Mysteries of Mind

Author(s): Mahapragna Acharya
Publisher: Today and Tomorrows Book Agency

Page 36

DEVELOPMENT OF THE FORCE OF RESISTANCE
23
Self-discipline cannot be imposed from outside. Substantially it lies within us. The influence of external things begins to subside as soon as the soul has arrived at its native state. In this state, nothing will be able to influence it. External influences will continue until we have arrived at this state. Man's cravings and his restless tendencies and inclination will attract external influences only so far as he is not himself.
The first principle of the search for self-discipline is to connect consciousness with the state of self-perception and self-knowledge. The second principle is to see with the eyes, hear with the ears, taste with the tongue without any kind of indulgence and attachments and aversions. It means simple and pure perception with the help of the sense-organs. It means perception par excellence unalloyed with likes and dislikes. The first principle implies immunity from all kinds of external influences. The second implies the freedom of consciousness from all kinds of preferences. This becomes possible when we have become embedded in our own substantial nature. Otherwise we shall not be able to train ourselves in self-discipline which means freedom from attachments.
How to arrive at our substantial nature? What is the technique of arriving at it?
Let us for the time being leave the external influences alone. Let us consider the question whether the responses of the nervous system are genetic or hereditary. The habitual responses of the nervous system can be changed through what is called bhāvanā in ancient lore and suggestion in psychology. The application of bhāvanā to bring about changes in the habitual responses of the nervous system has proved to be highly successful. The brain centres connected with the senseorgans through a process of suggestions make responses in a controlled manner. First, we should locate the brain-centres connected with particular tendencies and impulses and then through successive suggestions given in an ordered way bring about the desired changes in the nervous responses. The tissues connected with knowledge are very delicate, and, therefore, the suggestions should be very carefully and mildly given so that they may be favourably accepted and the desired responses obtained