Q: I am aware that the mantra in deep meditation serves a dual purpose in that, in addition to being a discriminating sounding board or trigger for letting go of mind-stuff, the habit of gently favoring the mantra over thought has the primary benefit of loosening up the impurities in the nervous system.

Along those lines, I have a question. The impurities in the nervous system that you refer to with regard to the effect of the mantra, it is a rather vague and nebulous catch-all phrase that never really gets defined. Or at least I have never seen it clearly defined. Just what exactly are these impurities in the nervous system? Dirt? Artificial preservatives? Asbestos?

I have always thought that the impurities are karmas in the mind, first and foremost, and may manifest in the body in some negative form, all the way from simple chronic muscular tension to some type of serious disease process or deformity.

To me, chronic muscular tension, for example, is representative of some form of mental resistance, some form of holding on rather than letting go. This radiates into the body, via the nervous system, producing a corresponding pattern of muscular tension. When we become conscious of the thought pattern responsible for the physical tension, and successfully let go of it, the chronic tension relaxes. This happens through becoming more conscious, or more silent, however you want to put it. Of course, this is what happens when we meditate.

Would you please enhance my understanding of just exactly what these impurities are that we are dissolving with the I AM mantra?

A: Yes, karma is the answer – the result of past actions in thought, word and deed, which leave latent impressions on all levels of mental, emotional and physical life.

The primary way of unwinding the latent impressions of karma is not in changing behaviors, nor in dwelling on regret, but in transcending behaviors in stillness through deep meditation. Then both the latent impressions and the behaviors that have caused them become gradually less, resulting in more freedom to choose (and to inquire in stillness). Then it is no longer action creating latent impressions, but stillness in action (outpouring divine love) leaving very little impression at all.

Those who are engaged in daily deep meditation notice that actions do not leave the same lingering impressions that they did before. Instead, there is a silent inner witness rising amidst all activities. This is because the latent impressions (impurities) of the past are becoming less, there is more inner silence, and this brings rising freedom. This is the process of human spiritual transformation.

This process can be clearly noticed and is often measurable in improving health and well-being, and the rise of abiding happiness in life. Science is taking note.