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.

MIND AND SANSAR (WORLDLY LIFE) - (4).

 

Human being cannot get freedom from anything till the nature of the mind is changed. For this reason, all religions have given lot of importance to the training of the mind. The main tool to train the mind is creative and lively Bhavna to understand the life and what direction we want to take the life. It is a matter of fact that Jiva will never be happy from the activities of Sansar. It is not easy to quit Sansar. SANSAR IS NOT ATTACHED TO US BUT WE ARE ATTACHED TO SANSAR. So only there, we need to the change the direction of the mind. Mind will not change by itself. For that reason, we need to do Sadhana. 

We cannot go further without the mind. With cooperation of the mind we can go lot further. Mind has to cooperate to belong to Bhagwan. If that is not the case, there must be heartfelt attraction to achieve that. Jiva is used to Sansar for a very long time and Sansar has not prevented anyone from leaving it. It is not proper to blame Sansar for it. One who wants to leave Sansar will leave Sansar. One who does not want to leave Sansar, tries to find the excuses. There is nothing like obstacles. If there is any obstacle, it is ourselves.

Pujya Shree Mota

Jivan Yog, Edition 1,

Part 1, Page 383.

MIND AND SANSAR (WORLDLY LIFE) - (3)

 As long as there is a view point of Sansar in every activity misery of Sansar is going to continue. This can end only if our mind desires it and we have made firm decision to end this misery of Sansar. All the Sansar is within us and what is outside is also not separate from us. If such lively and creative understanding develops within our hearts, then our relationships with near and dear ones (Swajans), are not anyone else but factual living entities (relationship) of our own Karmas. If we develop such factual knowledge by heart and we consider it appropriate and true by heart, our mind will develop One-Bhava and Bhava of Harmony with others. When this happens, if our Swajans do not behave with us appropriately, we will experience lesser and lesser  degree of misery, conflicts, bad feelings, unhappiness etc., arising out of such incidents. If we fail to develop heartfelt Bhava of Oneness in our hearts towards our Swajans and others, human being will never be able to experience true spiritual oneness. 

World appears different to our eyes, the reason being we have become separate and staying separate, but truly at the level of Bhava and knowledge, it is continuously one. Similarly, and in spite of appearing different, Sansar is still one because it is our own extension, has been developed by us and kept it in its original form. So, know for sure that Sansar can never be gotten rid of by Jignasu (one who wants to explore spirituality) without first removing the vruttie of Sansar from the Sansar. We have started the Sansar, we have nourished the Sansar and we have maintained the Sansar. So, we will have to become factual holy Bhavna ourselves to change Sansar in the holy Bhavna. When that happens, Sansar is not going to be separate from us. We are the reason and not anyone else, for whatever happens. We will have to keep this in mind and practice it with such Bhavna in our hearts and express it while performing the action in the world. For this to happen, there is great need of purity and subtleness of the intellect. This cannot happen without living and creative practice of such Bhavna. 

Pujya Shree Mota

Jivan Yog, Edition 1,

Part 1, Pages 382 - 383.

MIND AND SANSAR (WORLDLY LIFE) - (2)

 Moreover mind is a tool for our thoughts. For this reason, if we want the mind to be our best helper in life, we must make sure that it takes interest in spiritual life. Mind just does not become interested on its own. For this reason we have to control it with a rope around its neck and to pull it back repeatedly so that it takes interest in spiritual life. It is like a calf that is tied to the post. The calf can move around it but cannot get separate from the post. We have to make sure that mind constantly thinks about higher life. 

Mind is the one that keeps us tied down to Sansar; there is nothing like mind in the universe to keep us in Sansar. It is a wonder that, even though we are not tied down by the mind, we always behave as if we are tied down.

Whatever everyone does is for the purpose of being happy. The purpose of anyone's activity is to be Sukhi (happy and comfortable in life). Inspite of that, it is the experience of everyone that they do not get expected happiness and Sukkha from the their activities. Moreover, the kind of genuine happiness also depends upon the kind of mind. Also, the kind of misery and happiness depend upon mind, its level of understanding and the surrounding circumstances at that time. Human being may be experiencing misery but he is always waiting to be happy. If there is no genuine happiness in someone's life, it is not possible to sustain the life. As long as all the activities are viewed according to the viewpoint of the worldly affairs, there will always be attachment- hate, happiness-misery, weariness, harassment, anguish, difficulties, puzzles, clashes, confusion etc.   

