Value: Mindfulness - August 2025

First Week: Find the mind

We often hear the phrase "never mind!" used when someone is unconcerned about a situation. However, many of us may not be aware of where our minds truly are. We are not referring to a state of swoon or unconsciousness; rather, it is the predicament where the mind is lost and never to be found.

Typically, teenagers are seen as preoccupied with video games and chat rooms, but adults are not exempt from this behavior either. When our minds are not present, how can we engage in any meaningful spiritual practice?

Find out where the mind gets trapped

To catch birds alive, a hunter uses a net. Similarly, our minds can become trapped on the internet! What is this trap? Our minds are overloaded with information, much of which is irrelevant to our personal growth. Children, in particular, are filled with information that they often repeat without fully processing or understanding it.

We are mind-full rather than mindful in our daily lives. While engaging in one task, we frequently allow ourselves to be distracted by multiple other tasks that demand our attention simultaneously. Many people experience FOMO (fear of missing out), even while on vacation. We walk, drive, and even sleep with our mobile phones in hand! The Upanishads warn us: "शब्दजालं महारण्यं चित्तभ्रमाणकारणम्" – The net of words (sounds) is a vast forest that causes the bewilderment of the mind.

Quietly observe where your mind is getting trapped. Every day, spend some time staying away from the regular routine of life, and see if you can remain free from being oppressed by the world around you.

Be alert about the negative influence

It is one thing to lose ourselves in the busyness of daily life, leaving no space for reflection and tranquility; it is quite another to allow negative thoughts and prejudiced views to cloud our minds. We must intentionally expose ourselves to positive influences to build resilience against negativity.

A well-known scientist was once asked if anyone had ever positively influenced him. He replied affirmatively, "Yes, my servant did!" He explained, "One winter, I was sitting near the heater and felt very warm. I called my servant to lower the heat, but he smiled and said, 'Instead of asking me to reduce the heat, why don't you move your chair a little farther away from the heater? That would solve the problem!' He taught me an invaluable lesson: whenever you feel deprived of something in life, mentally distance yourself from it, and you will feel relieved immediately!"

Even if you cannot avoid the company of those who have only negative thoughts and opinions, try to mentally distance yourself, like the way Lord Shiva drank the poison: he neither swallowed to pollute Himself, nor did He threw up to endanger others!