Absoloute Subdual of the Mind

Absoloute Subdual of the Mind

By Swami Sivananda

Mind, through ignorance and indiscrimination, considers its false personality to be true and thinks it is the doer of all Karmas and thus becomes egoistic. It imagines that it is in bondage. It identifies itself with the Jivatma; it becomes Jivatma itself and takes the responsibility upon itself for doing good or bad Karmas and enjoying or suffering from their fruits. Hence is mind the doer of Karmas (action), and responsibility for the Karmas, therefore, rests with it.

Mind is the stealer of Atman. It is a thief. Mind drags the Jivatma into Vishaya (sensual enjoyments). Jivatma is the Abhasa of Chaitanya or reflected intelligence in mind. Mind and Jivatma always live together. They cannot be separated. Slay the mind, the stealer of Atman, through Vichara, Manana and Nididhyasana (constant and profound meditation) on Brahman.

Mind has the potency of creating or undoing the whole world in the twinkling of an eye. Therefore, slay this mind the slayer of Atman, whether through the destruction of Vasana (latent, subtle desires) or Vakya Chintana. The best means of disposing of the great danger of Maya, involving all in pains, is the destruction of mind. With the destruction of the mind, all the three periods of time vanish into nothingness. With the destruction of mind, Atmajnana begins to dawn.

The extinction of Vasanas (Vasana-kshaya), Manonasa (annihilation of the mind), and Tattva-Jnana (understanding of the Reality), when practised together for a long time, are regarded as fruitful. They should be practised at a time. So long as these three are not equally practised, again and again, the Supreme Seat (Parama Pada) cannot be attained even after a lapse of hundreds of years. Through the practice of these three for a long time, the firm knots of the heart are cut without doubt, like the breaking of the threads in a lotus-stalk rent in two.

Destruction of the mind does not mean annihilation of the self. The Vedantin divides the mind into the higher and the lower, of which the lower one leading to desires is asked to be destroyed.

Destruction of desires, annihilation of Ahankara, destruction of Sankalpa – all mean control of mind or annihilation of mind (Manonasa or Amanaskata). Destruction of egoism, raga-Dvesha (attraction and repulsion for objects) and all Vasanas along is Manonasa. Manonasa comes through the destruction of the Vasanas. Manonasa does not mean that you should take a sword and cut the mind to pieces.

Manonasa means the death of the present form of the mind (i.e., the instinctive mind of emotions and passions), the form which perceives differences where none exists, which identifies the Self with the body. Its death really means its transformation into and, therefore, the birth of cosmic consciousness.

Vast majority of persons live in Annamaya Kosa only. Their thoughts are directed towards eating, cleansing the body and putting on neat dress. That is all. Even the so-called educated persons live in Annamaya Kosa only. Sometimes, they live in Manomaya Kosa (mental sheath). A spiritual aspirant and Viveki live in Vijnanamaya Kosa (Buddhi Sheath). The Vijnanamaya Kosa is developed by abstract thinking and reasoning by systematic meditation, Brahma- chintana, study of the Upanishads, Yoga-Vasishtha and Brahma Sutras. You must all develop the Vijnanamaya Kosa by the study of Vedantic literature and pure thinking. Then you are safe. Mind will stop to deceive and torment you.

Mind is absorbed in Mahat or Buddhi. Individual Buddhi is absorbed in the Cosmic Buddhi; Cosmic Buddhi in Avyakta; Avyakta in Brahman. This is the Laya-Chintana of Antahkarana or Mind.

Sambhavi Mudra, Bhrukuti-Drishti (looking at the spot midway between the two eyebrows) Nasikagra-Drishti (looking steadily at the tip of the nose), Nadanusandhana (hearing the sounds of the ear) – all belong to Laya Yoga. By these practices the mind gets Laya soon. The Unmani state supervenes rapidly. The Unmani Avastha of Laya-Yogis corresponds to the Bhava-Samadhi of Bhaktas. In Sambhavi Mudra, the eyes are open but the mind is fixed on the Lakshya. The eyes do not see the external objects.

When the mind and senses are thinned out and eventually controlled, Smaranendriya-vyapara (the various activities of Antahkarana and senses) ceases. Jivatva (personality-nation and sensation) vanishes. Brahmatva (existence) remains. That is Kevala Asti.

Manonasa is of two kinds, viz., (1) Svarupa Manonasa, destruction of the Svarupa of mind, as in the case of the Jivanmuktas and (2) Arupa Manonasa, destruction of the very form of the mind, as in the case of Videhamuktas, when they leave off their physical bodies. The first is termed – destruction of the mind with form. The second is termed – destruction of the mind without form.