Pujya Shree Mota

Jivan yog, Edition 1,

Part 1, Pages 381 - 382.

MIND AND SANSAR (WORLDLY LIFE) — (1)

First, we have to train the mind. The universe is perceived according to the mind. It is not possible, even to enter the field of spirituality till we develop the mind so that it can keep peace, patience, balanced approach, happiness, appropriate sense of discretion, equanimity etc., in all instances in life, in relationships, and the work.

Unless the mind becomes Shiva-Sankalp-like, the thoughts in the mind will always be worldly in nature. So we need to do Sadhana to gather and stir up the mind to gain active and lively inner strength. Mind comes under control slowly with Sadhana. If, we train the mind to develop Bhavna to differentiate appropriateness or inappropriateness of the work with knowledge, devotion and understanding, nothing else can factually help us like the mind.  

Threshold is the first thing that we have to cross to enter the house, as it connects inside and outside of the house. We cannot enter the house without first crossing it. Similarly, we cannot enter the house of Chetana of life without first crossing the threshold in the form of mind. So will have to cross the mind. This means, we will have to stop thinking with old methods, habits, understandings, imaginations, insistences, beliefs, imaginations and guessing of the mind.

Pujya Shree Mota

Jivan Yog, Edition 1,

Part 1, Pages 380 - 381.

NEED SADHANA TO MAKE MIND WISE (2)

 In beginning of sadhana, we should not force the mind repeatedly. Some people suppress the mind repeatedly. This is not proper. Let the mind be free. If you do this, you will receive more understanding. We may be in Jiva condition and yet we can be witness also. If the mind shows us the wrong way, we can definitely tell the mind that we do not want to use this method. Presently we do not have that kind of awareness when mind tells us certain things. When that awareness comes we can understand all these and know that mind and us are different. At this stage we can figure out the behavior of mind. Our intellect can figure out whether what mind tells us to do is proper or not. When we have this inner understanding automatically and if we decide to control the mind over period time, then only mind will not disturb us. We can achieve this by analyzing all the thoughts of what mind wants to do and thoughts against it, throughly and deeply (pros and cons of both side of thoughts). We should think it over from all sides before taking action.   

We should do analysis and in deapth evaluation of the thoughts that arise in the mind. We think that if we act this way, it is advantageous to us. Mind will show us three or four alternatives. The purpose of the mind is not to confuse us. Mind is our best friend but it may act differently at different times, meaning mind decides how to behave in different conditions. Prana, intellect, ego combines and follows mind's decision. No one protests this decision of the mind. Only intellect occasionally protests mind's decision. Intellect protests after mind takes the decision. For this reason, if we want to make the mind such that it helps us in following whatever decision we have made, it does not happen on its own. To make it possible (bring the mind on our side), we need to do some process and that process is Sadhana. Mind will not be controlled without it. 

Pujya Shree Mota

Jivan Yog, Edition 1,

Part 1, Pages 379 - 380.

 

 

   

NEED SADHANA TO MAKE MIND WISE (1)

 We get in trouble by following the mind. In spite of having lack of peace, confusion and worry in the mind for a long time, human beings did not think that this is the result of their own behavior. Instead they thought that all these are the result of mind's behavior and lack of peace, worry etc., happen because of mind. They thought that they will have to do the work in Sansar and there will be many inconveniences without using the mind. So they do need the mind. They cannot do without the mind since mind is the main tool they have and they need to follow whatever mind decides. So, they thought, let us try to find the solution to keep mind happy and see that our work is also done. 

Main thing we accept is that by following the mind there is lack of peace but this does not happen every-time. Sometimes mind works fine and good things happen by following it. It is also not that every time wrong things happen. It is useless to blame the mind. Mind says,'what can I do? I thought whatever way you wanted it and showed you the way. I am your servant and do not blame me. If you want to blame someone blame your self.' What is the reason for this response of the mind? The reason is, we have already decided yes or no in our mind about the way we want to do this. Once it is decided, mind is our weapon, we try to use mind accordingly. The problem here is that, in practice the mind is not in the condition  to work the way we want and be obedient in our dealings. Such condition is not present in practical dealings otherwise mind will act in such a way. If we deal with mind in straight forward way mind reciprocates it. Mind works according to what we tell the mind to do if we have created such condition of control with love. This happens without protest, with love and happiness. 

