The more we listen to our mind’s dictation, the more we let it become our dictator

Our mind constantly speaks within us, commenting on what has happened, what we are doing, what should be happening, and what we should be doing. While it is nearly impossible to silence the mind completely, it is also impractical and dangerous to listen uncritically to everything it says, especially its directives.

If we start obeying our mind’s dictation—jotting down and implementing whatever it tells us—we face a twofold danger:

External dangers:

First, we risk doing frivolous things, wasting time on petty distractions, or worse, engaging in actions that are outright dangerous. Our mind’s short-sighted and often ill-advised suggestions can lead us into deeper trouble.

While external consequences can be damaging, they are at least visible. Such visible damage may impel us to course-correct or minimize further harm.

Internal dangers:

The invisible damage, however, is more permanent and harder to fix. By constantly listening to our mind’s dictation, we strengthen its control until it becomes a dictator—a ruler who insists on absolute obedience and crushes any dissent. At this point, we risk becoming slaves to our mind, acting on its whims, which may lead to self-destructive or even harmful behavior.

Addicts exemplify this tragic phenomenon. They listen to their minds’ relentless cravings, allowing their mind to become their dictator, ultimately leading to ruin.

The Bhagavad Gita’s warning:

The Bhagavad Gita (6.5) cautions that the mind can become our enemy and degrade us. This creeping influence of the mind, if unchecked, can lead to dominance, making us its subservient.

Should we ignore the mind completely?

Does this mean we must shut off our mind and never listen to it? Not at all. The mind can sometimes provide useful and even valuable information. The key is to become aware and evaluate its inputs critically. We must regulate our responses to ensure they are thoughtful and deliberate rather than unthinking and impulsive.

From dictation to discussion

Instead of allowing our mind to dictate, we need to cultivate an inner dialogue. Like in any conversation, we must discern when to pay attention to the mind and when to ignore it until it quiets down. Through discussion and negotiation, we can transform our relationship with the mind into a healthier one where it becomes a friend, not a dictator.

Summary:

Our mind constantly speaks, compelling us to act. If we listen uncritically, we risk engaging in actions that range from trivial to dangerous. This not only leads to external harm but also strengthens the mind’s dominance, reducing us to its slave. To prevent this, we need to move from a one-way dictation by the mind to a two-way discussion with it. Through negotiation, we can build a healthier relationship with our mind.

Think it over

  • Reflect on how your mind constantly dictates thoughts to you. Take three deep breaths, observe your thoughts, and articulate them.
  • Identify moments when you acted on your mind’s suggestions without conscious deliberation. Did this lead to any harmful outcomes?
  • Note two external and two internal boundaries you can set to transform your inner space into a venue for reasoned discussion and negotiation.

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06.05 One must deliver himself with the help of his mind, and not degrade himself. The mind is the friend of the conditioned soul, and his enemy as well.