Value: Cleanliness & Purity- June 2025
Third Week: Purifying the mind - Chitta-shuddhi
Citta refers to the mind, cittam is memory, and cit is Consciousness. There cannot be memory without Consciousness, and the mind cannot exist without memory. Essentially, Consciousness expresses itself as memory, which further manifests as the mind.
When Pure Consciousness mistakenly identifies with individuality, it undergoes experiences related to matter, resulting in the formation of deep-seated memories. The mind arises from these memories and creates further experiences. Consequently, the cycle of conditioned existence or samsara continues.
At the primary level, the purity of mind can be achieved through substituting habitual behavior with conscious actions, weakening the impact of those memories that retain us in samsara. At a deeper level, non-identification of individuality with the help of Self-knowledge will reduce the mind to its minimum presence, only to transact in the world.
Face the impact of the past
The teachings of Vedanta assure us that the actions of the past, which have not yet begun to yield results, do not disturb those who have renounced their identification with individuality. Such individuals are also free from experiencing the future repercussions of their present actions.
Everyone must endure the consequences that have led to their current birth and circumstances with patience and devotion to God. While one might refer to this as destiny, it should not be viewed with despair.
Face the situations of everyday life with a smile, as they quickly fade away and leave no lasting impact on someone who does not seek personal gain from them. Conversely, without a firm sense of dispassion, if you try to change your experiences or situations, what you are destined to face may be postponed to a later time or even to another life.
What you give up will never trouble you.
Redirect the thought flow
Purity is the nature of Consciousness; impurities are unconsciously added on by us.
Be mindful of your thoughts and observe how many of them revolve around your likes, dislikes, desires, ambitions, passions, possessions, pains, and disappointments. Most of these thoughts tend to be self-centered. Additionally, many external factors influence your thoughts, which can excite, agitate, or preoccupy you.
Our spiritual journey often stalls when we allow our past experiences and the world around us to dictate our thoughts. Despite attending satsangs and engaging in self-study, we may not see significant progress. A key reason for this is that we fail to redirect our thoughts from being self-centered to being centered on the Self.
In his renowned work, Vivekachoodamani, Sri Adi Shankaracharya advises us to replace deha-vasana (attachment to the body) with atma-vasana (attachment to the Self). It is essential to repeatedly assert, "I am Brahman, not the mind or body," to steadily advance on our spiritual path. This cannot be achieved if we allow our mind to be what it has always been.