Pujya Shree Mota

Jivan Yog, Edition 1,

Part 1, Pages 378 - 379.

THREE KIND OF MINDS.

 There are three kind of minds. First objective mind (concerned with  things), second subconscious mind  and third causal (karana) mind. We speak as if thay are separate but thay are connected with each other. This is also equally true. 

Subconscious mind is even larger than ocean. Its strength is also enormous. Some Experienced people (Jivan Mukta) say that subconscious mind has many times more power than presently imagined. Parapsychologists also say the same. There is enormous amount of knowledge and energy there. There is a science to reach subconscious mind. 

Most of our thinking is done in objective mind. It is superfluous but touches subconscious mind when it is confused, anxious and agitated. Subconscious mind latches on to the problem. We then get engaged in other work with related thoughts and it appears that we have forgotten the contact with subconscious mind. In fact it is forgotten to some extent or its intensity has gotten less. We may have some awareness regarding the problem according to its intensity. If the problem involves self-interest, it may be remembered longer but it definitely gets milder for us with time. Whatever is caught in subconscious mind does not get milder, in fact it gets stronger. Intuition develops from this. 

Subconscious mind pervades the whole world. Subconscious mind that is present in all the individuals, is the collective subconscious mind of the whole earth. The totality of the society has subconscious mind and our mind is attached to that. Our mind gets information from that mind. We do not understand the workings of these minds. Whatever information it needs, it can get it.

It does not need to demand. Whatever question is stuck in the mind, it (Sub conscious mind of the totality of the society) automatically shows the positive solution. It does not show pros and cons of it. The result comes out as an answer. When there is real intuition, human being starts to act accordingly. He does not think much about it. Some people even do not know that thay are having intuition. If someone has been exploring this, he may recognize it as an intuition.   

Pujya Shree Mota

Jivan Yog, Edition 1,

Part 1, Pages 377 - 378.

STRENGTH OF THE MIND

 Our Mind cannot stay open at the holy feet of Shree Bhagwan in the matter of our aim of development of life, without first becoming concentrated, focused and completely peaceful. So, if we want to tread the path of self-development and have made firm decision about it, we must act with awareness that we maintain peace, happiness and concentration of the mind in all the situations and circumstances. Mind has strength and power that is unimaginable, If we experience the strength of the mind with awareness, we can be worry--free in everything. Only then we can go through our Jiva-Nature. There is manifestation of some kind of strength in the heart that makes it possible for us to pass through Jiva-Nature and with grace of Shree Prabhu, always stay courageous in the process. Subtle strength of the mind cannot be expressed fully without first being completely peaceful, concentrated and focused in the subject of the aim of our life. It is our job to express this energy first, and then of Shree Bhagwan. We may be sinking in the ocean of ignorance and have Prakruti and Nature (Swabhav) of any kind, if we have the experience of the real energy and strength of the mind, by the grace of Shree Prabhu, we can definitely face and deal with any kind of situation. 

Pujya Shree Mota

Jivan Yog, Edition 1,

Part 1, Pages 376 - 377. 

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF REDUCTION OF EGO.

 When our 'I AM' gets to be less in everything, understand that our ego is getting less. Work cannot be done after thinking about it. There should be inspiration on its own. Work is done by self inspiration. If the ego is getting less, there should be less of chain formation of thoughts. 'I AM' and 'Mine' get to be less.  

Whatever needs to be done is done by inspiration. There should be no expectations or longing. Inner self becomes more conscious meaning work is done by inspiration. There is expression of thoughtlessness. 

Then vruttie of possession or ownership is removed. The vruttie that 'this is Mine' becomes less. One will not get attached to anything. One will experience the reduction of insistences. 

Presently, we feel with intellect that Karma is performed by some form of energy but we actually experience this, only when ego gets to be less. This happens when we have developed divine ego. At such times, there is no guessing, discussion or debate in divine ego. Intellect is guided by faith. There is Bhava of Goodness and Equality in Prana. There is no formation of chain of thoughts. Mind follows whatever springs up in intellect that is inspired by Bhava of Goodness. Mind does not resolve and then think of alternative. 

