Ancient Indian Education (Brahmanical and Buddhist) c16.188

c16.188

But the state of *Vairāgya* is, after all, a negative phase which only prepares the way for a positive phase, a higher plane of consciousness (5) where it is now devoid of all states and trends, and persists only as a placid expanse of the Psyche (vyaktāvyaktebhya dharmakebhya sarvathā viraktaḥ sattva-purushānyatā-khyātau api guṇātmikāyāṁ yāvat viraktaḥ). At this stage, the mind, however, still owns to some intellectual functions called *Vitarka* and *Vichāra*, a sense of joy (*ānanda*), and a sense of the self (*asmitā* = jñātāhaṁ iti asmitāmātrasaṁvit), as already explained. The mind is still troubled by its innate dispositions, and inherited tendencies. Mental life still pursues a latent course. A state of *samādhi*, of continuous absorption in the object of contemplation, now sets in. But the factors that may lead the mind back to the world of things are not yet eliminated. This can be achieved only by a persistent process of self-regulation and control, continuous contemplation, and practice of recital of the mystic syllable *Om*, the verbal translation of Brahma (tajjapaḥ tadarthabhāvanam) whereby (6) the mental plane can be transcended. These will end the career of *Manas* (or Chitta) and bring into play (7) the principle of Ego or self-consciousness (*ahaṁkāratataḥ* pratyakchetanādhigamaḥ).