Your Mind: Best Friend or Worst Enemy" - Insights from the Bhagavad Gita

The Bhagavad Gita, an ancient Indian text, poignantly states, "Your mind can be your best friend or your worst enemy." This profound statement encapsulates the dual nature of the human mind and its significant impact on our lives. This article delves into the wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita, exploring how our minds shape our experiences, influence personal growth, and can either lead us towards enlightenment or entangle us in our own self-created illusions.

The dual nature of the mind

One of the most significant teachings about the mind in the Bhagavad Gita is found in Chapter 6, Verse 5, where it states:

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?uddhared ātmanātmāna? nātmānam avasādayet

ātmaiva hyātmano bandhur ātmaiva ripur ātmana?

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??????????????????? (uddhared-ātmanā-ātmāna?) - should lift up by the self the self; ???????????????? (nātmānam-avasādayet) - one should not degrade the self; ?????? (ātmaiva) - the self; indeed, ????????? (hyātmano) - of the self; ???????????? (bandhur-ātmaiva) - is the friend indeed; ??????????: (ripur-ātmana?) - the enemy of the self.

One should elevate oneself by the power of one's own mind and should not degrade oneself; for the mind can be one’s friend as well as one’s enemy.

This is such a profound and impactful message! That we are responsible for ourselves. That we are empowered to make ourselves successful. We do not need to depend on any external factors for our success nor should we hold anyone else accountable for our failures. Our own inner self holds the key to ultimate success and realization of God.

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We usually tend to blame others or our circumstances for not being able to progress in life or in spirituality and Krishna says that you should take accountability for your own self and that you are empowered to lift yourself and elevate yourself.

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The mind will keep distracting you. However, Shri Krishna says ‘udd-haret’, resist the path the mind is trying to take you towards and forcefully uplift yourself. The word ‘haret’ is similar to the word ‘haran’ as used in ‘apaharan’, which means ‘kidnapping’. Krishna is asking us to be very mindful of our mind and ensure that it doesn’t do our ‘haran’.

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Inside each of us, there's a clear picture of the person we want to be—good-hearted, honest, loving, and disciplined. Yet, our mind and our emotions often pull us in different directions, making us act impulsively, like stray dogs fighting over scraps. Many don't recognize this inner conflict, but once we see it, we realize there's a higher path. This path, guiding us to be our best self, is what leads us towards our absolute goal in life, of self-realization. Our mind can trick us, making us chase short-lived pleasures. But when we use our intellect to guide our mind, we align with our true, noble nature. The journey of making our impulsive side listen to our wise side is the essence of spiritual growth.

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We can get further context from the following verse:

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vyavasāyātmikā buddhir ekeha kuru-nandana

bahu-?hākhā hyanantā?h cha buddhayo ’vyavasāyinām

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O, descendant of the Kurus, those who follow this path possess a firm and determined intellect, with a singular and focused aim. However, those with an indecisive intellect have a multitude of conflicting thoughts and ideas.

As discussed here, our intellect is the decision maker. Our mind is the follower. For example, once our intellect decides that money is what is important in life, the mind will keep craving for it all the time. Those who are resolute on the spiritual path need to have an intellect which is focused and not distracted and going in multiple directions and going behind material things.

The true meaning of free will.

Because our intellect possesses the ability to control the mind, we must cultivate the intellect with proper divine knowledge and use it to guide the mind in the proper direction.?

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Shri Krishna is making it very clear that ultimately, we are empowered to uplift ourselves or destroy ourselves. That is the true meaning of free will.

The Sufi poet Rumi? has said this beautifully:

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Man arafa nai sahu

Faqo araba nab bahu

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He alone who recognizes his own self can recognize God.

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I request you all to bookmark verse 6.6 as one of the most profound messages on mind management. Here, Shri Krishna says that:

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bandhur ātmātmanas tasya yenātmaivātmanā jita?

anātmanas tu ?hatrutve vartetātmaiva ?hatru-vat

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????????????????????? (bandhur-ātmātmanas-tasya) - the friend of the self for that person; ??????????????? ???: (yena-ātmaivātmanā jita?) - by whom the self is conquered by the self; ??????????? (anātmanas-tu) - for the one without self-control; ????????? (?atrutve) - in enmity; ????? ??????? ???????? (varte tātmaiva ?atruvat) - behaves indeed as an enemy.

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For one who has controlled their mind, their mind is their best friend. But for one who has not done so, their mind will be their greatest enemy.

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Our higher self is our spirit soul, and our lower self is our mind. It is a profoundly beautiful concept of the self being the friend or enemy of the self. The self, keeping a watch on the self, and the self, helping with the liberation of the self.