There is instant comprehension of right understanding. There are no thoughts like ' I will do this, I will do that'. There is instant comprehension regarding all aspects of the work. There is tendency of compromise. There is no way that one will entertain heated arguments. There is development of such tendencies in mind and other inner implements. One would let things happen as it unfolds. 

One of the characteristics of ego is non-insistence. So when one is non-insistent what is the characteristic of the one? Such a Jiva is without desires. Whenever and wherever there are expectations, desires, likings etc., know that we are still in Jiva- Nature and understand that we still have ego. More over, the Jiva who does not have ego, may not have vrutties of possesions, likings, infatuation, arrogance etc.,    

Even if there is feeling of sudden quivering of expectations, desires, thirst of desires etc., in mind but if it does not gather any momentum, know that ego is loosing its strength. Whenever there is experience of complete Sanyaas (Tyaag) of desires of all kinds and in all fields by mind and heart naturally; know, understand and believe that there is complete establishment of Yagna-Bhavna in our lives. There is no place for expectations, desires, thirst for desires, covetousness in the Bhavna of Jivan-Yagna.

Pujya Shree Mota

Jivan Yog, Edition 1,

Part 1, Pages 375 - 376.

EGO CAN BE REMOVED BY OFFERING EVERYTHING TO GOD (સમર્પણ).

 We perform the received work in the best manner if our life and attention are directed towards Ishwar (God). All karmas are to be offered. It is an insult of Bhagwan if the karmas are done in a half- hazard manner. Offering to Bhagwan is very important to be free from the ego. As for example, some firm has a well trained head clerk and many clerks. They make many deals. They earn thousands and lose thousands but they are not affected by these gains or losses. They work for the owner and the risk is born by the owner of the firm. They do not lose or gain the money. Similarly, if we behave in the worldly dealings like the clerks working for the owner, with knowledge, awareness and devotion; it (that we are not the owner) will spread in every cell of our body. The reason being, if we become instrument and not the owner, nothing is owned by us. 

Ego can be removed with appropriate thoughts.

If our thoughts, dealings and all other karmas are done with the Bhava of offering everything to God and develop Bhava of surrender; our Jiva-nature will be removed from them and we will not have that 'I AM'. We have deep effect of our thoughts and work on us. It is best if we do not have thoughts about it but it is not good if there are no thoughts with dull and Tamas prakruti Jivas. People who have Rajas Prakruti will always have thoughts. Jivas with Satwa Gunas predominance will have steadiness in the thoughts. There will not be any fluctuations and thoughts without any reason. We are shaped by our thoughts. This means, it is necessary to have the thought from within that are absorbed in One.

Pujya Shree Mota

Jivan Yog, Edition 1,

Part 1. Pages 374 - 375

REMOVING SPECIAL KIND OF PERSONALITY THAT IS INSPIRED BY LAYERS OF EGO

 There are many reasons for developing special kind of personality inspired by layers of ego. These include certain atmosphere around us, certain circumstances, excellence in the intellect, arrogance of the mind, receiving certain advantages in dealings of life, success and prestige gained in life, effects of certain influential people who deal with us etc., Obviously this seems to be gross in nature but in reality these are subtle curtains that are very obstructive in the path of development of life. The reason being, we are completely trapped in the personality of variety of special reasons as mentioned above and we have no knowledge or awareness about it. This kind of vruttie shows its presence in every incidence, every place and there is subtle sense of ego expressed at the time. This needs to be crushed completely every time it shows up. We have false feeling that, it is easy to break the gross but in reality it is quite hard to accomplish. The reason being, we can be separate from lots of other things and observe it but here it is difficult because we have become one with our personality. As mentioned earlier, there are many subtle curtains or layers in an apparent physical layer. So until we are trained and have developed the capacity to go within, and we have developed the strength and Bhava to be completely aware and have balanced mind, we do not have the skill to completely dismantle our personality. Also, we cannot  just pushed aside our personality either. Only when there is complete destruction of this personality, 'I AM' is removed.

