HOW TO KEEP THE MIND CALM

 

HOW TO KEEP THE MIND CALM?

(A PERSONAL BELIEF)

1.      Frankly, the human mind cannot stay calm. The mind will go through cyclic fluctuations of restlessness and transitory peace.  Man is a Karm-Joni and must go through the effects of good and bad karma so long as the soul is stuck in this worldly incarceration. (All other life forms are Bhog-Juni, including celestial beings.)

2.      One can attempt to reduce the period and effect of mental distress-- say from one month to one minute-- by consciously seeking the help of a higher mind. That is to live and abide by in Divine Will ( हुक्म,रज़ा )—by ignoring the pull of the lower mind, which tends to dictate through its false ego-self.

3.      The world is full of tests, trials, encounters, and these thorny issues/ items that cannot be picked up, avoided, or cleaned. However, by wearing shoes (protection) of His Bhana, the effect of all thorns of the world can be surmounted. भाने ते सब सुख पावे संतोह अंते नाम सखायी॥ Only acceptance of  Bhana can insulate us from the fears and worries of the mind. Solace can only be experienced in Nam- Bhakti.  

4.      If God is God, then why will He not look after our long-term interests. When a child is given bitter medicine, the mother wishes to cure the loved one of a long-term illness. Our presumptive attitude that we know better than the Lord – is a self-deception.  That does not mean that the best effort may not be put to resolve the situation—but to leave the results to His Grace.

5.      Man is a Spiritual Being having a human experience. The pain of despair is meant as a learning experience to face the challenges of life bravely. That necessitates His remembrance (Simran, Yaad, or Zikr)  with love. He must lead a life serving all by honest means and truthfulness, while he needs to be humble and compassionate to all living beings.  

6.      Compassion also includes not killing to eat—take it as Lacto--Vegetarianism and avoiding all intoxicants. जैसा अन्न तेसआ होवे मन ॥   Gurudwaras never serve meat in langar.  Meat is tamsik –pulls the mind for evil tendencies. So the logic that we are killing plants and micro-organism for sustaining ourselves is not tenable – because we are not destroying them for the taste of the palate and appetite.  

7.      There are four forms of life—andaj, (अंडज) jeraj (जेरज), setaj(सेतज), utbhujh ( उतभूज)--those born out of eggs, embryos, seasonal mutations( insects, mosquitos, etc.), and plant life. These are well defined in Granth sahib.  Life born out of eggs and embryos is prohibited for those who wish to lead spiritual life as it is considered to inflate the possessiveness of the mind into the material world.  The Guru, the Satguru, the Lord, manifested in human form, helps only, if we shun the feed of flesh—Page 141—गुरु पीर हामा त भरे जा मुरदार न खाए says Guru Nanak Sahib Ji ॥ That means -- Our Guru, our spiritual guide stands by us if we do not eat those carcasses.  Those who believe that the Guru is the protector in their life need to heed this prescription.

8.      The law is “thou shall not kill to eat”.  To feed on death is to become food for death. A Sufi says, “Every flesh they tear, they must repair, soon or, with their own flesh; every bone they crush must repair it with their own bone: and every drop of blood they spill must replenish with their own blood”.

9.      Any process where we are chained or instrumental in killing is a causative factor to painful retribution. Likewise, the pain of neighbors, relations, and where we are attached in life is distressful. All such actions and events deprive us of the tranquillity of mind.

10.  This is merely an opinion ---- and others may have their views.