Question: I am following my spiritual practices, but my Sanskaras (negative tendencies of the mind) rise again. I can’t seem to rise from my old patterns and reactions. Why doesn’t my mind stay in a pure state? Are my spiritual practices even working?

My Answer

Our mind is like a pendulum. It sometimes remains pristinely pure, and sometimes old tendencies return in full force. For most people, this pendulum oscillates at high speed. They are happy and then sad; they are peaceful and then angry; these happen multiple times daily.

The pendulum still oscillates as we practice various spiritual methods, but it begins to slow down. You will be happy and sad, peaceful and angry, except it will be multiple times a week.

And then, the oscillation will become just multiple times a month and so on. One fine day, the pendulum will stop, which is when you will reach the state of equilibrium, as Srimad Bhagavad Gita says.

Change comes in small increments. You cannot reach the final state of complete new reactions in a day. It takes years. However, this will happen only when you keep practicing your spiritual austerities with patience and perseverance.

Rather than burdening yourself by expecting to reach the final result in a day, try to measure your progress. Are your tendencies slowing down? Do they become less frequent? If yes, your spiritual practices are working.

Love,
Sri Devi Om