“When the mind is calm, the intellect is sharper, the decisions are rational, right and rewarding” -Swami Chinmayananda.
Our minds are rarely calm. They are agitated by tensions, worry and nervousness.
What is Mind?
It is a flow of thoughts. Thoughts will not stop; they will keep flowing.
A tense mind is a mind with too many thoughts flowing at very high speed.
A calm mind is not a mind without thoughts or slow, dull thoughts. A calm mind is one where there is control over the Quality of thoughts, Speed of thoughts and Direction of thoughts.
Arjuna says
cañcalaṁ hi manaḥ kṛṣṇā pramāthi balavaddṛḍham Gita 6.34.
The mind is cañcalaṁ - fickle, pramāthi – impulsive, balavad – attached, dṛḍham – unyielding. Can it be controlled?
The reply: “Yes, it can be done.
With abhyāsa – Practice for stability.
With vairāgya – Anchoring in the right attitude.”
Abhyāsa – Practice for right response.
Science says information goes first to the emotional brain (amygdala) and then to the rational brain (frontal lobes). On has to learn to engage the rational brain for response.
“Let not the storms of your heart cover the Sun in your head.” Swami Chinmayananda.
How to prevent emotional responses:
Abhyasa Stabilisers:
1.Postpone decisions when mind is disturbed. Stop – Think – Respond.
2. Invoke reason. Kṛṣṇā begins by reminding Arjuna that he is not the agitated Jiva but the eternal Self. (Gita 2:12).
3. Slow down your breaths.
4. Practices to calm the mind.
Mindfulness. Focus. One thing at a time. Multi-tasking is a myth.
Mantra Japa when disturbed.
Focus on the positive. Invoke Gratitude
5. List – Prioritise – Focus – Execute. Keep a Focus tool if you need.
6. Don’t see Obstacles. See Opportunities. A skier sees the path, not the trees.
7. Smile. Apply WoW – be happy With or Without.
8. Learn relaxation techniques. Progressive Muscle Relaxation. Thought Massage.
9. Avoid preoccupation with the ego. Don’t take things personally.
Vairagya – Anchoring for long-term stability:
1. Exercise regularly.
2. Self- care. Do what you love. Every day do something that you love.
3. Don’t feel obliged to please everyone. Say no when necessary.
4. Acceptance.
[a] My circumstances are because of my karma.
[b] “Not my will but Thy will.”
[c] Nothing is permanent.
“Heat and cold, pleasure and pain, have a beginning and end; they are impermanent. Endure them bravely.” Gita 2:14.
Remember: Insistence + Resistance = Sorrow. Acceptance + Independence = Happiness.
5. Imagine, visualize being calm. “Today, I choose to be calm.”