HINDUISM: Gurudev on calming mind III

Q. Swamiji, there is a lot of struggle in meditation.
A. In the earlier stages, a seeker finds it very difficult to disengage the mind from the OET (objects, emotions, thoughts) and pull it inwards. This is because of trillions of years of habits that were extrovert. For example, when a rocket is launched it requires the maximum amount of energy to pull away from the earth’s gravity in the beginning. When it is out of earth’s gravity the flight is much easier. Once it enters the moon’s circle of gravity, it has to make no effort to go forward, it is pulled by the moon itself. Thus the mind has to make a Herculean effort to disengage from the OET. When you progress in sadhana, it gradually becomes effortless, and once you reach Poorna Sattva (total quietude of the mind) the pure consciousness or Brahman sucks you in.
Q. Do we need to give up all desires? Please could you explain “sarva Sankalpa parityajya”?
A: Any desire born of Sankalpa has to be abandoned. Those that are natural in you, you will not be conscious of, e.g. anger. A man who is short tempered will not realise it, it will come naturally to him. Similarly, love for singing or dancing etc., that is why we say “she is a born singer, or born dancer”. But any desire that is within the purview of recognition, destroy it immediately. Any desire that causes even the least amount of agitation, destroy it. If the desire is too overwhelming and has to be exhausted, then surrender to the Lord: “Thy will be done, free me from this shackle that I have accrued over past lives.”
Q: Swamiji, what determines thought quality?
A. Thought belongs to the world of matter, but subtle matter (tan matra). When it is vitalised by Prana it becomes the thought flow: the mind. Anything that moves has direction. So also when thoughts move they move in the direction of your tendencies, whether you like it or not.