When a mother and a child are going out for some work, the child may become fearful on seeing something. But the mother needs to be mature and evaluate the cause of fear, thereby deciding what needs to be done. She can’t wish away the child’s agitation, but she doesn’t have to herself get agitated – she can choose how to respond.

If we consider our inner world, our mind is like a child. In the Bhagavad-gita, Krishna uses the word canchala to refer to the mind. Based on its past impressions, the mind can, like a child, get agitated easily. What may trigger the mind is often unpredictable and uncontrollable, but our intelligence can be trained to function like a mother. When we thus identify the mind’s feelings, we can ensure that the mind’s agitation doesn’t become our agitation.

The Bhagavad-gita (06.05) urges us to elevate us with our mind, and to not degrade ourselves. This means that when the mind starts going on a course that will degrade us, we need to check ourselves. For example, the sight of some tempting objects may agitate our mind. But if we have studied the Bhagavad-gita diligently then, we will recognize that we don’t have to say yes to the minds promptings. More importantly, if we have adopted the Gita’s guideline to practice bhakti-yoga diligently, then by turning towards Krishna and by striving to connect ourselves to him through remembrance and service – by thus saying yes to Krishna — we can more easily and effectively say no to the mind.

When we thus learn to pacify the mind, it will become less triggered by uncontrollable externals. Gradually, it will mature, thus becoming our friend, just like a grown-up child becomes an aid for the mother.  

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