look for things that interest you and build them into the repertoire of who you are, says Rajyogi Brahmakumar Nikunj ji
We are what we repeatedly do said Aristole. If we have a look at the dictionary meaning of ‘habit’, it says ‘something that you do often and regularly, sometimes without knowing that you are doing it.’ To define it simply, habits can be described as involuntary actions. They are a kind of ‘automatic behaviour’ as it were, for one does not do them after much thought. For example, when we ask a person, why does he behaves in a manner that hurts everyone, he would say ‘It’s my habit’.
By saying this, what he means to say is that he did not do it intentionally, willfully and thoughtfully but it was an involuntary act on his part, so for him it’s nothing new. In this sense, it can be said that habit is man’s second nature and it reflects man’s control or lack of control over the self and his character.
There is no doubt in it that almost everyone in this world has one or other bad habit. Don’t we all haveIJ like, many people have the bad habit of smoking. But, if you tell them that it is a bad habit, some of them will bring in a little bit of philosophy and some would try to support it with medical opinion also. They will say, “Smoking is very exhilirating. It is good for my brain because it brings me concentration.” Others will say, “Smoking keeps my bowels free.” Others still will confess that it is a bad habit which they find hard to give up. little do most people realise that it is a bad habit which pollutes their physical system and the atmosphere and causes diseases like cancer. Similarly, there are people who have the habit of talking too much. They just can’t keep quiet even for a couple of minutes. The problem is that he who talks a lot, today, is considered as a smart, clever and wise person, and a person who talks less is thought to be lacking in general knowledge or to be deficient in the art of conversation. Such examples of bad habits can be multiplied, but, what we need to understand from these examples is that, in most cases, people do not realise that it is a bad or a harmful habit and where this truth is realised, there isn’t the strong desire to get free from its grip and that is why some people philosophically say, “This habit of mine will die only when I die.”
So what is the solution to get over a bad habitsIJ Is it even practically possibleIJ Yes. With a little effort and attention it is indeed possible. To start with, one needs a great enthusiasm which is very essential for leaving bad habits. There is a well know proverb in English: ‘Well-begun is half done.’ So, after realising that the habit which you have decided to give up is really bad, you should put a brave and enthusiastic fight against this evil. From the very outset, call forth all your latent energies not only to cut its root and branch but also to destroy its seed, for if the seed remains, the tree is likely to grow up again. When a house is on fire, how promptly and energetically the inmates reactIJ At that time, they are fully concentrated and they use all the means to extinguish the fire. So, you should also have unwavering firmness to fight the devil or the fire of evil in your mind. let there be no difference, confusion or procrastination. Put your resolve into action immediately. Secondly, remove the words ‘impossible’, ‘difficult’, ‘I cannot’, etc. from your mind. These are the expressions of a weakling or a timid person. Cheer yourself up. Realise the truth that the evil habit is your own creation, you have given birth to it and nourished it to bring its growth and now you should not say with a weak will that it is difficult to control it. Always remember, habits are not your original nature; they are your second nature. You have acquired them and you say that you cannot give them upIJ You are their Master and you believe yourself to be their slave. Have faith in Almighty and with his guidance, you can eradicate this evil, as easily as one can extricate and pull out a hair from a lump of butter. “Faith”, it has been rightly said, “can move mountains and this your habit is only a molehill.” Remember — mere wish or desire to eradicate the evil is not enough. You must have pure and strong will besides definite aim and purpose. Wish or desire is a small, temporary ripple in the lake of mind but will is the power that executes the desire to fulfilment. There is nothing impossible for a man of strong will-power to achieve. So let’s make a resolve that we will defeat the evil of bad habits and liberate ourselves in true senseIJ