MIND MYSTERIES & CONTROL - 25. DISPASSION & RENUNCIATION - Sri Swami Sivananda - The Mind: Its Mysteries and Control

THE MIND: ITS MYSTERIES AND CONTROL - 25. DISPASSION & RENUNCIATION - Sri Swami Sivananda - The Mind: Its Mysteries and Control - HQ Full Book.

Chapter 25 of Swami Sivananda's The Mind: Its Mysteries and Control delves deeply into the transformative power of dispassion (Vairagya) and renunciation (Tyaga), which are essential for attaining spiritual liberation. These concepts are cornerstones of Vedantic philosophy and provide a roadmap to overcoming attachments and transcending the limitations of the mind. Through a series of profound insights, Swami Sivananda explains the true essence of dispassion, how it arises, the enemies that hinder it, and how it leads to liberation.
Understanding Vairagya (Dispassion)
Dispassion is not merely abstaining from pleasures or material indulgences; it is the inner renunciation of attachment to these pleasures. Swami Sivananda illustrates this concept with the example of a person addicted to tea. True dispassion is not just giving up tea physically but also renouncing the attachment and craving for it mentally. In the Yoga Vasishtha, a comprehensive description of dispassion is provided through the example of Lord Rama. Rama, despite being surrounded by worldly pleasures such as wealth, palatable food, soft beds, and the affection of his family, found no joy in them. Instead, these worldly attachments caused him pain, illustrating the mental state of true dispassion. Dispassion is closely tied to celibacy. In its purest form, it demands control over thoughts, words, and actions to remain untainted by sensual pleasures or desires.
Types of Dispassion
Swami Sivananda distinguishes two types of dispassion:

1. Dispassion born of suffering or misery
   This form of dispassion arises when a person faces significant challenges or pain. However, it is often fleeting. Once the circumstances improve, the attachment to sense-objects and pleasures resurfaces with even greater force, pulling the individual back into worldly bondage.
2. Dispassion born of discrimination
   This form of dispassion is rooted in the realization of the impermanence and illusory nature of worldly pleasures. It arises from a deep understanding of the difference between the real (the eternal Brahman) and the unreal (the transient material world). Such dispassion leads to lasting spiritual progress, as it is based on inner wisdom rather than external circumstances.

How Dispassion Arises
The realization that all worldly experiences are fleeting and perishable ignites dispassion in the seeker’s heart. This understanding leads to a natural withdrawal from attachments. For example:

• A person who truly understands that wealth and luxury are transient will not be attracted to a life of opulence.
• Similarly, a person who recognizes the pain inherent in indulgence will naturally turn away from desires and sensual pleasures.

This inner transformation occurs when the mind is guided by discrimination. When the seeker realizes that the finite cannot satisfy the infinite yearning within, the journey toward spiritual freedom begins.
The Role of Dispassion in Spiritual Practice
Dispassion is a prerequisite for meaningful spiritual practice. Without dispassion, meditation, self-inquiry, and other yogic disciplines fail to bear fruit. Swami Sivananda emphasizes that spiritual practices conducted without dispassion are like planting seeds in barren soil—they yield no results. Dispassion opens the door to:

1. Divine wisdom
2. Aspiration for higher truths
3. Detachment from worldly distractions
4. Concentration and meditation
5. Self-realization and liberation

Just as a bee carefully extricates itself from sticky honey before flying away, the seeker must detach from worldly attractions through...