Absoloute Subdual of the Mind – Inner Mastery, Silence, and Spiritual Freedom

Absoloute Subdual of the Mind is a deep spiritual ideal where the restless movements of thought, desire, ego, fear, and attachment are brought under complete control. The mind is usually active, wandering, and difficult to restrain. It runs toward sense-objects, memories, imagination, pleasure, praise, and personal ambition. The seeker’s task is to understand this movement and gradually bring it into silence, purity, and obedience to higher wisdom.

The mind is not conquered by hatred. It is conquered by knowledge, discipline, patience, devotion, and steady practice. If a person fights the mind violently, more tension may arise. If the mind is allowed to run freely, bondage increases. The wise path is gentle firmness: observe the mind, guide it, purify it, and turn it toward the Divine or the witnessing self.

Absoloute Subdual of the Mind begins with self-observation. The seeker must watch thoughts, desires, emotions, reactions, and motives throughout the day. When anger rises, observe it. When pride speaks, notice it. When jealousy appears, recognize it. When desire pulls the senses outward, examine its nature. Awareness itself weakens unconscious habit and begins the process of mastery.

The senses are closely connected with mental restlessness. The eyes seek attractive forms, the ears seek pleasing sounds, the tongue seeks taste, and the body seeks comfort. These experiences are not evil in themselves, but attachment to them makes the mind weak. Sense-control, moderation, and discrimination are necessary if the seeker wants inner freedom.

Absoloute Subdual of the Mind also requires control of speech. Words come from thought and also strengthen thought. Harsh speech, gossip, lies, criticism, and useless argument disturb the inner world. Speak truthfully, kindly, and only when needed. Silence, when practiced wisely, gathers scattered energy and helps the mind turn inward.

Desire is one of the strongest forces in the mind. One desire fulfilled gives birth to another. The mind promises happiness through objects, people, success, comfort, and recognition, but lasting peace does not come from changing things. The seeker must practice contentment and detachment. When craving becomes weaker, the mind becomes calmer and more fit for meditation.

Absoloute Subdual of the Mind cannot be achieved without regular practice. Daily meditation, mantra repetition, prayer, study of noble teachings, selfless service, and self-examination slowly transform the inner nature. Occasional inspiration is not enough. The mind has been restless for many years, so it must be trained patiently through repeated spiritual effort.

Meditation is central to this discipline. Sit in a quiet place, keep the body steady, calm the breath, and fix attention on a chosen support such as a mantra, divine form, breath, light, heart centre, or witnessing awareness. When thoughts wander, bring them back again and again. Each return is a small victory. Over time, the mind becomes more obedient.

Good company supports inner conquest. The mind absorbs impressions from people, books, conversations, entertainment, and surroundings. Negative influences awaken restlessness, doubt, indulgence, and carelessness. Noble company, satsang, spiritual reading, and association with sincere seekers strengthen faith, purity, and discipline. A seeker must protect the mind carefully.

Absoloute Subdual of the Mind is also supported by selfless service. Ego is strengthened when life revolves only around personal gain, comfort, praise, and control. Service expands the heart and purifies motives. When actions are offered to the Divine and done for the welfare of others, selfishness becomes weaker. A purified heart makes mental control easier.

Devotion gives sweetness and strength to the path. Prayer, surrender, worship, and remembrance of God soften the mind and reduce egoistic struggle. The mind cannot be mastered by dry effort alone. When the heart loves the Divine, lower attractions lose some of their charm. Devotion gives the seeker courage during difficulty and humility during progress.

The seeker must also avoid pride. Even a little mental control can make the ego feel superior. This is dangerous. Real mastery makes a person humble, peaceful, compassionate, and balanced. If discipline creates harshness, judgment, or arrogance, the seeker must return to prayer and self-examination. True conquest is quiet and pure.

Absoloute Subdual of the Mind does not mean becoming dull, lifeless, or emotionless. It means freedom from slavery to lower impulses. The controlled mind can think clearly, love deeply, serve sincerely, and meditate steadily. It becomes a refined instrument rather than a noisy master. Such a mind reflects wisdom just as a clean mirror reflects light.

The highest stage comes when the seeker recognizes the witness beyond the mind. Thoughts are observed, emotions are observed, desires are observed, and even the ego is observed. The awareness that knows them remains steady. Resting in this awareness gives freedom from identification. Then the mind loses its power to bind.

In the end, Absoloute Subdual of the Mind is the spiritual victory of awareness over restlessness, wisdom over desire, and inner freedom over bondage. Through self-observation, sense-control, speech-control, meditation, devotion, service, good company, detachment, and steady practice, the seeker gradually masters the mind and moves toward peace, purity, self-knowledge, and liberation.

Conquest of the Mind’s Strongholds