Unpolluted Centre of Purity

Sometimes we do something and then we realise it was a mistake. We feel genuinely sorry for having made that mistake. It eases our conscience to think that it was an unwitting error. Sometimes we make a mistake and our mind tells us we always knew it would be a mistake and so there is no escape from judgement. Our feeling of guilt is not assumed because the inner mind attributes deliberate intent to our action. Do you think there is any distinction between these two scenarios?
This question requires a long answer. There is a centre of purity in all of us, a point that is unpolluted. Our whole spiritual enterprise is oriented to discovering and strengthening this centre of purity in each of us. We judge ourselves and others in the light of the impulses sent by this centre.
In a way of speaking, you are right to observe that mind is responsible for all action. You watch moving images on a screen in a film theatre. The images are cast on the screen by a film projector. The projector stays at the back of the theatre. Film viewers are not even aware of the existence of the projector. Yet, without the projector, there wouldn’t be any images on the screen for the viewers to see. Our mind is analogous to the projector. No one sees/observes/is aware of the functioning of the mind, but, without it, there would be no action that we perform/experience/pass judgments on.
The mind is much more than a projector, however. It has the capacity to reflect on the actions of the agent. Psychology is the scientific study of the nature, methods of functioning, and reasons for the dysfunctions, of this entity. The point of purity that I introduced above as an unpolluted centre is beyond the mind and falls outside the scope of psychology. To understand the nature and functioning of this centre, you need the insights of spirituality.
We can say this centre of purity is involved in the judgement of action and perception. The mind comes under the power of this centre. This spiritual faculty draws sustenance from several sources, for example, Holy Scriptures, the words of the masters, and association with saints who have devoted their life to the study of the different dimensions of human spirituality.
Therefore, you need not worry about the question of a distinction between the two situations you described. It is not your mind, ie, it is not a psychological defence mechanism which tells you that a particular action was an unwitting error.
Similarly, if you feel guilty about something you did, and find there is no other option under the circumstances, then it is the case that you always knew it would be a mistake. The Holy Bible cautions people against “sinning with foreknowledge” because there is no justification for that. It is a pronouncement by the centre of purity. Scriptures, great masters—these are the coaches of the centre of purity.
Those who have already discovered their centre of purity become your gurus. You can understand this mystery only when you surrender to your guru. Let guru become your guide and counsellor. “Upadeshantite gnanam” knowledge proceeds from instruction. The whole Bhagavad Gita is an attempt to get you connected to your unpolluted centre.
If you have to steer clear of mistakes, you should have your Buddhi, your intellect surrendered at the feet of the Lord. Once you are able to achieve this, you will never go wrong. Our body is composed of our senses. Our senses are subordinate to our minds. Our mind is subordinate to our intellect.
Lord Krishna says let intellect be surrendered. This way, you will never go wrong; your assessment of things will be right; you will use things properly and nothing will confuse you in life. Nothing can disturb your serenity. You will look upon joy and sorrow, pain and pleasure with the same detachment.
Unless surrender takes place, you will find a Hindu fanatic, a Christian fanatic, or a Muslim fanatic. Fanatics carry their Gods on their shoulders: a spiritually enlightened person surrenders himself/herself at the feet of the Lord. This surrender has to come from within, a process termed antahkarana shuddhi, purification on the inside.
Swami Sukhabodhananda will celebrate Maha Shivaratri online on February 26, 2025.
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Authored by: Swami Sukhabodhananda