The Hindu Article - Control of the senses and mind

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Date:12/08/2003 URL:

http://www.thehindu.com/2003/08/12/stories/2003081200740900.htm

Miscellaneous - Religion

 

Control the senses and mind

 

CHENNAI AUG.12 . Human beings have to turn to the scriptures to

acquire knowledge about the ultimate good that makes human life

meaningful. They give the discriminative capacity to differentiate

between what is good and what is to be eschewed. If a person indulges

in sensory pursuits the knowledge he learns from the scriptures will

then become only an intellectual exercise. For a spiritual aspirant

the basic prerequisite is to learn to control the mind. This is

possible only if the mind is free from desires, greed, anger and

hatred. Further, it must be understood that sorrows are intrinsic to

worldly life and hence one should not become disillusioned and

depressed when facing troubles.

 

The Supreme Being is all- pervasive, whereas the mind's engagement in

the world is limited generally. When the mind becomes placid by self-

control it develops the capacity to become all encompassing. Just

like a mirror reflects the object in front of it the mind has the

quality of grasping the object on which it dwells. When it becomes

capable of dwelling on the Supreme then it acquires its nature. After

this there is no return to its original nature. So sorrows do not

trouble the mind as the nature of the Supreme is bliss and the mind

acquires this quality.

 

In his discourse, Sri Goda Venketeswara Sastri said only when the

sensory organs and the mind were in total control was it possible to

grasp the Self (Atman). The Bhagavad Gita says, "With the attainment

of placidity of mind, all sorrows come to an end; and the intellect

of such a person of tranquil mind soon withdrawing from all sides

becomes firmly established in God." How does one develop interest in

spiritual knowledge? It is by the grace of the preceptor (Guru) that

an individual is drawn to spirituality and pursues study of the

scriptures. This is again the result of the merit one has performed

in previous lives. When one engages in scriptural study if there is

no mental control instead of understanding the subtle truth the mind

will be riddled with doubts only. First the spiritual seeker must

have a logical understanding of the philosophical concepts. In due

course with the grace of the Guru this intellectual understanding

will result in experience as a result of which the knowledge of the

Self will get established. Besides, the desire for liberation from

bondage must be strong, as scriptural study should not be undertaken

as an intellectual endeavour.

 

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