.Thentakeupanothersubject.
Bythispractice,youwilldeveloporganizedthinking.Thementalimageswillgainintensestrengthand
force.Theywillbecomeclearcutandwelldefined.Inordinarypersonsthementalimagesaredistorted
andundefined.
ThoughtPowerbyWillpower
Everysensualthoughtrejected,everytemptationresisted,everyharshwordwithheld,everynoble
aspirationencouraged,helpsyoutodevelopwillpowerorsoulforceandtakesyounearerandnearerto
theGoal.
Withstrongfeeling,repeatmentally:Mywillispowerful,pureandirresistible.OMOMOM.Icando
everythingthroughmywill.OMOMOM.Ihaveaninvinciblewill.OMOMOM.
Willisthedynamicsoulforce.Whenitoperatesallthementalpowerssuchasthepowerofjudgment,
powerofmemory,powerofgrasping,powerofconversation,reasoningpower,powerofdiscrimination,
powerofreflectionandinferenceallthesecomeintoinstantplay.
Willisthekingofmentalpowers.Whenrenderedpureandirresistible,thoughtandwillcanwork
wonders.Willbecomesimpureandweakthroughvulgarpassions,loveofpleasuresanddesires.The
lesserthenumberofdesires,thestrongeristhethoughtpower,andthewill.Whensexualenergy,the
muscularenergy,anger,etc.,aretransmutedintothewillforcetheyarecontrolled.Thereisnothing
impossibleonearthforamanofstrongwillpower.
Whenyougiveupanoldhabitofdrinkingcoffee,youhavecontrolledtoacertainextentthesenseof
taste,destroyedoneVasana,andhaveeliminatedthecravingforit.Asthereisfreedomfromtheefforts
toprocurecoffeeandalsofromthehabitoftakingit,youwillgainsomepeace.Theenergyinvolvedin
thehankeringforcoffee,andwhichwasagitatingyou,willnowbeconvertedintothepowerofwill.Bythis
conquestoveronedesire,yougainwillpowerandifyouconquersomefifteensuchdesires,yourwill
powerwillbefifteentimesstrongerandmorepowerful.Andthisconquest,byimpartingstrengthtothe
will,willhelpyouconquerotherdesires,too.
Unruffledstateofthemind,poise,cheerfulness,innerstrength,capacitytoturnoutdifficultworks,
successinallundertakings,powertoinfluencepeople,amagneticanddynamicpersonality,magnetic
auraontheface,sparklingeyes,steadygaze,powerfulvoice,magnanimousgait,unyieldingnature,
fearlessness,etc.,aresomeofthesignsorsymptomsthatindicatethatoneswillisgrowing.
SimplePrescriptionsforClearThinking
Thementalimagesofthecommonmanaregenerallyverydistorted.Hedoesnotknowwhatdeep
thinkingis.Histhoughtsrunriot.Thereisagreatdealofconfusioninhismind,sometimes.
Itisonlythinkers,philosophersandYoginswhohavewelldefined,clearcut,mentalimages.Theycanbe
seenthroughclairvoyanceveryvividly.Thosewhopracticeconcentrationandmeditationdevelopstrong,
wellformedmentalimages.
Mostofyourthoughtsarenotwellgrounded.Theycomeandslipaway.Theyare,therefore,vagueand
indefinite.Theimagesarenotclear,strongandwelldefined.
Youwillhavetoreinforcethembyclear,continuousanddeepthinking.ThroughVichara,ratiocination,
Mananaordeepreflectionandmeditation,youwillhavetomakethethoughtssettledownandcrystallize
intoadefiniteshape.Thenthephilosophicalideawillbecomefirm.
Throughrightthinking,reasoning,introspectionandmeditation,youwillhavetoclarifyyourideas.Then
confusionwillvanish.Thethoughtswillgetsettledandwellgrounded.
Thinkclearly.Clarifyyourideasagainandagain.Introspectinsolitude.Purifyyourthoughtstoa
considerabledegree.Silencethethoughts.
Dontallowthemindtobubble.Letonethoughtwaveriseandsettledowncalmly.Thenallowanother
thoughttoenter.Driveoffallextraneousthoughtsthathavenoconnectionwiththesubjectmatteryou
arehandlingatthepresentmoment.
SadhanaforDeepandOriginalThinking
Mostofusdonotknowwhatrightthinkingis.Thinkingisshallowinthevastmajorityofpersons.Deep
thinkingisgiventofew.Thinkersareveryfewinthisworld.
DeepthinkingneedsintenseSadhana(practice).Ittakesinnumerablebirthsfortheproperevolutionof
themind.Thenonlycanitthinkdeeplyandproperly.
IndependentandoriginalthinkingisresortedtobytheVedantins.VedanticSadhana(Manana,reflection)
demandsasharpintellect.
Hardthinking,persistentthinking,clearthinking,thinkingtotherootsofproblems,tothevery
fundamentalsofthesituation,totheverypresuppositionsofallthoughtsandbeingistheveryessenceof
VedanticSadhana.
Youwillhavetoabandonanoldidea,howeverstrongandingraineditmaybe,whenyougetanew
elevatingideainitsstead.
Ifyouhavenocouragetofacetheresultsofyourthinking,toswallowtheconclusionsofyourthinking,
whatevertheymaymeantoyoupersonally,youshouldnevertakethetroubletophilosophize.Takeupto
devotion.
MeditationforAppliedandSustainedThinking
Beingagreatforce,thoughtcarriestremendouspower.Itbecomesamatterofgreatmomenttoknow
howtousethispowerinthehighestpossiblewayandtothegreatestpossibleeffect.Thiscanbestbe
donebythepracticeofmeditation.
Appliedthinkingappliesthemindtotheobjectandsustainedthinkingkeepsitcontinuallyengaged
rapturebringsabouttheexpandingandblissofthedevelopingmindwhosemotivesfornondistraction
havebeenaccomplishedbythosetwokindsofthinking.
Meditationcanarisewhenappliedandsustainedthinking,rapture,blissandcollectednessofmindarise.
AcquireCreativeThoughtPower
Thoughtisavitallivingforcethemostvital,subtleandirresistibleforcethatexistsintheuniverse.
Thoughtsarelivingthingstheymovetheypossessform,shape,colour,quality,substance,powerand
weight.
Thoughtistherealactionitrevealsitselfasadynamicforce.
Athoughtofjoycreatessympatheticallyathoughtofjoyinothers.Thebirthofanoblethoughtisapotent
antidotetocounteractanevilthought.
Throughtheinstrumentalityofexercisedpositivethought,wecometoacquirecreativepower.
DevelopIndividuality:ResistSuggestions
Donotbeeasilyinfluencedbythesuggestionsofothers.Haveyourownsenseofindividuality.Astrong
suggestion,thoughitdoesnotinfluencethesubjectimmediately,willoperateinduecourse.Itwillnever
goinvain.
Weallliveinaworldofsuggestions.Ourcharacterisdailymodifiedunconsciouslybyassociationwith
others.
Weunconsciouslyimitatetheactionsofthosewhomweadmire.Wedailyabsorbthesuggestionsof
thosewithwhomwecomeindailycontact.Weareacteduponbythesesuggestions.Amanofweakmind
yieldstothesuggestionsofamanofstrongmind.
Theservantisalwaysundertheinfluenceofthesuggestionsofhismaster.Thewifeisunderthe
influenceofthesuggestionsofherhusband.Thepatientisundertheinfluenceofthesuggestionsofthe
doctor.Thestudentisundertheinfluenceoftheteacher.
Customisnothingbuttheproductofsuggestion.Thedressthatyouputon,themanners,thebehaviour
andeventhefoodthatyoueatarealltheoutcomeofsuggestionsonly.
Naturesuggestsinvariousways.Therunningrivers,theshiningsun,fragrantflowers,thegrowingtrees,
areallincessantlysendingyousuggestions.
SupernormalPowersbyThoughtdiscipline
Apowerfuloccultisthypnotizesthewholeaudiencecollectivelythroughhispowerofconcentrationandwill
andperformstheropetrick.Hethrowsaredropeintheair,givessuggestiontotheonlookersthathewill
climbintheairthroughthisropeanddisappearsfromtheplatforminthetwinklingofaneye.Butnothing
isrecordedwhenaphotographistaken.
Understandandrealizethepowersofthought.Unfoldthehiddenpowersoroccultfaculties.Closethe
eyes.Concentrate.Explorethehigherregionsofthemind.
Youcanseedistantobjects,heardistantvoices,sendmessagestodistantplaces,healpersonswhoare
atadistanceandmoveabouttoadistantplaceinthetwinklingofaneye.
ChapterSix
THOUGHTSTHEIRVARIETIESANDTHEIRCONQUEST
GetOverGloomyThoughts
Verycarefullywatchallyourthoughts.Supposeyouareassailedbygloomythoughts.Youexperience
depression.Takeasmallcupofmilkortea.Sitcalmly.Closeyoureyes.Findoutthecauseforthe
depressionandtrytoremovethecause.
Thebestmethodtoovercomethegloomythoughtsandtheconsequentdepression,istothinkof
inspiringthoughtsandinspiringthings.Rememberagain,positiveovercomesnegative.Thisisagrand
effectivelawofnature.
Nowthinkstronglyoftheoppositethoughts,theoppositeofgloom.Thinkofthosethingsthatelevateyour
mindthinkofcheerfulness.Imaginetheadvantageofcheerfulness.Feelthatyouareinactual
possessionofthisquality.
Againandagainrepeattheformula:OMCHEERFULNES,mentally.Feel,Iamverycheerful.Beginto
smileandlaughseveraltimes.
Sing:sometimesthiscanelevateyouquickly.Singingisverybeneficialtodriveoffgloom.ChantOM
loudlyseveraltimes.Runintheopenair.Thedepressionwillvanishsoon.ThisisthePratipaksha
BhavanamethodofRajaYogins.Thisistheeasiestmethod.
Themethodofdrivinggloombyforcebywilling,byassertions,bycommandtaxesthewillverymuch
althoughitisthemostefficient.Itdemandsgreatstrengthofwill.Ordinarypeoplewillnotsucceed.The
methodofdisplacingordislocatingthenegativefeelingbysubstitutingtheopposite,positivefeeling,is
veryeasy.Withinaveryshorttime,theundesirablefeelingvanishes.Practicethisandfeel.Evenifyou
failseveraltimes,continue.Youwillbesuccessfulaftersomesittingsandsomepractice.
Youcantreatinthesamemannerothernegativethoughtsandfeelingsaswell.Ifthereisthefeelingof
angerthinkoflove.Iftherearethoughtsofjealousy,thinkoftheadvantagesofcharitablenessand
magnanimity.Iftherearethoughtsofgloom,thenthinkofsomeinspiringscenerythatyousawsometime
ago,orrecalltomindsomeinspiringpassage.
Ifthereisharshnessofheart,thinkofmercy.Ifthereislust,thinkoftheadvantageofcelibacy.Ifthereis
dishonesty,thinkofhonesty,integrity.Ifthereismiserliness,thinkofgenerosityandgenerouspersons.
IfthereisinfatuationorMoha,thinkofdiscriminationandAtmicVicharaifthereispride,thinkofhumility.
Ifthereishypocrisy,thinkoffranknessanditsinvaluableadvantages.Ifthereisjealousy,thinkofnobility
andmagnanimity.Ifthereistimidity,thinkofcourage,andsoon.
Youwilldriveoffthenegativethoughtsandfeelingsandwillbeestablishedinapositivestate.Practiceof
acontinuedtypeisessential.Becarefulintheselectionofyourcompanions.Talkverylittleandthat,too,
onusefulmatters.
VictoryOverIntrusiveThoughts
Inthebeginningofyourpracticeofthoughtcontrolyouwillexperiencegreatdifficulty.Youwillhaveto
wagewarwiththem.Theywillstruggletheirlevelbestfortheirownexistence.Theywillsay,Wehave
everyrighttoremaininthispalaceofmind.Wehaveasolemonopolyfromtimeimmemorialtooccupy
thisarea.Whyshouldwevacateourdominionnow?Wewillfightforourbirthrighttilltheend.
Theywillpounceuponyouwithgreatferocity.Whenyousitformeditationonly,allsortsofevilthoughts
willcropup.Asyouattempttosuppressthemtheywanttoattackyouwithredoubledforceandvigour.
Butpositivealwaysovercomesthenegative.
Justasdarknesscannotstandbeforethesun,justastheleopardcannotstandbeforethelionsoalsoall
thesedarknegativethoughtstheseinvisibleintruders,enemiesofpeacecannotstandbeforethe
sublimedivinethoughts.Theymustdiebythemselves.
DriveAwayObnoxiousThoughts
Driveawayfromyourmindallunnecessary,uselessandobnoxiousthoughts.Uselessthoughtsimpede
yourspiritualgrowthobnoxiousthoughtsarestumblingblockstospiritualadvancement.
YouareawayfromGodwhenyouentertainuselessthoughts.SubstitutethoughtsofGod.Entertainonly
thoughtsthatarehelpfulanduseful.Usefulthoughtsarethesteppingstonestospiritualgrowthand
progress.
Donotallowthemindtorunintotheoldgroovesandtohaveitsownwaysandhabits.Beonthecareful
watch.
Ifapebbleinourboottormentsus,weexpelit.Wetakeoffthebootandshakeitout.Oncethematteris
fairlyunderstood,itisjustaseasytoexpelanintrudingandobnoxiousthoughtfromthemind.Aboutthis
thereoughttobenodoubt,notwoopinions.Thethingisobvious,clearandunmistakable.
Itshouldbeaseasytoexpelanobnoxiousthoughtfromyourmindasitistoshakeastoneoutofyour
shoeand,tillamancandothat,itisjustnonsensetotalkabouthisascendancyandconquestover
nature.Heisamereslaveandpreytothebatwingedphantomsthatflitthroughthecorridorofhisbrain.
MasterWorldlyThoughts
Worldlythoughtswilltroubleyoualotinthebeginningofyournewlifeofthoughtculture.Theytrouble
you,alsowhenyoutaketothepracticeofmeditationandspirituallife.But,ifyouareregularinyour
cultivationofspiritualthoughtsandinyourmeditation,theseworldlythoughtswillgraduallydieby
themselves.
Meditationisafiretoburnthesethoughts.Donottrytodriveallworldlythoughts.Entertainpositive
thoughtsconcerningtheobjectofyourmeditation.Positivelythinkoftheloftythings.
Watchyourmindalwaysverycarefully.Bevigilant.Beonthealert.Donotallowwavesofirritability,
jealousy,anger,hatred,lust,torisefromthemind.Thesedarkwavesandworldlythoughtsareenemies
ofmeditation,peaceandwisdom.
Conquerthemimmediatelybyentertainingsublimedivinethoughts.Worldlythoughtsthathavearisen
maybedestroyedbyoriginatinggoodthoughtsandmaintainingthembyrepeatinganyMantraorthe
NameoftheLord,bythinkingonanyformoftheLord,bypracticeofPranayama,bysingingtheNameof
theLord,bydoinggoodactions,bythinkingonthemiserythatarisesfromtheworldlythoughts.
Whenyouattainastateofpurity,noworldlythoughtswilltaketheirriseinyourmind.Justasitiseasyto
checktheintruderorenemyatthegate,soalsoitiseasytoovercomeaworldlythoughtassoonasit
rises.Nipitinthebud.Donotallowittostrikeadeeproot.
ConquerImpureThoughts
Whenyouareverybusyinyourdailywork,youmaynotharbouranyimpurethoughtbutwhenyoutake
restandleavethemindblank,theimpurethoughtswilltrytoenterinsidiously.Youmustbecarefulwhen
themindisrelaxed.
