Slavery To The Senses

9/10/2022

Swami Vivekananda was a Hindu monk, philosopher and author. Based on the excerpt from his talk in 1900, I am writing my reflection below:

My slavery or freedom depends on the state of my mind. My mind binds me, my mind frees me. Who controls my senses and my thoughts and feelings? My mind. Who is driving my life? My mind or my senses? If and when I let my senses be my master, my senses will pull me down into the ditch of all kinds of pain and suffering, If I let my mind be the master, I will be able to make wise and right choices. And this way I will be free from my compulsive thoughts and actions. Have I fallen into the ditch and emotionally hurt myself and others close to me? You bet!
Being a human being I have fallen down and ethically done wrong things called sins for which I have paid the price for suffering. I have learned from my downfall and have learned how to rise up. I woke up from my dark and gloomy sleep. I am mindful of not repeating the same hurtful cycle of misery. There is always inner light for guiding me on the right path. I need to keep my inner eyes open. I need to remain awakened. What helps me develop an intelligence that goes beyond the senses and thoughts? The light of awareness keeps me awakened. Regular practice of mindfulness meditation helps my mind to be calm and clear. Reading, inquiring, reflecting, and implementing the wise teachings from spiritual resources and the weekly satsanga meetings have been very helpful to me for staying on the path of awakening. There is always hope, hope for finding and staying on the Divine Path!

Namaste!

2 Comments

Debbie Podwika

9/10/2022 03:48:42 pm

I think this one I have the most trouble agreeing with. At First, I look at the date 1900...ok, now that makes more sense but what is interesting is Freud (1856-1939) did not start his self-analysis until 1897 and his unconscious mind idea was 1915. Hmmm the monk should get the credit not Freud! :-)

I disagree that we are slaves to senses or that we just act from unconscious impulses all the time. If that were the case, then how could we punish people who did wrong if they had no choice but to act inappropriately. Also, then how are others controlling themselves??? Even something simple...I might want to eat the whole apple pie, but I don't, why? Or even to have a 2nd piece. I don't think we are "slaves" to desires...we make a choice! We may not realize/recognize/admit that it is a choice, but it is a choice none the less. Even if we take into account Classical or Operant Conditioning playing a role, there are still some that say go on a hunger strike for a cause or choose to be Plant Based even though they love shrimp or lobster etc. So, if some can choose then others can as well. I thick a great deal of it has to do on metacognition. We need to slow down and think about things more before we decide and behave...mindfulness YES!

Therese M Griffin link

9/10/2022 04:19:49 pm

I've been home bound a lot in these past two years. I've always been out and about. Now, I'm hesitant. As I awakened, I felt I was so alone. I had self doubt. My fears became my slavery. I meditated and moved on to arrive for an ex-ray of my front neck bones. I had to lay on my back with my head leaning backwards with my head back hanging over a pillow. I centered my breathing into a deep calmness. I went into a trance seeing large vertical lights when I tried to approach it - it would 1/2 hide behind a door. I stay in the center with the vertical light moving slowly here and there. All of a sudden I heard the tech say, we're finished. She said, "You fell asleep." No, I was centered in a deep meditation. I didn't want to say I placed myself in a trance. I could see she didn't understand. I knew I was one with my feelings and senses in peace.

Mindfulness

Slavery To The Senses

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