ढूंढ़ी : अपने को; अपने आलोक में
By आचार्यश्री महाप्रज्ञ
Summary
The text discusses the importance of moving from constant activity (pravritti) to stillness (nivritti) to access inner strength and peace. It argues that uncontrolled impulses, distractions, and mental fluctuations weaken a person. True power and solutions to internal problems are found within, not externally. The author emphasizes that one must become a yogi—not merely a pleasure-seeker—to gain mastery over the mind and senses. The subconscious mind holds immense power, but it can only be activated through concentration of the conscious mind, achieved via meditation. The text describes meditation as simple in concept but difficult in practice due to the inherently restless nature of the body, senses, and mind. It warns that without incorporating stillness, modern life’s increasing mental and emotional pressures will turn the world into a prison for the mentally ill. Relaxation techniques like kayotsarga (Mahavira) or anapanasati (Buddha) are presented as the best remedies for stress. Nivritti is redefined not as complete inaction, but as a transformation of activity—a balance between rest and work. The ultimate goal is self-realization, recognizing the infinite power, knowledge, and bliss within the soul. Poverty and richness are described as states of belief; one who knows the self is rich even without external possessions. The text concludes by asserting that everyone must become a yogi for mental peace, and that true solutions lie within, not outside. A later section contrasts spirituality with politics, stating that spirituality is a process of uniting, while politics is based on separation. True politics should reduce differences, not increase them.
Conclusion
The document's core implication is that true power and peace lie not in external pursuits but in internal mastery through yogic discipline. It argues that unchecked emotions, distractions, and conflicting thoughts drain one's strength, while achieving inner stillness unlocks an infinite source of energy and fulfillment. The outcome for the reader is a clear choice: remain a servant to fleeting desires and external solutions, which ultimately lead to mental unrest and a sense of poverty, or become a master of oneself through meditation and the cultivation of inner stability. This path of "nivritti" (withdrawal) is presented not as escapism but as the highest form of action, essential for mental health in a stressful world. Ultimately, the text concludes that recognizing one's own divine, powerful nature is the only true path to lasting satisfaction and inner wealth.