Mind, Its Manifestations and Resistences

Mind, Its Manifestations and Resistences

by Swami Sivananda

I. THOUGHT AND FACIAL EXPRESSION

Face is the index of Mind. Face is the mould of the mind. Every thought cuts a groove in the face. A divine thought brightens the face. An evil thought darkens the face. Continued divine thoughts increase the aura or halo. Continued evil thoughts increase the depth of dark impressions just as the continued striking of a vessel against the edge of a well while drawing water makes deeper and deeper hollow on the vessel. The facial expression truly advertises the inner state of the mind or the true contents of the mind.

II. THE INNER WAR

So long as there are desires or Vasanas, you cannot have knowledge of the Self. So long as you have no knowledge of the Self, you cannot destroy desires completely. This is a Chakrika or paradox. The more you thin out desires or Vasanas the more you are near to Atman or the Goal. Subha Vasanas will not bind you. Japa, meditation, Vichara are subtle Vasanas. A desire for liberation is a subtle Vasana. Increase the subtle Vasanas. The evil Vasanas will perish by themselves.

III. FIGHT WITH EVIL

Fight with evil is fight with the mind. Fight with senses is fight with evil. Fight with desires is fight with the mind. Fight with matter is fight with evil. Fight with matter is breaking all attachments, that bind you to this world. Fight with desires and cravings is fight with ignorance. Conquest over mind, senses, desires and matter is the greatest victory. It bestows Immortality and eternal bliss, and makes you real King of kings.

IV. REMOVE THE DIRT IN THE MIND-RADIO

A new Radio is fixed. All its parts are quite all right. But the message is not received. This is due to a particle of dirt in it. If the dirt is removed, all the messages and songs will be heard distinctly. Even so in the big radio of the mind if there is dirt of bad character of evil quality, it cannot express true joy, bliss, love, the spirit of self-sacrifice, the aroma of truth. Remove the dirt of evil trait. Fill the mind with divine virtues. You will shine with Brahmic aura. You will shed the light of Self-illumination.

V. THE CREEPER-MIND

A creeper grows. You allow it to ascend on a stick. Every day you tend it, and move it in the direction you want. If you do not tend it for a week, it will move in its own way. It will not serve your purpose. It will look ugly. Even so, you must tend the creeper-mind daily. Then alone can you bend it easily. You can mould it properly, you can control it easily.

Its Manifestations and Resistences – Signs of Inner Growth and Barriers on the Path

Its Manifestations and Resistences is a subject that explains how inner growth appears in human life and what obstacles stand against it. Spiritual and moral progress is not always visible through outer appearance. A person may look ordinary but may be growing deeply within. Another person may appear religious or educated but may still be controlled by ego, anger, desire, and fear. True progress is seen in the transformation of thought, speech, conduct, and character.

Its Manifestations and Resistences can be understood through daily behavior. When a person becomes more patient, truthful, kind, disciplined, and peaceful, growth is manifesting. When the mind becomes less disturbed by praise and blame, success and failure, gain and loss, it shows maturity. Inner progress slowly changes the way a person sees life, treats others, and responds to difficulties.

One clear manifestation of growth is self-awareness. A person begins to observe their thoughts and emotions instead of blindly following them. They notice anger before speaking harshly. They notice jealousy before it turns into bitterness. They notice pride before it becomes arrogance. This awareness creates a gap between impulse and action, and in that gap wisdom begins to work.

Its Manifestations and Resistences also includes the development of self-control. A growing person does not obey every desire. They understand that the mind may ask for comfort, pleasure, praise, or revenge, but not every demand is useful or pure. Control over food, speech, entertainment, sleep, and habits gives strength to the personality. This discipline is not punishment; it is a way of protecting inner energy.

Another manifestation is compassion. As the heart becomes refined, a person becomes more sensitive to the pain of others. They do not live only for themselves. They feel the need to help, forgive, guide, and serve. Their love becomes less selfish and more respectful. Compassion is one of the strongest signs that spiritual growth is becoming real.

Its Manifestations and Resistences also shows itself in humility. When ego becomes weaker, a person stops trying to prove superiority all the time. They accept mistakes, learn from others, and remain grateful. Success does not make them proud, and failure does not destroy their self-respect. Humility gives beauty to knowledge, power, and achievement.

But every path of growth has resistance. The first resistance is laziness. The mind often wants comfort more than discipline. It delays meditation, avoids self-reflection, and chooses easy pleasure over meaningful effort. Laziness appears harmless, but slowly it weakens willpower and keeps a person stuck in old habits.

Another resistance is desire. Desire pulls the mind outward again and again. It says, “Get this, enjoy that, become this, possess that.” Some desires are natural, but uncontrolled desire creates restlessness. It makes the person forget their higher goal. When desire becomes strong, even good intentions become weak.

Its Manifestations and Resistences also includes resistance from ego. Ego does not like correction. It becomes hurt by criticism and proud after praise. It wants recognition for every good action. Even spiritual practice can become egoistic if a person starts thinking, “I am greater than others.” This subtle pride is dangerous because it hides behind goodness.

Fear is another strong resistance. A person may know what is right but hesitate because of fear of society, failure, rejection, or loss. Fear keeps people in comfortable but unhealthy patterns. To grow, one must develop courage. Courage does not mean absence of fear; it means choosing truth even when fear is present.

Bad company also creates resistance. The people around us influence our thinking and habits. If a person stays with those who mock discipline, truth, purity, and service, their own strength may reduce. Good company inspires noble living, while careless company pulls the mind downward.

Its Manifestations and Resistences teaches that obstacles should not make a person hopeless. Resistance is natural when old habits are being changed. The mind has followed certain patterns for many years, so it will not become pure in one day. Patience is necessary. Every sincere effort leaves an impression, even if the result is not immediately visible.

The best way to overcome resistance is regular practice. Meditation calms the mind, prayer softens the heart, self-study gives understanding, service reduces selfishness, and discipline strengthens willpower. Daily reflection also helps. At night, one can ask, “Where did I act wisely today? Where did I fail? What can I improve tomorrow?” This simple habit keeps the conscience awake.

In the end, Its Manifestations and Resistences reminds us that inner growth has both signs and struggles. Peace, humility, compassion, self-control, and awareness show that progress is happening. Laziness, desire, ego, fear, and bad company try to stop that progress. A sincere person does not give up because of these obstacles. They continue with patience, courage, and faith until life becomes more pure, balanced, and spiritually strong.

The Western Theory of Evolution is Unsound