| 27. SATSANGAM (Read, Understand, Appreciate, Internalise and Assimilate to reach the Ultimate) TREAT THE MIND AS A DISTANT STRANGER!! Don't be deluded by your thoughts and vasanas. They are always trying to trick you into believing that you are a real person, that the world is real, and that all your problems are real. Don't fight them; just ignore them. Don't accept delivery of all the wrong ideas that keep coming to you. Establish yourself in the conviction that you are the Self and that nothing can stick to you or affect you. Once you have that conviction, you will find that you automatically ignore the habits of the mind. When the rejection of the mental activities becomes continuous and automatic, you will begin to have the experience of the Self. Analogy: If you see two strangers quarrelling in the distance, you do not give much attention to them because you know that the dispute is none of your business. Treat the contents of your mind in the same way. Pay no attention! Cultivate the attitude that all thoughts, all perceptions are "NOT ME, NOT MINE." An Incidence From H. H. Sri Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj's Life From Ndola (Africa) Swamiji was to leave for Mombasa. Now, a very interesting event happened, in Kenya. He was scheduled to reach Mombasa that afternoon on the 17th November and address a public meeting the same evening. But it was found that there was no direct flight to Mombasa from Ndola. He was required to proceed to Dar-es-Salam. It seemed as if the Mombasa programme was destined to be postponed, if not given up. But the organisers at Mombasa had already given wide publicity to the evening programme of Swamiji and a huge mass of devoted people was to face a sorry disappointment. As the organisers there were cheerfully going about with their preparations Swamiji was still in the air, his plane heading for the Tanzanian capital, Dar-es-Salam. Now a miracle happened. When the plane approached the Dar-es-Salam air port, the ground control refused permission to the pilot for landing, saying that recent rains had made the air field temporarily unsafe. The pilot was instructed to proceed instead to Mombasa air port. Thus the Zambian Airway jet flew on and landed at the Kenyan air port of Mombasa. The prayer of the devotees of Mombasa had been heard and the unexpected had taken place. Swamiji reached Mombasa in time to start the programme exactly on schedule as though the flight had been planned for it. On his landing at Mombasa Swamiji thanked God and told the devotees, "This is but one of the many ways at many times that the mysterious working of Gurudev's grace has been manifesting itself throughout". Improved Concentration The common problem faced by most of us is Concentration. It is difficult to concentrate. A main remedy is daily meditation, even forced if need be. We must give some rest to the mind by pulling it apart from the world. Usually taking deep breaths before beginning the process of meditation helps a lot. One should also try to sit quietly for 15-30 minutes prior to and after the meditative process. Lighting a incense stick and sitting before the picture of ones ishta devata amidst quiet surroundings is highly recommended. A regular visit to a nearby temple/church/mosque/meditation centre also helps to steady the mind as the very atmosphere in these places is beneficial. Among yogasanas, Shirshasan and Sabasan are very good for blood circulation to the brain and giving it the rest it needs. One should imagine that one is totally relaxed and floating among the clouds while doing savasan. Diet is another factor. Whereas many advocate vegetarian diets, fish has been known to stimulate the memory. One should avoid spicy food and also never indulge in over eating. Taking a little rest after food is a good habit. One should also get oneself checked for lifestyle diseases such as high BP etc. Often a hidden disease may be a prime cause for lack of concentration. Early morning walks also soothe the mind. Finding out faults in ones attitude and rectifying them is another method. Listen to your friends when they complain against you and try to view yourself from various angles. Negative emotions like anger are to be avoided. The ayurvedic medicine Brahmi is an age old remedy to improve concentration and memory. The biochemic remedy Kali Phos 6x, four tablets before sleep is commonly prescribed. Some of the following hints may help: asa.nshayaM mahaabaaho mano durnigraha.n chalam.h
. shanaiH shanairuparamed.h bud.hdhyaa dhR^itigR^ihiitayaa
. sarvasya chaahaM hR^idi sannivishhTo mattaH smR^itirGYaanamapohana~ncha
. brahmaNo hi pratishhThaahamamR^itasyaavyayasya
cha . yuktaahaaravihaarasya yuktacheshhTasya karmasu
.
Sri P Gopi Krishna |