From the Archives of Swami Jyotirmayananda
In our daily lives, we are frequently burdened by chronic stress, emotional turmoil, and the physical symptoms of an unquiet mind. We often seek external solutions to internal unrest, only to find temporary relief. The ancient sages recognized this exact human condition thousands of years ago.
Sri Swami Jyotirmayananda, the last direct disciple of Swami Sivananda, illuminates the profound teachings of the Yoga Vasistha to help us address the root cause of our suffering. By understanding the connection between ignorance, the ego, and our vital energy (prana), we can awaken the divine peace that already exists within us.
The most highlighted problem in the human experience is, unequivocally, pain. But what truly causes it? According to ancient scriptures, the sequence of our suffering follows a specific, predictable pattern:
- It begins with Avidya (ignorance), a fundamental misunderstanding of our true nature.
- This Avidya leads to a lack of intuitive discrimination (Avivek). We fail to distinguish between our true Self (Atman) and the temporary, false self.
- Because we cannot distinguish, egoism (Ahamkar) develops, creating a strong sense of individual identity separate from the whole.
- Led by this egoism, our lives are constantly shaking between attachment (Raga) and hatred/aversion (Dwesha).
- This constant swing between attraction and repulsion creates Karma, the law of cause and effect.
- Karma naturally leads to physical embodiment, drawing us back into the cycle of birth and death.
- And embodiment ultimately brings pain, as the physical realm is inherently subject to change and impermanence.
To break this sequence, we must trace our steps backward, addressing the mind’s fundamental tendency to fluctuate and its mistaken identification with the ego.
The Sun and Its Reflections
To truly understand who we are, Sri Swami Jyotirmayananda offers a brilliant and accessible analogy. The true “I Am” in every individual is like the sun—luminous, singular, and self-effulgent.
However, led by egoism, the mind acts like countless pots of water scattered across the landscape. The one sun casts countless reflections into these pots. Each reflected “sun” then develops an illusion of identity, believing it is dependent upon the pot (the body), the water (the mind and emotions), and even the fish within it (worldly experiences and desires).
In this state, the soul becomes bound by the karmic results of the world, forgetting that it is, in reality, the limitless source of light above, untouched by the conditions of the pots. This analogy beautifully illustrates how we mistake the reflection for the original.
The Role of Prana and Breath
So, how do we begin to quiet this turbulent mind and reclaim our true nature? The yogic process starts with something remarkably accessible: the breath.
The function of breathing allows our inner vitality—Prana—to be harmonized. Prana is not just breath; it is the cosmic energy that animates the entire universe, the life force itself. When you consciously regulate your breath through practices like Pranayama, you tap into that cosmic ocean of energy.
Mind and Prana are intimately interdependent. When the vital energies are balanced and serene, the mind naturally loses its ability to fluctuate rapidly. This reduction in mental agitation directly leads to a significant decrease in negative emotions such as anger, greed, and fear, paving the way for inner peace.
The Dissolution of the Mind (Manonash)
In Vedanta, spiritual seekers are taught a profound truth: the mind in itself is not a substantial reality. It is much like a cloud—a temporary collection of humidity, dust, and particles. When the light of intuitive intellect (Vivek) shines upon it, the cloud begins to lose its opacity. It thins, dissipates, and eventually dissolves.
This dissolution is known as Manonash. It does not mean you become unable to function in the world or lose your cognitive abilities. Instead, your mind achieves a state of extreme flexibility while maintaining an immovable root strength. You allow yourself to experience the positive and negative fluctuations of daily life, but your core remains unshaken, anchored in the Self.
Understanding Vasanas (Subtle Impressions)
We are constantly driven by our Vasanas—the subtle, subconscious impressions and tendencies left behind by countless past experiences. These impressions deeply color our vision, leading us to crave certain outcomes and avoid others, often unknowingly shaping our destiny.
In spiritual practice, a key aim is Vasana Kshaya, the exhausting or burning away of these impressions. Swamiji provides a practical, memorable illustration:
When you eat popcorn and accidentally drop a few kernels on the floor, they will not germinate into plants because they have been roasted. Similarly, in the state of enlightenment, your impressions become Dagdhabij (roasted seeds). You may continue to live and perform actions, but those actions will no longer sprout into future karmic bondage. You act without attachment to the fruits, free from the cycle.
Vairagya: The Power of Dispassion
Our vital energy is heavily dissipated by our incessant attachments (Raga) and aversions (Dwesha). We spend countless hours worrying about scenarios that have not happened or craving things that cannot truly fulfill us.
Vairagya (dispassion) is the powerful practice of recognizing that certain worldly pursuits are simply not worth consuming your precious energy. Just as a person realizes that too much sugar is harmful to their health and consciously steps away from sweets, a spiritual seeker develops the discrimination to step away from worldly illusions.
This conscious detachment preserves inner vitality, channeling it towards higher pursuits like Satsanga (association with truth) and Japa (repetition of sacred mantras), which genuinely nourish the soul.
Awakening from the Dream
Ultimately, fighting the mind is much like fighting an enemy in your sleep. If you are having a nightmare where you are terrified of a non-existent threat, the solution is not to struggle within the dream; the only true solution is to wake up.
Misunderstanding is remedied only by true understanding. By realizing the illusoriness of the mind and resting in the serene awareness of the Self, mastering life becomes a matter of effortless relaxation. We awaken to the reality that peace was always present, merely obscured by the dream of suffering.
Scholar’s Corner: Scriptural References
- Yoga Vasistha: Upasam Prakarana, Section 13
- Invocation: “Om Purnamadah Purnamidam…” (Isha Upanishad Shanti Mantra)
- Guru Stotram: “Brahmanandam param sukhadam…”
Glossary of Sanskrit Terms
- Ahamkar: Egoism; the false sense of “I”.
- Atman: The true, eternal Self.
- Avidya: Ignorance of one’s true nature.
- Avivek: Lack of intuitive discrimination between the real and the unreal.
- Dagdhabij: Roasted seeds; karmas that can no longer sprout into bondage.
- Dwesha: Aversion or hatred.
- Japa: Repetition of a sacred mantra or name.
- Manonash: The dissolution or transcending of the mind.
- Prana: Life force; vital energy.
- Raga: Attachment or craving.
- Satsanga: Association with truth; spiritual company or discourse.
- Vairagya: Dispassion or detachment from worldly illusions.
- Vasanas: Subtle mental impressions and tendencies.
- Vasana Kshaya: The exhausting or burning away of subtle impressions.
- Vivek: Intuitive discrimination between the real and the unreal.
Watch the full discourse: YouTube Video
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