Acharya Mahaprajna
The doctrine of lesya is a powerful inspiration for awakening. Awake and be aware. The mind wanders; be aware of its wandering; the hand moves; be aware of its motion. All this awareness is important, but not the most important. Most important is to be aware of one's feelings and emotions. It is the emotional tensions which make the mind wander and keep it agitated. One cannot steady the mind by being aware of its wandering, nor can one stop the motion of the hand. The force which moves the hand and agitates the mind is the compulsive force of emotions and instincts. Only when we are aware and become aware of this force, can we bring the change. The only way to do this is to remain constantly awake and alert. Let us be aware of our own true self-our spiritual self. Let us not be stupefied. If we are overwhelmed by stupor, we shall be unaware of everything around us, as if we are asleep. To keep the self awake and alert, to practise concentration and meditation, it is not necessary to indulge in narcotics, as some people do. What is needed is constant vigilance and continuous self-awareness. Let us stop our mind from wandering, so that it is free from its threefold activity of thinking, recalling and imagining.
If one becomes free from thinking, recalling and planning, then the doubts may be raised: Would this not amount to withdrawal from the worldly affairs? Would not a sadhaka neglect his duties and responsibilities? How then would he survive and maintain himself and his family? How would he succeed in life? What about the stark realities of life? How would he procure necessities such as food, shelter, clothes etc. if he engages himself in meditation and self-realization? Would withdrawal from worldly duties and responsibilities not create hardships? Would not the practice of meditation make a person unsocial? Would not the complex problems of everyday life become formidable? All such doubts are quite reasonable and are likely to disturb one's mind.