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Our mind is our saboteur. Our mind is meant to be our best friend. However, if not controlled and purified, it can turn into our enemy number 1.?

The power of the mind

You may have heard some friends or relatives say, “I don’t know why failures keep chasing me”. The sad truth is that it is them who are chasing failures by not keeping a watch on their mind.

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Likewise, if we want to always attract success, we just have to start getting our mind under our control.

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Another example we can use to showcase the power of the mind is the difference between punishment and exercise. If someone scolds you and asks you to do 10 pushups, that is punishment, you feel bad, and your body will start hurting. However, when you go to the gym and do 10 pushups, it becomes exercise. You feel good and your body responds by building muscles. The act was the same.?

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You were doing the same 10 pushups. What was different between the two examples was just our mind. In the first case, the mind was telling us that we are going through a punishment, and it wanted you to feel sorry for yourself and eventually it was causing hurt to you. Whereas when we were in the gym, the same mind was telling us that we were doing something beneficial for ourselves and we are going to look fab with muscles we are going to build. That is the power of the mind.

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Furthermore, the Bhagavad Gita addresses the challenge of the restless mind in Chapter 6, Verse 34, where Arjuna confesses to Krishna:

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cha?chala? hi mana? k?i?h?a pramāthi balavad d?i?ham

tasyāha? nigraha? manye vāyor iva su-du?hkaram

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?????? (Ca?cala?) - restless; ?? (Hi) - indeed; ??: (Mana?) - the mind; ????? (K???a) - O Krishna; ??????? (Pramāthi) - turbulent; ?????????? (Balavadd??ham) - strong and stubborn; ??????? (Tasyāha?) - of it I; ??????? (Nigraha?) - control; ????? (Manye) - consider; ??????? (Vāyoriva) - like the wind; ?????????? (Sudu?karam) - very difficult;

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The mind is very restless, turbulent, strong and obstinate, O Krishna. It appears to me that it is more difficult to control than the wind.

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To this, Shri Krishna responds in Verse 35:

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?hrī bhagavān uvācha

asan?haya? mahā-bāho mano durnigraha? chalam

abhyāsena tu kaunteya vairāgye?a cha g?ihyate

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?????? (Asa??aya?) - undoubtedly; ??????? (Mahābāho) - O mighty-armed; ??? (Mano) - the mind; ??????????? (Durnigraha?) - hard to control; ???? (Calam) - fickle; ???????? (Abhyāsena) - by practice; ?? (Tu) - but; ??????? (Kaunteya) - O son of Kunti; ????????? (Vairāgye?a) - by dispassion; ? (Ca) - and; ??????? (G?hyate) - is controlled;

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The Supreme Lord said: Undoubtedly, O mighty-armed Arjuna, the mind is fickle and hard to control, but it can be controlled through practice and detachment, O son of Kunti.

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This exchange underscores the inherent challenge in mastering the mind, acknowledging its powerful, restless nature while also offering hope through persistent practice (abhyasa) and detachment (vairagya).

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The Bhagavad Gita's teachings on the mind are not just philosophical concepts but practical tools for living a balanced, purposeful life. By understanding the nature of the mind as described in the Gita, individuals can learn to navigate their inner world, control their impulses, and cultivate a sense of peace and clarity. The scripture ultimately guides us towards self-realization, emphasizing that mastery over the mind is a key step on the path to spiritual enlightenment. Through disciplined practice, detachment from material desires, and the cultivation of self-knowledge, the Gita teaches us how to transform the mind from a source of suffering into a vessel for liberation.

Mindfulness and Meditation

Mindfulness: Living in the Moment

Mindfulness aligns with the teachings contained in the Bhagavad Gita on living with awareness and performing one's duty with dedication and without attachment to the outcomes. The Bhagavad Gita encourages being present in the moment and acting with full awareness and devotion. For instance, in Chapter 2, Verse 47, Krishna advises Arjuna:

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karma?y-evādhikāras te mā phale?hu kadāchana

mā karma-phala-hetur bhūr mā te sa?go ’stvakarma?i

You have the right to perform your prescribed duties, but you are not entitled to the results of your actions. Never consider yourself the cause of the results of your activities, nor be attached to inaction.

We are instructed by the Lord to always focus on our duties and rightful actions. All sorts of anxiety and stress occur only when we fret about the results of our actions.?

If you reflect on your own life, you will realize that most of your painful memories are based on either something unexpected happening or something expected not happening. ‘Expectation’ is always the cause. Many western and eastern philosophers have established this fact over and over again.

