बन्धुरात्मात्मनस्तस्य येनात्मैवात्मना जित: |
अनात्मनस्तु शत्रुत्वे वर्ते तात्मैव शत्रुवत् ||
Our Vedic scriptures teach us that our biggest enemies are the thoughts in our mind, such as lust, anger, greed, envy, and illusion. By gaining control over our mind, we can unlock its true potential and make it our best friend.
However, since the mind is a powerful machine within our bodies, it can work as a double-edged sword. If we don't control it, it can overpower us and control our actions, leading to negative consequences. To avoid this, we can practice spiritual techniques to control our mind and prevent negative thoughts from becoming negative actions.
Bhagavad-Gita 2.47: "You have a right to perform your prescribed duties, but you are not entitled to the fruits of your actions. Never consider yourself to be the cause of the results of your activities, nor be attached to inaction".
Krishna says, it doesn't matter whether or not a person can gain from the laws of nature. We have no control over it. We can hope for as well as expect a good result, but in case we don’t achieve it, that doesn’t mean we will stop performing our duties. That is the meaning of renouncing the fruit of action. Whatever the outcome, we shall continue to perform our duty.
Bhagavad-Gita 3.35: "It is far better to discharge one’s prescribed duties, even though faultily, than another’s duties perfectly. Destruction in the course of performing one’s own duty is better than engaging in another’s duties, for to follow another’s path is dangerous".
The Gita teaches us that we have a responsibility to follow our own paths. To keep your mind healthy, you must identify your temperament and act in accordance with it. It's more enjoyable to be ourselves instead of pretending to be someone else. We feel mental stability when doing the duties born of our nature and can do so with more ease. From afar, the duties of others may appear appealing, and we may consider switching, but this is a risky move.
Bhagavat-Gita 6.20: "The practice of meditation frees one from all affliction. This is the path of yoga. Follow it with determination and sustained enthusiasm. Renouncing wholeheartedly all selfish desires and expectations, use your will to control the senses. Little by little, through patience and repeated effort, the mind will become still in the Self."
Meditation helps you find peace and harmony. The Gita advises us to dedicate some time to breathing. to regain control of your attention, close your eyes and focus solely on your breathing. Your mind and heart should be in sync. Negative thoughts can be intrusive. They don't ask for your permission to wreak havoc on your mind. And thoughts are equal to feeling.
Bhagavad Gita: 6.16, 6.17: "For him who is moderate in food and diversion, whose actions are disciplined, who is moderate in sleep and the waking, Yoga destroys all sorrow."
The Gita says, "Don’t do too much or too little of what is important in daily life." Eat enough food. Get enough sleep. Say enough. With exercise, exert enough. With meditation, practice enough. And while working, perform enough work.
Authored by Dr Anadi Sahoo
