CONFRONT THE OUTBURSTS OF THE MIND

 Whenever something (thoughts, emotions etc.,) bubbles up in the mind, at this time we need to firmly think that all this is not our real form and try to be separate from it. As we stop getting mixed up with thoughts, emotions, imaginations, forces of Prana of the mind and intellect, it will still continue to bubble up. This will be of many kind. Sometimes it can become so strong that poor Sadhak can get lost and confused. Even then, these moments are truly and appropriately testing his strength and determination in life. Only such a Jiva who understands this in the heart, that the true life is to take such a step in the path of the development of life, will survive this test. Others will perish. 

What we need to do is to develop the habit of the mind to think only of one subject and prevent it from thinking of variety of things. Try to keep the mind on one subject and if it moves away from it, bring it back to the same subject. If it is possible to keep the mind in the Chetna-Smaran or the holy Bhavna of Guru, just do that. It may become or happen easier. Here Sadhak needs to be more alert, careful, with the Bhava of knowledge. 

Our only work is to see that our mind stays engaged continuously in Sadhana of life. Know that knowledge and awareness of this fact need to be remembered and put in practice of our work, relationship and behavior in the dealings of society. 

Nature of the mind is to run aimlessly but if we can concentrate and focus on only one thing, mind may find it easier. 

Pujya Shree Mota

Jivan Yog, Edition 1

Part 1, Page 396 - 397. 

TRY TO GO ABOVE THE MIND -- WAYS TO ACHIEVE IT

 We will never make it, till we think about ways to go above the mind with understanding and knowledge. To achieve this, we need to reduce thinking by mind as much as we can. We need to make strong effort to keep mind peaceful and blank for five minutes (or at least 2 or 3 minutes) at times other than the time for prayers and dhyan (meditation); and even after that do not let the thoughts come on its own (it is better if no thoughts come at this time) and tell the mind,"now you can think whatever you want" and give the mind complete freedom. At this time do not become one with the thoughts but just observe without any interest, as a witness and with Tatasthata. Afterwards we can analyze this thoughts, think about its appropriateness and then explain to the mind. This kind of practice is very necessary to achieve the state-condition of mind as described above. It is necessary to be alert and awake to see that mind carries out our wishes and that we are not guided by it. Mystery, plays and expressions of the mind are very powerful. It tries to keep us in darkness by any means. 

We will have to let go the old understandings and ideas of the mind otherwise we will try to follow mind's decisions. There are many kind of faults in its decisions. Mind does not like to be open. 

So far we have allowed the mind to do whatever it wants. We have walked according to its wishes and worked according to its instructions. It is natural that when we decide to go in opposite direction, it rebels against us. If we surrender to the mind at such times, mind wins and we are defeated. If this happens it is almost impossible to come out of it. Mind will definitely protest when we try to achieve higher level. It protests by producing despair, lack of enthusiasm, uncomfortable feeling, confusion and many such maladies. At this time try to be separate yourself from such tendencies of the mind. It is hard to swim in the whirlpool of water in the river. Similarly when there is presence of such whirlpools in the mind, it is extremely difficult to think and behave differently by keeping equanimity and balanced mind. Yet, if there is focus and absorption to be separate from the mind, we can definitely separate ourselves from the mind.  

Pujya Shree Mota

Jivan Yog, Edition 1,

Part 1, Pages 391 - 392.  

MIND'S GURU IS MIND

 Dayaram (a saint) has written in one of his devotional songs that ' you will find the truth if you make mind its own Guru.' He has shown the real key of the Sadhana in this devotional song. We need to make mind its own Guru. One may have a question, how can we do this? Mind tries to trap us completely in its ripples, imaginations, flights, thoughts, tendencies, feelings etc. At such times, awakened mind (higher mind) can always help the lower mind and prevent it from being swept away in the force of lower mind. When we have developed genuine eagerness and strong desire then only our mind becomes completely awakened. Even then, there is expression of many kind of sanskaras that has been lying dormant. At this time, the awaked mind always draws our attention towards it. It also makes us alert to separate from such thoughts and feelings. This is also the fact of the progress in the path of development of life.  

Pujya Shree Mota

Jivan Yog, Edition 1

Part 1, Page 388.

WAYS TO CHANGE THE MIND

 The main tool to change the mind is constant and same intensity Smaran of Prabhu with love and devotion. Naam-Smaran of Bhagwan is the best tool to nudge the mind out of its habits. Whatever mind thinks, it is best to mix Naam-Smaran with sincerity of mind and heart to change the result of this thinking. When this happens, it is for sure that the force of the thoughts, its effect and impressions (Sanskaras) will be less. It is like, when something is added to poison that dilutes its effect, it is possible that there may not be the same bad results. Similarly, if we continue to do Naam-Smaran of Bhagwan with understanding and Bhavna in all the activities of the mind, we can be free from the clutches of the Sansar (worldly activities).  

Second tool is the practice with determination, to keep alive the Bhavna and Dharna (mental thought) of Shree Bhagwan in all the daily activities. 

Third tool is to continue to develop good qualities (Gunas) like Samata, peace, patience, equanimity, compassion for others etc., in our lives. If we have developed sincere Bhavna to make the Bhavna of developing our lives, we develop the understanding from experiences that whatever happens is for our own good. For this reason, every Sadhak will need to do at least this much to be free from all kind of clutches of the mind.

By the grace of Prabhu, if we can keep the mind in Bhava, there is nothing that will disturb the mind. It is my own experience that mind cannot be controlled completely by following certain rules and good behavior. So instead of trying to restrain and control the mind, we can take refuge in the higher energy than mind with Bhava of love, devotion and knowledge. We can transform mind, Prana etc., in its proper form easily with the help of intense prayers and Blessings-help-energy of Bhagwan.

Pujya Shree Mota

Jivan Yog, Edition 1,

Part 1, Pages 386 - 387.