Richard (now Radhanath Swami) was excited to see a sign, ‘The World Yoga Conference’ and learnt that 800 yogis had assembled for the event. In the giant tent where the conference was held, Richard saw even small children perform difficult asanas, postures, with ease. Richard was impressed by Swami Rama, the renowned founder of the Himalayan Institute. Swami Rama demonstrated yogic trance and showed how he could slow his heart rate, produce specific brain wave patterns on demand, consciously move a physical object half way across the room, and even stop his heart all together, all by the power of yoga asanas, being in a trance. His message was simple, “All of the body is in the mind. Mind over matter is developed by control of consciousness. You really do not need to know many things, but you definitely need to practise what you know.” He blessed Richard to be able to cross all obstacles on his spiritual path.
Radhanath Swami also emphasizes that a spiritualist must try to control the mind and bring it back from wherever it wanders, to focus on the Lord. He once narrated an interesting anecdote of a man who was sitting under a tree and a snake bit him. He wondered what bit him and as he turned around he saw a rat, and concluded that a harmless mouse had bit him. He survived the bite A few days later as he was sitting once again under a tree, a mouse bit him. Again he wondered and looked around and saw a snake slither by. He thought the snake must have bitten him and died of the shock. Radhanath Swami points out that in most cases it’s the mind that convinces us of a reality and causes bias and prejudices in our hearts. Speaking on the basis of the Bhagavad Gita Radhanath Swami explains that the mind can be the best of our friends or the worst of our enemy. If the mind is controlled, it is the best of our friends, and if uncontrolled, it can be the worst of our enemies.
Radhanath Swami explains that mind is neutral like a knife. A knife becomes dangerous in the hands of a criminal but becomes a welcome asset in the hands of a surgeon. Similarly, mind is neutral. If we use it for the right purpose, it becomes our best friend. “For a man, the mind absorbed in sense objects is the cause of bondage, and mind detached from the sense objects is the cause of liberation.” Therefore we should learn the technique of controlling the mind for the best use.
Radhanath Swami answers the question on how we can control the mind. He gives two steps; detachment from sense objects and feeding the mind with positive alternatives. He compares a spiritualist with a car driver and a jockey. Initially when learning to drive, the driver feels difficulty and is not able to keep the car on the road. Later by practice he does. Similarly a yogi can bring the mind on the track of God consciousness. An expert jockey controls the horse by not restraining the horse too much and also by not allowing it too much freedom. Similarly a spiritualist regulates his horse like mind and gradually but surely advances in his spiritual life.
“Go to India” a sweet but commanding voice; spoke up in the heart of young Richard (later Radhanath Swami) who was immersed in meditation, his search for meaning in life has brought him to the Isle of Crete. Today he was ordered to go to India. Born and raised in the middle class suburbs of Chicago, Radhanath swami grew up in the 1950’s and 60’s era when popular musicians protested war, prejudice and social injustice. Radhanath swami would listen to these songs again and again, but their lyrics referring to God stirred his soul. Peter, Paul and Mary- the folk trio from Greenswich village sang in their debut album
“Early in the morning, about the break of day
I ask the Lord, to help me find my way”
This simple prayer was to guide Radhanath swami in the coming years of his life........
Very nice story of serpant biting by Radhanath swami
What a wonderful point! We need association and blessings of great personalities like Radhanath swami in our “battle against the mind”
“The mind is our greatest friend when we control it, BUT mind is our greatest enemy when it controls us.” This is one of the quotes from Radhanath Swami’s lectures.
Radhanath Swami Maharaj ki jai!
Nice
Very inspiring story of serpant biting
True teachings…nothings possible without mind control..
Thank you for giving us very important instruction
Wonderful words of wisdom.
Very nice article……..
Wonderful meditation.
Very nice explanation on different attributes of the mind….
Beautiful story decorated with matching analogies. Particularly like the analogy of controlling mind similar to controlling horses.
such lovely realisations
Radhanath Swami has rich experience in mind control. And since he chose exclusive devotion over mere mind control, it shows the superiority of devotion.
Thank you very much for sharing the invaluable tips on mind control from the teachings of Radhanath Swami. I especially liked the analogy of the car driver and the jockey.
Nice!!!!
It is very easy to control other temptations, however the most difficulty thing is controlling the mind.
Mind can be one’s worst enemy as well as one’s best friend. Very difficult to control unkess we take shelter of the Supreme. Thank you Maharaj.
Mind has to be given positive alternatives to be able to control it. Thank you Radhanath swami for this most valuable advice.
Very good Teaching. Thank you Maharaj
http://www.radhanath.com
Very difficult to control the mind, but there is still hope. Thank you Maharaj for your encouraging words.
Thanks to H.H Radhanath Swami Maharaj for this wonderful description on mind control.
Wonderful article! I liked the example of snake and rat and how the mind convinces us of a reality and causes bias and prejudices in our hearts.
Amazing description by His Holiness Radhanath Swami
good analogy of driver of how initially it is difficult to control the mind and of jokey how not to control mind too much or let loose and give alternatives. I also liked the analogy of snake and rat perception of the mind
Wonderful Discription on mind control, liked the example of snake & rat. Thank you Maharaj.
Also Visit- http://www.radhanathswamiphotos.com
mind is the greatest friend
Very convincing explanation for the need to control the mind. And it can be done, Maharaj gives assurance. Thanks Maharaj. And thanks for the wonderful article.
Great techniue to control mind – detachment from sense objects and feeding the mind with positive alternatives
“….detachment from sense objects and feeding the mind with positive alternatives…” Radhanath Swami explains this wonderful point that its detachment from matter + attachment to Krishna both is required.
Most spiritualists (not coming in bonafide parampara) at most focus just on detachment from sense, but without a higher taste/ engagement in Krishna Consciousness, such a person will soon fall down to lower tastes.
HH Radhanath Swami not only emphasises practicing mind control but also reveals how to
Such a wonderful explanation. Thank you Radhanath Swami.
The example of the man and the snake is amazing.
Thank you Radhanath swami for the beautiful story of ?snakebite to illustrate the nature of the mind
powerful instructions by radhanath swami-”detachment from sense objects and feeding the mind with positive alternatives”,is the best and the ultimate solution to control one’s mind,
Nice article.
Thank u Radhanath Swami for such powerful lessons on controlling the mind! Especially the rat-snake-man story was really too good.
Mind is not easily be controlled. Even Arjuna declares it. Forgetting all other methods of our own and follow the instructions of persons like Radhanatha Swami is beneficial. All glories to Radhanatha Swami.
Very insightful article with very effective anologies – Thanks a lot for sharing.
Thanks – Enjoying Your Site!
Radhanath Swami describes very nicely how to “mind” the “mind”.
Great story Radhanath Swami
Radhanath Swami points out that in most cases it’s the mind that convinces us of a reality and causes bias and prejudices in our hearts.
Enjoying the site – Thanks! – H
So important to control the mind but a very difficult task. Hope we can try and make the mind our greatest friend instead of greatest enemy.
horse analogy is very relavant for mind
Great analogy of a car driver and a jockey .. seek blessings to be able ot control the mind ..
Wonderful article about how the mind can be our best friend and worst enemy.
Jai Radhanath Swami!