Eliminate all mental and emotional impurities, uncertainties, fears and anxieties

Chapter 8 - The Veils Of Misery 

Day 60 

Look into the motives behind your actions. Often, you do not go for things that you really want. You go for them because others want them. You may even go for something depending on what others would say, think or do about it. 

And many times you are not clear about what you want because you have never really looked into yourself. You are swayed by fleeting thoughts, fleeting emotions and fleeting desires. Your desire may not even be your own. 

Maybe, some outside factors - food, events, situations or company have raised a storm in you and you start believing that storm as your very Self. That is why often you are not happy even when your desires are fulfilled. You should observe the Self. 

You should wonder who you are and what you are. You have purified the body, but are you the body? You have made your mind light, but are you the mind? Are you your thoughts? Are you your emotions? Who are you? 

This self-study leads you upwards to the universe that is unknown to us. Self-study takes you a step further and eliminates misery and suffering of the mind.

Buddha had said this beautifully. He said kaayaanupaschana, observe the body. That is tapas.

Vedanaanupaschana - You should sensations in the body.

Chittaanupaschana - You should observe the mind - its impressions, thoughts and feelings. Dhammaanupaschana - You should observe your very nature, observe the dharma. Buddha has said that there are four steps for this.

Patanjali has said that Swaadhyaaya can eliminate all mental and emotional impurities, uncertainties, fears and anxieties and Ishwara Pranidhaana - love of God and surrender to the Lord will complete the process. 

Without love, self-study is not charming. Without love and devotion the spiritual path becomes very dry - like Styrofoam. It is like a cake or pudding without sugar, bread without salt.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankarji 

PATANJALI YOGA SUTRAS