“I will never be able to manage my mind.” We may have felt disheartened like this sometimes – especially when we observe how the mind suddenly and vehemently disrupts our plans for managing it. Again and again.
Arjuna felt the same way. The Bhagavad-gita (06.33)(06.34) narrates how Arjuna felt that disciplining the mind is impossible. Krishna responded (06.35) (06.36) by confirming that mind management is indeed impossible – but only as long as we don’t strive by the right means. When we strive by the right means, the Gita assures, what had seemed utterly impossible earlier becomes entirely possible, in fact, joyfully possible.
The right means is to take help from a power greater than the power of the mind: the power of Krishna. The best way to get Krishna’s help is by remembering him, especially by chanting his holy names. The remembrance of Krishna equips us to not only tolerate the mind, but also retaliate against it. Let’s see how.
The mind is like a big bully. In the past, whenever we have tried to fight back against this bully, we have often ended up getting beaten badly. Consequently, we may have concluded subconsciously that we will suffer less if we just cower to the mind.
But the remembrance of Krishna is the ultimate game-changer. When we regularly insulate our consciousness in the remembrance of Krishna, we realize gradually that this remembrance serves as a shield against the blows of the mind and as a mace to pound it. This realization is thrilling. After all, what can be more joyful than paying the bully back in his own coin?
Few moments are as life-transforming as the moment when we get the conviction: our days of cowering to the mind are over.
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 06 Text 36
“For one whose mind is unbridled, self-realization is difficult work. But he whose mind is controlled and who strives by appropriate means is assured of success. That is My opinion.”
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