147. Avairati. To what good end?

In today's practice, we continue working with the concept of avairati (अवैरति), which refers to non-indulgence or restraint from sensory desires. This idea of sensuality is central to our journey as we seek to cultivate a balanced approach to life. Avairati does not mean the complete rejection of sensory experiences but rather a mindful disengagement from the attachment to these experiences. It is about understanding the fleeting nature of pleasure and working to free ourselves from the pull of the senses, which often leads to mental disturbances and distractions from our higher purpose.

As we review the nature of the mind, we delve into the concepts of citta (चित्त) and manas (मनस्). Citta, or the mind-stuff, is the total field of our thoughts, memories, and impressions. At the same time, manas refers to the aspect of the mind responsible for processing sensory information and coordinating our responses. Together, they form the foundation of our mental activity, and understanding their workings is vital to mastering our inner world. Social media and its impact on the mind, particularly dopamine, is a relevant topic here. The constant bombardment of stimuli on platforms like Instagram or Facebook triggers the release of dopamine, which creates a cycle of craving and gratification, leading to citta vritti (चित्त वृत्ति), or fluctuations of the mind.

In Sutra 1:12, Patanjali offers a solution to these fluctuations through the practices of abhyasa (अभ्यास) and vairagya (वैराग्य). Abhyasa, meaning sustained effort, and vairagya, meaning non-attachment, are essential for cultivating inner discipline, or tapas (तपस्). In this context, Tapas is not about extreme self-denial or harsh austerities. Instead, it is the compassionate self-control that arises from mindful practice and self-reflection.

Tapas is the fire that purifies, the heat that burns away impurities and distractions, allowing us to focus on our higher purpose.

Engaging in mindful self-reflection is essential to this process. Each day, we should ask ourselves, "To what good end?" This question encourages us to evaluate whether an object or experience moves us closer to our higher purpose. If the answer is no,  avairati could be what is stopping us from redirecting our energy toward something more meaningful and we may need to detach from sensory indulgence.

As we close our discussion, we reflect on the significance of ending with OM (ॐ). The vibration of OM, as we will explore tomorrow, carries the essence of the universe and represents the ultimate state of consciousness. It is a sound that unifies our mind, body, and spirit, allowing us to tap into inner peace and clarity.