Thoughts Count Too

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Jaya Guru Datta,

 

Here is today's saying:

 

"The man who pretends the attitude of inactivity but goes on thinking in his

mind about many objects of the world and designs plans to acquire them, is

called a liar or a hypocrite. For instance, a man may not use abusive words

while talking to others. But in his mind, if he uses these words, he becomes a

man of false conduct. No doubt he kept his mouth shut. But his mind was full

of envy and hatred. So it misbehaved. Such an act cannot free a man of guilt.

Similarly, he might have controlled his organs of action, he might have given up

objects of enjoyments, but if he keeps on looking at pictures that would excite

lust in him and if he contemplates on them, he will be affected by the fault of

indulgence.

 

Giving up physical actions and allowing the mind to roam about will not do any

good in one’s spiritual progress. The idea is, along with the giving up of the

objects of enjoyments physically, one should put more amount of effort to steady

the mind and make it pure.

 

In short, a seeker after Truth should not delude himself by thinking that he has

achieved the aim by simply controlling his organs of action. He should restrain

the mind by checking its wandering habits. Of course, a beginner at the time of

meditation may find a lot of difficulties to control his mind, as it may wander

about enjoying sense pleasures in recollections and imaginations. But he should

not give up the struggle in disgust. Conscious efforts with perseverance will

surely pave the way for a change in the mental attitude."

 

Sri Swamiji

Bhaktimala, September 1993

LESSONS FROM BHAGAVAD GITA – 17

Compiled by: Swami Dattananda

 

Sri Guru Datta,

Swamiji Says

 

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