Repeating story of human birth — uncontrolled mind
Imagine yourself riding in a chariot travelling along a road of peace, bliss and liberation (Kathopanishad 1.3.3-4). You have decided to give the reins (mind) to the chariot driver (intelligence). The mind is uncontrolled; that is, the reins are loose. The chariot driver is foolish and allows this to happen. The horses (senses) go crazy, attracted by the illusions of the material world (The Bhagavad-Gita 7.14). They leave the road and enter a wild forest full of ferocious animals (lust, greed and anger). All are devoured; the soul loses its material body and takes rebirth with the same senses, mind and intelligence (15.8) in a new body (chariot), and another journey begins.
What should have been done? The soul, a part of God (15.7), should have taken shelter in God — the Almighty-while travelling on the road full of dangers (8.15) all around it. God would then have become the chariot driver of life, as Lord Krishna became for Arjuna. The mind would have been controlled with the help of God — the Omniscient. The senses would have been forced to behave and not get distracted by the all-pervading ‘Maya’ (material attractions). And the soul would have continued along the road of peace (18.62), bliss (5.21) and liberation (18.62).
For this to happen, one must be very determined. Let us consider the degree of difficulty. What is the mind like? It is a faculty created by God for us souls to think, feel and will freely. The mind is part of our subtle body (7.4), along with intelligence and ‘ahankar’ (ego). It is fickle, forceful, strong and obstinate. It is extremely difficult to control (6.34), being subtle and, therefore, very powerful. It must be controlled; otherwise, it can cause a great deal of trouble, and it does.
Why is the mind so difficult to control? Because it has to be purified through spiritual practices, especially chanting (10.23). Ahankar will not let us take shelter in God, who alone can help us control the mind (7.14). Without God’s help, our nature, controlled by the three modes, would not even allow us to want to control the mind.
What happens as a result of an uncontrolled mind? The mind favours the world over God, and thus the soul becomes bound to the world. Lust is already present in the mind, intelligence and body (3.40). One comes under the control of lust, greed and anger (16.21), and one becomes one’s own enemy (6.6). Diseases are caused by imbalances in ‘kapha’ (cough), ‘pitta’ (acidity) and ‘vata’ (gas). Greed causes cough, anger causes acidity, and lust causes gas (Shri Ramcharitmanas, Uttar Kand, 120 Kha 15). Mental diseases take charge.
How, then, can the mind be controlled? Lord Krishna has given detailed instructions in the sixth chapter of the Bhagavad-Gita. Spiritual practices, especially meditation, really help, as does ‘pranayam’. God provides spiritual intelligence to help us control the mind. Human life is then well utilised in the present, and one will be on the path to attaining liberation.
The writer is a spiritual teacher and a columnist; Views presented are personal.
