Cleanliness
(Sauca)
We have all heard the saying: “Cleanliness
is Next to Godliness.” This ‘cleanliness’ means both mental and physical purity.
The mind and body become ‘clean’ when mental and physical impurities have been
removed.
What Are
Impurities?
Unhealthy thoughts are mental
impurities and unhealthy substances constitute physical impurities. An unhealthy
thought is any mental wave that disturbs the equilibrium of the mind, and an unhealthy
substance is any physical substance that disrupts our physical health.
Negative feelings and emotions (likes grudges, anger,
lust, jealousy, infatuation, etc.) and their associated verbal (both vocal and
mental) thoughts clothed in language are mental impurities. Consumption of alcohol,
meat, junk foods, and even excessive good foods, along with excessive bacteria
produced by unhygienic habits (like not properly caring for one’s teeth, skin,
hair, and other body parts), as well as any other physical malpractice (wrong
practice) invariably malign our physical health and cause imbalance, (avoidable)
disease, and premature aging and death.
The
mind and body must be kept clean in order to realize (actualize) their full potential.
In other words, if these instruments are neglected and not properly cared for,
we will not be able to use them to the fullest benefit. The mind and body are
instruments of Consciousness. If the instruments are damaged due to misuse, our
life will be discordant and we will never find fulfillment or lasting peace and
happiness. A healthy mind and body are prerequisites for the highest spiritual
attainment.
How are the mind and body
cleansed?
We clean the mind with wisdom
and meditation, and we clean the body with good hygienic habits including a proper
diet, fresh air, clean water, and exercise.
When
the mind is cleaned with wisdom and meditation, we remove our bias, images, arrogance,
false pride, and other products of ignorance. Basically, when the mind is purified,
it becomes extremely clear and simple—it is no longer cluttered and complex—instead,
it becomes rooted in the basics of Consciousness, which include humility, gratefulness,
truthfulness, non-violence, and so forth. When our mind is purified we can no
longer ignore our conscience; hence, we tend to do what is right (what is conducive
to our well-being, and the well-being of everyone) without delay or procrastination.
When the body is clean (when the physical
impurities have been removed), the body becomes a fit instrument for carrying
out the noble desires of the purified mind. When the purified mind and body work
together creatively, we are able to realize our full potential as human beings.
Our highest potential is to be fully liberated from all pain and misery that ensue
from the bonds of Ignorance. Purifying the mind and body are essential practices
on the Path of Enlightenment, but they are also essential just to have a happy,
satisfying, and productive human existence.
Just
as Ahimsa is the first of the five Yamas of YOGA, Sauca (cleanliness)
is the first of the five Niyamas of YOGA. Just as the
other Yamas can be seen as extrapolations of Ahimsa,
in the same way, the other Niyamas (Contentment, Austerity,
Self-Study, and Surrender to the Supreme) can all be understood as means of ‘cleanliness’,
or ways of purifying our individual being to the point that we realize the closeness
or nearness of the self (soul) with the Supreme Self (Oversoul,
or Supreme Soul). In other words, we realize the true meaning of “Cleanliness
is next to Godliness.”
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