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Human consciousness is highly developed. The mind is the instrument through which we draw out its energy. Wherever our mind concentrates, circumstances become favorable to us. Therefore, we must be careful in our thinking. Within our mind and consciousness, there are three obstacles we must purify to attain healing power or the power to fulfill wishes. These three are Mala, Vikṣepa, and Āvaraṇa. First is Mala, meaning impurity. This is physical impurity, mental impurity, and impurity in thinking, speaking, and behavior. This impurity must first be removed. Second is Vikṣepa, meaning disturbances. When there are waves on the surface of water, we cannot see what lies at the bottom. Only when the waves subside and the surface becomes calm can we see everything clearly—but only if the water is also clean. So, we must first remove the impurity (Mala), and then address the vṛttis, the thought-waves. Third is Āvaraṇa, a curtain. This is the curtain of ignorance. We may be clear about what we wish for, but this curtain of ignorance remains. We do not know what the result will truly be, nor how things will develop afterward. We can imagine and expect, but we do not know. This ignorance is so profound that we are not even sure if our wish will be fulfilled. To remove impurity (Mala), we need certain kriyās, or physical purification. Very important is pure nourishment and mental purification: avoiding negative thinking, avoiding hate, and avoiding nonsense talking. A major problem is that people talk too much. They create a big story out of little things, making a big elephant out of a mustard seed. People have time to telephone and spend money gossiping and talking nonsense, which creates impurities in the mind. One technique described for this is mauna—keeping silent. If you try to keep mauna, you will realize how strong your thoughts are and how much energy we expend by speaking our thoughts aloud. Therefore, if you can keep mauna, you can save this energy for yourself. It is said that if one keeps twelve years of mauna, the first word or sentence spoken afterward will come true. In our present world, it is very hard to keep such complete silence; one might have to go to a monastery to be silent and pray. However, the energy you save is proportional to the silence you keep. If you cannot keep mauna for a whole day, then choose some hours. During these hours, do not talk, telephone, watch television, listen to the radio, or read. Observe yourself. You can consciously do your āsanas, prāṇāyāma, and meditation—this will purify your mind. Think always consciously and speak always consciously so that no negative thought enters your mind. If something negative arises, purify it immediately. Do not always talk about your sorrows. Do not present yourself to others as unhappy, angry, or ill. A wise person will not talk about these things. Of course, if you are with a doctor who asks, you can speak about your illness. Do not put yourself in that situation otherwise. When you keep mauna, you observe your thoughts. You will get an answer and you will be happy. You will then see that even in thinking, we gain and lose energy. This is what is called Vikṣepa. Thoughts are the waves on the water. With so many waves, you cannot see clearly what is at the bottom. With so many thoughts, you cannot identify who you truly are within yourself. If you wish for something, it should have a very deep relation to your heart, to your inner self. Until you come to your true self, there are many, many vṛttis and vikṣepas blocking the way. How, then, do you think your wish will come true? To purify the vṛttis and thoughts, the best technique is mantra practice, which allows you to remain on one thought. If you meditate without a mantra, you block the whole energy within yourself. You must leave a vent somewhere, and that vent is your mantra. This prevents inner tension while simultaneously concentrating your mind directly on one point. Furthermore, to get rid of vikṣepas, we have a practice called trāṭaka—concentration on one flame or one spot. When you gaze upon the flame, many thoughts will disappear during this time. Willpower is developed. When willpower develops, it means your saṅkalpa śakti is developing. We have many saṅkalpas (resolves or intentions), but we lack the śakti (power) to fulfill them. It is like having a car without petrol; we need the petrol, the energy. Trāṭaka practice develops this saṅkalpa śakti. You should practice trāṭaka for just 15 minutes every day before going to sleep.