The Mind Untamed......a vast ocean of misery
The Mind Untamed......a vast ocean of misery
An untamed mind is referred to as a vast ocean of misery. An ocean of misery, as the incessant thoughts that cross our mind is mind-boggling. That’s kind of funny. But at the same time one really has to think about this with a higher intelligence. The average person has more than 50,000 thoughts per day, a lot are negative and many are repetitive. The mind is like a spineless jelly fish unable to control itself and driven by our five senses in every which direction. The goal is not shunya, meaning no thoughts, but instead the goal is Loving thoughts of Radha Krishna in everything we do.
Controlling the mind is like controlling the wind, Arjuna says in the Bhagavad Gita. Then what can we do? As a spiritual aspirant our main goal is to control the mind. But using the word “control” seems to be a bit harsh, a bit negative. Instead one can focus the mind more so on the present moment. I’m no expert at this but an aspirant myself, trying to be in the present moment (some people term as being “mindful”). Mostly we are thinking of the past or the future. How we regret the past and how we can improve our future. But all this is based on our material life. We rarely think of our past sadhana and our future sadhana, which is our daily spiritual practice. We rarely think of improving or increasing our service to Krishna in the future.
A meditation practice brings us into the present moment. One can start by following the breath in and out. It calms the mind. One can then follow the sound vibration of the mantra
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare
Man-tra broken down, “man” meaning mind and “tra” meaning to transport, then in essence when we hear the mantra the mind is transported from one dimension to another. From the past or future to the present moment. It silences the mind from other thoughts and makes it peaceful.
Another more efficient way to capture the mind, given by Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, is by engaging our tongue and ears, which then automatically controls the mind by singing the same mantra
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare
This is called Kirtan or Sankirtan when done with others. One may or may not use musical instruments or can sing alone while doing other work or household duties. That’s why this is more efficient as this can be done while doing other things. There are no rules for chanting this mantra except LOVE.
Actually, if the goal is to have Loving thoughts of Radha Krishna in everything we do, then Love is the solution. If we LOVE Them and lovingly serve Them, then the mind will automatically come under control. No force is required to LOVE. Love is natural and thus controlling the mind can also be natural.
Kirtan brings us and keeps us in the present moment. Kirtan purifies the heart and mind to LOVE.
Please sing along. These tunes are actually sung in situations of daily living not formally.
Happy singing!!
To sing along this week’s tune here it is …