The teachings in the chapter V of Yoga Vasishta focuses on
the destruction of latent impressions.
O Rama, this enquiry into the Self of the nature of ‘Who am I?’
is the fire which burns up the seeds of the evil tree which is the mind.
Just as the wind does not affect the creepers in a picture,
so also afflictions do not affect one whose understanding is fortified by
firmness and always reflected in the mirror of enquiry.
The knower of truth declare that enquiry into the truth of
the Self is knowledge. What is to be known is contained in it like sweetness in
milk.
To one who has realized the Self by enquiry Brahma, Vishnu
and Shiva are objects of compassion.
To one who is fond of enquiring constantly ‘what is this
vast universe?’ and ‘who am I?’ this world becomes quite unreal.
Just as in a mirage the idea of water does not occur to one
who knows that it is a mirage, even so latent impressions has been destroyed by
realizing that everything is Brahman.
By the abandonment of latent impressions, or by the control
of breathing, the mind ceases to be the mind. Practice whichever you like.
O pure soul, cherish the association of sages and the true
scriptures; you will attain the state of Supreme Consciousness not in the
course of months but days.
Latent impressions cease to be active when one associates
with sage, discards all thoughts of samsara and remembers that the body has to
die.
O Raghava, even ignorant persons convert by the firmness of
their conviction, poison into nectar and nectar into poison.
When this body is taken to be real it serves the purpose of
a body, but when it is seen to be unreal it becomes like space (unsubstantial).
O Rama, while lying on a soft bed you wonder about in all
directions with a dream body; but now (in this waking state) where is that
body?
One should discard the thought ‘I am the body', even if
everything were to be lost.
When the spiritual aspirant thinks only of Brahman and remains
calm and free from sorrows his ego dies of itself.
If one realizes the unity of things everywhere, one always remains
tranquil, inwardly cool and pure like space without the sense of ‘I.’
If inwardly one is cool the whole world will be cool, but if
inwardly one is agitated the whole world will be a burning mass.
Source – Yoga Vasishta Sara - The Essence Of Yoga Vasistha by
Swami Suresananda published in the Mountain Path Magazine January 1970 Issue.