Thoughtsgainstrengthbyrepetition.Ifyouentertainanimpurethoughtorgoodthoughtonce,this
impurethoughtorgoodthoughthasatendencytorecuragain.
Thoughtscrowdtogetherjustasthebirdsofthesamefeatherflocktogether.Soalso,ifyouentertainone
impurethoughtallsortsofimpurethoughtsjointogetherandattackyou.Ifyouentertainanygood
thought,allgoodthoughtsjointogethertohelpyou.
SubdueNegativeThoughts
Learntosubdue,topurify,toorderallyourthoughts.Fightagainstallnegativethoughtsanddoubts.Let
sublimedivinethoughtscometoyoufromeveryside.
Thoughtsofdepression,failure,weakness,darkness,doubts,fear,etc.,arenegativethoughts.Cultivate
positivethoughtsofstrength,confidence,courage,cheerfulness.Thenegativethoughtswilldisappear.
Fillthemindwithdivinethoughts,byJapa,Prayer,Dhyanaandstudyofholybooks.Beindifferenttoall
negativeandundivinethoughts.Theywillpassaway.Donotstrugglewiththem.PraytoGodforstrength.
Readthelivesofsaints.StudytheBhagavataandtheRamayana.Alldevoteeshavepassedthrough
similarordeals.So,takeheart.
OvercomeHabitualThoughts
Allsortsofhabitualthoughts,concerningthebody,thedress,thefood,andsoon,mustbeovercome
throughtheAtmaChintana,orreflectionontheNatureofthedivineSelfwithinonesownHeart.Thisis
anuphillwork.Itdemandspatient,incessantpracticeandinnerspiritualstrength.
Srutisemphaticallydeclare:ThisAtmancannotbeobtainedbyweakpersons.Sincereaspirants
dedicatetheirwholebeingtocontemplationoftheEternal,havingwithdrawntheiraffectionfromtheworld
ofsenseobjects.
ThosewhohavedestroyedtheVasanasandhostofhabitualthoughtswillenjoytheirfinalbeatitudeinthe
Brahmicseat,repletewithtrust,quiescenceandequality.Theywillhaveequalvisionoverall.This
mischievousandpowerfulmindgeneratesallpainsandallfears,allsortsofdiversities,heterogeneity,
distinctionsanddualitiesanddestroysallnoble,spiritualwealth.Slaythistroublesomemind.
Whentheseenandthesightmergeintooneanotherintheseer,thenistheexperienceofAnanda(bliss).
ThisisTuriyastate.ThenoneseestheillimitableJnana,Atmanonlyeverywhere.Allsortsofdistinctions
anddualitiesvanishnowentirely.
Thoughtsofattraction,andthoughtsofrepulsion,likesanddislikes,RagaDveshaareannihilatedintoto.
Thenthesagewillnotbeconsciousoftheexistenceofthebody,thoughworkinginit.Hewillneverlose
hiscontrolevenamidstthemanyillusionsoftheworld,likeawomanwhoperformsherhouseholdduties
whilsthermindisengrossedinherparamouratadistance.Thesagewillalwayscentrehismindon
Brahman.
MayyoualwaysbeperformingonlythosevirtuousactionsthatwillhelpyouintheattainmentofJnana,
withoutanythoughtofworldlyprosperityinthefuture.MayyoulivedrownedintheoceanofBrahmic
Delight,inastateoffullillumination,havingdestroyedalldualities,distinctionsanddifferences!
TriumphOverUnimportantThoughts
Donottrytodriveawaytheunimportantandirrelevantthoughts.Themoreyoutry,themoretheywill
return,themoretheywillgainstrength.Youwilltaxyourenergyandwill.
Becomeindifferent.Fillthemindwithdivinethoughts.Theywillgraduallyvanish.Getyourselfestablished
inNirvikalpaSamadhithroughconstantmeditation.
Removaloftensioninthemusclesofthebodybringsreposeandcalmnesstothemind.Byrelaxationyou
giveresttothemind,tirednervesandtheoverworkedmuscles.Youwillgetimmensepeaceofmind,
strengthandvigour.Whenyoupracticerelaxationofeitherbodyormind,thebrainshouldnotbe
occupiedwithvarioussortsoflooseextraneousthoughts.Anger,disappointment,failure,indisposition,
misery,sorrow,quarrelscauseinternalmentalstrain.Expelthem.
TransformInstinctiveThoughts
Thinkingisoffourkinds,viz.,symbolicthinking,instinctivethinking,impulsivethinkingandhabitual
thinking.
Thinkingthroughwordsissymbolicthinking.Instinctsaremorepowerfulthanimpulses.Thoughtsof
body,food,drink,bath,etc.,arehabitualthinking.
Youcanstopeasilysymbolicthinking.Itisdifficulttostopinstinctiveandimpulsivethinking.
Mentalpoiseandcalmnessmaybebroughtaboutbytheeradicationofworryandanger.Fearreally
underliesbothworryandanger.Becarefulandthoughtful.Allunnecessaryworriesshouldbeavoided.
Thinkofcourage,joy,bliss,peaceandcheerfulness.Sitforfifteenminutesinarelaxedstateinaneasy
comfortableposition.
Youcanlieonaneasychair.Closeyoureyes.Withdrawthemindfromoutsideobjects.Stillthemind.
Silencethebubblingthoughts.
LessentheNumberofHabitualThoughts
Generally,inuntrainedpersons,fourorfivekindsofthoughtsoccupythemindatatime.Household
thoughts,businessthoughts,thoughtsofoffice,thoughtsofbody,thoughtsoffoodanddrink,hopeand
anticipation,somekindofplanningtogetmoney,somekindofthoughtsofrevenge,somehabitual
thoughtsofansweringcallsofnature,bathing,etc.,occupythemindatatime.
Whenyouarestudyingabookwithinterestat3.30p.m.theideaofpleasureofwitnessingacricket
matchat4p.m.disturbsyourstudyeverynowandthen.ItisonlyaYogiwithonepointedmind,whocan
haveonlyonethoughtatatimeandcankeepitaslongashelikes.
Ifyouwatchthemindcarefully,youwillfindthatmanythoughtsareinconsistent.Themindwandersat
randomaimlessly.Therewillbesomethoughtsofthebodyanditswants,somethoughtsoffriends,some
thoughtsofacquiringmoney,somethoughtsofeatinganddrinking,somethoughtsofyourboyhood,etc.
Ifyoucanstudythemindandifyouhaveconsistentthoughtsofonesubjectoronekindonlytothe
exclusionofallotherthoughts,thisitselfisaverygreatachievement,isagreatstepinadvancementin
thoughtcontrol.Donotbediscouraged.
GatherInspirationalThoughts
Thegoaloflifeistheattainmentofdivineconsciousness.Thisgoalistherealizationthatyouareneither
thisperishablebodynorthatchangingandfinitemind,butyouareallpure,everfreeAtman.
RememberalwaysthisinspiringthoughtAjoNityahSasvatoyamPurano:Unborn,Eternal,Permanentis
thisAncientOne.Thisisyourrealnature.Youarenotthislittlepassingpersonalityhookedontoaname
andform.YouarenotRamaswamyorMukherjiorMehtaorMattheworGardeorApte.Youhaveonly
fallenintothislittledelusionbyanaccidentthroughsomepassingcloudofignorance.Awakeandrealize
thatyouarePureAtman.
ThereisanotherwonderfulUpanishadicinspirationalthought.ItisIsavasyamidamSarvam:everycontent
oftheuniverseisthrobbingwiththeLifeoftheLord.Smilewiththeflowersandthegreengrass.Smile
withtheshrubs,fernsandtwigs.Developfriendshipwithallneighbours,dogs,cats,cows,humanbeings,
trees,infact,withallnaturescreations.Youwillhaveaperfectandrichlife.
ReflectOverIlluminatingThoughts
Ifyouwanttodevelopyourthoughtpower,ifyouwanttobuildupyourpersonalityandbecomegreat,
alwayskeepwithyousomebooksofinspiringandilluminatingthoughts.Readthemoverandoveragain,
untiltheybecomepartofyourdailyactionandliving.
Hereisalistofsomeilluminatingthoughts,forreflection:
1.Acleanconsciencemakesastoutheartandastrongmind.
2.Povertyistheelderbrotheroflaziness.
3.KnowledgeoftheSelfisthegreatesttreasure.Meditationisthekeytoknowledge.
RightThoughtsforWrongThoughts
Thoughtsofpassionandlust,shouldbeconqueredbyanearnestpracticeofBrahmacharya,byintense
aspirationtorealizetheTruth,toknowGod,bymeditatingonthegreatadvantagesofpurity.
Thoughtsofhatredandangershouldbecontrolledbygeneratingthoughtsoflove,forgiveness,mercy,
friendliness,peace,patienceandnonviolence.
Prideandthoughtsconnectedwithpridemustbecontrolledbyasystematicmentalexaminationofthe
valueofcultivatinghumility.
Thoughtsofgreed,grabbingandpossessivenessshouldbedispelledbypursuitofhonesty,
disinterestedness,generosity,contentmentandnoncovetousness.
Nobilityandmagnanimity,complacencyandgreatnessofheart,willhelpyougetoverallthoughtsof
narrowness,jealousy,meanness.
Delusionandinfatuationarebestconqueredbythedevelopmentofdiscrimination.Vanityisovercomeby
amanysidedsimplicity,arrogancebypoliteness.
TheGamutofThoughts
Therearevariouskindsofthoughts.Thereareinstinctivethoughts.Therearevisualthoughts.Thereare
auditorythoughts(thinkingintermsofhearing).Therearesymbolicthoughts(thinkingintermsof
symbols).Somethoughtsarehabitual.
Therearekinestheticthoughts(thinkingintermsofmovement,asinplayingagame).Thereare
emotionalthoughts.Thoughtschangefromthevisualstagetoauditorystageandfromauditoryto
kinesthetic.
Thereisintimateconnectionbetweenthinkingandrespirationasthereiscloserelationbetweenmindand
Prana.Whenthemindisconcentrated,breathingbecomesslow.Ifonethinksfasttherespirationalso
becomesfast.Thereisathoughtreadingmachineknownaspsychographwhichregisterscorrectlythe
typeofthoughts.
MeanThoughtsandMoralDevelopment
Uncontrolledthoughtsaretherootsofallevils.Eachthoughtbyitselfisextremelyweak,becausethe
mindisgenerallydistractedbycountlessandevervaryingthoughts.
Themorethethoughtsarerestrained,themoreisthemindconcentrated,andconsequentlythemore
doesitgaininstrengthandpower.
Itdemandspatientworktodestroymeanandbasethoughtsbuttheentertainmentofsublimethoughtsis
theeasiestandrapidmethodofdestroyingbasethoughts.Ignorantofthelawsofthoughts,theworldly
mindedindividualfallsapreytoallsortsofthoughtsthoughtsofhatred,anger,revenge,lustand
growsweakwilled,deficientinpowersofdiscernment,andslaveoftheadversesubtleworkingsofthe
mind.
Thebestmethodofgainingmentalpowerisbyentertainingsublime,nobleandgoodthoughtsand
throughtheiraidcontrollingthedissipative,distractive,diversifying,worldlyandbasethoughts.
Whenallevilthoughtharassesthemind,thebestmethodofconqueringitisbyignoringit.Howcanwe
ignoreanevilthought?Byforgettingit.Howcanweforget?Bynotindulginginitagain,andalsobynot
broodingoverit.
Howcanwepreventthemindfromindulginginitagainorbroodingoverit?Bythinkingofsomethingvery
interesting,somethingsublimeandinspiring.Ignore,forget,thinkofsomethinginspiringthesethree
constitutethegreatSadhanaforestablishingmasteryoverevilthoughts.
ChapterSeven
POSITIVEMETHODSFORTHOUGHTCONTROL
ThoughtcontrolbyPracticeofConcentration
Silencethebubblingthoughts.Calmthesurgingemotions.Concentrateonaconcreteforminthe
beginning.Concentrateonaflower,ontheformofLordBuddha,onanydreampicture,ontheeffulgent
lightoftheheart,onthepictureofanysaint,oryourIshtaDevata.
Havethreeorfoursittingsearlymorning,8a.m.,4p.m.and8p.m.Devoteesconcentrateontheheart,
RajaYoginsonTrikuti(theseatofthemind),VedantinsontheAbsolute.Trikutiisthespacebetweenthe
eyebrows.
Youcanalsoconcentrateonthetipofthenose,thenaval,ortheMuladhara(belowthelastvertebraof
thespinalcolumn).
Whenirrelevantthoughtsenterthemind,beindifferent.Theywillpassaway.Donotdrivethemforcibly.
Theywillpersistandresist.Itwilltaxyourwill.Theywillenterwithredoubledforce.Butsubstitutedivine
thoughts.Irrelevantthoughtswillgraduallyfadeout.Beslowandsteadyinthepracticeofconcentration.
Concentrationispracticedforstoppingthemodificationofthemind.Concentrationisholdingthemindto
oneformorobjectforalongtime.Toremovethetossingofthemindandvariousotherobstacleswhich
standinthewayofonepointedness,thepracticeofconcentrationononethingaloneshouldbemade.
Concentrationisopposedtosensuousthoughtsanddesires,blisstoflurryandworry,sustainedthinking
toperplexity,appliedthinkingtoslothandtorpor,rapturetoillwill.
Itiseasytoconcentratethemindonexternalobjects.Themindhasanaturaltendencytogooutwards.
KeepthepictureofSriKrishna,Rama,Narayana,DeviorLordJesusoranypicture,infrontofyou.Look
atitsteadilywithoutwinking.Gazeatthehead,thenatthebody,thenatthelegs.Repeatthesame
processagainandagain.Whenyourmindcalmsdownlookataparticularspotonly,thenclosetheeyes
andmentallyvisualizethepicture.
Youshouldbeabletovisualizethepictureveryclearlyeveninitsabsence.Youwillhavetocallupthe
mentalpictureatamomentsnotice.Keepittheresteadilyforsometime.Thisisconcentration.Youwill
havetopracticethisdaily.
Ifyouwanttoincreaseyourpowerofconcentration,youwillhavetoreduceyourworldlydesiresand
activities.Youwillhavetoobservesilenceeverydayforsomehours.Thenonlycanthemindconcentrate
veryeasilyandwithoutdifficulty.
Inconcentrationyouwillhaveonlyonethoughtorwaveinthemindlake.Themindassumestheformof
onlyoneobject.Allotheroperationsofthemindaresuspended.
ThoughtcontrolbyaPositiveAttitude
Trytoacquirethepowerofclosingyourselfagainstdetrimentalorundesirablethoughtsandinfluencesby
makingyourselfpositivebyaparticularattitudeofthemind.Bysodoing,youmaybereceptivetoall
higherimpulsesofthesoulwithinandtoallhigherforcesandinfluencesfromwithout.Makeasuggestion
toyourself,IclosemyselfImakemyselfpositivetoallthingsbelowandopenandreceptivetoallhigher
influences,toallthingsabove.Bytakingthisattitudeofthemind,consciously,nowandthen,itsoon
becomesahabit.
Allthelowerandundesirableinfluencesfromboththeseenandtheunseensidesoflifeareclosedout
whileallhigherinfluencesareinvitedand,inthedegreethattheyareinvited,theywillenter.
Inthemindthereisdoubtthereisrealityalso.AdoubtariseswhetherthereisaGodornot.Thisis
termedSamsayaBhavana.AnotherdoubtcropsupwhetherIcanrealizeBrahmanornot.Thenanother
voicetells:GodorBrahmanisreal.Heisasolid,concreteRealityasanAmalakafruitinmyhand.Heis
amassofknowledgeandAnanda(Prajnanaghana,Chidghana,Anandaghana).Icanrealize!
