Relax, Take it Easy

The other day, I was waiting at the VicRoads office, getting the paperwork done for my New car. As soon, as I walked in, I noticed this guy. He is around 35 years, restless, his fists clenched and looking stressed. I have no idea, what this guy is up to maybe he is taking a driving test or whatever. After couple of minutes, a cheerful looking man walked in. This guy Mr X, tried to get his attention but the person walked away, ignoring Mr X and started talking to the person at the counter. Needless to say, Mr X was furious and fuming. Mr Y finished his conversation with the guy at the counter and was heading out of the room. Mr X again, accosted Mr Y and said – “Common man, what’s wrong with you? You look stressed. Relax mate, take it easy”.

Mr Y simply smiled and said -"Have a good day" and walked away.

Hmm...Makes sense to me. Sometimes, I am grumpy and would wonder why all the people in the whole world are grumpy?

It is also said that, for a person afflicted with Jaundice, the whole world looks yellow to him or for a person who is diseased, a sugar candy tastes bitter. Two people are looking out from a window and one sees the Stars, sky and the moon while the other notices the murky water, dirt and smelly waste. Someone rightly said, your attitude determines your altitude or it is not the colour of the balloon, but what is inside it, that makes it to fly and go high. So having a right attitude is so important in life, not only for achieving some goals but, even to have a peaceful life. And, how to develop the right attitude is to think positive. All this comes down to having control on Mind and Intelligence. The mind has three basic functions—thinking, feeling, and wanting. And, the intelligence helps mind to attain them.

There is a beautiful Verse from Srimad Bhagavad Gita, which explains the nature of the mind and a wonderful explanation or purport by Srila Prabhupad (From Bhagavad-gītā As It Is 6.34)

cañcalaḿhi manah Krsna

pramāthi balavad drdham

tasyāhaḿ nigrahaḿ manye

vāyor iva su-duskaram

TRANSLATION: For the mind is restless, turbulent, obstinate and very strong, O Krsna, and to subdue it, I think, is more difficult than controlling the wind.

PURPORT: The mind is so strong and obstinate that it sometimes overcomes the intelligence, although the mind is supposed to be subservient to the intelligence. For a man in the practical world who has to fight so many opposing elements, it is certainly very difficult to control the mind. Artificially, one may establish a mental equilibrium toward both friend and enemy, but ultimately no worldly man can do so, for this is more difficult than controlling the raging wind. In the Vedic literature (Katha Upanisad 1.3.3-4) it is said:

ātmānaḿ rathinaḿ viddhi

śarīraḿ ratham eva ca

buddhiḿ tu sārathiḿ viddhi

manah pragraham eva ca

indriyāni hayān āhur

visayāms tesu gocarān

ātmendriya-mano-yuktaḿ

bhoktety āhur manisinah

"The individual is the passenger in the car of the material body, and intelligence is the driver. Mind is the driving instrument, and the senses are the horses. The self is thus the enjoyer or sufferer in the association of the mind and senses. So it is understood by great thinkers." Intelligence is supposed to direct the mind, but the mind is so strong and obstinate that it often overcomes even one's own intelligence, as an acute infection may surpass the efficacy of medicine. Such a strong mind is supposed to be controlled by the practice of yoga, but such practice is never practical for a worldly person like Arjuna. And what can we say of modern man? The simile used here is appropriate: one cannot capture the blowing wind. And it is even more difficult to capture the turbulent mind. The easiest way to control the mind, as suggested by Lord Caitanya, is chanting "HareKrsna," the great mantra for deliverance, in all humility. The method prescribed is sa vai manah Krsna pādāravindayoh - one must engage one's mind fully in Krsna. Only then will there remain no other engagements to agitate the mind.