Control of Mind

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Mind is Atma Sakti. It is through mind only that Brahman or the

Supreme Self manifests as the differentiated universe with

heterogeneous objects.

 

Mind is nothing but a collection of Samskaras or impressions. It is

nothing but a bundle of habits. The true nature of the mind consists

in the Vasanas or subtle desires. The idea of 'I' or egoism is the

seed of the tree of mind. The sprout which springs up from this seed

egoism is Buddhi or intellect. From this sprout the ramifying

branches called Sankalpas take their origin.

 

Mind is made up of subtle Sattvic matter. According to Chhandogya

Upanishad, mind is formed out of the subtlest portion of food.

 

Mind is of two kinds, viz., the Asuddha or impure mind and the Suddha

or pure mind. The former leads to bondage while the latter helps the

aspirant to attain liberation.

 

Manolaya or temporary absorption of the mind in the object of

meditation will not help you to attain liberation. Manonasa or

annihilation of the mind only will enable you to achieve the final

emancipation or Moksha.

 

Have no longing for objects. Reduce your wants. Cultivate Vairagya or

dispassion. Vairagya thins out the mind.

 

Do not mix much. Do not talk much. Do not walk much. Do not eat much.

Do not sleep much.

 

Control your emotion. Abandon desires and Vasanas. Control

irritability and lust. Slay the impure mind through the pure mind and

transcend the pure mind through meditation. Practise perfect

Brahmacharya. There is no half measure in the spiritual path.

 

Never wrestle with the mind. Do not use any violent effort in

concentration. When the mind is jumping and wandering much, make no

violent effort to control it but rather allow it to run along for a

while and exhaust its efforts. It will take advantage of the

opportunity and will jump around like an unchained monkey at first.

Then it will gradually become quiet and look to you for orders.

 

If evil thoughts enter your mind, do not use your will-force in

driving them. You will lose energy. You will tax your will. You will

fatigue yourself. The greater the efforts you make, the more the evil

thoughts will return with redoubled force. They will return more

quickly also. The thoughts will become more powerful. Be indifferent.

Keep quiet. Become a silent witness of those thoughts. Do not

identify yourself with them. They will vanish soon. Substitute good

thoughts. Pray and sing the Lord's name.

 

Never miss for a day your meditation. Regularity is of paramount

importance. When the mind is tired do not concentrate. Give a little

rest. Do not take heavy food at night. This will interfere with your

morning meditation.

 

Japa, Kirtan, Pranayama, Satsanga (association with the sages),

practice of Sama (serenity), Dama (self-restraint), Yama (right

conduct), Sattvic or pure food, study of scriptures, meditation,

Vichara or Atmic enquiry-all these will help you to control the mind

and attain eternal bliss and immortality.

 

(Source: Essence of Yoga by Sri Swami Sivananda)