Wehaveclearlyunderstoodsomethingandtheseideasarewellgroundedandingrained.Someideas
arehazyandnotfirm.Theycomeandgo.Wewillhavetocultivateideasandgroundthemtilltheyare
firmlyfixedandimplanted.Clarificationofideaswillremoveperplexityandconfusioninthemind.Whena
doubtarises,WhetherthereisGodornot,whetherIwillsucceedinSelfrealizationornot,itmustbe
dispelledbywelldirectedsuggestionsandaffirmationssuchas:ItistrueIwillsucceed.Thereisno
doubtofthis.Inmydictionary,inmyvocabulary,therearenosuchwords,ascant,impossible,
difficult,etc.Everythingispossibleunderthesun.Nothingisdifficultwhenyoustronglymakeupyour
mind.Strongdeterminationandfirmresolutionwillbringsanguinesuccessineveryaffairorundertaking,
andparticularlysointheconquestofmind.
ThoughtcontrolbyNoncooperation
Noncooperatewiththemindinitsevilwanderings.Graduallythemindwillcomeunderyourcontrol.Here
isthepracticalmethodtononcooperatewiththemind.Ifthemindsays:Imusteattodaysweetmeats,
sayuntothemind:Iwillnotcooperatewithyoutoday.Iwillnoteatsweetmeats.Iwilleatonlybreadand
Dal.Ifthemindsays:Imustgotocinema,sayuntothemind:IwillattendtheSatsangaofSwami
RamanandaandhearhisdiscoursesontheUpanishads.Ifthemindsays:Imustwearasilkshirt,say
untothemind:IwillnotwearinfutureanysilkclothingIwillwearonlyKhaddar.Thisisthemethodto
noncooperatewiththemind.Noncooperationwiththemindisswimmingagainstthesensualcurrents.
Themindwillbethinnedoutandgraduallyitwillbecomeyourobedientservant.Youwillgainmastery
overthemind.
Theselfcontrolledman,movingamongtheobjectswithsensesunderrestraintandfreefromattraction
andrepulsion,attainstopeace.Themindandthesensesarenaturallyendowedwiththetwocurrentsof
attractionandrepulsion.Therefore,themindandthesenseslikecertainobjectsanddislikecertainother
objects.Butthedisciplinedmanmovesamongthesenseobjectswithamindandsensesfreefrom
attractionandrepulsion,masteredbySelf,andattainsthepeaceoftheEternal.
Thedisciplinedselfhasaverystrongwill.Therefore,thesensesandmindobeyhiswill.Thedisciplined
selftakesonlythoseobjectswhicharequitenecessaryforthemaintenanceofthebodywithoutanylove
orhatred.HenevertakesthoseobjectswhichareforbiddenbytheSastras.
ArtofThinningOutThoughts
Intherubberplantations,planterstakerecoursetothemethodofthinningouttherubbertreesbycutting
thesmallsurplustreeswhichstandinthevicinityofbigtrees.Bysodoingtheycantapmoremilk(rubber
juice)fromthebigtrees.Evenso,youmustthinoutthethoughtsbydestroyingthemonebyoneinorder
todrinktheambrosialmilkornectarofimmortality.
Justasyouretainonlythegoodfruitsfromthebasketanddiscardthebadones,soalso,keepgood
thoughtsinyourmindandrejectevilones.
Justasthewarriorchopsofftheheadsofenemies,onebyone,whentheycomeoutofafortressthrough
atrapdoor,soalso,chopoffthethoughts,onebyone,whentheyemergeoutthroughthetrapdoorto
thesurfaceofthemind.
Whenthetailofalizardiscut,thecutendwillflutteraboutforsometimeasthereisstillalittleresidual
Pranainthetail.Afteroneortwominutesallmotionwillcease.Evenso,evenafterthinningandreducing
thethoughts,somethoughtswillmoveaboutlikethetailofthelizard.Buttheyarepowerless.They
cannotdoanyseriousharm.Thereisnovitalityinthem.
Justasthedrowningmantriestocatchanythingtosavehimself,soalso,theselifelessthoughtstrytheir
levelbesttocomebacktotheirpreviousstateoflifeandvigour.Ifyougoonregularlywithyourdaily
practiceofconcentrationandmeditation,theywilldiebythemselveslikeagheelesslamp.
Passion,egoism,jealousy,prideandhatredareverydeeprooted.Ifyoucutthebranchesofatree,they
growagainaftersometime.Evenso,thesethoughtsthataresuppressedorthinnedoutforsometime,
manifestagainaftersometime.Theyshouldbecompletelyrootedoutbystrenuousefforts,Vichara,
meditation,etc.
ThoughtcontrolbyNapoleonsMethod
Whenyouthinkononesubject,donotallowotherthoughtstoenter.Whenyouthinkofarose,thinkof
thedifferentkindsofrosesonly.Donotallowotherthoughtstoenter.
Whenyouthinkofmercy,thinkofmercyandmercyonly.Donotthinkofforgivenessandtolerance.When
youstudytheGita,donotthinkofteaoracricketmatch.Bewhollyoccupiedwiththesubjectonhand.
Napoleoncontrolledhisthoughtsinthismanner:WhenIwanttothinkofthingsmorepleasant,Iclose
thecupboardsofmymindrevealingthemoreunpleasantthingsoflife,andopenupthecupboards
containingthemorepleasantthoughts.IfIwanttosleep,Icloseupallthecupboardsofmind!
ArresttheRecurrenceofEvilThoughts
Supposetheevilthoughtsstayinyourmindfortwelvehoursandrecureverythirdday.Ifyoucanmake
themstayfortenhoursandrecuronceinaweekbydailypracticeofconcentrationandmeditation,thatis
adecidedimprovement.Ifyoucontinueyourpractice,theperiodofstayandrecurrenceswillbegradually
lessened.
Eventuallytheywilldisappearaltogether.Compareyourpresentstateofmindwiththatoflastyearor
yearbeforelast.Youwillbeabletofindoutyourprogress.
Theprogresswillbeveryslowinthebeginning.Itwillbedifficultforyoutogaugeyourgrowthand
progress.
GivetheWrongThoughtNoConcession
Atfirstawrongthoughtentersthemind.Thenyouentertainastrongimagination.Youtakedelightin
dwellingonthatwrongthought.
Yougiveconsenttoitsstayinthemind,andgraduallythewrongthought,whenitisnotresisted,takesa
strongholdinyourmind.
Thenitbecomesverydifficulttodriveitoff.Theproverbgoes:Givearogueaninchandhewilltakean
ell.Thisistrueofwrongthoughtsalso.
NiptheBadThoughtinItsBud
Justasyoucloseyourdoororgatewhenadogoranasstriestocomein,soalso,closeyourmind
beforeanyevilthoughtcanenterandproduceanimpressiononyourphysicalbrain.Youwillbecome
wisesoonandattaineternal,infinitepeaceandbliss.
Wipeoutlust,greedandegoism.Entertainonlypureholythoughts.Thisisanuphilltask,adifficulttask.
Youwillhavetopracticeit.Youwillsucceedinyourattemptaftersometime.
Destructionofonebadthoughtwillgiveyoustrengthtoannihilateotherthoughtsandwilldevelopyour
soulforceorwillpower.
Neverdespairthoughyoumayfailincrushingabadthought.Nopains,nogains.Innerspiritualstrength
willgraduallymanifestinyou.Youcanfeelthis.
SpiritualPracticeforEliminationofEvilThoughts
Yourmindwillsometimesshudderwhenevilthoughtsenteryourmind.Thisisasignofyourspiritual
progress.Youaregrowingspiritually.Youwillbemuchtormentedwhenyouthinkofyourevilactions
committedinthepast.
Thisisalsoasignofyourspiritualupheaval.Youwillnotrepeatnowthesameactions.Yourmindwill
tremble.Yourbodywillquiverwheneverawrongthoughtofsomeevilactionurgesyoutodothesame
actthroughforceofhabit.Continueyourmeditationwithfullvigourandearnestness.Allmemoriesofevil
actions,allevilthoughts,allevilpromptingsofSatan,willdiebythemselves.Youwillbeestablishedin
perfectpurityandpeace.
Inthebeginningallsortsofevilthoughtswillariseinyourmindassoonasyousitformeditation.Why
doesthishappenduringmeditation,whenyouattempttoentertainpurethoughts?
Aspirantsleavetheirspiritualpracticeofmeditationonaccountofthis.Ifyoutrytodriveamonkey,it
attemptstopounceuponyouinvengeance.Evenso,theoldevilthoughtstrytoattackyourevengefully
andwithredoubledforceatthetimewhenyoutrytoraisegood,divinethoughts.Yourenemyendeavours
toresistyouvehementlywhenyoutrytoejecthimoutofyourhouse.
Thereisalawofresistanceinnature.Theoldevilthoughtsassertandsay,Oman!Donotbecruel.You
haveallowedustostayinyourmentalfactoryfromtimeimmemorial.Wehaveeveryrighttoabidehere.
Wehavehelpedyouuptothistimeinallyourevilactions.Whydoyouwanttooustusfromourdwelling
place?Wewillnotvacateourabode.Donotbediscouraged.Goonwithyourpracticeofmeditation
regularly.Theseevilthoughtswillbethinnedout.
Eventuallytheywillallperish.Positivealwaysovercomesnegative.Thisisthelawofnature.Negativeevil
thoughtscannotstandbeforepositivegoodthoughts.Courageovercomesfear.Patienceovercomes
angerandirritability.Loveovercomeshatred.Purityovercomeslust.
Theveryfactthatyoufeeluneasynowwhenanevilthoughtcomestothesurfaceofthemindduring
meditationindicatesthatyouaregrowinginspirituality.
Inthepastyouconsciouslyharbouredallsortsofevilthoughts.Youwelcomedandnourishedthem.
Persistinyourspiritualpractices.Betenaciousanddiligent.Youareboundtosucceed.Evenadulltype
ofaspirantwillnoticeamarvellouschangeinhimifhekeepsupthepracticeofJapaandmeditationfor2
or3yearsinacontinuousstream.Nowhecannotleavethepractice.Evenifhestopshispracticeof
meditationforaday,hewillactuallyfeelthathehaslostsomethingonthatday.Hismindwillbequite
uneasy.
BestRemediesforEvilThoughts
Whenthemindisvacant,evilthoughtstrytoenter.Evilthinkingisthebeginningorstartingpointof
adultery.Throughalustfullookonly,youhavealreadycommittedadulteryintheheart.Mentalactionsare
therealactions.Rememberthis!Godjudgesamanbyhismotivesworldlypeoplejudgeamanbyhis
externalphysicalactions.Youwillhavetolooktothemotiveoftheman.Thenyouwillnotbemistaken.
Keepthemindfullyoccupied.Thenevilthoughtswillnotenter.Anidlebrainisthedevilsworkshop.
Watchthemindeveryminute.
Alwaysengageyourselfinsomeworkstitching,cleaningvessels,sweeping,drawingwater,reading,
meditating,countingthebeads,singingdivinesongs,praying,servingtheeldersornursingthesick.
Avoidloosetalkandgossip.Fillthemindwithsublimethoughts,suchasthosecontainedintheGita,the
Upanishads,theYogavasishtha,etc.
DailyDisciplineofThoughts
Themindisamischievousimp.Itislikeajumpingmonkey.Itmustbedisciplineddaily.Onlythenwillit
graduallycomeunderyourcontrol.
Itisonlybythepracticaltrainingofyourmindthatyoucanpreventbadthoughtsandactionsfromarising
andcanwardoffbadthoughtsandactionsthathavearisenfromrecurrence.
Itisonlybypracticaltrainingofyourmindthatyoucanencouragegoodthoughtsandactionstoarise,
andcansustaingoodthoughtsandactionswhentheyhavearisen.
Hereisabeautifuldailyexerciseformentalrelaxation.Itwillpourintoyougreatinspirationandstrength.
Closetheeyes.Thinkofanythingthatispleasant.Thiswillrelaxthemindinawonderfulmanner.Thinkof
themightyHimalayas,thesacredGanga,thestrikingsceneryinKashmir,theTajMahal,theVictoria
MemorialinCalcutta,alovelysunset,thevastexpanseofoceanortheinfinitebluesky.
ImaginethatthewholeworldandyourbodyarefloatinglikeastrawinthisvastoceanofSpirit.Feelthat
youareintouchwiththeSupremeBeing.Feelthatthelifeofthewholeworldispulsating,vibratingand
throbbingthroughyou.FeelthatLordHiranyagarbha,theoceanofLife,isgentlyrockingyouonHisvast
bosom.Thenopenyoureyes.Youwillexperienceimmensementalpeace,vigourandstrength.Practice
thisandfeel.
ThoughtsandtheSnakeanalogy
Justasfruitisbornoftheseed,soalsodeedsarebornofthoughts.Goodthoughtsgenerategood
actions.Evilthoughtsproduceevilactions.
Harbourgoodthoughts.Repelevilthoughts.IfyoucultivategoodthoughtsbySatsanga,studyofreligious
books,prayer,etc.,evilthoughtswilldiebythemselves.
Justasyouremoveatoncethepebbleinyourshoethattroublesyou,soalso,youmustbeableto
removeatonceanytormentingthoughtfromyourmind.Onlythenhaveyougainedsufficientstrengthin
thecontrolofthought.Onlythenhaveyouattainedsomerealprogressinthespiritualpath.
Whenyougiveablowontheheadofasnakewithastickandcrushitshead,itremainsabsolutely
motionlessforsometime.Youthinkitisdead.Allofasuddenitraisesitsheadandrunsaway.Evenso,
thethoughtsthatwereoncecrushedandsuppressedbyyouregainstrengthandraisetheirheads.They
mustbedestroyedtotallybeyondresurrection.
WorldconquestbyThoughtconquest
ControlthethoughtsorSankalpas.Avoidimaginationordaydreaming.Themindwillbeannihilated.
ExtinctionofSankalpasaloneisMokshaorrelease.Themindisdestroyedwhenthereisnoimagination.
Theexperienceoftheworldillusionisduetoyourimagination.Itvanishesawaywhenimaginationis
completelystopped.
Victoryoverthoughtsisreallyavictoryoveralllimitations,weakness,ignoranceanddeath.Theinnerwar
withthemindismoreterriblethantheouterwarwiththemachineguns.Conquestofthoughtsismore
difficultthantheconquestoftheworldbytheforceofarms.Conqueryourthoughtsandyouwould
conquertheworld.
FormaDivineChannelforThoughtforce
Thoughtsgenerallyflowwitheasetowardsexternalobjects.Themindcanveryeasilythinkofworldly
objects.ItisitsSvabhava.
Mentalforcecaneasilyflowintheoldgroovesandavenuesofmundanethoughts.Itfindsitextremely
difficulttothinkofGod.ItisanuphillworkforaSamsaricmindofVyavahara.
Thedifficultyinweaningthemindfromworldlythoughts,fromexternalobjects,andfixingitonGodisthe
sameasinmakingtheGangaflowtowardsGangotriinsteadofitsnaturalflowtowardsGangaSagar.Itis
likerowingagainstthecurrentoftheYamuna.
Still,throughstrenuouseffortsandTyagaitmustbetrainedtoflowtowardsGod,muchagainstitswill,if
youwanttofreeyourselffrombirthanddeath.Thereisnoothergoifyouwanttoescapefromworldly
miseriesandtribulations.
RoleofVigilanceinThoughtcontrol
Itisverydifficulttofixthemindononethoughtinthebeginning.Diminishthenumberofthoughts.Tryto
thinkofonlyonesubject.
