Most of us invariably take a glance at ourselves in the mirror at least once a day. The mirror diligently and without being judgmental, reflects what is and what is not.
They accept what it tells us without much complaint. they then try to better, in whatever way feasible, that which is feasible to change for the better and basically accept the rest as given. they take pride in what they have in terms of form, beauty and appearance and try not to dwell much on what they lack outwardly. they may also resolve and work towards those areas that require to be improved. they step out of the house, with this 'approved' confidence, and are prepared to take on the world.
Imagine a plump person standing in front of the mirror. The person would try to see himself from those angles that are more flattering to him. When they attempt this through a session of meditating in calm abiding, where they are only watching our mind, they will initially try and see our reflected mind from only those angles which our ego state or nurtured mind will encourage us to see. For example they might think "I do get angry, but not so often, so it's OK" or "Yes, I do get envious when my neighbour buys a swank automobile and desire the same for myself , but I don't keep it in my heart", or they might see ourselves to be anyone most humble and put on this act when they are in point of fact filled with pride.
Let's say they can hold the mirror to reflect our mind and heart. Chances are that most of us don't make the work, not a lot because they may not know how to do so, but more maybe because they may not approve of the kind of reflection they might get to see. It may be much for our ego state to accept. it is seldom elementary to get ourselves to accept what they don't like to see in us, that which they can't actually 'see'.
All these projections that distort the true reflection is created by ego.
Similarly, when they try to see our heart in the mirror, our nurtured mind convinces us that they are the most considerate and compassionate of all. in point of fact, however, they may be sympathetic in some cases but not truly empathetic to all.
This whole self-cleansing experience takes us on the path to lasting bliss.
In meditation sessions, they reflect on the clouded state of heart and mind and when they see the pollution, it means they have made a nice beginning. Then there is scope for cleaning the mind. With sustained meditative reflection, they can observe the mind and heart more and more closely and reach a stage where they can see them in their clear state, free of pollution. At last, they come face-to-face with our true nature.
At the onset of the festive season, plenty of of you would soon begin to tidy up your homes, throwing or gifting away things no longer needed. the same way let us spare some time and work towards cleansing of the heart and mind and discard the attributes that are useless to us.
Anger, greed, ignorance of our true nature, jealousy, pride, desire, habitual tendencies, mental formations and perceptions can show to be poisonous and so require to be phased out. Destructive thoughts and actions are not worth retaining; they only bring harm and suffering. Since the very purpose of life is happiness, all these negative tendencies must go!
