The Nature of a Pure Mind

Guru:

A pure mind is undisturbed, a tranquil, clear space,
Endowing freedom of thought, as thoughts freely trace
Like lucid waters flowing, untainted and bright,
Flawless and unclouded, in truth’s gentle light!

Sishya:

Yet why does the mind so often vacillate?

Guru:

It’s because it’s neglected, Unkempt in its state.

When balance is lost, and purity fades,
The world that we see, can cause grief and cascades.

A troublesome mountain of burdens we bear,
As blemishes wrap us, filling the air.
Two reasons unveil this cycle of strife:
One, how we perceive through the lens of our life.

The second, the darkness of ignorance deep,
Rooted in actions – both sins and the reap
Of virtues we’ve sown, shaping our fate,
Creating the shadows that cause us to wait.

So tend to your mind, let its purity thrive,
For in clarity’s essence, true freedom will arrive!
With awareness and care, let your thoughts be aligned,
And uncover the peace of a truly pure mind.

The Power of Perception

How you perceive the world shapes all that you feel,
It colors your thoughts, makes your experiences deal.
Each perception you hold alters the lens you see,
Creating a ripple in your thoughts, wild and free.

The world you engage with reflects back to you,
If seen through clear vision, your heart will stay true.
But should judgments cloud sight, chaos may ensue,
Transforming the good into shadows askew.

To see the world as it is, without bias or stain,
Is to embrace its essence, through both joy and pain.
Keep your outlook open, let your heart gently guide,
For a mind that’s uncolored will find peace inside.

The Quest for Clarity

Shishya:
I’ve grasped that blemish, the mind’s muddy veil,
The perception’s feed from the senses we trail.
To understand clearly, I must guide them with care,
Directing my senses, letting wisdom prepare.

For sense-control is vital, a key to refine,
The purification of mind, where true insights shine.
Though I’m unsure how to tame these desires,
I know it’s one cause of the mind’s inner fires.

But what is the other, that clouds the pure sight?
What veils the true vision and dims the mind’s light?
I seek to uncover, to learn and to grow,
To free myself fully from the shadows below.

The Nature of Vāsanā

Guru:

The other cause lies in ‘Vāsanā,’ so deep,
Imprints of desires, in the shadows they creep.
Haunting echoes of Karma, from deeds of the past,
Each lingering fragrance, in our hearts held fast.

Sishya:

Is not Vāsanā meaning ‘fragrance’?

Guru:

“Vāsanā” speaks of fragrance, both sweet and unkind,
“Vāsam” is shelter, place where thoughts intertwine!
As a scent in the air, it shapes our life’s space,
Spreading vibes of both good and bad that we face.

In this residence subtle, deep behind the mind,
The seeds of past actions in thought-waves unwind.
They fertilize desires, and their echoes persist,
Crafting the journey of our life, many a shift!

Understanding Vāsanā

Sishya:

How can I discern the ‘Vāsanā’ I bear,
The imprints within me, both subtle and rare?
If I know their nature, I can choose what is right,
Embracing the good, while casting away spite.

Guru:

Vāsanās are non-negotiable, fixed in their course,
Scripted to manifest, like a river’s strong force.
Emerging at times when their lessons are due,
Reminders of past deeds, in their essence so true.

So rather than negate them, you must learn to cope,
Finding strength in their shadows, a pathway of hope.
They shape your existence, both burdens and grace,
To trigger more Karmas, the actions in this place!

The Essence of Karma

Sishya:

What is Karma, may I ask, deciding our fate?

Guru:

It’s action and choice, the paths that we create.

Sishya:

Is Karma-Phala, the fruit, of each deed that we sow?

Guru:

Yes, bringing forth blessings or burdens we know.

Sishya:

Some Karmas are thorny, like briars in a field,
Causing pain and distress, their wounds never healed.
Yet others bring welfare, like a soft, gentle breeze,
Fostering peace and joy, setting our hearts at ease.

How could I choose which Vāsanā to ripe?
How could I discard others, I like to wipe?

How can past deeds from births long gone be known,
When I struggle to recall even what I have just shown?
Who holds the power to record every act,
And ensure that each soul gets its outcomes intact?

(To be continued….)

Mee. Ra