Dear Friends

[Guest guest]

Dear Friends:

 

Hope you are all well.

 

In the yoga perspective,

the mind is considered potentially both the best friend and the worst enemy.

The mind is capable of acts of great compassion, kindness, as well as acts of

cruelty and hatred. A mind that is compassionate and nonviolent can relax into

the nature of being. An agitated mind has difficulty with that. Sri Ramana said

that the company of sages, satsanga (mental atmosphere in which the teaching of

the Self is meditated upon) helps to keep the mind’s negative tendencies

in check. Satsang is very helpful.

 

Using yogic methods, the

mind, little by little is brought under the control of the will. Arjuna says to

Sri Krishna in the Gita that the mind is so wild and unruly and asks whether it

can really be controlled. Sri Krishna says yes, gradually with effort it can be

controlled.

 

Sri Krishna gives the means

and says that a person who is moderate in his or her appetites and taking of

sattvic foods can have success in yoga. “Yoga is not for one who eats too

much or fasts excessively or sleeps too much or none at all……etc.”

 

Sri Ramana when asked what

is the best rule to follow to pursue on the path stated that eating moderate

amount of sattvic food is the best rule.

 

So the sages and

scriptures have given practical hints to calm the mind and make it suitable for

turning within.

 

Love to all

Harsha