A few days ago, I read a blog by Mona Mehta in ‘The Speaking Tree’ of Times of India. It started with a story from Osho about Hua Tsu, a man who felt light and burden-free after losing his memory. The blog then explored the deeper pursuit of controlling the mind to prevent the burden of memories from overpowering one’s ‘self’. Such a state is not easily achievable by the ordinary. Yet, life experiences show that it pays to be a little ignorant and forgetful, at least to some extent, to attain and maintain positivity in life.
This thought might seem to conflict with the ultimate pursuit of developing the mind, wisdom, and dispelling ignorance. As the Bhagavad Gita says:
Bhagavad Gita 4.38:
न हि ज्ञानेन सदृशं पवित्रमिह विद्यते।
तत्स्वयं योगसंसिद्धः कालेनात्मनि विन्दति॥
Translation: “In this world, there is nothing so sublime and pure as transcendental knowledge. Such knowledge is the mature fruit of all mysticism. And one who has become accomplished in the practice of devotional service enjoys this knowledge within himself in due course of time.”
This verse highlights the purity and supreme nature of transcendental knowledge (jnana) and its role in achieving spiritual wisdom.
However, for ordinary mortals, it is not easy to attain transcendental knowledge or to conquer the powerful mind, which often strays like an uncontrollable vehicle. It can be even more painful if one acquires a little ‘information’ amidst the overload of conflicting and junk information available on the internet.
I am reminded of my late mother-in-law, who was diagnosed with advanced cancer many years ago. She was not too curious about the implications of the disease. Despite the ordeal and pain of treatment, she lived a better life than many patients of her time, displaying extraordinary resolve to fight the disease head-on. In contrast, another relative, who was intelligent and inquisitive, tried to understand every detail of her condition, which only led to increased misery and accelerated her demise.
This was before the era of the internet, social media, and mobile phones. Her inquisitiveness about her disease wasn’t helpful. In such cases, one must show discernment in choosing the best available treatment and trust the professionals, instead of delving into half-baked and misleading information.
Turning away from matters of health, let’s consider day-to-day life. Each of us has biases, preferences, and memories, both good and bad. Often, negativity overpowers us, leading to unjustifiable behaviour that can antagonize others. This behaviour can create wedges in relationships and result in bursts of anger and irrational actions. Is this better than a little forgetfulness about painful thoughts?
Yogis can control their thoughts and minds, remaining composed in all circumstances, unaffected by pleasures and sorrows, enmity and friendship, happiness or frustration, and good or bad.
Bhagavad Gita 6.6:
बन्धुरात्मात्मनस्तस्य येनात्मैवात्मना जितः।
अनात्मनस्तु शत्रुत्वे वर्तेतात्मैव शत्रुवत्॥
Translation: “For him who has conquered the mind, the mind is the best of friends; but for one who has failed to do so, his mind will remain the greatest enemy.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of controlling and mastering the mind to achieve wisdom and inner peace. But it takes immense resolve, like that of Kacha, the son of Guru Brihaspati, who, undeterred by impending dangers, attained the Mritasanjivini Vidya to save the gods
To understand this let’s delve into the conversation between Srikrishna and Arjuna:
Bhagavad Gita 6.34:
चञ्चलं हि मनः कृष्ण प्रमाथि बलवद् दृढम्।
तस्याहं निग्रहं मन्ये वायोरिव सुदुष्करम्॥
Translation: “The mind is restless, turbulent, obstinate, and very strong, O Krishna, and to subdue it, I think, is more difficult than controlling the wind.”
Bhagavad Gita 6.35:
असंशयं महाबाहो मनो दुर्निग्रहं चलम्।
अभ्यासेन तु कौन्तेय वैराग्येण च गृह्यते॥
Translation: “O mighty-armed son of Kunti, it is undoubtedly very difficult to curb the restless mind, but it is possible by suitable practice and by detachment.”
These verses acknowledge the difficulty ordinary mortals face in controlling the mind and emphasize the importance of continuous practice and detachment to cultivate a positive and steady mindset.
So, when we try to detach from a painful memory or event or a painful suffering or the painful behavior of a loved one, we try to push the pain into the unfathomable depths of memory, where it will take much effort to retrieve it. And why venture into something that causes suffering and pain? Be positive!
As advised by Sri Krishna himself:
Bhagavad Gita 2.14:
मात्रास्पर्शास्तु कौन्तेय शीतोष्णसुखदुःखदाः।
आगमापायिनोऽनित्यास्तांस्तितिक्षस्व भारत॥
Translation: “O son of Kunti, the non-permanent appearance of happiness and distress, and their disappearance in due course, are like the appearance and disappearance of winter and summer seasons. They arise from sense perception, O scion of Bharata, and one must learn to tolerate them without being disturbed.”
Inspire Positivity 