Twinn Swan

Sri Ramakrishna emphasised that past actions (karma) play a significant role in shaping current tendencies, including those related to lust and desire. He taught that individuals who have previously indulged in impure thoughts or actions are more likely to experience these thoughts frequently due to the residual effects of their past karma.

In this context, Ramakrishna’s repeated warnings against “lust and gold” (Kamini-Kanchana) were not just about avoiding these temptations but also about understanding their root causes. He believed that past habits of indulging in lustful thoughts or actions create a karmic residue that can manifest as recurring impure thoughts in the present.

To break this cycle, Ramakrishna advocated for a disciplined spiritual practice that includes renunciation of worldly attachments, particularly those related to lust and greed. He encouraged his followers to cultivate self-control and redirect their energies towards spiritual pursuits, thereby weakening the hold of past karma on their minds.

The Pickle Analogy

Sri Ramakrishna’s analogy of the pickle offers a profound insight into how past experiences of lust can shape our thoughts and desires. He noted that once a person has savoured the taste of pickle, the mere sight of it can trigger an automatic response, with the mouth watering in anticipation. Similarly, when we have indulged in lustful thoughts or actions in the past, we may find ourselves involuntarily drawn to similar stimuli, as if our mind is conditioned to respond in a certain way.

This analogy underscores the lasting impact of past habits on our mental landscape. Just as the taste of pickle leaves a lingering impression on our senses, past indulgences in lust can leave deep impressions samskaras in our minds. These impressions not only make it challenging to resist future temptations but also reinforce our tendencies, making it increasingly difficult to break free from their hold.

Ramakrishna used this analogy to stress the importance of vigilance and self-control in spiritual practice. He taught that overcoming these ingrained tendencies requires a concerted effort, involving the cultivation of discrimination to recognise and redirect lustful thoughts, practicing detachment from sensory pleasures, and engaging in regular spiritual disciplines to purify the mind.

Through such relatable analogies, Ramakrishna made complex spiritual concepts accessible to his followers, helping them grasp the dynamics of desire and the challenges of spiritual transformation. His teachings encouraged individuals to be mindful of their past actions and strive for a life of purity and self-discipline, essential for achieving spiritual growth and realising God.

But I tell you that if anyone looks at a woman and wants to sin sexually with her, in his mind he has already done that sin with the woman. If your right eye causes you to sin, take it out and throw it away. It is better to lose one part of your body than to have your whole body thrown into hell.

Jesus in Matthew 5:28-29 NCV

From Lust to Love

Sri Ramakrishna explained that lust is essentially a misdirected desire for fulfilment. He encouraged his disciples to redirect this desire towards God, transforming lust into divine love. By doing so, one can begin to dissolve the karmic backlog created by lustful thoughts and actions.

The karmic theory suggests that our actions (karma) do not immediately bear fruit. Instead, they are stored as sañcita karma, accumulating over lifetimes. A portion of this karmic backlog becomes prārabdha karma, which determines our experiences in the current life.

Sri Ramakrishna emphasised that conquering lust is not possible through individual effort alone. He taught that divine grace is essential in overcoming this powerful impulse. By sincerely seeking God’s help and redirecting one’s desires towards the divine, one can gradually reduce the karmic backlog of lust and progress on the spiritual path.

Sri Ramakrishna’s teachings on the karmic backlog of lust offer a compassionate and practical approach to a common human challenge. By understanding the nature of lust, its karmic implications, and applying spiritual practices, seekers can work towards freeing themselves from its binding effects and move closer to spiritual liberation.