12 July 2025
Saturday
To eliminate the mind and remove the delusions from it, desires have to be controlled. But the sadhaks of today have not reduced their desires. It must be realised that selfishness and self-centeredness have to be got rid of. Selfishness is the root cause of all the afflictions plaguing man. If the world is to be transformed, we must begin with the individual. His evil traits have to be removed. He must fill himself with sacred thoughts. To start with, the individual must reform himself. Without the individual realising his true nature, all other accomplishments are of no avail. Man is exploring the most distant regions in space, but is not moving even an inch towards understanding his heart. Is this the journey man should undertake? He must turn the mind inwards. Turning the mind towards the external world can only breed sorrow. Enduring bliss can be got only by directing the mind towards God. That is the real sadhana. Without mental transformation, all other changes are meaningless. Without changing your qualities, you remain in the same state as before. Develop good qualities and sanctify yourself.
From Swami’s discourse of 7 July 1990
To eliminate the mind and remove the delusions from it, desires have to be controlled. But the sadhaks of today have not reduced their desires. It must be realised that selfishness and self-centeredness have to be got rid of. Selfishness is the root cause of all the afflictions plaguing man. If the world is to be transformed, we must begin with the individual. His evil traits have to be removed. He must fill himself with sacred thoughts. To start with, the individual must reform himself. Without the individual realising his true nature, all other accomplishments are of no avail. Man is exploring the most distant regions in space, but is not moving even an inch towards understanding his heart. Is this the journey man should undertake? He must turn the mind inwards. Turning the mind towards the external world can only breed sorrow. Enduring bliss can be got only by directing the mind towards God. That is the real sadhana. Without mental transformation, all other changes are meaningless. Without changing your qualities, you remain in the same state as before. Develop good qualities and sanctify yourself.