Lower vrtti control
Namaskar,
One of the most important aspects of spirituality is knowing how to keep the mind moving in a sentient direction, as well as recognising when the mind is starting to degrade.
Four basic propensities
All human beings have four inborn or basic propensities: ahar (hunger), nidra (sleep), bhaya (fear), and maethuna (procreation). These are present within each and every person, and one becomes great by gaining control over these propensities-- because then the mind will flow swiftly and smoothly towards the path of dharma and one's spiritual ideal.
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Failing that, the mind will move outwardly towards the mundane world via the indriyas (motor & sensory organs) and will be expressed in the form of these 4 cruder propensities. Unfortunately, in today's materialistic society, nearly the whole population is involved in this degenerated way of life.
Of course for sadhakas, our way is different. We are to direct the mind towards the atman or soul and from there to God-- never allowing the flow of mind to degrade and blindly run after these four basic propensities, or any other debased desires.
How to control these propensities
The question then is how to control these four basic propensities. Here, Baba Himself, provides us with the answer.
Ananda Marga philosophy says, "The peculiar nature of these propensities is this: if they are given indulgence, they increase. And they easily come under control with a slight effort; only in the initial stage, one must struggle a little to control them." (1)
Thus, if we encourage these propensities-- if we act on them-- then that particular vrtti or propensity will multiply exponentially, and one will become a slave to that propensity.
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Ananda Marga philosophy states, "As with any of the four vrttis, if sleep is encouraged, people can spend twenty-three out of the twenty-four hours of their day in sleep." (2)
Hence, just as one can sleep all day long, one can be totally dominated by any of the 4 cruder propensities, if they are encouraged. A man can eat 150 eggs if that is his choosing. A person can become extremely fearful of each and every thing in this universe if the fear vrtti is encouraged. Likewise, one's entire existence can be swallowed up by sexual lust if one is not careful. Here again Baba guides us with the basic step for how to proceed.
Ananda Marga philosophy guides, "They [the 4 basic propensities] easily come under control with a slight effort." (3)
So, if we discourage those cruder propensities-- that is, by not acting on them blindly— then their effect on the mind will diminish, and the mind will be free to move towards a higher ideal.
How sex vrtti gets encouraged
Yet, in this crude era of extreme materialism, of degenerated capitalism, in almost each and every direction one looks, the sex vrtti is encouraged: in advertisements, on the internet, in movies, by risque dress on the street, and so many ways. Naturally then, the bulk of the population gets pulled in that direction, resulting in sexual diseases, unplanned pregnancies, ruined marriages, and the degeneration of mind such that peace and composure can never be found.
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So all sadhakas should take proper care, and, if at any time, the mind accidentally gets exposed to even remotely sexually oriented things-- such as when browsing the internet-- then immediately we should close our eyes, take Baba's name, and see His image in dhyana. In a word, we are to ask His grace. That is the only way. Otherwise, that crude picture will flash in the mind again and again. So it must be dissolved and replaced or diverted with something else-- namely Guru's image.In this way, we will always get success because Baba's grace is far more powerful than those crude vrttis.
Discourage & channelise
So the two step approach in AM for overcoming sexual lust and the domination of any of the four baser propensities is (a) discouragement and (b) channelisation.
Discouragement, as discussed above, means not indulging in that direction whether it be excess sleep, overeating, fear complex, or lustful desires. If one does not mentally or physically move in that direction, then the mind will not be prone to flowing that way. Hence, the mind will be free to move in a sentient manner, which leads into the next point, i.e. channelisation.
As sadhakas, we are to cultivate an inner relationship with Parama Purusa through our sadhana and dhyana. As Baba explains in His book, Namami Krsna Sundaram, the sadhaka is to adopt one of the various bhavas-- friend, father, slave, inner most—whichever one feels natural. Through that relation, the mind will be able to run towards Parama Purusa. Then one's crude propensities will be wholly diverted and channelised towards Guru, and the degrading effect of those crude propensities will wane, diminish, and disappear.
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In a nutshell, this is Baba's proven and scientific way for overcoming the bondage of the four crude vrttis and inviting bliss into one's life.
Special spiritual guidelines
Here are more key points for every sadhaka to be aware about:
* The way to divert sexual energy is by making a relation with Parama Purusa in sadhana. But when the eyes are open and one is walking down the street, then we are to look upon all females as mother. That is the tantric depiction of women. Then the feeling of lust will not arise because one will be involved in the sentient ideal that women are the mothers of men. Likewise, sisters should think that all males are their father; that will also discourage the sex impulse. But, far and away, it is brothers who suffer more from this problem as society exploits females and objectifies females as the tools of male enjoyment.
