How to Free Oneself from Samskaras: The Impressions Created by Experience

Uria Baba: “The law of karma is applicable to all equally. Our past samskaras are deeply rooted in the unconscious. These latent samskaras, or impressions, create various bubbles of thoughts and express themselves through our speech and actions. It is possible for the aspirant to get freedom from these samskaras. These memories have a stronghold in the bed of our samskaras. 

"Those who can burn these samskaras in the fire of non-attachment or knowledge are free from the bondage created by them. It is like a burnt rope, which loses its binding power though it still looks like a rope. When the latent impressions, though still in the unconscious, are burned by the fire of knowledge and lose the power of germination, they never grow. They are like roasted coffee beans. You can use them to brew a cup of coffee, but they have no power to grow. There are two varieties of diverse qualities of samskaras. One quality of samskara is helpful in the path of spirituality, and the other is an obstacle. 

“Non-attachment is like a fire that burns the binding power of past samskaras. The benefits which are derived by the renunicate by renouncing the world are derived by the householder by the practice of  nonattachment. The renunciate attains enlightenment outside the world, and the householder in the world. 

“Non-attachment does not mean indifference or non-loving. Non-attachment and love are one and the same. Non-attachment gives freedom, but attachment brings bondage. Through non-attachment the householder remains aware of his purpose of life and does his duty selflessly. His actions become means for him. In renunciation, the renunciate remains aware of the purpose of his life constantly and attains enlightenment. Non-attachment and renunciation expand the consciousness. When an individual learns  to expand his consciousness or unites with the universal consciousness, then he no longer remains within the bounds of his karma. One remains totally free. 

“Such a great man has power to show the path of freedom to others. Whether he is in the world or outside, he can also heal the sickness arising from karmic debts. He can remain untouched and above, without being involved or reaping the fruits arising from others’ karmic debts. A true master has control over himself and moves freely in the world. When a potter has completed making his pots, the wheel of  the potter still rotates for some time, but is unable to manufacture pots. For a liberated soul the wheel of life remains in motion, but his karma does not create any bondage for him. His actions are called ‘actionless actions.’ When the student is competent to tread the path of enlightenment it becomes easy for a great man to guide him, and one day he also attains ultimate freedom.” 

[Uria Baba, a contemporary of Swami Rama, was very famous for his learning and spiritual wisdom. He lived in Vrindavan. Swami Rama's master sent him to live with this sage. He was about sixty-five years of age when Swami Rama met him]

Source: pgs. 227-228, Living with the Himalayan Masters