We are living in a very strange and challenging time..
You might have seen this report (pl see below) from our own neighborhood. Unfortunately, this type of news is becoming common nowadays.
Scriptures say that our life is controlled by, and centered by our own mind. We live by our mind. Our perception of this world is by our mind. Uncontrolled and aggravated mind is the main cause of many of our problems including diseases.
Scriptures also say that if we cannot take over controlling our mind, then our mind will take control of us. One of these two things will surely happen. The intelligent choice is to take control of our mind and make it work for us, making it as a friend, rather than becoming a slave to our mind.
But can we control our mind? Our mind
is actually like a wild horse, even worse. That is why Arujana says in Bhagavad Gita that we may be able to control the wind, but not our mind.
chañchalaṁ hi manaḥ kṛiṣhṇa pramāthi balavad dṛiḍham
tasyāhaṁ nigrahaṁ manye vāyor iva su-duṣhkaram .. bg 6.34
“The mind is very restless, turbulent, strong and obstinate, O Krishna. It appears to me that it is more difficult to control than the wind.”
Our mind is dragging us like crazy, comparing ourselves with others, dreaming of unnecessary things (anarthas) in this life. Like a deer attracted by the music of a hunter and getting shot, our mind runs everywhere.
Unless we are intelligent enough to control our mind, we will become a slave to our mind, and fall in to a dangerous ditch!
What is the process of taking control of our mind?The scriptures say that the best way to do this is to engage in devotional activities and associate with devotees – every day and regularly. Then the mind sees a higher taste and the entire perspective of life changes, becomes peaceful, meaningful and blissful.
So, every day, spend some time chanting, reading bhagavatam and associating with devotees.
That will operate our mind and program it to obey us and make our life meaningful. If you read the Upadesamrta by Srila Rupa Goswami, and Manah Siksha written by Srila Raghunatha Dasa Goswami, you will understand so many facts about our horrible mind and the ways to take control of it.vāco vegaṁ manasaḥ krodha-vegaṁ jihvā-vegam udaropastha-vegam etān vegān yo viṣaheta dhīraḥ sarvām apīmāṁ pṛthivīṁ sa śiṣyāt
“A wise and self-composed person who can subdue the impetus to speak, the agitation of the mind, the onset of anger, the vehemence of the tongue, the urge of the belly and the agitation of the genitals can instruct the entire world. In other words, all persons may become disciples of such a self-controlled person.”
…..We are given so many opportunities to engage ourselves daily in devotional activities. We have been given 24 hours every day but are reluctant to give not even 30 minutes of our time. Then, how can we control our mind? Instead, we will be under its control and face the undesired consequences.So, chant every day, sing every day, and read our scriptures everyday.Your mind will then be in your control and your life will be peaceful and successful.
hare krsna hare krsna
krsna krsna hare hare
hare rama hare rama
rama rama hare hare