Meditation: Cultivating Inner Stillness

Meditation is explicitly recommended in the Bhagavad Gita as a means to achieve mental discipline and inner peace. In Chapter 6, Krishna details the practice of meditation, emphasizing its importance for self-realization. Verses 12-13 describe the ideal conditions and posture for meditation, advising the seeker to focus the mind, control the activities of the senses, and sit steadily with a straight posture.

This guidance highlights meditation as a method to focus the mind, reduce its restlessness, and ultimately realize the higher self. Through regular meditation, one learns to detach from the fluctuations of the mind and emotions, gaining a deeper sense of calm and stability.

The Impact of Mindfulness and Meditation

The practices of mindfulness and meditation, inspired by the Bhagavad Gita, offer profound benefits for mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. They help in reducing stress, anxiety, and negative emotions, while enhancing concentration, compassion, and self-awareness. By fostering a state of detachment and equanimity, these practices empower individuals to face life's challenges with grace and poise.

Moreover, mindfulness and meditation cultivate a sense of connectedness—to oneself, to others, and to the divine. As one progresses in these practices, inspired by the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, there is a natural evolution towards greater self-realization and understanding of the universal truths. The mind becomes a powerful ally in the journey towards enlightenment, reflecting the serene and focused state that the Bhagavad Gita advocates.

FAQs

1. How can I start practicing the Bhagavad Gita's teachings on mind control?

To begin practicing the Bhagavad Gita's teachings on mind control, consider the following steps:

• Study the Text: Start with a thorough reading of the Bhagavad Gita, focusing on the verses that discuss the nature of the mind, the importance of self-discipline, and the practice of meditation. Understanding the philosophical foundation is crucial for applying its teachings effectively.
• Self-Reflection: Engage in regular self-reflection to understand your mind's tendencies, the sources of your desires, and the triggers of your emotions. This awareness is the first step toward gaining control over your mind.
• Practice Detachment: Implement the Gita's teachings on detachment by consciously letting go of your attachment to the outcomes of your actions. Focus on performing your duties to the best of your ability without excessive worry about the results.
• Daily Meditation: Incorporate meditation into your daily routine. Start with a few minutes each day, gradually increasing the duration. Use the guidelines provided in the Gita for meditation, focusing on maintaining a steady posture, controlling the breath, and concentrating the mind.
• Mindful Actions: Try to perform your daily activities with full awareness and presence. Whether you're eating, walking, or working, do it with mindfulness, fully engaged in the here and now.

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2. What are some daily exercises to improve mind discipline?

Improving mind discipline can be achieved through various daily exercises, including:

• Meditation: Dedicate a specific time each day for meditation. Early morning or evening can be ideal times for this practice. Focus on your breath or a mantra to help steady the mind.
• Breath Control (Pranayama): Practice breathing exercises to calm the mind and improve concentration. Techniques like alternate nostril breathing can be particularly effective.
• Mindful Eating: Eat your meals in silence and focus on the taste, texture, and smell of the food. This practice helps in developing mindfulness and control over the senses.
• Journaling: Keep a daily journal of your thoughts, emotions, and experiences. This can help in self-reflection and increasing self-awareness, which are essential for mind control.
• Set Daily Intentions: Each morning, set a clear intention for how you want to approach your day. This practice helps in maintaining focus and purpose, reducing the mind's tendency to wander.

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3. How does mindfulness differ from the meditation techniques suggested in the Gita?

Mindfulness and the meditation techniques suggested in the Bhagavad Gita, while overlapping in many areas, have distinct focuses:

• Mindfulness is about being fully present and engaged in the moment, without judgment. It can be practiced at any time, whether one is performing daily chores, walking, or even in conversation. Mindfulness emphasizes awareness of one's thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and the surrounding environment in the present moment.
• Meditation Techniques in the Gita, on the other hand, involve a more structured practice of withdrawing the senses from external objects and focusing the mind on a single point of concentration, such as the breath, a mantra, or the concept of the divine. These techniques often require one to sit in a specific posture and dedicate a specific time for practice, aiming for a deep state of concentration and ultimately, self-realization.

Both practices are complementary. Mindfulness enhances one's ability to stay present and aware, which can greatly benefit meditation practice. Conversely, the concentration and discipline developed through meditation can deepen one's ability to practice mindfulness in everyday activities. Together, they form a holistic approach to mastering the mind, as advocated in the Bhagavad Gita.

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If you would like to understand the teachings of the Holy Bhagavad Gita at a deeper level, you can refer to my website at https://pragmaticgita.com

krsnadaasa

(Servant of Krishna)

Aka Vinayak Raghuvamshi