The 3 impurities of mind.
The ancient Indian philosophy, particularly the Advaita Vedanta school, introduces us to three primary impurities of the mind: Avidya, Vikshepa, and Avarana. These are not only intellectual constructs; they also provide practical insights into comprehending the challenges we face in our daily lives and spiritual journeys.
Avidya: The Ignorance That Cloaks Reality
Avidya, which translates to ‘ignorance’ or ‘nescience,’ is the foundation of all mental impurities. It’s not just a lack of knowledge, but a misunderstanding of reality. Avidya, according to Shankaracharya’s commentary on the Brahma Sutras, is the mistaken connection of the everlasting self with the fleeting body and mind.
Avidya manifests in an organizational setting as a misunderstanding of one’s tasks, responsibilities, and talents. Consider a boss who views his colleagues as tools for his personal achievement rather than as individual contributors to a group objective. This distorted vision not only impedes personal growth but also the progress of the team.
Vikshepa: Mind Dispersion
Vikshepa is the tossing or scattering of the mind. It derives from Avidya and depicts the mind’s proclivity to follow external objects, resulting in a restless and unsettled mental state. It’s akin to what we call ‘loss of attention’ in modern psychology.
Vikshepa is obvious in today’s corporate culture, where multitasking is frequently praised. Despite this, studies have shown that multitasking can lower productivity by up to 40% (Rubinstein, Meyer, and Evans, 2001). A distracted employee, like a dispersed intellect, will struggle to generate productive results.
Avarana: The Veiling Power
The term ‘Avarana’ refers to a veil or covering. It is the impurity that covers our genuine essence, causing us to connect with our restricted selves.
Avarana might be compared to corporate myopia in terms of business. Companies might become overly focused on a particular goal, disregarding the wider picture or long-term consequences. Nokia, long a mobile phone industry juggernaut, failed to recognize the potential of smartphones and app ecosystems, eventually losing market supremacy.
So, how can one overcome these impurities? Classical literature mentions the practices of ‘Shravana’ (listening), ‘Manana’ (contemplation), and ‘Nididhyasana’ (deep meditation) as cures. The parallels in a modern organizational design could include continuous learning, reflective practice, and focused execution.
The three impurities of the mind—Avidya, Vikshepa, and Avarana—serve as a nuanced framework for understanding not only individual spiritual stagnation but also collective inefficiencies in any organization. As a result, a thorough knowledge of these concepts is more than just a philosophical endeavor; it is also a practical toolkit for personal and organizational development.
Image: AI rendering
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