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Subject of controlling the Wandering Mind is very vast. Knowledge about the mind and its nature can be acquired in a short span of time, but for becoming  master of the mind a lifetime also may be inadequate. Thanks to our Divine Mentor (Satguru), who has also enlightened us on this subject time and again.

It is every ones experience that the mind (mann) is always active and wandering. Without bringing the mind to stillness and silence, it is not possible to be happy and comfortable, nor is it possible to fulfill the life’s purpose of achieving God.

NATURE OF THE MIND

1. Collection Of Thoughts.

Mind is a collection of thoughts, which are generated by its previous conditioning, by what is stored in the sub-conscious mind, and by what signals it receives from the sense organs. These thoughts neither stop in the waking state nor during sleep. Thoughts keep repeating themselves till they acquire monstrous proportions. This internal noise forces the mind to wander, and stray from the chosen path. Sometimes this noise is also responsible for irrational behavior in individuals.

2. Mind Is Never Still.

Mind is jumping from one subject to the other, and keeps you bound on the Merry-Go-Round of this world. Most of the time, we don’t even realise that we are being taken for a ride. We enjoy the ride, and are deluded into believing that we are the master of the mind, and that it is actually being driven by us to fulfill our wishes.

3. Resistant To Change.

Mind lives in its comfort zone, therefore, it is resistant to change. But once change is forced on the mind, it stays at the new place, and slowly starts liking the new situation.

4. Mind Is Always Rationalising.

Mind always rationalises a situation to its own advantage. This is the reason that people twist the truth if they are gaining from it. This is the way the mind justifies cheating, lies, stealing, bribery, violence or its greediness.

REASONS FOR THE UNCHECKED MOVEMENT OF THE MIND

1. Unchecked Desires.

Mind is always desiring something or the other for seeking happiness. Sometimes it is wealth or material goods for possession and indulgence; sometimes it is relationships for or sometimes it is only recognition from others for satisfying the ego. Even the desire for liberation from the cycle of life and death (Moksh) is aimed at seeking everlasting happiness.

2. Never Ending Wants (Trishna).

The axiom, ‘Much wants more’, holds good for the mind. There is a saying that ‘Want’ in our minds is like ‘an itch that never heals, the more you rub it, the better it feels’.  The more you get, the more you seem to want. Fulfillment can only come through contentment.

3. Negatives.

Mind runs faster and makes more noise when occupied with negatives such as anger, quarrel, hatred, jealousy, resentment or when dealing with lies, violence and injustice, etc. Gossip, public gatherings, ego hurting talk, opposition to your views, fear and frustration are some of the other reasons that keep the mind in turmoil.

4. Responsibilities.

When additional responsibility or any new work is undertaken the mind goes into rapid action to fulfill them and moves around faster for making plans, gathering resources and executing the work.

5. Attachment.

Excessive attachment to persons (Moh) or possessions (Lobh) also keep the mind occupied.

HOW CAN WE BECOME MASTERS OF THE MIND

Mind is very powerful, it can be mastered and brought under control if we accept the following conditions:

• Determination to bring the mind under control.
• Be prepared to turn to God.
• Know what is calling you. In other words find out what your deepest desires are, what are your attachments, ambitions, fears and aim in life, and you should be prepared to give tackle them.

GUIDANCE FROM THE BHAGAVAD GITA

Guru says that the Bhagavad Gita is a complete scripture. It is a wonderful treatise on the ‘Art of living’, ie, living in constant awareness of the presence of God everywhere. Wisdom contained in the Gita is very vast, and all spiritual seekers (Sadhaks) are familiar with it, however, attention is drawn here to a few aspects pertaining to the mind.

1. Actions (Karam).

Carry out all actions in the name of God, without hankering for the fruits of your actions. Expectations of results and fruits of actions give rise to desires and keep the mind occupied, and often in turmoil. Lord Krishna has advised, ‘limit our desires, O Arjun’.

2. Acceptance.

Accept the Will of God, and you will be happy with whatever you get. Mind will get stilled and will come to an equable state (samta).

3. Meditation.

Meditate for making the mind still and calm. In the process of meditating the mind will get detached from the world, and will shed all distortions (Vikaar), and get purified. (Ch 6/12).

4. Attachment To God.

With the help of the controlled mind, detach the sense organs from their subjects, think of God and experience his presence all around, and then stay thoughtless (Ch 6/24 & 25). This is the surest way of stilling the mind and keep it flowing towards God. Lord Krishna then goes on to say that if the mind wanders and goes elsewhere, bring it back and attach it to me (Ch 6/26). ‘Thoughts will come O Arjun, but make me the object of your thoughts.’

On Arjun’s doubt that the mind cannot be brought under control, because he sees it as a very powerful organ which wanders faster than the wind. The Lord says that it can be brought under control through detachment and renunciation of the world, and practice of constant remembrance of the ‘Self’ through prayer.  (Ch 6/34 & 35). If nothing else is working, then the Lord suggested to Arjun that he should give up everything and surrender unto Him. (Ch 18/66).

GRACE OF THE SATGURU

1. On Seeking Happiness.
Satguru says that there is nothing wrong in seeking happiness. After all the birthplace of the mind is with the ‘real Self’, which is blissful by nature. Problem is that due to ignorance, the mind is seeking happiness in material things and worldly achievements, whereas, it should be turning inwards to seek the company of the Self for permanent happiness.

2. Detach From The Mind.
Satguru says that, when the mind is in an agitated state, and is becoming a source if sorrow, detach from it by turning to God through prayer. Worldly thoughts will automatically go away.

3. Turn inwards.
Satguru says that the mind is very powerful, and cannot be forced into submission. It will turn away from worldly attractions if it is assured of greater happiness elsewhere. So, Satguru says, be still, calm, silent and turn inwards. Contemplating on your true Self (Atma) will lead to thoughtlessness and bliss, which the mind can never ignore.

4. Remembering God All The Time.
We keep recalling those things which are stored in our sub conscious mind. To remember God constantly, we have to feed his name into our sub conscious through constant recitation of His Name, (‘Naam Jap’), and prayer. For this feeding to be effective and permanent, Satguru says establish a loving relationship with God. Those whom we love remain in our thoughts always.

Satguru says– Secret of all Secrets is to Develop LOVE for GOD.

CONCLUSION

Control of the mind occupies a central place in our Spiritual Practices. Grace (Kripa) of the Satguru and His role in helping to still the mind, can be seen through this short story-

When Lord Brahma created man, He told him that ‘man’ was the only creature in the world, who was capable of knowing God and going back to Him for everlasting bliss. Man asked the Lord as to what was he required to do for his salvation. Lord said that He had placed a wheel (an organ called the mind) in the man’s bosom. This wheel would be revolving all the time. Man had to purify his mind, and find a place where the wheel would stop spinning. If he prayed to God at that peaceful place, he would find God, and fulfill his life’s purpose.

After straying through countless cycles of birth and death, the miserable man was still looking for the place where this wheel (his mind) would stop spinning, and allow him to pray to God. Then one day his good luck brought him in contact with the Satguru, who relieved him of his agony. Satguru revealed to man the Wisdom of the Ages.

Satguru said that the man was not following the right sequence. Satguru said that, however hard he may try to clean the mind and try to make it still, the mind would go back to its old state because it was living in the ever changing world full attractions and distortions. Satguru said that the wheel (mind) would stop spinning wherever the person started praying to God with love and utmost devotion. In those words, at that very moment man found the secret of bringing his wandering mind to stillness and silence.