We think that by thinking endlessly, we can find solutions to all our problems, having a wrong idea about our capacity or intelligence. These also are severely limited. Only spiritual intelligence helps us in realising our limitations, explains AJIT KUMAR BISHNOI
Why do we do soIJ There are several reasons. To begin with, this habit has to do with our small size as a soul. Are we not one out of seven billionIJ This smallness has to do with our limited power; we are in the ultimate sense quite helpless. Only one example will suffice to substantiate this fact. Are we able to stop old age from coming or death, for that matterIJ Still, we develop a false feeling of being big due to wealth, power, and knowledge (material). They lull us into thinking that we are not small or helpless till some reverse shocks us into realising our true position.
Then, we think that by thinking endlessly we can find solutions to all our problems, having a wrong idea about our capacity or intelligence. These also are severely limited. Only spiritual intelligence helps us in realising our limitations. We think that we can control our future by our endless thinking. If it was so, we wouldn’t worry about our future. As a matter of fact, the future is determined by what we have done in the past and are presently doing. Thinking cannot negate them. Destiny is being formed right now and there is destiny of old.
We think too much because we have a wrong perception of our importance. Somehow we fool ourselves to think that we are someone special, superior to common folks. In the ultimate sense, we are all struggling to exist well. Then, we assume that we can control things, not realising our smallness. The same logic will tell us that we cannot. Why else do we worry if it was soIJ There is only one controller and that is God, under whose superintendence the material nature works. This material nature is very crucial. Unknown to us, it keeps track of all our karmas and rewards and punishes accordingly. The role of God is still more important; he being in-charge of the material nature. Connection with God is a superior karma and qualifies us for special treatment from God.
But for us to get that benefit, we must have faith in God, which is very rare. lots of folks have a vague concept of God but nothing more. That is the reason we don’t think about God — the most important entity while we think excessively about most other things, which becomes our habit. We don’t realise that we are hurting ourselves by doing so; we are depriving ourselves of peace of mind — the most crucial requirement for happiness. Our uncontrolled minds are culprits and this hurts our physical health as well.
How do we stop our minds from doing this damageIJ let us first realise that the ones who are hurt the most are in the ‘manomaya’ stage; those who think too much as a habit. The other four stages, ie ‘annamaya’ — to be satisfied if fed properly (children are in this group); ‘pranamaya’ — to
be satisfied if alive (labour class is in this group); ‘jnanamaya’ — who are knowledgeable; and ‘anandmaya’ — who are in bliss and are not so much afflicted by this problem.
We must limit our desires, the material ones. It is not for one moment being suggested that one should have no desires but these must be within one’s resources. The same goes for senses; one must not crave for unlimited sense enjoyment. This must be always appropriate, suiting the needs of the body. One should be suitably engaged because an empty mind does create trouble. We must realise the benefits of being able to stop thinking excessively or obsessively. Similarly, we should make ourselves aware of the immense favour we will do to ourselves
if we are able to do so.
In the end, let us realise our smallness which is bound by destiny and afflicted by faulty natures. let us take the shelter of God for guidance; we will do ourselves a huge favour.
Bishnoi is a spiritual writer and can be reached at spiritual@ajitbishnoi.com