Impressions, Impressions, Impressions

Once upon a time a group of Sanyasins was passing by a jungle. It was evening time and they decided to take a small halt there so that they can sit for evening meditation. They found out a quiet place near a huge banyan tree where they can meditate without getting disturbed. As they were meditation a woman from nearby village happened to visit the place. She was looking for fire wood for the evening and the day to follow. As she was searching for wood her ear rings, bangles and other ornaments made a sweet noise. All the Sanyasins from the group were unaffected by her intrusion except one. One of them opened his eyes slowly and from the corners his eye stared the woman for a few seconds. He then closed his eyes and started meditating again. Before taking Sanyasa he had enjoyed a married life and was a father of three kids!

You may wander what message this story conveys and why I am telling it with you. This story revels an extremely importance message. From our birth to death we are continuously bombarded with enormous Samskaras or impressions. These impressions plaster our soul with a fine coating with each bombardment. We may feel that events happening around us are not affecting us in any way but without your notice they are causing subtle impressions deep in your mind. Not only that these impressions grow stronger and stronger with each coating. One day they surface on top of your mind and create havoc in your life. 

Look what happened to that Sanyasi. He was married before adopting the part of  Sanyasa. He had enjoyed married life for some time. That period made huge impressions deep in his mind. Even after renouncing this world when he heard noise of the woman's bangles he couldn't resist but to open his eyes and take a look at her. He was still slave of his impressions and desires. The same thing happens to many of us. Impressions come to us in many forms - people we meet, TV, newspapers and many others.

When we come in contact with this world, we need to be very careful about the subtle impressions. That is why good company or Satsang been given importance in Yoga. If you say - "I will be in a company of drinkers but I will not drink myself. So I am safe.". Wrong. You are not at all safe. That bad company will leave many impressions on your mind. One day these impressions will become so strong that you will become a drinker! The same thing is true with good company also. If you remain in good company a day will come when your wrong habits, negative thoughts will disappear and they will be replaced with the same goodness that is spread by your company.

So to summarize - Always be very careful about the kind of impressions you are receiving. Try to avoid bad impressions altogether and absorb good impressions as much as you can.

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Posted On :	04 Sep 2007
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