Mind Control - The essence of Sadhana

What is mind control?

Mind control is a term which is very much misunderstood. A seeker applies the term to his own mind and not to other people's minds. Mind control means that stray thoughts and desires do not sabotage one's peace and tranquillity. Desires cannot cause unhappiness if the mind is controlled because they lose their capacity to upset the mind. The mind, having no attachment, does not dwell in its past memories, future plans for attainment, or in day dreaming and imagination.

A controlled mind accepts the present as it is without attaching motives to anything, or interpreting situations and circumstances. It gives up those parasitic thoughts which do not let it concentrate on the present. These thoughts are in effect suppressions, inhibitions and complexes.

How to control your mind:

• Understand its complexes, desires, inabilities;

• Rise above its limitations which are based on these suppressions, etc.

• Give up desires and accept reality. If there are no desires, there will be no complaints, no grudges, no upsetting of the mind.

• We fail to control our mind due to desires, likes and dislikes and misconceptions regarding our personal ability and capacity. Once the mind becomes virtuous - that is, when these are given up, it will be controlled. Virtue manifests itself through a controlled mind.