We are not a rigidly closed containers as our body would make us believe. Just as many physical materials and forces enter the body from outside so too and much more so, psychological energies and forces enter us through an inner contagion. Hence the influence of our psychological environment and atmosphere is obvious. Too many desires and too much ambition deviate and detract our energies from the chosen goal. The first step therefore is to bring into them a sattwic rectitude and moderation. Later, when they are weakened it is relatively easy to shake them off.
Affectionately,
Alok Da
