Namaste,
let us continue to study the techniques Patanjali suggests to calm the mind.
Please note that Patanjali suggests that you adopt one of the techniques
suggested and practice it with deep conviction, sincerity and earnestness to
accomplish the quietness of mind. The technique we are going to study today is
an inquiry into how our senses (hearing, touch, vision, taste and smell) can
affect our mind. Our senses can be affected by what we eat, what TV shows we
watch, who we interact with, where we go on our vacations, what music or talks
we listen to, where we live etc. Based on how the senses are affected, they can
either become an attention (citta svarupanukara) or a distraction to our
sadhana.
The
effect of senses on the mind can be explained with a beautiful illustration
from Kathopanishad. This illustration is symbolically denoted by the chariot
driven by Lord Krishna in Bhagavad Gita. It describes the five horses as the
five senses, the reins as the mind and the charioteer as ‘You’. If each of the
horses go in a different direction without any control by the reins and the
charioteer, the horses would be exhausted, reins would be torn and so the
charioteer. Similarly, if sense organs work independently, uncontrolled by the
mind, they can be torn, and so the mind and then You. If you are master of your
mind, you can hold the reins steady and drive all the horses in a controlled
fashion, in unison, working towards the desired destination.
Many
techniques have been suggested on how to become master of our senses. For many
of us, it mostly comes down to a deep inner discipline and regimen on some of
the aspects mentioned earlier such as our habits related to diet, relaxation,
exercise, vacations, interactions, ‘screen’ time and so on. A regular practice
of techniques such as deep relaxation or Yoga Nidra (eg: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLs0xVwvWWM)
also helps. Remember that the reins are in ‘your’ hands and with determination
and practice, you can control them and take the horses where you want to
go! Wish you all the best in your sadhana and more next week.
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