Memory and Mindfulness

It is a common and nature driven fact that the senses are the key source for triggering desire in one's mind. The sense organs perceive external objects, transmit the information to the mind and activate this perception in the form of Sound, touch, form, taste and smell. This then triggers the desire and thus thoughts in the mind to acquire / enjoy this external object.

If the generation of desire is driven by external objects alone it is a decent situation. But it is far more pernicious if it is frequently triggered by one's memory. Even in the absence of external stimuli the mind craves for those objects, triggering strong mental action - imagining various past experiences and thus intensifying desires for those external objects.

One best way to get rid of this intense memory is to practice intense sadhana (practice) like meditation. But that is a very long process and the attenuation of the memory depends on the intensity of this sadhana.

Conscious action can play a very critical role to minimize the impact of memory. If one briefly distances the rise of thought and the vivid imagination (of the object of desire) this is step one. The second step is when one distances action from imagination. By keeping some distance - usually a few minutes in both steps, we are carefully watching the mischievous play of the mind and thus get empowered to take conscious action. Over time this practice will become a natural trait thus minimizing the vagaries of the mind!