Mirror Mirror of the Heart and Mind...

...Tell me whatever did you find! ( Speaking Tree, 5th Oct 2010)

HOLDING A MIRROR TO ONESELF

Almost all of us reading this newspaper invariably take a look at ourselves in the mirror atleast once a day. The mirror diligently and un-judgementally reflects what is and what is not. We accept its verdict without much complaint. We then try to better, in whatever way possible, that which is possible to somewhat change and leave the rest of it by living with it in acceptance. We take pride in what we have in terms of our form, beauty, looks and the like and try to be as un-affected as possible with what we lack. We may also resolve and work towards those areas that need to be improved. We step out of the house, with this ‘approved’ confidence, and are ready to take on the world.

Now let us take this mirror to showcase the reflection of our mind and heart! Have you ever attempted this? Chances are that most of us don’t take the effort, not so much because we may not know how to do so, but more perhaps because we may not approve of the magnitude of reflection we might get to see. It may be too much for our ego state to accept. We will easily understand that it is never easy to get ourselves to accept what we don’t like to see in us, especially that which we cannot actually ‘see’. Let me explain.

Imagine a plump lady or a young balding man standing in front of the mirror. The lady generally turns and twists and tries to admire herself in the mirror specifically from those angles which reflect her to be least plump! Likewise the young balding man will try and ‘recover’ those strands or clumps of hair and meticulously try to cover the most balding patch. And then he will see his reflection in the mirror only from those angles convenient to him i.e. from positions he looks least bald. Both these situations and many such are just naturally arising in an untrained mind.

Let us come back now to the mirror reflecting our mind and heart instead, and try and find out the similarities with the physical experiences in front of the mirror. When we attempt this through a session of meditating in calm abiding, where we are only watching our mind, we will initially try and see our reflected mind from only those angles which our ego state or nurtured mind will encourage us to see. For example we might think “I do get angry, but not so often, so its ok” or “Yes, I do get somewhat envious when my neighbour buys a swank car and desire the same for myself too, but I don’t really keep it in my heart”, or we might see ourselves to be someone most humble and put on this act when we are in reality filled with pride and so on. Likewise is the case when we reflect our heart. Our nurtured mind convinces us that we are the most considerate amongst all others, or that our compassion for others knows no bounds and other such false constructions. However, in reality we may be only practicing sympathy and not really compassion.

So, whatever these initial experiences, they are all ploys of the ego to try and defend itself or fool the wisdom mind by creating an element of doubt or in-acceptance. It wants us to see ourselves from only those angles or positions, which makes us feel momentarily good. By putting on a veil, it hides the uglier side dutifully, as that is the nature of ego. Obviously, these states must be seen and eventually destroyed.

In meditation sessions, we reflect on our clouded state of heart and mind and when we see its ugliness, its polluted nature it is actually a beginning well made! Only when we see a mirror with dirt on it, can there be a further scope of cleaning it, isn’t it? Likewise, with sustained meditative reflection, we are able to observe the mind and heart more and more closely and reach a stage where we are able to see them without their ugly facets, without the dirt. Their true nature dawns upon us. And this experience is one of lasting bliss. As the masters say, a sureshot way to begin to see the merit gained towards achieving enlightenment is to be able to imagine the mind and heart without their defilements. Now, the important thing is to consolidate the gained ground of such experiences through regular meditation sessions. Else, within no time, we may have to begin all over again!

Anger, Greed, Ignorance (of our true nature), Jealousy, Pride, Desire, Habitual Tendencies, Mental Formations and Perceptions are poisons and alongwith other destructive thoughts and actions, are unworthy to be retained within us, by their sheer nature of bringing only harm and suffering upon us. However, as the very purpose of life is happiness, they must go!

At the onset of the festive season, many of you would soon begin to clean up your homes, throwing or gifting away things no longer needed. Just the same way let us spare some time and effort towards cleansing of the heart and mind and discard the attributes that are useless to us.

Buddha nature be yours!