Reach Higher and Higher - Swami Nikhilananda

To keep the mind steady, we should not be affected by the outer world, reaching us through the sense organs. The sense stimuli have the power to disturb the mind, so the seeker tries to avoid all those situations which could potentially cause agitation. In other words, a seeker practicing self-control abstains from the world of sense pleasures. We find that when we follow this path sincerely objects do not bother us and people also stop interfering with us. For example, it is possible we find that we are not invited to certain parties. Should this happen we must understand that we are progressing on the spiritual path.

Merely abstaining from sense objects is not enough. The objects may go away, but the taste remains in the mind. People live in ashrams, avoiding sense pleasures and maintaining disciples but the taste of what they have enjoyed in the past remains. In other words, the craving remains and whenever it gets a chance, the mind runs there.

© "The World Wisdom Review (August 2006) published by Full Circle Publishing (P) Limited, J-40, Jorbagh Lane, New Delhi 110 003. Website: www.atfullcircle.com. Reprinted with permission.

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