We all have weaknesses, all sorts of weaknesses, and we are nothing but slaves of these weaknesses. The question then is how do we fall prey to such weakness in the first place? How do we overcome these weaknesses and grow in strength?
It is the deceiving mind, which we are so much identified with, which is the root cause. These weaknesses manifest due to our identification with the mind. One may disagree with me on this, nevertheless it is true. It is foolish to think that we are in control of ourselves. If we reflect honestly on the nature of our mind we would know this to be true. One who is in control of himself would be totally devoid of avarice, envy, anger, prurience and caprice. The mind is a malady which affects us. The mind will do anything to ensure its survival, often diving into an abyss of dross and scum. Not knowing this, people vainly ascribe their weaknesses to all sorts of external sources, such as circumstances. The mind which can only dwell in the past and the future cannot exist in the present. It is this present that we must seek.
René Descartes says: "Cogito, ergo sum" (Usually translated in English as: "I think, therefore I am", but can be less ambiguously translated as "I am thinking, therefore I exist" or "I am thinking, on the account of being"). However there is an existence beyond this thinking existence which is our true nature. The thinking existence, which is absolutely false, takes you away from your true nature.
The mind is an imposter which gives us a false identity. The sooner one does away with this imposter the better, for it will bring forth one's true self. The best way to deal with the mind is to watch it without actually following the thoughts. If we follow this method scrupulously the mind will fall of its own. As Swami Vivekananda says: “Hold to the idea, ‘I am not the mind, I see that I am thinking, I am watching my mind act,’ and each day the identification of yourself with thoughts and feelings will grow less, until at last you can entirely separate yourself from the mind and actually know it to be apart from yourself.” He further says “Freedom can never be reached by the weak. Throw away all weakness. Tell your body that it is strong, tell your mind that it is strong, and have unbounded faith and hope in yourself. Go on saying, ‘I am free.’ Never mind if the next moment delusion comes and says, ‘I am bound.’ Dehypnotize the whole thing.”
One thing is sure, it is not an easy task. But if we persist with grit and fortitude we are bound to succeed. Let us bring about this Awakening in us.