Ifyouthinkofroseyoucanhaveallsortsofthoughtsconnectedwithroseonly.Youcanthinkofdifferent
kindsofrosesthataregrownindifferentpartsoftheworld.Youcanthinkofthevariouspreparationsthat
aremadeoutofrosesandtheiruses.Youcanalloweventhoughtsofotherkindsofflowerstoenterbut
donotentertainthoughtsoffruitsandvegetables.
Checktheaimlesswanderingstateofthemind.Donothavethoughtsatrandomwhenyouthinkofrose.
Graduallyyoucanfixthemindononethoughtonly.Youwillhavetodisciplinetheminddaily.Eternal
vigilanceisneededinthoughtcontrol.
WatchandSpiritualizeYourThoughts
Watchthethoughts.Controlthethoughts.Beawitnessofyourthoughts.Riseabovethoughtsanddwell
inthatpureconsciousnesswherethereisnothought.
Thesubtleimpressions,tendencies,desiresandpassionslyinginthedepthsofthesubconscioushavea
tremendouseffectonyourconsciouslife.
Theyshouldbepurifiedandsublimated.Theymustbegivenaspiritualturn.Hearwhatisauspicious.
Beholdwhatisauspicious.Thinkwhatisauspicious.Talkwhatisauspicious.Meditatewhatisauspicious.
Understandwhatisauspicious.Knowwhatisauspicious.
Fear,strongdislike,buriedhatred,prejudice,intolerance,anger,lust,disturbtheactionofthe
subconsciousmind.Cultivatevirtues.Purifyandstrengthenthesubconsciousmind.Desire,greed,etc.,
enslaveandobscurethemindwhichmustbefreedandrestoredtoitspristinepurity,toreflectTruthand
practicemeditation.Thelowerimpulsesbelongtothephysicalbodyandthementalplane.
WhentheminddoesnotfunctionowingtotheabsenceofVasanas(mentalimpressionsandsubtle
desires),thenarisesthestateofManonasaorannihilationofthemind.
ChapterEight
THEPATTERNSOFTHOUGHTCULTURE
DiscriminationandInnerMentalCulture
Wheneverdesirescropinyourmind,donottrytofulfilthem.Rejectthemthroughdiscrimination,right
enquiryanddispassion.Youwillgettranquillityofmindandmentalstrengthbyconstantpractice.The
mindisthinnedout.Themindischeckeddirectlyfromwandering.Itsoutgoingtendenciesarecurbed.
Ifthedesiresareeradicated,thethoughtsalsowilldiebythemselves.Themindisdetachedfromthe
manifoldsenseobjectsbycontinuallyobservingtheirdefectsandisfixedonBrahman.
InthepracticeofSama,thefiveJnanaIndriyasororgansofknowledge,viz.,ear,skin,eye,tongueand
nosearealsocontrolled.SamaisserenityofmindproducedbytheconstanteradicationofVasanasor
desires.
UnwholesomeThoughtsandSelfwatchfulness
Fullyrealizeforyourselfthegraveandruinousconsequencesofevilthoughts.Thiswillsetyouonyour
guardwhentheevilthoughtswouldcome.Themomenttheycome,exertyourselfordivertthemindto
someotherobjectofdivinethoughts,prayerorJapa.Arealearnestnesstodriveawaytheevilthoughts
willkeepyouonthealertsomuchsothateveniftheyappearindreamyouwillatoncewakeup.Should
theenemyappearwhenyouareawake,itwillnotbeverydifficultforyoutocopewithhim,ifonlyyouare
sufficientlywatchful.
Youmustbesavedfromthemalformationandthemiscarriageofyourmind.Mindislikeaplayfulchild.
Theclementenergiesofthemindmustbebenttobecomethepassivechannelsforthetransmissionof
truth.ThemindmustbefilledwithSattva(purity).ItshouldbetrainedtothinkofTruthorGod,constantly.
Ifyouwantrapidprogressinthespiritualpath,watcheverythought.Avacantmindiseverdistressed.Itis
thedevilsworkshop.Bethoughtful.Keepguardoveryourmind.Watcheveryimpulseandthought.
Spiritualizeorsublimateyourinstincts.Evilthoughtisthemostdangerousthief.Slaythisthiefwiththe
swordofwisdom.Generatedailynewdivinevibrationsorthoughtwavesinyourmind.Makeyourthought
pure,strong,sublimeanddefinite.Youwillgainimmensespiritualstrengthandpeace.
Everythoughtmustbeconstructiveandnoble.Thoughtsareonlyrefractions.Slayallthoughts.Gothou
withintotheLightoflights.IfyouwishtoattainSelfrealization,imaginationandspeculationmuststop.
Purifyandcontroltheemotions.Beneathyourconsciouslife,thereisaverywideregionofsubconscious
life.
Allhabitsoriginatefromthesubconsciousplane.Subconsciouslifeismorepowerfulthanyourordinary
lifeofobjectiveconsciousness.ThroughthepracticeofYogayoucanmodify,controlandinfluencethe
subconsciousdepths.Takeoneeviltrait.Meditateonitsoppositevirtueeverymorning.Practiceitduring
theday.Theevilqualitywillvanishsoon.Meditateonmercyinthemorningandpracticeitduringtheday.
Youwillsoondevelopmercy.
Ifevilthoughtsenteryourmindonceinamonthinsteadofthriceweekly(rememberthatevilthinkingis
thebeginningofadultery),ifyoubecomeangryonceinamonthinsteadofonceweekly,thatisasignof
progress,thatisasignofyourincreasedwillpowerthatisasignofgrowingspiritualstrength.Beof
goodcheer.Keepadiaryofspiritualprogress.
SelfdevelopmentbyYogicThoughtculture
ThesupraphysicalphenomenaoccurringinthepracticeofYogaandthepractitionersexperienceon
subtlerplanesareviewedwithsuspicionandregardedasmereorientalmagic.Yogaisneitherfanciful
nordoesitcontainanythingabnormal.Itaimsattheintegraldevelopmentofallfacultiesinman.Itisthe
timetested,rationalwaytoafullerandmoreblessedlifethatwillnaturallybefollowedbyoneandallin
theworldoftomorrow.
AllmethodsofYogahaveethicaltrainingandmoralperfectionastheirbasis.Theeradicationofvicesand
thedevelopmentofcertainvirtuesformthefirststepintheladderofYoga.
Thediscipliningofyournatureandtheformationofasteadyandpurecharacterthroughasetofright
habitsandregulardailyobservances,isthenextstep.Uponthisfirmfoundationofawellestablishedand
virtuousmoralcharacterisbuiltthefurtherstructureofYoga.
ThoughtculturebytheMethodofSubstitution
Thesubstitutionmethodisveryeasyandeffectiveinthedestructionofevilthoughts.Cultivatepositive
virtuousthoughtsofmercy,love,purity,forgiveness,integrity,generosityandhumilityinthegardenof
yourmind.
Thenegativeviciousthoughtsofhatred,lust,anger,greed,pridewilldiebythemselves.
Itisdifficulttodestroytheevilthoughtsbyattackingthemdirectly.Youwillhavetotaxyourwillandwaste
yourenergy.
SpiritualMethodsforThoughtculture
Ifyouthinkagainandagainofanimpurethingitgainsnewstrength.Itgetstheforceofmomentum.You
mustdriveitimmediately.Ifyoufinditdifficulttodoso,entertaincounterthoughtsofGod.Cultivate
sublimeandelevatingthoughts.Evilthoughtswilldiebythemselves.Anoblethoughtisapotentantidote
tocounteractanevilthought.Thisiseasierthantheformermethod.ByrepetitionofGodsName,
thousandsoftimesdaily,goodthoughtsgainnewstrength.ByrepeatingAhamBrahmaAsmithousand
timesdailytheideathatyouarethespirit(Atman)becomesstronger.Theideathatyouarethebody
becomesweakerandweaker.
Ifevilthoughtsenteryourmind,dontuseyourwillforceindrivingthem.Youwillloseyourenergyonly.
Youwilltaxyourwillonly.Youwillfatigueyourself.Thegreatertheeffortsyoumake,themoretheevil
thoughtswillreturnwithredoubledforce.Theywillreturnmorequicklyalso.Thethoughtswillbecome
morepowerful.Beindifferent.Keepquiet.Theywillpassoffsoon.Orsubstitutegoodcounterthoughts
(PratipakshaBhavanamethod).OrthinkofthepictureofGodandtheMantraagainandagainforcibly.Or
pray.
TheImportanceofThoughtculture
Thoughtcultureisavitalsubject.Veryfewpeopleknowthisartorscience.Eventhesocallededucated
peopleareunawareofthisfundamentaleducation.
Allarevictimsofrandomthinking.Allsortsofloosethoughtsofdiversekindscomeandgointhemental
factory.Thereisneitherrhythmnorreasoning.Thereisneitherconcordnordiscipline.Allisinastateof
utterchaosandconfusion.Thereisnoclarificationofideas.
Youcannotthinkofonesubjectevenfortwominutesinanorderlyandsystematicmanner.Youhaveno
understandingofthelawsofthoughtsandthelawsofthementalplane.
Thereisaperfectmenagerieinside.Allsortsofsensualthoughtsfightamongstthemselvestoenterthe
mindofasensualistandgaintheupperhand.TheeyeIndriyastrugglestobringitsownthoughts.It
wantstohavesightseeing.TheearIndriyawantstobringonlybasethoughts,lustfulthoughts,thoughts
ofhatred,jealousyandfear.Manycannotentertainasingle,sublime,divinethoughtevenforasecond.
Theirmindsaresoframedthatthementalenergyrunsinsensualgrooves.
TheBattleofThoughts
Inthebeginningofthoughtculture,thereisinternalfightbetweenpureandimpurethoughts.Theimpure
thoughttriestoenterthementalfactoryagainandagain.Itasserts:Olittleman,yougavemeshelterin
thebeginning.Youwelcomedmebefore.Yougavemeacordialreception.Ihaveeveryrighttoremainin
thelowlandsofyourmindinyourinstinctivepassionatemind.Whyareyoucrueltowardsme?Ionlygave
youapushorstimulusintakingyoutorestaurantsandhotels,cinemasandtheatres,ballroomsand
bars.Youhadavarietyofenjoymentsthroughmealone.Whyareyouungratefultomenow?Iwillresist,
persistandrecuragainandagain.Dowhateveryoulike.Youareweakthrougholdhabits.Youhaveno
strengthtoresist.Eventuallypurethoughtsonlywillgainvictory.SattvaisagreaterpowerthanRajas
andTamas.Positiveovercomesnegative.
GoodThoughtTheFirstPerfection
Thoughtisagoodservant.Itisaninstrument.Youwillhavetoutilizeittactfullyandproperly.Theprime
requisiteforhappinessiscontroloverthethoughts.
Yourthoughtisimprintedoveryourface.ThoughtisabridgethatconnectsthehumanwiththeDivine.
Yourbody,yourbusiness,yourhometheyareonlyideaswithinyourmind.Thoughtisadynamicforce.
Goodthoughtisthefirstperfection.Thoughtisrealwealth.
CulturetheThoughtsandBecomeaBuddha
Driveawayfromyourmindallunnecessary,uselessandobnoxiousthoughts.Uselessthoughtsimpede
yourspiritualgrowthobnoxiousthoughtsarestumblingblockstospiritualadvancement.Youareaway
fromGodwhenyouentertainuselessthoughts.SubstitutethoughtsofGod.
Entertainonlythoughtsthatarehelpfulanduseful.Usefulthoughtsaresteppingstonestospiritualgrowth
andprogress.Donotallowthemindtorunintotheoldgroovesandtohaveitsownwaysandhabits.Be
onthecarefulwatch.
Youmusteradicatethroughintrospectionallsortsofmeanthoughts,uselessthoughts,unworthy
thoughts,impurethoughts,allsexualthoughts,thoughtsofjealousy,hatredandselfishness.Youmust
annihilatealldestructivethoughtsofdisharmonyanddiscord.Youmustalwaysdeveloppure,good,
loving,sublimeanddivinethoughts.Everythoughtmustbeofaconstructivenature.Itmustbestrong,
positiveanddefinite.
Thementalimagemustbeofaclearcutandwelldefinedthoughtitmustbringpeaceandsolaceto
others.Itshouldnotbringeventheleastpainandunhappinesstoanyone.Thenyouareablessedsoul
ontheearth.Youareamightypowerontheearth.Youcanhelpmany,healthousands,spiritualizeand
elevatealargenumberofpersonsasdidJesusorBuddha.
Justasyougrowjasmine,rose,lily,Honoluluflowersinagarden,soalsoyoushouldcultivatetheflowers
ofpeacefulthoughtsoflove,mercy,kindness,purityinthevastgardenofAntahkarana.Through
introspection,youwillhavetowaterthisgardenofmindwithmeditationandsublimethinkingremovethe
weedsofvain,useless,discordantthoughts.
AvoidThoughtsofAnotherMansDefects
Thenatureofthemindissuchthatitbecomesthatwhichitintenselythinksof.Thusifyouthinkofthe
vicesanddefectsofanotherman,yourmindwillbechargedwiththesevicesanddefectsatleastforthe
timebeing.
Hewhoknowsthispsychologicallawwillneverindulgeincensuringothersorinfindingfaultinthe
conductofothers,willseeonlythegoodinothers,andwillalwayspraiseothers.Thispracticeenables
onetogrowinconcentration,Yogaandspirituality.
LastThoughtDeterminesNextBirth
Thelastthoughtofamangovernshisfuturedestiny.Thelastthoughtofamandetermineshisfuture
birth.LordKrishnasaysintheBhagavadGita,Whosoeverattheendabandoneththebody,thinking
uponanybeing,tothatbeingonlyhegoeth,OKaunteya,becauseofhisconstantthoughtofthatbeing
(Chapter:VIII6).
Ajamilalosthispiousconduct,andledadetestableliving.Hefellintoevildepthofsinfulhabitsand
resortedtotheftandrobbery.Hebecameaslaveofapublicwoman.Hebecamethefatheroften
children,thelastofwhomwascalledNarayana.
Whenhewasabouttodie,hewasabsorbedinthethoughtsofhislastson.Threefearfulmessengersof
DeathadvancedtowardsAjamila.AjamilacriedaloudingreatdistressthelastsonsnameNarayana.
OnamerementionofthenameofNarayanatheattendantsofLordHaricamespeedilyalongand
obstructedthemessengersofDeath.TheytookhimtoVaikunthaortheworldofVishnu.
ThesoulofSisupalaenteredthesupremeLordwithaneffulgentsparkofineffablegloryand
magnificence.ThisvileSisupalaspenthislifetimeinrevilingLordKrishnaandthenheenteredtheLord.
Thewormonthewallwhenstungbythewaspchangesintotheformofthelatter.Similarly,themanwho
focuseshishateonLordKrishnagetsridofhissinsandreachesthatLordbyregulardevotionasthe
GopisdidbyKama(passion),Kamsabyfear,SisupalabyhatredandNaradabylove.
LordKrishnasaysintheGita,WhoeverconstantlythinksofMeintenselyandwithonepointedmind,to
suchsteadfastYogin,IameasilyattainableandhavingthusreachedMeandmergedinMe,heisnot
bornagaininthefleetingworldofwoeandmisery.OArjuna!WhilealltheworldscreatedbyBrahmaare
limitedbytimeandhavetheirmomentofdissolutiononreachingMe,thereisnorebirth,thereforeatall
times,meditateonMe,thesupremeVaasudevaandwithmindandintellectfixedonMe.Doubtless,you
willattainMe(Chapter:VIII14,15,16).
