Page 94 - Desire to Disaster

But that is not the case. So if you conclude
that attachment causes asanyama (lack of self-
control), should we not then focus our energies
on suppressing attachment?
Answer :

1. Asanyama strengthens attachment.

Please understand that while it is true that asanyam does not
occur in the absence of attachment, one must bear in mind
that asanyama strengthens and entrenches attachment. In
fact, asanyama nourishes attachment and gives rise to further
attachment. However, if one follows sanyama {self-control}
constantly and consistently, attachment weakens and falls
away. Had it not been possible to defeat attachment through
sanyama, liberation would be an impossible goal.

Attachment weakens if you remain steadfast in sanyama during
situations that lead to enhanced attachment. But the problem
is that sometimes the allure of attachment is such that our
mind weakens and our senses get out of control and we lose
control of the situation. Attachment further entrenches itself
into our soul. Hence, asanyama is to blame as it invariably
exacerbates both attachment and aversion.

2. Stopping asanyama is in our hands

Attachment arises a result of our past raaga-mohaniiya
karmas {attachment-causing delusion-causing karmas}.
That is when the asat {false} purushaartha {focused effort}
of asanyama awakens. Although it is well nigh impossible
to stop the consequences of karmas from manifesting, it is
possible to suppress false purushaartha. Hence, it is relatively
easy to suppress asanyama. In fact we may conclude that
the first step to suppress attachment is to learn how to
suppress asanyama. Although the attachment lying inside the
self may aid and abet asanyama, taking the vows of self-

94 Desire to Disaster