MIND MYSTERIES & CONTROL - 24. VIVEKA DISCRIMINATION - Sri Swami Sivananda - The Mind: Its Mysteries and Control

THE MIND: ITS MYSTERIES AND CONTROL - 24. VIVEKA DISCRIMINATION - Sri Swami Sivananda - The Mind: Its Mysteries and Control - HQ Full Book.

What Is VIVEKA (Discrimination)?
VIVEKA, or discrimination, is the essential power of discerning the eternal from the transient, the real from the unreal. It arises when an individual gains awareness of the magnitude of suffering inherent in the relative, impermanent world. This discrimination enables one to recognize the true nature of existence: that Brahman—the Supreme Cosmic Spirit—is the ultimate reality, while the phenomenal world is an illusion or unreal. The practice of discrimination lays the foundation for spiritual growth and self-realization. When VIVEKA is awakened, a sincere longing to transcend worldly illusions and achieve unity with the Brahman naturally develops. This longing transforms into a persistent awareness of truth, culminating in the aspirant’s ability to constantly affirm, “I am Brahman—Supreme Cosmic Spirit.” Through consistent spiritual practice, the illusion of name, form, and intention dissolves, leading to the realization of Brahman. This step-by-step progression—discrimination, faith, aspiration, remembrance of truth, assertion of one's divine nature, and final realization—constitutes the essence of Vedantic spiritual practice.
Aids to VIVEKA (Discrimination)
The awakening of VIVEKA does not happen in isolation. It is cultivated through key aids that elevate the aspirant’s spiritual consciousness:

1. Association with the Wise and Saintly:
   Discrimination is sparked by being in the company of sages, yogis, and spiritually advanced individuals. The wisdom and purity emanating from these holy beings create an atmosphere conducive to spiritual growth.
2. Hearing of Revelations:
   Listening to sacred scriptures and teachings of enlightened beings awakens the dormant power of discrimination in the seeker. These teachings provide clarity and guide the mind toward the ultimate truth.
3. Grace of God:
   VIVEKA is also a result of the divine grace that descends upon those who have performed countless virtuous actions in their past lives. Such souls are blessed with the opportunity to meet great saints and immerse themselves in spiritual practices.

Benefits of VIVEKA (Discrimination)
The practice of VIVEKA offers profound spiritual and psychological benefits, dismantling the illusions that bind the mind to worldly suffering.

1. Breaking the Cycle of Habitual Craving:
   The mind is naturally drawn to pleasures once experienced, leading to attachment, craving, and the formation of destructive habits. By cultivating discrimination, one can recognize the fleeting nature of sensory pleasures and halt the mind’s tendency to repeat these cycles.
2. Weakening the Power of the Mind:
   The mind thrives on attachment and identification with the unreal. However, when discrimination arises, the mind begins to withdraw from external attachments and retreats to its original source—the heart, or the seat of the Self.
3. Strengthening the Will:
   As discrimination grows, the mind’s dominance diminishes, and the willpower of the individual becomes stronger. This inner strength empowers the seeker to resist temptations, overcome distractions, and remain focused on the spiritual goal.
4. Liberation from SAMSARA (Cycle of Birth and Death):
   Discrimination acts as a key to unlock the chains of SAMSARA—the endless cycle of life, death, and rebirth. By discerning the real from the unreal, the aspirant transcends worldly illusions and attains liberation.

The Process of Discrimination

1. Understanding the Impermanence of the World:
   The world and its pleasures are transient. By observing the constant change and decay in all phenomena, one begins to lose...