TheconstantpracticeoffixingthemindontheLord,althoughamanisengagedinworldlypursuits,will
enablehimtointuitivelyandautomaticallythinkoftheLord,evenatthetimeofhisdeparture.TheLord
says:WiththemindthusengagedintheYogaofconstantpractice,notdeflectedbyanyotherobstacles,
oneattainsthesupremePurushaofresplendentglory.
TheLordfurthersays,Atthetimeofdeath,hewhothinksofMyrealBeingasthesupremeLordSri
KrishnaorNarayana,leavesthebodyandverilyreachesMyBeing.Doubtthisnot!Inwhateverforma
manthinksofMeatthetimeofdeath,thatformheattains,thatformagainbeingtheresultofnourishing
thatthoughtinaparticulargrooveandbyconstantmeditationofthesame.
TheLordfurthersays:HewhofurtherestablisheshismindonMe,evenatthetimeofforthgoingand
whoisinthatDivinestateofrenouncingeverythingandofdwellinginBrahmanorBrahmicstate,isfree
fromdelusion(B.G.II72).
Hewhohasastronghabitofusingsnuffinhislifeimitatestheactofsnuffingwithhisfingerswhenheis
inanunconsciousstatejustbeforehisdeath.Sostrongisthehabitofsnuffinginthisman.
Thelastthoughtofalicentiousmanwillbethethoughtofhiswoman.Thelastthoughtofaninveterate
drunkardwillbethatofhispegofliquor.Thelastthoughtofagreedymoneylenderwillbethatofhis
money.Thelastthoughtofafightingsoldierwillbethatofshootinghisenemy.Thelastthoughtofa
motherwhoisintenselyattachedtoheronlysonwillbethatofhersononly.
RajaBharatanursedadeeroutofmercyandbecameattachedtoit.Hislastthoughtwasthethoughtof
thatdeer.Hencehehadtotakethebirthofadeer,buthehadmemoryofhislastbirthashewasan
advancedsoul.
ThelastthoughtofapersonwillbethethoughtofGodonly,ifthatpersonhasdisciplinedhismindall
throughouthislifeandhastriedtofixitontheLordthroughconstantpractice.Itcannotcomebya
practiceinadayortwo,inaweekoramonth.Itisalifelongendeavourandstruggle.
Thelastthoughtdeterminesthenextbirth.Thelastprominentthoughtofoneslifeoccupiesthemindat
thetimeofdeath.Thepredominantideaatthetimeofdeathiswhatinnormallifehasoccupiedhis
attentionmost.Thelastthoughtdeterminesthenatureofcharacterofthebodytobeattainednext.Asa
manthinketh,soshallhebecome.
TheBackgroundofSattvicThought
Thevastmajorityofpeoplewillalwayswantsomethingconcretetoholdon,somethingaroundwhich,as
itwere,toplacetheirideas,sometimeswhichwillbethecentreofallthoughtformsintheirminds.Thatis
mindsverynature.Abackgroundofthoughtisneededforfixingthemind.
HaveaSattvicbackgroundofthoughtofmentalimage.Themindassumestheshapeofanyobjectit
intenselythinksupon.Ifitthinksofanorange,itassumestheshapeofanorange.IfitthinksofLord
Krishnawithfluteinhand,itassumestheshapeofLordKrishna.Youmusttrainthemindproperlyand
giveitproperSattvicfoodforassimilation.
YoumusthaveSattvicbackgroundofthoughttotakeyoutothegoal(salvation).Ifyouareadevoteeof
LordKrishna,haveabackgroundofthoughtofHispictureandtherepetitionofHisfamousMantraOm
NamoBhagavateVaasudevayaandHisqualities(Formformlessqualities).ANirgunaUpasaka(Vedanti)
shouldhaveabackgroundofthoughtofOManditsmeaning(InfiniteOceanofLight,Satchidananda,
Vyapaka,ParipurnaAtman).Workintheworldand,themomentthemindisfree,begintothinkofthe
backgroundofthoughteitherSagunaorNirgunabackgroundaccordingtotaste,temperamentand
capacityforSadhana.Byconstantthinking,ahabitinthemindwillbeformedand,withouteffort,themind
willruntowardsthebackgroundofthought.
Itisapitythatthevastmajorityofpersonshavenoideal,noprogrammeoflifeatallandnoSattvic
backgroundofthought.Theyaredoomedtofailure.Thebackgroundofthoughtofayoungmarriedlady
isusuallylustful.Thebackgroundofthoughtofanoldmotheristheaffectiontowardshersonsand
grandsons.Thebackgroundofthoughtofthevastmajorityofpersonsishatredandjealousy.Eventhe
socallededucatedpersonswithmanyuniversityqualificationsandacademicknowledgewhichisonly
huskwhencomparedwithspiritualknowledge,havenoideal,noprogrammeoflifeandnobackgroundof
thought.Adeputycollector,aftergettingpension,marriesathirdwifeandgoesonasaDewanofaState.
Aworldlymindedpersonisapreytosexualthoughtsandthoughtsofhatred,angerandrevenge.These
twotypesofthoughtsactuallytakepossessionofhismind.Heisaslavetothesetwosetsofthoughts.He
doesnotknowhowtodiverthismindandfixitonsomeothergood,noblethought.Hedoesnotknowthe
lawsofthought.Heisquiteunawareofthenatureandsuitableworkingsofthemind.Hispositionis
extremelydeplorabledespitehisearthlypossessionsandbookishknowledgeobtainedinuniversities.
Vivekahasnotawakenedinhim.HehasnoSraddhainsaints,SastrasandGod.Heisunabletoresistan
evildesire,cravingortemptationonaccountofhisweakwill.Theonlypotentremedytoremovehis
worldintoxication,worldcharm,worlddelusionisconstantSatsangaorassociationwithSadhus,
SannyasinsandMahatmas.
Afterretirement,everybodyshouldhaveabackgroundofthoughtandshouldspendhistimein
philosophicalstudiesanddivinecontemplation.Oldhabitsofloosethinkingmustbereplacedby
cultivatingfreshhabitsofgoodthoughts.Atfirst,atendencytothinkofgoodthoughtswillbeformed.By
continuedpractice,apositive,definitehabitofthinkingofvirtuous,helpingthoughtswillbedeveloped.
Youwillhavetostruggleveryhard.
Theoldhabitswilltrytorecuragainandagain.Tillyouarefirmlyestablishedinthehabitofthinkingof
goodthoughtsonly,youwillhavetofillthemindagainandagainwithSattvicthoughts,divinethoughts,
thoughtsoftheGita,LordKrishna,LordRama,Upanishads,etc.Newgroovesandavenueswillbe
formednow.Justasagramophoneneedlecutsasmallgrooveintheplate,Sattvicthinkingwillcutnew
healthygroovesinthemindandbrain.NewSamskaraswillbeformed.
Youwillhaveconcentrationwithoutmucheffort.HewhohassubduedhismindbeholdsinhisownSelfby
thehelpofhisownpureintellecttheImmortal,EternalBrahmanwhichissubtlerthanthesubtlest,which
isanembodimentofbliss,peaceandwisdom.Itisthecontactofthesensewiththesenseobjectthat
givesrisetoamentalperception.Butifthesensesarewithdrawnandthemindisstilledtherecomesa
stagewherethereisnotouchwithanysenseobject.
ItisthestateofblissandpureconsciousnessorNirvikalpaSamadhiwhichburnsallSamskarasthatgive
risetobirthanddeath.Attachmentisdeath.Youareattachedtobody,action,wife,children,property,
house,placeandarticlesthatgiveyoupleasure.Whereverthereisattachmentthereareanger,fearand
Vasanas.Attachmentleadstobondage.IfyouwanttoattainGodrealizationyoumustgetridofallsorts
ofattachment.
Thefirststepindetachmentistobedetachedfromthebodywithwhichyoufeelsomuchidentified.The
SanskritwordfortheSelfisAtman.AtmanisderivedfromtherootAtwhichmeanstogoalways.Atman
thusmeansthatwhichevolvesitselfalwaysintonamesandformsoftheuniverseinordertorealizeHis
real,essentialnaturewhichisExistenceConsciousnessBlissAbsolute.
ThePureConsciousnessandFreedomofThoughts
ThroughconstantandintensepracticeofYogaandJnanaSadhana,youcanbecomewaveless,thought
free.ThewavelessYogihelpstheworldmorethanthemanontheplatform.Ordinarypeoplecanhardly
graspthispoint.Whenyouarewavelessyouactuallypermeateandpervadeeveryatomoftheuniverse,
purifyandelevatethewholeworld.
ThenamesofwavelessJnanissuchasJadaBharataandVamadevaareevennowremembered.They
neverpublishedbooks.Theynevermadedisciples.Yet,whatatremendousinfluencethesewaveless
Jnanishadproducedonthemindsofthepeople!
YoucanattainJnanaonlyifyouarefreefromsensuousdesiresandimmoralmentalstates.Aloofnessof
bodyfromsensuousobjectsandaloofnessofmindfromimmoralstatesofmindareneededforthe
attainmentofJnana.ThenonlywillDivineLightdescend.Justasabungalowiscleanedofcobwebsand
thegarden,ofallitsweedsforthereceptionoftheviceroy,thementalpalaceshouldbecleansedofall
vices,desiresandimmoralstatesforthereceptionoftheHolyBrahman,theViceroyofviceroys.
Whenadesirearisesinthemind,aworldlingwelcomesitandtriestofulfilitbutanaspirantrenouncesit
immediatelythroughViveka.Wisepeopleconsiderevensparkofdesireasaverygreatevil.Therefore
theywillnotentertainanykindofdesire.TheywillbeeverdelightfulinAtmanonly.
Thinkingstartstheprocessofcreation.Thinkingmeansexternalizationorobjectification.Thinkingmeans
differentiation,qualityandmultiplicity.ThinkingisSamsara.Thinkingcausesidentificationwiththebody.
ThinkingcausesInessandmineness.
Thinkingcausestime,space,etc.StopthisthinkingthroughVairagyaandAbhyasa,andmergeyourselfin
thePureConsciousness.WherethereisnothinkingorSankalpa,thereisAbsolutionorJivanmukti.
ChapterNine
FROMTHOUGHTSTOTHOUGHTTRANSCENDENCE
ThoughtsandLife
Manthinksofsensualobjectsandgetsattachedtothem.Hethinksthatfruitsareverygoodforthebody.
Heexertstopossessthem.Thenheactuallypossessesandenjoysthem.Henowclingstothefruits.He
developsahabitoftakingfruitsnowandwhenhefailstoobtainthemanyday,hegetspain.
Fromthinkingcomesattachmentfromattachmentdesireisbornfromdesireproceedsanger,anger
ariseswhendesireisfrustratedbysomecauseortheotherfromangerarisesdelusionfromdelusion,
failureofmemoryfromfailureofmemory,lossofintellectfromlossofintellectmanistotallyruined.If
youwanttoattaineverlastingpeace,donotthinkofobjects,butthinkalwaysoftheimmortalblissful
Atmanalone.
Desiresbythemselvesareharmless.Theyaregalvanizedbythepowerofthought.Thenonlytheydo
muchhavoc.Manmusesorthinksontheobjectsofthesenses.Heimaginesthathewillgetagreatdeal
ofpleasurefromthem.Thisimaginationexcitesthedesires.Thispowerofimaginationcooperateswith
thedesires.Thenthedesiresareinvigoratedorvitalized.TheyattackthedeludedJivavehemently.
ThoughtsandCharacter
Manisnotacreatureofcircumstances.Histhoughtsarethearchitectsofhiscircumstances.Amanof
characterbuildsalifeoutofcircumstances.Hesteadilyperseveresandplods.Hedoesnotlookback.He
marchesforwardbravely.
Heisnotafraidofobstacles.Heneverfretsandfumes.Henevergetsdiscouragedanddisappointed.He
isfullofvigour,energy,vimandvitality.Heiseverzealousandenthusiastic.
Thoughtsarethebrickswithwhichcharacterisbuilt.Characterisnotborn.Itisformed.Determinationto
builddefinitecharacterinlifeisneeded.Thismustbefollowedupwithpersistentstriving.
Buildyourcharacteryoucanshapeyourlife.Characterispoweritisinfluenceitmakesfriends.Itdraws
patronageandsupport.Itcreatesfriendsandfunds.Itopensasureandeasywaytowealth,honour,
successandhappiness.
Characteristhedeterminingfactorinvictoryanddefeat,successandfailure,andinalltheissuesoflife.
Amanofgoodcharacterenjoyslifehereinandhereafter.
Smallkindacts,smallcourtesies,smallconsideration,smallbenevolence,habituallypracticedinyour
socialintercoursegiveagreatcharmtoyourcharacterthangreatplatformlectures,discourses,oration,
exhibitionoftalents,etc.
Strongcharacterisformedbystrongandnoblethinking.Agoodcharacteristhefruitionofpersonal
exertion.Itistheresultofonesownendeavours.
Itisnotwealthorpowernorisitmereintellectthatgovernstheworld.Itismoralcharacterassociated
withmoralexcellencethatreallyrulestheentireuniverse.
Nothinginthisworldwealth,name,fame,victoryisworthafigorastraw,withoutcharacter.Character
muststandbehindandbackupeverything.And,characterisbuiltbyyourthoughts.
ThoughtsandWords
Thereispowerineverywordthatisspoken.TherearetwokindsofVrittisorthoughts,viz.,SaktiVrittiand
LakshanaVrittiinwords.
IntheUpanishads,theLakshanaVrittiistaken.VedasvarupohamdoesnotmeanEmbodimentof
Vedas.TheLakshanaVrittidoesdenoteBrahmanwhocanbereachedbythestudyoftheUpanishads
alone:bytheSabdaPramanaalone.
Markherethepowerinthewords.IfanyonecallsanotherSalaorBadmashorfool,heisthrownintoa
stateoffuryimmediately.Fightensues.IfyouaddressanyoneasBhagavanorPrabhuorMaharaj,he
isimmenselypleased.
ThoughtsandActions
Thoughtsaredormantseedsofaction.Themindsacts,andnotthebodilyacts,arealonetrueacts.Itis
theactionsofthemindthataretrulytermedKarmas.
Thoughtandactareinterdependent.Thereisnosuchthingasmindapartfromthought.Thoughts
constitutethemind.
Wordsarenothingbuttheoutwardexpressionsofthoughtswhichareimperceptible.Actionsarecaused
byfeelingsofdesireandaversion(likesanddislikes).Thesefeelingsarecausedbythefactthatyou
attributeapleasurableorpainfulnaturetoobjects.Thoughtisfinite.Itisinadequatetoexpresseven
temporalprocesses,nottospeakoftheabsolutewhichisinexpressible.Thebodywithitsorgansisno
otherthanthemind.
Thoughts,PeaceandStrength
Fewerthedesires,lesserthethoughts.Becomeabsolutelydesireless.Thewheelofmindwillstop
entirely.Ifyoureduceyourwants,ifyoudonottrytofulfilyourdesires,ifyoutrytoeradicateyourdesires
onebyone,yourthoughtswilldiminishinfrequencyandlength.Thenumberofthoughtsalsoperminute
willdiminish.
Fewerthethoughts,greaterthepeace.Rememberthisalways.Awealthymanwhoisengagedin
speculationinabigcityandwhohasalargenumberofthoughtshasarestlessmindinspiteofhis
comforts,whereasaSadhuwholivesinthecaveoftheHimalayasandwhoispracticingthoughtcontrol
isveryhappyinspiteofhispoverty.
Fewerthethoughts,greaterthementalstrengthandconcentration.Supposethattheaveragenumberof
thoughtsthatpassthroughyourbrainwithinonehourisonehundred.Ifyousucceedinreducingit,by
constantpracticeofconcentrationandmeditation,toninety,youhavegainedtenpercentofthepowerof
concentrationofmind.
