Questions & Answers on Mind-Control

Questions & Answers on Mind-Control

Question: How to control the Mind?

Answer: Enquire into the origin of thought. Find out from where the thoughts emanate. Switch off that source.

Q. This is an extremely difficult and subtle process. Kindly suggest some method of controlling the mind which an ordinary person like me can adopt.

A. Japa of the Lord’s Name is the best for you, and for the vast majority of mankind. Steadily increase the time devoted to Japa and meditation. At the same time, cultivate Vairagya (dispassion). Pranayama also will help to a great extent. The combined method – synthesis of Japa, Dhyana, Pranayama, cultivation of virtues and eradication of vices – is the best.

Q. I am a devotee of Lord Siva. Should I go to temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu or Devi also; and if I go there, how shall I worship the Deity there?

A. Yes, you should never miss an opportunity of visiting and worshipping at any shrine you come across. When you go to a temple of Lord Vishnu or Devi, worship Lord Siva Himself there. Look upon the Deity in the temple as another – form of Lord Siva. If your father came to you in the attire of a High Court Judge, or (if he is an actor in a drama) if he came to you in the dress of a female, will you turn away from him? You will greet him as your own father in any case. Similar should be your attitude in worshipping the Lord. God is one. He is worshipped and adored variously by various people.

Q. I recite Vishnusahasranama every day. Have I to meditate upon the meaning of each word as I go on reciting it?

A. This is not possible, unless you are a Satavadhani. When you recite the Vishnusahasranama, have Saguna Upasana. Meditate on the form of Lord Narayana. When you have leisure or during the practice of meditation, you can select a few Slokas or Names and meditate over the meaning.

Q. In Taittiriya Upanishad it has been said: – First there was Asat. From Asat, Sat came. How is this?

A. This is said from the point of view of the common man. To him, what he does not see or experience is – Asat. To him, the Supreme Existence is – Asat inasmuch as it is beyond the comprehension of the senses, mind and intellect. – Sat, in this Mantra refers to the manifested world. To the man of gross understanding, the world of names and forms is the – Sat, because he is able to experience its reality through his senses. Therefore it is said that in the beginning there was – Asat (i.e., That was which you, with your senses and intellect, regard as non-existent); and from that – Sat (i.e., that which you regard as existent) came.

Questions & Answers on Mind-Control – Practical Guidance for Inner Mastery

Questions & Answers on Mind-Control helps seekers understand how the restless mind can be trained, purified, and directed toward peace. The mind is subtle, powerful, and constantly active. It thinks, remembers, desires, fears, imagines, compares, and reacts. If it is left uncontrolled, it becomes the cause of suffering. If it is disciplined, it becomes a great instrument for concentration, meditation, devotion, wisdom, and liberation.

Question: Why is mind-control necessary?
Mind-control is necessary because the mind shapes our experience of life. The same situation may disturb one person and leave another person calm. The outer world may be similar, but the inner response is different. A controlled mind gives clarity, patience, strength, and balance. Without mental discipline, a person becomes a slave of anger, fear, desire, and impulse.

Question: Is the mind naturally bad?
No, the mind is not bad by itself. It becomes troublesome when it is ruled by lower tendencies such as greed, jealousy, pride, lust, hatred, and attachment. The same mind becomes noble when filled with prayer, discrimination, compassion, self-control, and devotion. Therefore, the aim is not to hate the mind, but to understand and train it.

Questions & Answers on Mind-Control teaches that the first step is self-observation. Watch the mind carefully during daily life. Notice what it wants, what it fears, what makes it angry, and what it repeats again and again. This observation should be honest but calm. When a weakness is clearly seen, it can slowly be corrected.

Question: Can the mind be controlled by force?
Force alone cannot control the mind. Harsh suppression may create tension or hidden desire. A better method is gentle firmness. When the mind wanders, bring it back. When desire rises, examine it. When anger appears, pause before speaking. Regular practice, patience, and discrimination are more effective than inner violence.

Question: What role do the senses play?
The senses pull the mind outward through form, sound, taste, touch, smell, comfort, entertainment, and praise. If the senses are uncontrolled, the mind becomes scattered. Moderation in food, speech, pleasure, sleep, and social habits helps the mind become steady. Sense-control is not hatred of life; it is freedom from slavery to outer objects.

Questions & Answers on Mind-Control also shows the importance of right thinking. Thoughts repeated daily become habits. Habits become character. Character shapes destiny. If the mind constantly thinks of fear, anger, and selfish desire, life becomes disturbed. If it thinks of purity, courage, service, peace, and God, the whole personality becomes uplifted.

Question: How does meditation help in mental discipline?
Meditation gathers scattered attention and turns it inward. Sit daily in a quiet place, keep the body steady, calm the breath, and focus on a chosen support such as mantra, breath, divine form, light, or witnessing awareness. When thoughts arise, do not become upset. Bring the mind back again and again. Each return strengthens inner control.

Question: Why is speech-control important?
Speech is closely connected with the mind. Harsh words, gossip, criticism, lies, and useless arguments disturb inner peace. Speak truthfully, kindly, and only when needed. A controlled tongue helps create a controlled mind. Silence, when practiced wisely, saves energy and deepens awareness.

Questions & Answers on Mind-Control reminds the seeker that good company is essential. The mind absorbs the quality of its surroundings. Negative company increases restlessness, doubt, indulgence, and carelessness. Noble company, spiritual books, uplifting conversations, and association with sincere seekers strengthen faith, purity, and discipline.

Question: What should be done when anger suddenly rises?
Pause immediately. Do not speak or act at once. Take a few calm breaths and watch the feeling. Ask yourself whether this reaction will bring peace or sorrow. If needed, repeat a mantra or step away for a moment. A small pause can prevent many mistakes and weaken old habits.

Question: What should be done when desire becomes strong?
Do not obey every desire blindly. Examine whether it is necessary, healthy, noble, or harmful. Some desires may be fulfilled wisely, some may be postponed, and some must be rejected. Detachment grows when the seeker understands that lasting peace cannot come from temporary objects.

Questions & Answers on Mind-Control becomes practical when applied throughout the whole day. Do not limit discipline to the meditation seat. Practice awareness while eating, speaking, working, studying, walking, and dealing with others. Every situation becomes a chance to train the mind and strengthen spiritual character.

Devotion makes mental discipline easier. Prayer, mantra repetition, surrender, worship, and remembrance of the Divine give the mind a higher taste. When love for the Divine grows, lower attractions lose some of their charm. The mind that is filled with devotion becomes softer, purer, and easier to guide.

The highest purpose of mind-control is self-realization. When the mind becomes calm and pure, the seeker can recognize the witnessing awareness beyond thoughts, emotions, desires, and ego. The mind changes, but the witness remains steady. To know this inner witness is to move toward true freedom.

In the end, Questions & Answers on Mind-Control shows that the restless mind can be transformed through observation, meditation, devotion, sense-control, speech-control, good company, self-examination, and right living. With sincere practice, the mind becomes a friend instead of an enemy, and the seeker gains peace, clarity, strength, and progress toward liberation.

Method of Self-Analysis