Do we have to first purify our mind and then our intelligence and then our existence?
Have externally or the memory from the past internally present on the screen of the mind the image that we can enjoy so if we see an object so the mind is basically like the TV screen on which things are seen so the mind the image so on the screen of the mind things can come either from external sense perception or they can come from internal recollection now when they come there on the screen of the mind at that time that is presented to the intelligence so the intelligence is the character with whom we are identifying in the movie the hero now when the image is presented we have to decide should I enjoy it or should I not enjoy it so then the decision comes up so that decision is done by the soul identifying with the intelligence so when the soul identifies with the intelligence gets attracted to sense objects and then decides to indulge in it at that time there is sense gratification that happens now when such sense gratification happens the first thing that happens is that the soul gets some pleasure and because of that pleasure the desire increases further and then next time when such similar image will be presented the soul is more vulnerable to get attracted the soul is more likely to get attracted to that object and to fall prey again so then eventually again and again when the object is presented that becomes almost like a default choice as soon as the object is presented the intelligence immediately accepts it we start engaging in that activity so actually ultimately nothing is default everything is by conscious choice only but at that time we feel as if it is default because it is happening so quickly and reflexively now going beyond this analysis if we move forward and look at how we as souls can change this so do we purify our mind or our intelligence first it is the intelligence we purify our intelligence by studying the scripture and understanding the right thing so the imagery that is coming on the screen of the mind we can't change it immediately so one way we could change it is not look at external objects not look at not expose ourselves unnecessarily to external objects so that we could say is purification of the senses so we don't expose ourselves to immoral stimuli as much as possible so Krishna talks about this as the beginning step in conquering lust and what applies to conquering lust applies to conquering all other anathas also so in 3.41 he says tasmato indriyan yadam niyamya bharata rishabha paapamanam prajahee yenam jnana vijnana nashanam so he says conquer lust first by indriyan yadam regulate the senses so that means don't let these provocative images come on the come through the senses don't let them come on the screen of the mind through the senses don't engage in it physically so now that alone is not enough in the next he says that actually above the senses is the mind above the mind is the intelligence and above the intelligence is the soul and then he says with intelligence situate yourself on the spiritual platform evam buddhe param buddha samsthabhyatmanam atmanaham yahishatrun mahabhaho kamarupam durasadam so evam buddhe with intelligence situate yourself on the spiritual platform param buddha what does this essentially mean it means that we need to first of all use our intelligence sharpen our intelligence by philosophical study so actually the word purification can be used to apply to the senses to the mind and the intelligence however it works differently in a practical sense for the senses the purification is largely by regulation or elimination that means certain activities we regulate for example eating we eat prasad that's how we regulate for say immoral sexual activities we eliminate so that is how the senses are purified by regulation of activities or elimination of certain activities now the intelligence when we say it is purified yes we study scripture we bring in contact with Krishna that we have to do even for the senses to see the deities to chant the holy names that's how the purification will eventually happen but there is some regulation that has to be there with respect to intelligence by study of scripture what should happen is conviction conviction that this is material this is temporary this will not lead me to happiness this is spiritual this is eternal this will lead me to real happiness therefore I will choose this and I will not choose this now once we make this choice with the intelligence or at least become convinced about making this choice then we can regulate the mind so now on the mind screen as I said imagery can come from outside or it can come from inside from its outer perception or inner recollection now we may try to regulate outer perception but still there will be some exposure that is inevitable and the recollection will also come in which also may not be entirely in our control but what we can do is ensure that when the image of sense gratification the proposal for sense gratification comes on the screen of the mind at that time if our intelligence is strong we will take cross no so purification of intelligence is what will enable us to say no when the proposal comes on the screen of the mind and gradually like in a computer if we keep saying no to an option again and again over a period of time that option will stop coming and once that option stops coming then that means the mind has become purified so for example we may have been eating meat before we were introduced to Krishna consciousness but now when we see meat do we feel attracted most devotees will say no there's not even an attraction just turn away from it so what has happened we turn away from it not by an act of will but subconsciously instinctively how has that happened that means that image is not that image isn't registered on the screen only we don't really consider it as a serious proposal so when we have to battle with a proposal then that means the mind is still impure with respect to that desire but we don't even have to battle with it that means the imagery comes somehow either from external perception or sometimes occasionally recollection immediately we turn away from it that means the mind itself is not registering it but when the mind registers it then if our intelligence is strong we will still say no to it so how does the purification happen it is sensory regulation intellectual conviction and mental redirection so sensory regulation minimizes the exposure to the negative imagery that will come on the screen of the mind intellectual conviction helps us to say no to the proposals that the mind presents on its screen and mental redirection means that we find some other engagement if that image keeps coming on the screen of the mind and we keep saying no no no no because we are pleasure seeking and the image is promising pleasure we will fall for it so we need to do some other activity that's why when Krishna says repeatedly think of me chant my holy names what is he essentially telling us to do when he says think of me is giving us a avenue for mental redirection so of course if we are exposing ourselves to sensory stimuli if we are say watching a provocative TV program we can't really think of Krishna so sensory regulation has to be there and opportunity for thinking of Krishna is always there but if we are not intellectually convinced that thinking Krishna will purify me and give me the highest happiness we will not be able to sustain ourselves in thinking of Krishna so there is sensory regulation there is intellectual conviction and then there is mental redirection we consciously focus our thoughts on Krishna and by focusing the thoughts on Krishna we become purified so our existence is nothing beyond our sensory mental and physical and intellectual realms so we don't separately purify our existence when we do sensory regulation intellectual conviction and mental redirection then by this our existence itself will become purified and the more we become purified the less we will be agitated by worldly temptations and the more we will be satisfied within the realm of devotional service thank you.