Everythoughtthatisreducedaddsstrengthandpeacetothemind.Reductionofevenonethoughtwill
givementalstrengthandpeaceofmind.Youmaynotbeabletofeelthisinthebeginningasyoudonot
possessasubtleintellect,butthereisaspiritualthermometerinsidetoregisterthereductionofevena
singlethought.Ifyoureduceonethought,thementalstrengththatyouhavegainedbythisreductionwill
helpyoutoreducethesecondthoughteasily.
Thought,EnergyandSacredThoughts
Thoughtisafinermanifestationofbeingthanetherorenergy.Youthink,becauseyousharetheuniversal
thought.
Thoughtisbothforceandmotion.Thoughtisdynamic.Thoughtmoves.Thoughtdecidesthefuture.As
youthink,soyoubecome.Thoughtmakesasaintorasinner.Thoughtcanshapeaman.Thinkthatyou
areBrahmanandBrahmanyoubecome.
Sacredthoughtsgenerateandsustaindivinethoughts.Thoughtsofhatredinterferewiththeinner
harmonyoftheheart.Everyuselessthoughtiswastageofenergy.Uselessthoughtsareobstaclesto
spiritualgrowth.Everythoughtmusthaveadefinitepurpose.
Negativeevilthoughtscannotovercomefear.Patienceovercomesangerandirritability.Loveovercomes
hatred.Purityovercomeslust.Mindisnotdailymadeineveryminuteitchangesitscolourandshape.
ThoughtsThatBind
Throughitspowerofdifferentiation,mindgeneratesthisuniverse.Theexpansionofthemindsthoughts
towardssensualobjectsisbondage.
Theabandoningofthethoughtsconstitutesliberation.Themindcreates,attheoutset,anattachmentfor
thebodyandsenseobjectsandbindsthemanthroughthisattachment.Theattachmentisduetothe
forceofRajas.
Sattvabringsnonattachmentandinfusesintheminddiscriminationandrenunciation.
ItistheRajasicmindthatcausestheideasIandmineandthedifferenceofbody,caste,creed,colour,
orderoflife,etc.
ThepoisonoustreeoftheMayaicillusiongrowsmoreandmoreoutoftheseedofthemindsmodification
orexpandedthoughtsinthesoilofthemultifariousenjoymentsoftheworld.
FromPureThoughtstoTranscendentalExperience
Thoughtsareoftwokinds:purethoughtsandimpurethoughts.Desiretodovirtuousactions,Japa,
meditation,studyofreligiousbooks,etc.,ispurethought.Adesiretogotocinema,tohurtothersandto
seeksexrelations,isimpurethought.
Impurethoughtsshouldbedestroyedbytheincreaseofpurethoughts,andpurethoughtsalsoshouldbe
givenupintheend.
Thoughtsgainstrengthbyrepetitionofsensualenjoyments.Sensualenjoymentsleaveonthemind,
subtleimpressions.
TherealSvarupaofmindisSattvaonly.RajasandTamasjoinSattvaaccidentallyinthemiddle.Theycan
beremovedbySadhanaorpurificatorypracticessuchasTapas,selflessservice,Dama,Sama,Japa,
worship,etc.IfyoudeveloptheDaiviSampatordivinequalities,RajasandTamaswillperish.Thenthe
mindwillbepure,subtle,steadyandonepointed.Thenitwillmeltinthesubtleinvisiblehomogeneous
Brahman(AkhandaikarasaBrahman).ItwillmixwithBrahmannow,justasmilkmixedwithmilk,water
withwater,oilwithoil.NirvikalpaSamadhiwillresult.
RajaYogicMethodforThoughttranscendence
Substitutepurethoughtsforimpurethoughts.Thismethodofsubstitutionwilldestroyallevilthoughts.
Thisisveryeasy.ThisisthemethodofRajaYoga.
Themethodofdrivingthethoughtsatoncebywillforceorbyusingtheformulagetout,Oevilthoughts
isverytaxing.Itisnotsuitableforordinarypeople.Itdemandstremendouswillpowerandspiritual
strength.
Youmustriseabovepurethoughtsandattainthesupremestateofthoughtlessness.Onlythencanyou
restinyourownSvarupa.OnlythenwillBrahmanberevealedlikeAmalakafruitinthepalmofyourhand.
VedanticTechniqueforThoughttranscendence
Whenallkindsofuselessthoughtsandemotionstroubleyoumuch,beindifferent(Udasina).Sayto
yourself:WhoamI?Feel:Iamnotthemind.IamtheAtman,theallpervadingSpirit,Suddha
Satchidananda.Howcanemotionsaffectme?IamNirlipta,unattachedIamSakshi,witnessofthese
emotions.Nothingcandisturbme.WhenyourepeatthesesuggestionsofVicharaorVedanticreflection,
thethoughtsandemotionswilldiebythemselves.
ThisistheJnanamethodofdrivingoutthoughtsandemotionsandthestrugglingwiththemind.
Whenanythoughtarisesinthemind,enquire:WhyhasthisVritti(modification)arisen?Whomit
concerns?WhoamI?Allthethoughtswilldieeventually.Allmentalactivitieswillcease.Themindwillturn
inward.ItwillrestinAtman.ThisisVedanticSadhana.YouwillhavetopersistconstantlyintheSadhana.
Whateverstraythoughtsarise,theonethoughtWhoamIwilldestroyallotherthoughtsofworldly
nature.Thatthoughtwilldiebyitself.Egowillvanish.BalanceleftisKevalaAstiChinmatraKevala
SuddhaChaitanyaChidakasamatrawhichisNamaruparahita(freefromallnamesandforms),
Vyavahararahita,Malavasanarahita,Nishkriya,Niravayava,whichisSantaSivaAdvaitaofthe
MandukyaUpanishad.ThatisAtman.Thatistobeknown.
ChapterTen
THEMETAPHYSICSOFTHOUGHTPOWER
ThoughtPowerandPracticalIdealismI
Mangoesfrombadtoworseinthescaleoflife.Hedoesnotputhistotalstrengthinfitactionsohedoes
nothavetherichestreturnofwisdom.Manistormentedbyimperfections.Grudgesarefoaminginhis
mindbecausehislifeisnotflowingwithrightenergy.Theloveofmeiseverreadytoaccusetheother
party.Objectsoftheobjectiveworldaredelicioustormentsforhim.Stillthemanwantstostandonthe
firmbasisofpersonalfeelings.Tornbyhispersonalpassions,heisunabletoestablishproperand
harmoniousrelationswithothers.Heisalwaysseekinghisprivatefelicityineverycircumstance.
Altaroftruthdemandstheoblationsofmentalrigidity,harshness,selfassertion,eccentricityandegoism.
Trainyourselfforthattruthwhichknowsnopartiality,nosex,nowanderinggleam,Oman.Thereisstain
oferrorindailyexperiencesofman.Thatiswhyhislifeisdefacedanddisfigured.Menhavebecome
vinegarforeachotherseyesbytheirwrongthoughts.
Theiceofillwillischillingtheirheart.Menareboundtoeachotherbyeverysortoftie,byblood,by
pride,byfear,byhope,bylucre,bylust,byhate,byadmiration,byeverycircumstance,butnotby
spirituallove.Thisisallduetowrongthoughts.
Thewisemanmakesanislandwhichnofloodcanoverwhelm.Thescentofflowersdoesnottravel
againstthewind,buttheodourofawisemantravelsagainstthewindhepervadeseveryplacebyhis
thoughts.Heislikeasnowymountainwhichcanbeseenfromafar.
Oman!Ifyoufillyourlampwithwateryouwillnotbeabletodispelthedarkness.Feedyourlampwiththe
oilofrightthoughts.Lettherightviewsbecomethetorchtolightyourway.Donotseektogratifyyour
vanityandselfseekingpride.
Onthebrinkoftruthmanismiserablydying.Allevilthoughtsareembodiedinbadphysiognomies.But
thereisnothingtodespair,becausethereisneverdarknesswithoutlight.Thereisalwaysasublime
answertoeveryhumanneed.Allthingsarepossibletothosewhobelieveinthepossibility.
Oman!Raiseyoursighttorightdirectionanduserightlaws.Setinmotionpositivethoughts.
Rememberyourobjective.Itiseasytobedivertedintoanexcursionintosidetracks.
Aholythoughtisavoice.Itspeakswhenthetongueissilent.Itstrugglesandcomesoutofall
obstructionsserenelyandnopowerontheearthcansuppressitforalongperiod.Oman!Donottradein
unrealities.
Donottrytoembracehappinessinathousandways.Thefasteryouwillfollowittheswifteritwillflyfrom
you.Donotbecomeathornforyourselfaswellasforothers.
Changethedirectionofyourthoughts.Scrutinizeyourthoughts.Wherenecessityends,curiositybegins.
Nosooneryouaresuppliedwitheverything,thanyousitdownandentertainthethoughtsofartificial
appetites.Thatiswhyyouhavecrossedtheboundaryoflaw.
Byyourownthoughtsyoumakeormaryourworld.Inevitablelawofreactionissuch,Oman!that
whateveryouwillharbourintheinmostchamberofyourheart,willshapeitselfinyouroutwardlife.
Chanceseemstoformthesurfaceofreality,butdeepdown,thoughtforcesareatwork.Nothinginthis
universeandindailybehaviourismerelyaccidental.Soimproveyourthoughts.
Realactionisinsilentmoments.Purifiedthoughtrevivestheentiremanneroflifeittellsthemanquietly
youhavedonethusbutitwerebetterdonesomeotherway.
Thethoughtsyouentertainduringthetimeofreflection,letthemnotbecomeinaudiblewhenyouare
engrossedindailyduties.Armyourselfwiththesublimethoughts.
Bynootherwaydoesonecomedirectlytotheknowledgeoftruth,thanthroughonesownthinkingand
experience.Divinethoughtreducescenturiesandmakesitselfpresentthroughallages.Entertaindivine
thoughts.
ThoughtPowerandPracticalIdealismII
Washoffthebaserthoughtswiththehelpofhigherthoughtsandwhenthewashingiseffected,clingto
neitherofthem.Thepresentstateofyourexperienceisduetothethinking,feelingandactingof
incalculablepastlives.Itcannotbeeasilygotridofwithoutprolongedprocessofthinkingofandpractice.
Thoughtisancestorofaction.Ifyouwanttoimproveyouractionspurifyyourthoughts.
Becomeastaunchbelieverinselfrelianceandselfeffort.Youcandetermineyourfatebyforceof
thoughts.Ascloudsarethemainsourceofrain,sothecontrolofonesownthoughtsisthesourceof
durableprosperity.Youareyourselfyourownfriendorenemy.Ifyouwillnotsaveyourselfbycherishing
goodthoughts,thereisnootherremedy.
Mindistheonlycreator.Everythingiscreatedthroughthemind.Itisabsolutelyfreeincreatingaworld
foritself.Wheneverthemindisreferredtoasthecreatorofexternalobjects,itmustbeconsideredasthe
cosmicmindandapartofIsvaraSrishti.
Wheneverthemindisreferredtoinrelationtopsychologicalfunctionssuchasloveandhatred,etc.,it
mustbeconsideredastheindividualmindandasapartofJivaSrishti.Oman!TherealGodlivesinyour
heartandtheonlywaytoworshiptherealGodresidingwithinthetempleofyourbodyisbyyourown
sublimethoughts.Stopthepsychologicalfunctionsofyourmindandseevalueonlyinsublimethoughts.
Thenatureofthingsaroundyouisasyouthinkittobe.Yourlifeiswhatyoumakeitbyyourthoughts.
Thoughtsarethebricksbywhichyouhavebuiltthebuildingofyourpersonality.Thoughtdetermines
destiny.Theworldaroundyouisthereflexofyourthoughts.
Youexperienceasyouthink.Yourownimaginationplayshavocwithyou.Youhavemadeyourselftimid
byentertainingthethoughtsoffear.Donotbecomeliberalinimagination.
Youareaffectedbythingsonlyinaccordancewithyourideaaboutthem.Themindseesvalueonlyin
thatinwhichithasintensefaith.Thoughallofyouseethesameobject,everyoneofyouattachtoit
differentvalues.Accordingtoyourmentalpropensitiesyouthink.
Thoughtisacreativeinstrument,andmanbecomeswhathethinksupon.Characteristhoughtformed.
Youarebornwithwhatyouhavethoughtupon,andyourpresentcharacterisanindexofyourprevious
thoughts.Youcreateyourfuturebyyourthoughtsnowifyouthinknobly,youwillbenobleinconduct.If
youthinkbaselynoenvironmentwillmakeyoudifferent.Thus,thoughtsandactionsareinterdependent.
Bevigilantandallowonlygoodthoughtsinyourmentalfield.
Everyoneofyouhaveadifferentconceptionofduty,value,enjoymentandliberationinaccordancewith
yourdifferentconvictions.Youstriveafteryourownideal.
Youworkinaccordancewithyourlongstandingandintensifiedthoughtandbelief.Youaccomplishand
achievetheobjectofyourowndesire.Donotletyourmindbecomedenseranddenserbyallowingitto
beengrossedingrossforms.Followtheabstractiveprocessbycherishingthethoughtsofvirtue.
Yourpresentlifehasthreeaspects,physical,mentalandspiritual.Youaretenaciouslyattachedtothe
physicalaspect.Beabovephysicalsensationsandotherappetitesbycherishingthethoughtsthatyou
arenotbodyalone,thatyouareresidinginthetempleofabodyforashortperiodonly.Beabovemental
titillations.Subjectiveactionfunctionsintheworldofthought.
Sendoutasteadystreamofthoughtandgoodwilltoallcreation.Theenergisingmotivebehindevery
thoughtshouldbeserviceandfriendliness.
Youaresensibleofknack,skillandtricks,butthereisanoverpoweringlawwhichconfutesyourtricky
thoughtsandtalents.Sodonottrytobecomepartialhalflight.Thislawconstrainseveryonetopassfor
whatheis.Histhoughtsspeakfromhischaracterandnotfromhistongue.Donottrytoputonan
artificialpersonality.Begenuineandcleaninyourthoughts.
Thestreamofthoughtflowsinbothdirections.Whenitisflowingtowardsgood,itmakesforfreedomand
knowledge.Whenitisflowingtowardsthewhirlpoolofexistence,downwardtowardsnondiscrimination,it
isthenflowingtowardsevil.Thethinkingfaculty,reachesitssummitinlight,whenitactsaccordingto
ethicalrules.
Youarethecentreofindividualwilling,individualthinking,andindividualfeeling.Theenchantmentoftime
andplacepresentsbeforeyouheavenlysceneswhichvanishlikeopticalillusions.Youhaverepeatedly
allowedyourselftobemockedbythemthatiswhyyourchestissawedbythefrictionofsighs,your
discriminativepowerisdriedupbythefireofknowledge.Thespiritualgoalisheldbeforeyou.How
quicklyorhowslowlyyoumovetowardsit,willdependonyourthoughts.
Standunitedwithyourhigherthoughts.Youwillachievethatgoalwhichisboughtbymanyfailures.
Becomeanonseekerofpersonalendsandglory.Deathwillnoteasilycomenearyou,ifyouwillnotwear
onyourbosomthenecklaceofviciousthoughts.
Theblissthataccruesfromthecultureofmindsurpasseseventheprosperityofthethreeworlds,or
possessionofallkindsofjewels,oracquisitionofhighoffice.
Yourmindisomnipotent.Itiscapableofaccomplishingeverything.Asyouimaginewithinyourmind,so
thingshappenforthwith.Whateverisintenselythoughtbyyourmind,thatcomestobematerializedand
effected.
