Control of thoughts

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Om Sri Sai Ram

Om Sai Jai Sai Jai Jai Sai

 

Control of thoughts

 

"Our thoughts are precious. They are our very own property and cannot

be taken from us"

 

Thoughts play havoc with our mind when the mind is unrestrained. When

we do not control our thoughts, it keeps feasting on everything that

the senses come up and dwell upon it. Training our mind is not easy.

Vedanta says that we can master the mind and through repeated

practice, we can make the mind our servant rather than being its

victim. The mind can be made pure by constantly focusing on the

values and actions that are prescribed in the sacred scriptures. This

involves integrating all the senses and actions in an acceptable

manner in order to achieve the spiritual goal. One needs to discard

any thought that is undesirable and only feed those thoughts that are

good to the mind. In chapter 6 of Satcharitha, Hemadpant refers to

Baba's advise to his devotees and Baba says, "fix the mind in

remembering Me always, so that it will not wander elsewhere, towards

body, wealth and home. Then it will be calm, peaceful and carefree.

This is the sign of the mind, being well engaged in good company. If

the mind is vagrant, it cannot be called well-merged."

 

Meditation helps in control of mind. Meditation is loving

recollection of God, mental discrimination, and is an essential

balance to selfless action. Initially one finds all thoughts crowding

the mind at once and difficult for a man to concentrate on God either

in nirgun or sagun akaar. But constant discipline and sticking to the

path of godliness and focusing on the positive aspects of life one

realizes the path towards happiness. It does not mean that

spirituality and control of mind is restricted to those who have

severed all the relationship in the world and lead celibate life.

That is a wrong concept. In fact, any person leading a normal family

life can control his mind and attain happiness.

 

When mind is not allowed to covet other man's property, wife,

children and indulge in sensual thoughts and intoxicating drinks and

discriminate between what is appropriate behavior then such mind is

happy and in control. As we are the masters of our thought we do not

crave for things that don't belong to us, and harm our thought

process by neglecting our family when all the members of the family

are happy so also we are happy, calm and composed and the divinity

within shines forth without too much of exertion. Katha Upanishad

reiterates this fact "The Self cannot be gained by the study of

Vedas, nor by intellect, nor by much learning. He, whom the Self

chooses, but by him It is gained. To him the Self reveals Its

nature".

 

Let us make a regular practice to keep time for meditation in order

to create a habit; it's also helpful to have a regular place for

meditation that is quiet, clean, and tranquil. And most important let

us invoke the blessings of our Guru to start this stage of

purification of mind.

 

Jai Sai Ram

Swamy Mahadevan

Bow to Shri Sai-Peace be to all

Baba Bless you ever!!!