How to Control the Mind - Part 11

The Power of the Helping Forces

Inside, there are helping forces also to act against the hostile forces of demoniacal nature. If you once repeat “Om” ten times, if you once sit in meditation for five minutes, the Impression of this will force you to repeat the Mantra again many times, to sit again in meditation for some time though you forget all about spirituality owing to the force of Delusion or Ignorance. The hostile forces, e.g., lust, anger, etc., will try to bring you down; the spiritual currents, the force of Purity and Good desires will try to take you up to Supreme. If evil thoughts enter your mind once in a month instead of thrice weekly (remember that evil thinking is the beginning of adultery), if you become angry once in a month instead of once weekly, that is a sign of progress, that is a sign of your increased will-power; that is a sign of growing spiritual strength. Be of good cheer. Keep a diary of
spiritual progress.

A mind always hopeful, confident, courageous and determined on its set purpose and keeping itself to that purpose, attracts to itself, out of the elements, things and powers favourable to that purpose.

Some Guide-Lines in Mind-Control

Mind is so framed that it runs to extremes. Through spiritual practice, it should be brought to a balanced state. It is one-sided by its very nature. It is through mental drill or training that integral development must be achieved. Make a vigorous and earnest search within. Do not trust the mind and the Senses. They are your enemies. Women and wealth are your bitter foes. These are two great evils.

Mind exercises its sovereignty over man through the force of attachment, craving, impression and subtle desire (tendency, latent desire, will to possess and enjoy, world-desire). It does various tricks. When you once know its ways, it lurks like a thief. It will no longer trouble you.

In controlling the mind, you have to do seven things: (1) You must get rid of all desires, subtle desires and cravings. (2) You must control your emotions. You must control the temper so that you may feel no anger or impatience. (3) You must control the mind itself so that the thought may always be calm and unruffled. (4) You must control the nerves through the mind so that they may be as little irritable as possible. (5) You must give up prejudice. Prejudice strengthens the mind. It is the seed of the mind. When you are without Prejudices how can criticisms, taunts and censure affect you? (6) You must destroy all attachments ruthlessly. (7) You must give up all hopes and prejudices.

The following will bring you peace of mind undoubtedly. (1) Avoid the company of evil persons. (2) Live alone. (3) Reduce your wants. (4) Do not argue. Arguing creates sense of hostility. It is a sheer waste of energy. (5) Do not compare yourself with others. (6) Do not lend your ears for public criticism. (7) Give up the idea of name and fame.

According to Patanjali Maharishi, friendship between equals, compassion, mercy towards inferiors, complacency towards superiors, indifference towards rogues, will bring about peace of mind.

You should, through your higher pure mind, avoid the mind which runs in the direction of objects and, progressing higher up, should, without any despondency of heart, accumulate wealth of penance for acquiring that imperishable Supreme Seat. Like an emperor who brings under his sway all kings on earth, the fluctuating mind should be brought under the perfect control of the non-fluctuating mind and then, the latter reaches its own state which is the Supreme One!

Reference

Mind – Its Mysteries and Control by Sri Swami Sivananda