Yourthoughtisendowedwithcreativepower.Itcanevolveobjectsfromwithinitself.Itistheonlycreator.
Nothingeverwillbecreatedorrecreatedexceptthroughmind.Thoughtisthematerialoutofwhichthings
aremade.Allmatterisbutmaterializationofconsciousness.
Nootherbeingisresponsibleforwhatyouacquire,aseverythingistheconsequenceofyourthought.
Thecauseofwhatevercomestoyouinlife,iswithinyou.Nootheragencycanbestowfavoursonyou,
unlessyoudeservethem.Whateveryougetthroughothers,istheoutcomeofyourownthoughtsand
efforts.Thereisnothingintheworldwhichyoucannotachieve,whenyourthoughtsareflowinginthe
rightdirection.Youshouldneitherbecomeapessimistnoramisanthrope.
Creativepoweristheprivilegeofeverymind.Yourowneffortsguidedbyyouraspirationarethewarpand
woofofyourdestiny.Donotpossessadissipatedmindbycherishingweakthoughts.Superficialmind
cannotacquiredepthofinsight.
Controltherovingmindbyentertainingoneflowofthought.Allthatisintenselythoughtbyyou,willcome
toyouearlyorlate,inaccordancewiththeeffortyouhaveputintoacquireit.
Theextentofspaceaswellasthedurationoftimearerelativetoyourthoughtsandemotions.You
experienceasyouthink.Ifamomentisimaginedtobealongperiod,itisexperiencedassuchandvice
versa.Thesameperiodoftimeisexperiencedasalongagewhenyouareintrouble,andasamoment
whenyouarehappy.
Suchisthepowerofthoughtthatsweetisexperiencedasbitterandviceversabyintensethought.You
canturnpoisonintonectar.ThinkofMira.Sheturnedpoisonintonectarbyherintensifiedthoughts.
Youaresurroundedbytheforcesofantagonism.Butiftherearenothoughtsofantagonisminyou,you
caneasilyreturnablessingforacurse.Thusyoucancontrolalltheforcesofantagonism.Strugglehard
andchecktheunwantedmentalrush.
Theworldaroundyouisonlywhatyoubelieveittobe.Yourperceptionsarecolouredbyyourthoughts.
Yourmindperceivesandcontinuestoperceivethethingsinthatveryforminwhichitimaginesittobe
withfullfaith.Piercethroughthesteelarmourofbiasedthoughts,andtrytoseethedivinityinevery
object.
Itisbythoughtalonethatyougetintodelusion,undergotheexperienceofbirthanddeath,areboundin
theworldandbecomereleasedfromit.
Allyourstatesofhappinessormiseryinheavenorhell,areeffectsofyourownthoughts.Earlyorlate,in
thislifeorlivestocome,allyourpassingthoughtswillberealized.So,discriminatenicely.
Yourpresentstatehasbeenwilledbyyourthoughts.Youcanchangethepresentstateintoanotherby
yourownthoughts.IfyoubelievethatyouareseparatefromtheAbsolute,youareso.Ifyouthink
yourselftobeBrahmanyouareso.Youlimityourselfbyyourthoughts.
Witheachdivinethought,themindrendsthethinrindsofthevisibleandfiniteandcomesoutinto
eternity,butyouaresonegligentaboutyourmentalfactory.
ThoughtPowerandPracticalIdealismIII
Yourdestinyismappedoutbyyourthoughts.Youhaveonlythatmuchpowerasyouimagineyouhave.
Theworldaroundyouisasyouhavewilledittobe.
Youarelivinginaninfiniteoceanofpowerandcheerfulness,butyouappropriateonlysomuchfromitas
youthink,believeandimagine.Duetocertainpropensitiesyoucherishcertainthoughts,andyouallow
yourmindtofoment.Butbydiscrimination,youcaneasilygiveupthephantasyofmind.
Thelimitofyourthoughtisthelimitofyourpossibilities.Yourcircumstancesandenvironmentsarethe
materializationofyourthoughts.Theworldexperiencerisesorfallsinaccordancewithyourthoughts.
Whateverthoughtischerishedbyyouintheworldwillbeultimatelyrealized.
Whateverapuremindstronglybelievessomethingtobe,thatitsoonbecomes.Yourthoughtsare
powerfulinproportiontoyourintensity,depth,andwarmth.Theybecomesowhentheyarebeing
constantlycherishedoverandoveragain.Constantthinking,desiringorimaginingofthesameidea
contributesmuchtothematerializationofthatidea.
Developapuremindandwhateverobjectsandworldsyouwishtoget,youwillgainthoseobjectsand
worlds.
Itistruethateverythoughtyouthinkhasitscorrespondingeffectonthewholeorsomepartofhuman
anatomy.Thephysicalbodyisrealizedtobesubtlebymeansofconstantmeditationonitsbeingso.The
mentalorsubtlebodybecomesphysicalwhenitisrepeatedlyimagined.Thesecretofsuccessis
constantandrepeatedeffort.
Developstrongdetermination.Itisanimportantfactorwhichwillcontributetotherealizationofyour
thoughts.Thereisnobodywhowillbeabletowithstandthepowerofyourdeterminedmind.Youcan
realizeeverything.
Yourbodyisyourobjectifiedthought.Whenyourthoughtschange,thebodywillalsochange.Themind
createsthebodyfromthematerialofyourownthoughts.Thoughtisaforcethatcanchange,transform,
oratleastmodify,almostanythinginthehumansystem.
Thedisorderanddisharmonyofthephysicalbodyiscalledaphysicaldiseaseandtheconflictofthemind
iscalledamentaldisease.Bothofthemhavetheirultimaterootinignoranceandcanbecuredonlyby
theknowledgeofreality.Whenyouworryabouttheexperiencesoftheworld,adepressingmental
disturbanceoriginatesinyourmind.Bytheeffectofmentaldisturbance,thesmoothandregularflowof
vitalcurrentsisdisturbed.Whenthevitalcurrentsflowimproperly,theNadisbecomedisorganized.Some
ofthemgetmorevitalenergyandsomegetless.Thus,thewholesystembecomesoutoforder.Inthis
waymentaldisharmonyisthecauseofphysicaldiseases,whichcanbecuredonlybyremovingthe
cause.
Everydepressinganddisturbingthoughtthatentersyourbrain,hasadepressingeffectoneverycellof
yourbody,andtendstoproducedisease.Allnegativethoughtsareforerunnersofdisease,andtheyare
messengersofdeath.
Ifyouwanttolivelongandleadasensibleandhealthylifecherishgoodthoughts.Subtleandpowerful
areinfluencesofthethoughtsinbuildingandrebuildingofyourbody.Bevigilant.
Practicallyalldiseaseswiththeirsufferingshavetheirorigininpervertedmentalandemotionalstatesand
conditions.Restorationofmentalharmonyisabsolutelynecessaryforyou.Purifyyourthoughtsby
performingnobleactionsandbyassociationwithwiseones.Whenyourthoughtsarepurifiedthevital
currentswillbegintoflowproperlyandwillcleanthewholesystem.
Everygoodthoughtstimulatestheheart,improvesthedigestivesystemandpromotesthenormalaction
ofeverygland.
Contentmentisanothernamefortheharmonyofthemind.Whenyourthoughtsdonotwandertothisor
thatobjectandwhenyoufeelselfsatisfied,youareinastateofjoywhichisunique.Ifyouarehappy
within,everythingappearsgoodandpleasingtoyou.
Thoughtsarethemainsourceofyourcheerfulness.Purifyyourthoughtsalltroubleswillbecured.
Ifyouarecherishingpeacefulthoughtsthewholeworldwillappearcool,butifnegativethoughtshave
spreadtheirkingdomthentheworldwillseemtobeahotfurnace.Nocircumstancecompelsyouto
cherishevilthoughts.Donotruinyourselfbyyourimaginationoffate.Ithasnorealityofitsown.
Thoughtisabletorevealreality.Propelledbyrightthoughtsthewisemanisabletocomeoutofmost
dangeroussituations.Thewholerealityispresentinitsfullpotencyeverywhere,sowhateverisintensely
thoughtofanywherecanbeexperiencedthere.
Theessentialnatureofallobjectsisthoughts.Materialityisawrongidea.
Assnowmeltsinwaterthroughheat,somindbecomessubtlethroughthepracticeofrightvisionand
positivethoughts.
Therealactionisthoughtonly.Itisreallymentalandnotphysical.Thephysicalactionisonlyanexternal
expressionoftherealactionwhichisvibrationofvolitioninthemind.Yourphysicalactivitiesareonlythe
varioussidesofmentalactivities.
Asthebeautyofatreeincreasesimmenselyinthespringseason,soalsoyourstrength,yourintellect
andthelustrewillincreaseinproportiontoyourpositivethoughts.Thoughtsofthewisemenareentirely
differentfromthethoughtsofordinarypeople.Youareliberatedinproportiontoyourthoughtsof
indifferencetotheworld.
Whenthoughtsofpurityemanatearoundyou,EternalLawbeginstosupportyou.Youareawareofyour
thoughts.Youonlyknowwhathascometopassinyourownexperience.Ineveryoneofyouseparately
hasarisentheworldoftheexperienceoftheworld.Youhavegotalimitedmindwhichissubjectto
varioustypesofmodesandcircumstances.
SomeThoughtseeds
Trueknowledgeisspiritualconsciousness.Itisawarenessofonesrealnature.Knowledgemeansright
discernmentorcorrectevaluation,wisdomandaperfectunderstandingofoneselfandofothers.Right
thoughtresultsinrightactionandrightlife.
Beautyisessentiallyspiritual.Realbeautyliesinonesheart.Itisinonescharacter.Beautydwellsin
purity.Beautyshinesinvirtues.Loveisarefined,innatesenseofonenesswiththeentirecreation.Love
isselfdenial,selflessness.
Loveissacrednessofheart.Loveisunrestrainedgoodwill,mercy,compassionandtolerance.Loveis
absenceofsensuality.
Thebodyisnoteverything.Thereissomethingwhichisvitallyimportant,whichdwellsinthebody.Itis
thespiritofman.ThoughidenticalwiththecosmicSpirit,itisindividualizedbytheKarmasofthe
individualsoul.Thebodypassesawaythespiritlives.Theindividualityofthespiritisthereaslongasthe
bodylaststhenitoughttoreturnbacktoanddissolveitselfinitsoriginalsource,unlessofcourse,itis
drawnbackbyitsassociatedKarmasintoanotherembodimentinordertoreapthem.
Everythingpassethaway.NothingeveristoaccompanymanexcepthisKarmas,whenthebodyiscast
off.Henceaslongasmanlives,heshouldliveamicably,withloveandgoodwilltowardsall,hurtingno
oneinanymanner,covetingnoworldlyriches,withmoreofkindnessandmentalcharity,forgivenessand
tolerance,withdetachmenttomundaneobjects,anddissociationoftheegofromonesactions,while
takingcaretoacquirenonewKarmasasoneworksoutthealreadyaccomplishedones.
Withalittleofcontentment,discrimination,devotiontoGodandselfsurrendertoHisWill,withalittleof
detachmentandnonexpectationofanythingfromanyone,withanattitudeofprayerfulnessandabiding
bythedictatesofonesconsciencewithunshakablefaithinonesspiritualprinciplesandcodeofconduct,
andevaluation,lifebecomeseasier,worthierandhappier.
Ifyouhavedifficulties,youshouldlooktothecausefirst.Therealtroubleliesinignoringthecause.Ifthe
causeisremedied,difficultiesbecomeless,orratheraccidental.Theworldisagreatschoolwhere
peoplearegivenampleopportunitiestomendandmouldthemselvesintobetterindividuals.
Nooneisbornperfect.Therearepossibilitiesforeveryonetoimproveoneself.Trialsanddifficulties
oughttomakeoneabetterindividualratherthancreatecomplexesandconstrictthemindandheart.
Takeshelteringreatandnoblethoughts,andobtainperfection.
Gurusgraceisalwayswiththedisciple,unreservedandunconditioned.Itdepends,however,ontheself
discipline,faithandpurityofthedisciplewhethertomakeuseofthisgraceornot.Gururesidesinthe
heartsofhisdisciples.Someareawareofthisandsomearenot.ThelivingpresenceoftheGuruwithin
isthebestassetofthedisciple.
ChapterEleven
THOUGHTPOWERFORGODREALIZATION
LifeAnInterplayofThoughts
Thethoughtthatyouhold,willmanifestinyourlife.Ifyouarecourageous,cheerful,compassionate,
tolerantandkindthenthesequalitieswillmanifestinyourphysicallife.Theonlyimpurityofthemindis
basethoughtanddesire.
Guardyourgoodthoughtsasanalertwatchmanguardsthetreasury.WhenthereisnottheIthought
thentherewillbenootherthought.
Lifeisaninterplayofthoughts.Dualityceaseswhenthemindstopsitsfunction.Thinkingisboundbythe
timefactor.Thinkingmustcease.ThenaloneyouwillattaintheTimeless.Bestill.
Letallthewavesofthoughtsubside.Inthatstillness,whenthemindmelts,thereshinestheselfeffulgent
Atman,thepureConsciousness.Watchthemind.Watchthethoughts.Pursueserenity.Makeyourheart
afittingabodefortheLord.
ThoughtResultsinSpiritualExperience
Themoltengold,whichispouredintoacrucibleassumestheshapeofthecrucible.Evenso,themind
assumestheformoftheobjectwhichitpervades.
Themindassumestheshapeofanyobjectitintenselythinksupon.Ifitthinksofanorange,itassumes
theshapeofanorange.
IfitthinksofLordKrishna,itassumestheformofLordKrishna.Youmusttrainthemindproperly,and
giveitproperSattvicfoodforassimilation.HaveaSattvicbackgroundofthoughtormentalimage.
Thesamethoughtswhichareentertainedbythemanduringtheday,occupyhismindduringdreamalso.
Ifyouhavepurityandconcentration,youcanmakethemindassumeanyBhavayoulike.Ifyouthinkof
mercy,yourwholebeingwillbesaturatedwithmercy.Ifyouthinkofpeace,thewholebeingwillbe
pervadedwithpeace.
ItisthementalBhavaorattitudethatdeterminesthenatureofanactionandbringsitsfruits.Youmay
embraceyourmotherorsisteroryourwife.TheactionisthesamebutthementalBhavaisdifferent.
WatchyourBhavana,ideasandfeelingsalways.YourBhavanashouldalwaysbeSattvic.Youshould
alwaysentertainBrahmaBhavana.WatchtheBhavanaduringthemeditation.Youneednotwatchthe
breath.
Thethoughtsyoucreateinyourmindandtheimagesyouforminyourdailylifewillhelpyouinmaking
whatyouareorwhatyouwanttobecome.IfyouconstantlythinkofLordKrishna,youwillbecome
identicalwiththeLord.YouwillabideinHimforever.
ThoughtsofGod
Yourmindmustbeemptyofallworldlythoughts.ItmustbefilledwiththoughtsofGodandwithnothing
else.
Keepyourmindfilledwithgood,divine,sublimeloftythoughts,sothattherewillbenoroomforevil
thoughts.Neverspeakanyunnecessaryword.Neverallowanyunnecessaryorvainthoughttooccupy
yourmind.
DivineThoughtsforFreedomfromDiseases
Thebestmedicineorpanaceaforalldiseasesandforkeepinggoodhealth,istheentertainingofdivine
thoughts.Thewavesreleasedbydivinethoughts,byKirtan,Japaandregularmeditation,willelectrify,
rejuvenate,vivify,energisethecells,tissues,nerves.
Anothercheapandpotentdrugistokeeponeselfalwaysjoyfulandcheerful.StudyGitadaily,oneortwo
chapterswithmeaning.Keepyourselffullyoccupiedwhichisaremedytokeepoffthoughtsof
worldliness.
