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be painted with this fundamental inner vision of God’s glory. That is, we should see God in all we see and do. I think that is what Swami means when he says the following.
See no evil, see what is good. Hear no evil, hear what is good. Speak no evil, speak what is good. Think no evil, think what is good. Do no evil, do what is good. (SSB)
Sense Control and Higher States of Mind
A major step occurs when awareness is drawn inward, which can be accomplished only if the senses are under control. Swami says that concentration is below the senses, meaning that concentration is needed for sense-related activities such as eating, talking, and walking. However, more subtle states of mind, such as contemplation and meditation are above the senses. We must have some control over and transcendence of the senses in order to achieve these mental states. Achieving higher levels of mind requires sense control, so that awareness is drawn inward to achieve contemplation and meditation leading to samadhi.1
Once Swami asked what I wanted. I replied, “You Swami.” Smiling he said, “Take me, I am yours. However, who am I? I am not this body, not this mind, not even this buddhi (intellect). Then who am I?”
Swami is subtler than the subtlest; he is love, he is Atma. I have experienced this love in devotional singing, in service activities, and in Swami’s writings and discourses. These methods are ways of detaching from sense objects and connecting with God.
I have experienced higher aspects of Swami in meditation as well. The meditation process has taught me that when the senses are withdrawn from external objects and awareness is
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