* In order to overcome crude propensities, Buddhists resort to negative ideation and hatred by thinking of females merely as a combination of biological parts such as the stomach with its undigested food or the bowels with its storage of waste. That is how the Buddhist doctrine advises practitioners to overcome sexual feelings. But this breeds disgust and hatred in the mind, which is why it is far more suitable and appropriate to adopt the tantric ideal that all women are to be looked upon as mother.
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* Avidya maya wants to keep each and every person in her clutch. That is why when she sees anyone adopt the spiritual path then she hurls thousands of obstacles in that person's way in hopes of derailing their progress. Indeed maya is just like a female spy that is sent into enemy territory to get information by using her sexual appeal. Those who fall prey do not understand what they are getting themselves into. Same with the sadhaka who falls prey to lust etc. That sadhaka does not realise that it is merely mahamaya trying to bind them in her clutch.
* The human mind cannot go in two directions. So if the mind adopts a particular bhava and links up with Parama Purusa, then that mind will be less susceptible to degradation because the mind can only go in one direction. And when the mind is wholly engaged in spiritual pursuit, then there is absolutely no chance of degradation. So it all depends on the degree to which one is involved in sadhana.
* The whole path of mysticism is to withdraw the mind from the physical organs (indriyas) and channelise the mind toward the atman or soul, and from the unit soul reach God. Unfortunately, nowadays, many travel the opposite path and their mind flows towards the indriyas and from there they crudely interact with the mundane world, thereby indulging in those crude propensities.
* Above all, the most important point is that when tempted in any negative direction, then immediately seek out and ask the sweet grace of Parama Purusa and request Him to save you from all sorts of problems and difficulties. Then surely He will respond by showering His grace, and you will be saved because His grace is more powerful than any force in this universe.
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Conclusion
Baba has given us all the tools and inherent longing to cultivate more and more anurakti, or more precisely para'nurakti, in life-- thereby shedding the effect of the crude, basic propensities like sex etc, and developing greater closeness and love for Him.
Ananda Marga philosophy says, "When one’s psychic attraction is toward the crude, the mind has a downward tendency, which leads to one’s eventual downfall. But when the mind moves upward it is called anurakti [attraction for the Great]. The consummation of this attraction is devotion." (4)
Ananda Marga ideology states, "Anurakti is of two kinds. The anurakti for the Supreme Brahma or Infinite Cosmic Consciousness is para'nurakti. The anurakti for Brahma under the sway of prakrti or the anurakti for the crude manifestations is termed apara'nurakti. God is an object for para'nurakti. When the aspirant considers the Supreme Brahma to be his own, it is termed bhajana' or bhakti." (5)
In Him,
Jiivendra
Further research & review
In the book “Yogic Treatments”, Baba has given many direct and indirect methods in the physical sphere for controlling the sex vrtti. Further research and writing should be done to bring all those points to the fore. In the psychic realm, a key way to control the sex vrtti is to refine one’s values and sense of self, viewing oneself as a psychic being as opposed to a physical entity indulged in baser propensities. And in the spiritual realm, the way to control sex is to surrender oneself to Parama Purusa, as discussed above.
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References
1. Namah Shiváya Shántáya, Shivaʼs Teachings – 2 (Discourse 16)
2. Namah Shiváya Shántáya, Shivaʼs Teachings – 2 (Discourse 16)
3. Namah Shiváya Shántáya, Shivaʼs Teachings – 2 (Discourse 16)
4. Ananda Marga Philosophy in a Nutshell - 8, The Acoustic Roots of the Indo-Aryan Alphabet
5. Ananda Marga Ideology and Way of Life - 2, Bhaktitattva
== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==
“Nayan jale járe vidáy dile, ekhan kiser bolo chalaná…” (Prabhat Samgiita #4211)
Purport:
O’ Parama Purusa, You gave a tearful farewell to the one whom You were leaving. But that was just Your deception because while departing You trampled over the flower garland I personally made for You. You did not see the thread of that garland weeping in the dust. Your tears were just for show; You did not care at all.
In the light and in the darkness, in so-called holy places and in the oceans, in my mental lakes and in those gold temples, everywhere I have called for You. Don’t You know this? Are you not aware that I have scoured the earth and sky looking for You, shedding tears of melancholic longing at every spot.
O’ Lord, in Your absence everything is bleak; my temple door has since closed. The flowers’ incense of floral fragrance has vanished. The flame of the golden lamp has extinguished. Please try to understand my mental state.
The time has passed, and my heart aches in yearning for You. Please understand my inner feeling within the depths of Your mind…
== Section 3: Links ==
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