FillthemindwithSattvaandenjoywonderfulhealthandpeace.Obtainanassociationwiththewise,
cultivatefaith,serenity,truthfulness,courage,mercy,devotion,love,cheerfulness,confidence,divine
thoughtanddivinevirtues.
Allowthemindtoruninthespiritualdirection,indivinegroovesyourmindwillbepeacefulandgenerate
harmoniousvibrations.Youwillenjoyexcellentmentalhealthandhavenophysicaldisease.
ThoughtculturebyKnowledgeandDevotion
Sitinasolitaryplaceandwatchyourthoughtscarefully.Allowthemonkeymindtojumpinitsownwayfor
sometime.Aftersometimeitwillclimbdown.Itwillbecomequiet.BeaSakshiorwitnessofthe
menagerieofvariousthoughtsintheeternalcircusorshow.Becomeaspectatorofthementalbioscopic
film.
Donotidentifywiththethoughts.Takeanindifferentattitude.Allthoughtswilldiebythemselvesoneby
one.
Repeatmentally,OmIamSakshi.WhoamI?IamthoughtlessAtman.Ihavenothingtodowiththese
falsementalpicturesandthoughts.Letthemrollon.Ihavenoconcernwiththem.Allthoughtswill
perish.Themindwillperishlikethegheelesslamp.
FixthemindontheformofLordHariorLordSivaorLordKrishnaoryourGuruoranysaintlikeLord
BuddhaorLordJesus.Againandagaintrytocallthismentalimageofthepicture.Allthoughtswilldie.
Thisisanothermethod,themethodofBhaktas.
ThoughtsandYogaPracticeofMentalQuietude
Sitpeacefully.Discriminate.Dissociateyourselffromthoughtsandthemindwhichisthethinkingprinciple
orentity.
IdentifyyourselfwiththeinnermostSelfandstandasasilentwitnessorSakshi.Graduallyallthoughtswill
diebythemselves.YouwillbecomeonewiththesupremeSelforParaBrahman.
Continuethepracticeofmentalquietude.Itdoesrequire,doubtlessadirectefforttoannihilatethemind.
YoushouldannihilatetheVasanasfirst.ThenaloneyouwillbeabletodotheSadhanaofmentalquiet
vigorously.WithoutproducingVasanaKshaya,nomentalquietorannihilationofthemindispossible.
WinningFriendsbyPracticeofYoga
Winfriendsandinfluencepeople:ThisDaleCarnagieprincipleisbutaleafoutoftheancientIndian
volumeonpsychospiritualscience.PracticeYogatheentireworldwillworshipyou.Youwill
unconsciouslyattracttoyourselfeverylivingbeingevengodswillbeatyourbeckandcall.Evenamong
wildbeastsandbloodybrutesyouwillwinfriends.Serveallloveall.Unfoldyourinnerpowersthrough
thepracticeofRajaYoga,throughthecontrolandconquestofthoughtpower.
ThroughthepracticeofYoga,youcanmakethewholehumanityandalllivingbeingsmembersofyour
ownfamily.ThroughthepracticeofYogayoucanovercomealldifficultiesandcaneradicateall
weaknesses.
ThroughthepracticeofYogapaincanbetransmutedintobliss,deathintoimmortality,sorrowintojoy,
failureintosuccessandsicknessintoperfecthealth.Therefore,practiceYogadiligently.
TheYogicStateofThoughtlessness
Generallythereisnogenuinespiritualawakeninginstudents.Thereismerecuriosityforgettingsome
psychicorYogicpowers.ThatstudentisfarfromGodaslongasheretainssomehiddendesiresfor
Siddhis.Strictlyobservetheethicalrules.
Transformtheworldlynaturefirst.Ifyoubecomeabsolutelydesireless,absolutelythoughtless,absolutely
Vrittiless,ifthementalVrittisaredestroyedintoto,Kundaliniwillascendbyitself,withouteffort,through
theforceofpurity.Removethedrossofmind.Youwillyourselfgethelpandanswerfromwithin.
YogioftheDevelopedThoughtPower
TheYogiwhohasdevelopedhispowersofthoughts,hasamagneticandcharmingpersonality.Those
whocomeincontactwithhimaremuchinfluencedbyhissweetvoice,powerfulspeech,lustrouseyes,
brilliantcomplexion,stronghealthybody,goodbehaviour,virtuousqualitiesandDivineNature.
Peoplederivejoy,peaceandstrengthfromhim.Theyareinspiredbyhisspeechandgetelevationof
mindbymerecontactwithhim.
Thoughtmoves.Thoughtisagreatforce.AYogiorsagecanpurifythewholeworldwithhispowerful
thoughtsthoughheremainsinasolitarycaveintheHimalayas.
Itisnotnecessarythatheshouldappearontheplatformanddeliverlecturesanddiscoursestohelpthe
people.Sattvaisintenseactivity.Thewheelthatrevolvesveryrapidlyappearstobeatrest.SoisSattva.
SoisaSattvicman.
ThoughtboatstoInfiniteStrength
Lifeisajourneyfromimpuritytopurity,fromhatredtocosmiclove,fromdeathtoimmortality,from
imperfectiontoperfection,fromslaverytofreedom,fromdiversitytounity,fromignorancetoeternal
wisdom,frompaintoeternalbliss,fromweaknesstoinfinitestrength.
LeteverythoughttakeyounearertheLord,everythoughtfurtheryourevolution.
ChapterTwelve
THOUGHTPOWERFORANEWCIVILIZATION
PureThoughtsTheirImpactontheWorld
Thewesternpsychologistsandoccultistslaygreatemphasisandstressonthepurityofthoughts.
Thoughtcultureisanexactscience.Oneshouldcultivaterightthinkingandshoulddriveoutallsortsof
vainandworldlythoughts.
Hewhoentertainsevilthoughtscausesgreatharmuntohimselfandtotheworldatlarge.Hepollutesthe
thoughtworld.Hisevilthoughtsenterthemindsofotherswholiveatalongdistance,becausethought
moveswithatremendouslightningspeed.
Evilthoughtsarethedirectcauseforallsortsofdiseases.Alldiseasestaketheiroriginatfirstfroman
impurethought.Hewhoentertainsgood,sublimeanddivinethoughtsdoesimmensegooduntohimself
andtotheworldalso.Hecanradiatejoy,hope,solaceandpeacetohisfriendswholiveatadistance.
ThoughtPowerforWorldweal
Karmaisactionandalsothelawofcauseandeffect.Allkingdomsbelowthehumankingdomare
mindless.Thereforetheycannotgeneratethoughts.Furthertheyhavenoideaofrightandwrong,what
oughttobedoneandwhatoughtnottobedoneandsotheycannotcreateKarma.
Thoughtsaresolidthings,moresolidthanalumpofsugarcandy.Theyhavetremendousforceorpower.
Utilizethisthoughtpowercarefully.Itcanserveyounicelyinavarietyofways.Butdonotmisusethis
poweratrandom.Ifyoumisusethispower,youwillhavequickdownfalloraterriblereaction.Utilizeitto
helpothers.
ThoughtPowerforCultivationofCourageandLove
Destroyruthlesslythefearthoughts,selfishthoughts,thehatethoughts,lustfulthoughts,andother
morbidnegativethoughts.Theseevilthoughtsinduceweakness,disease,disharmony,depressionand
despair.
Cultivatepositivethoughtssuchasmercy,courage,loveandpurity.Thenegativethoughtswilldieby
themselves.Trythisandfeelyourstrength.Purethoughtswillinfuseinyouanewexaltedlife.
Sublimedivinethoughtsproducetremendousinfluenceinthemindanddriveawayevilthoughtsand
changethementalsubstance.Mindiswhollychangedintolightbyentertainingdivinethoughts.
ThoughtPowerforanIdealLife
Entertainloftiestthoughts.Yourcharacterwillbeexalted.Yourlifewillbenobleandideal.
But,differentpeoplehavedifferentmentalbackgrounds.Peoplevaryintheircapacities,mentaland
intellectual,andinphysicalandmentalstrengthtodothings.Thereforeeachofyoushouldhaveanideal
whichissuitedtoyourtemperament,yourcapacity,andrealizeitwithgreatenthusiasmanddynamic
action.
Theidealofonepersonwillnotsuitanother.Ifonekeepsanidealthathecannotrealize,anidealthatis
beyondhisreachandcapacity,hewillgetdisappointment.HewillgiveuphiseffortandbecomeTamasic.
Youshouldhaveyourownideal.Youmayrealizeitthismomentoraftertenyearswithfalteringsteps.It
doesnotmattermuch.Everyoneshouldendeavourhisorherlevelbesttoliveuptothisideal.Yourwhole
energy,nerveforceandwillmustbeputintherealizationoftheideal.
Youcanchalkoutyourownidealyourselfaccordingtoyourownstandard.Ifyouareunabletodothis,
haveyourguideandhewillselectforyoutheidealthatissuitabletoyourcapacityandstandard.
Oneshouldnottreataman,whohasalowideal,withcontempt.Hemaybeababysoul,whoisjust
crawlingnowinhismoralorspiritualpath.Yourdutyistohelphiminallpossiblewaysintherealizationor
accomplishmentofhisideal.Youshouldgivehimallsortsofencouragementinhissincereendeavourto
liveuptohisownhighestideal.
Itishighlydeplorabletonotethatthevastmajorityofpersonshavenoidealatall.Eveneducated
personsdonotcherishanyideal.Theyleadanaimlesslifeandthereforearedriftedhitherandthitherlike
apieceofstraw.
Theymakenoprogressinlife.Isthisnotaverysadplight?Highlylamentableindeed!Itisverydifficultto
getahumanbirthandyetpeopledonotrealizetheimportanceofkeepingupanidealandlivinguptothe
ideal.
TheideaofEat,drinkandbemerry,isadoptedbytheEpicureans,thegluttonsandrichpeople.This
schoolofthoughtshascountlessfollowersandthenumberisincreasingbyleapsandboundsdaily.
ThisistheidealofVirochana.ThisistheidealofAsurasandRakshasas.Thisidealwillleadamantothe
darkregionofmiseryandsorrow.
Blessedisthemanwhoelevateshisthoughts,keepsupanidealandstruggleshardtoliveuptohisown
ideal,forhewillsoonattainGodconsciousness.
ThoughtenergyforServiceandSpiritualProgress
Evenasenergyiswastedinidletalkandgossiping,soalsoenergyiswastedinentertaininguseless
thoughts.
Therefore,youshouldnotwasteevenasinglethought.Donotwasteevenaniotaofenergyinuseless
thinking.
Conserveallmentalenergy.Utilizeitforhigherspiritualpurposes,indivinecontemplation,Brahma
ChintanaandBrahmaVichara.Conserveallthoughtenergyandutilizeitformeditationandhelpful
servicetohumanity.
Driveawayfromyourmindallunnecessary,uselessandobnoxiousthoughts.Uselessthoughtsimpede
yourspiritualgrowthobnoxiousthoughtsarestumblingblockstospiritualadvancement.
YouareawayfromGodwhenyouentertainuselessthoughts.SubstitutethoughtsofGod.Entertainonly
thoughtsthatarehelpfulanduseful.
Usefulthoughtsarethesteppingstonestospiritualgrowthandprogress.Donotallowthemindtorun
intotheoldgroovesandhaveitsownwaysandhabits.Beonthecarefulwatch.
HelptheWorldbyGoodThoughts
Likeattractslike.Ifyouentertainanevilthought,thatthoughtattractsallsortsofevilthoughtsfromother
people.Youpassonthosethoughtstoothersalso.
Thoughtmoves.Thoughtisalivingdynamicforce.Thoughtisathing.Ifyouallowyourmindtodwellona
sublimethoughtthisthoughtwillattractgoodthoughtsfromothers.
Youpassonthatgoodthoughttoothers.Youpollutetheworldwithyourbadthoughts.
ThoughtPowerandtheConditionsofaNewCivilization
Thoughtmakesman.Manmakescivilization.Thereisapowerfulthoughtforcebehindeverygreatevent
inlifeandinthehistoryoftheworld.
Behindalldiscoveriesandinventions,behindallreligionsandphilosophies,behindalllifesavingorlife
destroyingdevicesisthought.
Thoughtisexpressedinwordsandexecutedindeeds.Wordisthehandmaidofthought,anddeedisthe
endresult.Hence,thesaying,Asyouthink,soyoubecome.
Howtobuildanewcivilization?
Bygeneratinganewthoughtforce.
Howtobuildacivilizationthatwillensurethepeaceofmankind,theprosperityofsociety,thesalvationof
theindividual?
Bygeneratingathoughtforcethatwillinvariablyresultinmanenjoyingpeaceofmind,thatwillinstillinhis
heartthedivinevirtuesofcompassion,ofservicetohisfellowmen,loveofGod,andofanintensedesire
torealizeHim.
Ifbutafractionofthewealthandthetimespentonwastefulpursuitsanddestructiveactivitiesisdevoted
tothecreationofaGOODTHOUGHT,therewillbeanewcivilizationrightnow.
Atomicandhydrogenbombs,I.C.B.M.andahostofotherinventionsdrivemankindinevitablyto
destruction.
Theywasteyourwealththeydestroyyourneighbourstheypollutetheatmosphereofthewholeworld,
andgeneratefear,hatred,andsuspicioninyourheartthemindisunbalancedandthebodyissubjected
todiseases.Stopthistrend.
Promoteresearchinspirituality,inreligion,inallthegoodthingsoflife.Supportthephilosophersand
saintstherealbenefactorsofmankind.Encouragethemintheirstudyofreligion,researchesinancient
spiritualliterature,andtheprojectionofagreatthoughtforceforthegood.
Banallliteraturethatpollutesthethoughtsoftheyoung.Floodtheyoungbrainwithhealthythoughts,
ideasandideals.
Themanwhocommitsmurder,themanwhostealsyourpurse,themanwhocheatsyoulawpunishes
him.Butthiscrimeisinsignificantwhencomparedtothecrimecommittedbythewickedintellectualwho
instillsawickedideaintothemindofyouth.
Heistheauthorofmanymurdersthattakeplaceonearthhestealsyourgreatestwealth,viz.,wisdom
hecheatsyoubypresentingyouwithpoisoninthenameofsweetelixir.Thelawofthenewcivilizationwill
dealveryseverelywithsuchAsuricbeings.
Thenewcivilizationwillgiveeveryencouragementtothosewhowishtostudyphilosophy,religionand
spiritualthought.Itwillmaketheirstudycompulsoryinschoolsandcolleges.Itwillawardscholarshipsto
studentsofphilosophy.Itwillconferprizesandtitlesonthosewhoconductresearchesinreligionand
philosophy.Thedeepesturgeinmanthespiritualurgewillbegiventhefullestscopetorealizeitsgoal.
ThefruitsoftheNewCivilizationarewellworthallthateverybodycandotowardsbuildingitup.Inthe
NewCivilizationmanwillwanttoleadarighteouslife,hewillbeeagertoservehisfellowbeingsand
sharewiththemwhathehashewillloveall,realizingthathisownSelfdwellsinallhewillbedevotedto
thewelfareofallbeings.
Whatanidealsocietyitwillbe,wherepeoplesharewithothersallthattheypossess,andwillserve
everybody!Wherewillbetheneedfortaxesanddutiesinsuchasocietyinwhicheveryonewillvoluntarily
workforall?Whereistheneedforpoliceandthearmywhenpeoplearedevotedtovirtue?
Thisthenistheideal.Towardsthisend,leteveryonestrivetogenerateaThoughtforce.
MayGodblessyouall!