Wandering Mind

Sailen Mukherjee (India, 28/05/06)

 

One may regulate the speed of a vehicle, personal expenditure, life style and many other activities in life but imposing control on mind is the most difficult task to be achieved. Sometimes our physical body superficially appears to be in a state of rest or relaxation but continuous turmoil in inner thoughts is never visible. Mind does not appear to be in quietude even for a moment. Thus maintaining tranquillity and harmony in the entire system both physical and mental is hardly possible. Regular spiritual practices are advocated to act as speed governors on wandering mind. Now a days a number of Saints have been giving discourses on TV or elsewhere highlighting means to achieve stillness of mind.

But how many of us are following the speech in letters and spirits? As soon as the discourse or satsang is over be it in a temple or Ashram or community hall, the listeners or disciples or devotees start chattering about their daily scores. Hardly a moment is devoted to think over the teachings learnt during the discourse. This is all due to our restless mind. This may be the reason that our religious scriptures / Dharma Granthas preach us to treat “Work as Worship”. One should always get busy in doing fruitful work. Work should be with the motto of serving others.

As charity begins at home our work should start with the welfare of our family members and then spread it wings to the neighborhood, community, and society. Devotion to work is the most practical means to keep our mind under control. While doing social work one should never expect any appreciation. Capabilities to do the work for the sake of others are the gifts of Almighty. Such work would relieve us from repulsive thoughts affecting our peace of mind. To begin with such work may include maintenance of cleanliness of our residential complex or regular tendering of a few plants with water, soil and manure in the complex area or occasional visits to the nearby hospitals to extend physical help to the patients who are old and infirm. Blooming of flowers on these plants in a clean environment or a smile on the faces of hapless people will give us invaluable mental peace.