Value: Steadiness- July 2025
Second Week: Unclutter the mind
When a room is filled with too many things, we feel congested; when it is spacious and uncluttered, we feel comfortable and relaxed. This is also why our mind feels at ease and relaxed when we see a large landscape or open space. If this applies to what is outside the mind, it holds true within the mind as well. The Sanskrit word 'kha' means sky or space. When the mind is uncluttered and has very few thoughts, it is called 'su-kham' or joy. Conversely, if there are too many thoughts, it is 'duh-kham' or agitation.
What causes the clutter in the mind? Its wandering nature.
Observe the wandering mind
In the Bhagavad Gita, there is an insightful conversation between Lord Krishna and Arjuna about the fickle nature of the mind. When Arjuna asks, "How can I take care of my wandering mind?" Lord Krishna provides a clear answer: "By practice and detachment."
What kind of practice? Whenever you notice that your mind has wandered, bring it back to your point of focus immediately. To do this effectively, you must first establish a specific point of attention. This process is akin to an expert singer who selects a raga and elaborates on it in various ways without losing focus on that raga.
An effective practice is worshipping a personal deity, known as upasana. In this practice, the devotee offers various auspicious items to the deity's form and chants relevant mantra-s and Vedic hymns, all while maintaining their attention on the deity.
As you become more observant, you will eventually identify the elements that distract your focus and contribute to the wandering of your mind. The detachment will follow when the consistent practice intensifies.
Chant and listen to the mantra-s
Removing unwanted thoughts is a process of uncluttering the mind. When a thought arises, we tend to 'listen' to it, even if it is fleeting. This inner chatter generated by the constant stream of thoughts leads to mental fatigue and can quickly tire us out. Perhaps this is why many young people put on headphones to listen to music and distract themselves from this inner noise.
However, simply escaping our thoughts temporarily does not actually clear our minds. In contrast, regularly practising the repetition of mantras can be beneficial. How does this work? By verbally repeating the mantra-s, listening to them, visualising the form of the deity, or contemplating the meaning in our minds, we can maintain focus.
Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda suggested that all the sadhaks take up Likhita Japa -repeated writing of a mantra as well. When practised daily for 10 to 20 minutes, the mind becomes accustomed to this focused state, even while engaging in everyday activities.
A fully uncluttered mind is like a still lake, where you can clearly see your own reflection. The most important thing is consistency in practice. I have closely observed Pujya Gurudev engaging in japa — the repetition of mantras — whether he was travelling or sitting quietly. His clarity of thought and the way he delivered his teachings with utmost lucidity proved that his regular practice had made him perfect.
