The Mind and Its Games: Unraveling Its Nature
The question that often arises in everyone’s thoughts is: What exactly is the mind?
The mind, dear friends, is essentially a collection of thoughts—a bunch of impressions and memories created by your actions. Thinking, writing, reading, observing, eating, and performing various activities all fall within the realm of actions. Every action you undertake—what it was, how you performed it, how you felt during it, and its result—gets recorded in the mind. Repeating the same actions or thoughts over time shapes your patterns of thinking, which ultimately defines your mind.
You might know that while our body seeks constancy, our mind thrives on variety. For instance, one day you may crave bread, another day paratha, and yet another day dosa. When we consume such varied foods or indulge in junk food, our stomach may become upset. This happens because the body craves stability, and any deviation or prolonged inconsistency disturbs it, signaling discomfort or illness.
When the mind is not directed appropriately, it breeds fear, negativity, restlessness, doubt, and confusion. Psychology tells us that what we perceive is not always what truly exists, and what exists may not always be perceived. When our thoughts dominate us, we only see what our mind allows, often creating illusions. Thus, it is often advised to not be overly influenced by the mind.
The Restless Nature of the Mind
Have you noticed that the mind cannot remain fixed on one task or thought for too long?
Interestingly, the mind has an innate fascination with mystery. As soon as a mystery is unraveled, the mind compels us to seek something new. This is why the universe and the divine are infinite. If the boundaries of the universe were known or if one were to fully witness God, the mind would lose interest even in the divine. Hence, God manifests in infinite forms. Buddha captured this beautifully when he said, “I have seen God, and I have not seen God.” Every day, he perceived God in a new form. Thus, he declared, “I have seen God,” yet concluded, “I have not seen God as a singular entity.”
Whenever a mystery ends, the mind moves on to something else. You may experience this while reading a book, watching a movie, or enjoying a favorite meal. Initially, it excites you, but over time, your interest wanes, and you eventually grow indifferent. This is the game of the mind.
Can the Mind Be Controlled?
You may have heard the phrases: “Control the mind,” “Restrain the mind,” or “Conquer the mind.” However, the truth is that the mind cannot be controlled or stopped. It can only be directed.
The relationships and bonds we form are often challenged over time because the mind constantly seeks novelty. If you choose to let the mind guide you, you must tread cautiously and understand its nature. Alternatively, as spiritual teachings suggest, you can transcend the mind entirely—a state of “no-mind”—though this is challenging, especially while living in society and fulfilling worldly responsibilities.
The Endless Depth of the Mind
The subject of the mind is vast and inexhaustible. However, let us explore how to channel it effectively so that it serves us rather than overpowering us. The mind is like a flowing river—it cannot be stopped, but its flow can be harnessed for productive purposes. If you attempt to block it, the resulting surge may overwhelm everything in its path.
Understanding and Redirecting the Mind
Have you noticed that when you are deeply engrossed in thought, even with open eyes, you fail to notice what is happening around you? Similarly, when your eyes are closed, you become entirely unaware of your surroundings. This occurs because the conscious mind, which processes sensory inputs, is overridden by the subconscious mind. Despite the five senses functioning, they become irrelevant under the dominance of subconscious thought, leaving you disconnected from external reality.
This state, in essence, resembles a meditative trance. However, being under the sway of the subconscious often results in turmoil rather than peace. Conversely, trained meditators strive to consciously reach this state, where the journey toward higher awareness begins without obstruction.
Consider this: when you are deep in thought with your eyes open, and someone speaks to you, you may not register their words. This happens when you are lost in memories of a loved one, a painful experience, or an exhilarating moment. Writers, poets, scientists, and creators frequently experience such states of absorption.
Practical Techniques for Directing the Mind
- For Open Eyes:
When you find yourself lost in thought with open eyes, focus on a small, static object in your environment, similar to the practice of Trataka. For example:- If you’re at a desk, fix your gaze on one corner of the computer screen.
- If lying down, focus on the center of the ceiling fan.
- If sitting in a room, choose an object on the wall.
The key is to focus on something small and non-glimmering, while trying to minimize blinking. As your attention shifts to this focal point, your distracting thoughts will naturally dissipate.
- For Closed Eyes:
If lost in thought with closed eyes, direct your gaze upward toward your brow center, as described in practices involving the “third eye.” This redirection will immediately bring focus and calmness, helping you disengage from troubling thoughts. - During Meditation:
When meditating and disturbed by intrusive thoughts, allow yourself to momentarily indulge in the distracting memory or idea. Then, abruptly redirect your focus to a specific object or sensation, as described above. This intentional shift will help you regain concentration and deepen your meditation.
The essence of these practices lies in tricking the mind. Instead of resisting it, you guide it gently toward a desired direction. The mind, by nature, seeks to move away from what it is doing, and this principle can be leveraged to bring it back under your conscious control.
Through consistent practice, you can train the mind to become a servant of your will rather than its master. This art of redirection is the key to mastering the mind’s boundless energy and potential.
