MIND MYSTERIES & CONTROL - 20. DESIRES & HOW TO DESTROY THEM - Sri Swami Sivananda - The Mind: Its Mysteries & Control

THE MIND: ITS MYSTERIES AND CONTROL - 20. VASANAS - DESIRES IN SUBTLE FORM - Sri Swami Sivananda - The Mind: Its Mysteries and Control - HQ Full Book.

Vasana Desires - How They Manifest  
Vasana, a desire in its subtle form, represents a wave in the mind-lake. Its origin lies in the  Causal Body  (Karana Sharira), where it exists as a seed, dormant and latent. Much like flowers that lie hidden within seeds until they bloom, these subtle desires reside within the mind and causal body, awaiting the right conditions to manifest. They rise to the surface of the mind, generate intentions, and drive individuals to seek and enjoy specific objects of desire. This cyclical process—from desire to action and back—is a vicious circle, where actions further strengthen desires.   Upon the realization of Brahman, the Supreme Cosmic Spirit, all desires are annihilated. Vasanas—these subtle desires—are the true enemies. Their eradication is essential for liberation. Just as a mango seed holds within it the potential for a vast tree, so too do vasanas contain the seeds for myriad thoughts and actions. For instance, the vasana of lust emerges subtly during childhood, manifests fully in youth, and often dominates life until maturity, wreaking havoc in its prime years. This critical period, from ages 25 to 45, often sees individuals driven to actions rooted in uncontrolled desires.    
Chapalata - Craving   
Craving, or  chapalata , is a mild form of vasana. Though fleeting, it exerts significant influence. Two key types of cravings include:  
1.  Tongue-craving : A morbid appetite for varied tastes, often found in those leading luxurious lives. 2.  Genital-craving : A desire for repeated sexual gratification.   These cravings lead to restlessness and bondage. The moment a craving arises, the mind becomes tethered to the object of desire, creating a stream of thought waves that persist until the object is attained. This restlessness ceases only with the fulfillment of the craving. For most, resistance to these desires is difficult due to weak willpower.    

Desire Causes Restlessness and Bondage   
Desires form the root of mental restlessness and bondage. The connection between the mind and objects of desire creates an unending cycle of attachment and striving. The absence of desire brings freedom from bondage. When there is no desire within, the external world loses its allure. Desires are the source of all suffering and troubles. The objects created by God—like water, air, and sunshine—bring no pain; it is the desires within the individual that lead to misery. Ego, anger, pride, and attachment stem from these internal creations.   Ethical training can suppress negative tendencies like jealousy, attachment, and anger, reducing their intensity but not eradicating them. To achieve true peace, desires must be annihilated entirely.    

Eradication, Not Suppression, Is the Remedy   
Temporary suppression of a desire often leads to its resurgence with increased force. Like a king’s subjects, the senses obey the mind’s commands. Therefore, the aspirant must eradicate desires at their root through self-effort and pure intention. This requires profound self-inquiry and discrimination between the real (Brahman) and the unreal (worldly objects). Only through such discernment can the restless mind find stillness, like a flame unaffected by wind.    

How to Destroy Desires:     

Calmness of Mind   
The  Intellectual Sheath  (Vijnanamaya Kosha) acts as a stronghold for the aspirant. Using calmness of mind, one must confront and destroy desires as they arise. The aspirant should attack desires internally, crushing them before they take root in the mind-lake. This inner battle constitutes true renunciation.   When a desire surfaces, it pushes the internal...