Pujya Shree Mota

Jivan Yog, Edition 1,

Part 1, Pages 373 - 374.

REMOVING ARROGANCE:- WE OWN NOTHING

 Whatever is within us in the form of energy e.g. intellect, do we own it? Can we use it as we want? We have to break the arrogances of understanding of our thought-energy, intellect-energy, skill of performing work-energy, understanding-energy etc., We need to break up all such arrogances of understanding. All these type of understandings are not owned by us. It is present everywhere. Chetan is present all over and all these are contained within it. Moreover whatever understanding has come to us, we have received it from someone else. This understanding settled within us because of our appropriate level of understanding. Moreover in someone else it may have settled in a different way. So same energy is distributed and expressed differently in enumerable ways.

If any Jiva keeps even slightest arrogance about any skill set, consider the Jiva as dead. This does not mean that the work is done in half hazard way. Any Karma needs to be done with most appropriate management, artfully, skillfully and with the Bhava in all its aspects. Doership of Karma, its best quality, skill, energy and art do not belong to Jiva. It is expression of  the expansion of Chetan in the atmosphere. So we need to have true understanding regarding its origin, who does it belong to and how it works in the right way, Moreover, it is advantageous to express such Bhava in everything. 

Pujya Shree Mota

Jivan Yog, Edition 1,

Part 1, Page 373.

WAYS TO REMOVE ARROGANCE FROM ITS ROOTS

 There are many kinds of arrogance. There is arrogance of understanding, arrogance of intellect, arrogance of skills, arrogance of one's strength, arrogance of wealth, arrogance of pride, arrogance of superior understanding, arrogance of grandeur- carnal pleasures, arrogance of one's beauty, arrogance of skill in dealings etc., All these arrogances need to be removed from our lives. These arrogances do not remove themselves on its own. To remove them there needs to have intense pain in heart from experiencing the obstacles that are responsible for obstructing our progress in life; and at that time we can pray to Prabhu to free us from such obstacles from within us. Ego plays a major part in such arrogances. Because of ego such arrogances stay alive as arrogances.

BLOWS TO UNDERSTANDING THAT IS INSPIRED BY EGO.

Our arrogance of understanding may have somewhat weakened, but it needs to be completely removed. Know that, Sadhak needs to create a habit with awareness and knowledge, to let go of the old habit of judging, understanding, believing, considering, accepting and experiencing. Ego plays a major role in our understanding of many things. So, Sadhak sometimes needs to put self in such conditions where the ego receives the blows. When Sadhak is confronted with someone's behavior that can make him angry, his attitude should be 'that this is the time for his development'. If this is done with understanding and there is expression of Bhava and Aanand (genuine happiness) of the heart, it can be worthwhile, bearing such incidence. 

Know for sure that the Jiva who becomes happy when that Jiva receives the blows on the ego, such Jiva will get definitely get free of such things. The Jiva who feels other things than Aananda when confronted with blows to ego and experiences disturbances of mind like lack of peacefulness, conflicts,  uneasiness, anguish etc., know that such Jiva is still immature. 

Pujya Shree Mota

Jivan Yog, Edition 1,

Part 1, Page 372.

EGO CAN BE REDUCED OR SUBLIMATED WITH LOVE

 Element of Ego is very tough in the life of human beings. It cannot be destroyed without the expression of true heartfelt love. Love is a powerful energy that can lead to mutual oneness. It is possible to feel the nearness. When it is possible to meet, to be one and act as one by the attraction of the love, ego begins to be reduced and sublimated. If there is heartfelt desire to sublimate the ego, it is very necessary that such Bhava of heart is expressed. Then only we can be one. 

This Bhava of Love that is needed in the path of Jivan Sadhana, may be without self-interest, desires or may be with desires, generous and knowledgeable, with the Sanskaras of virtues and additionally it may be without attachments. When our Bhava of Love is associated with everyone with only one desire and it is to wish good of everyone, there is no doubt the result will always be beneficial. This is understandable. 

Thus the easiest path for cleansing of Chitta or ego is Love- Devotion. When there is expression of the small river of Love-Devotion in the heart and when it starts flowing, it will definitely continue to cleanse Vrutties. 

Pujya Shree Mota

Jivan Yog, Edition 1,

Part 1, Excerpts from Page 371.