Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the incessant chatter of your mind and the relentless urges of lust? How do you currently cope with the distractions of your mind and the temptations of lust in your daily life? Have you ever explored spiritual teachings to help guide you towards mental clarity and emotional balance?
In the fast-paced and ever-evolving world we live in, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the constant demands and distractions that bombard us on a daily basis. As we navigate through the complexities of life, we often find ourselves grappling with inner conflicts, battling our own desires and impulses.
The mind is a powerful and complex aspect of our being, often likened to a monkey that is constantly restless and jumping from one thought to another. It is the seat of our emotions, desires, and intellect, shaping our perceptions and influencing our actions. Lust, in its essence, is a strong desire or craving for something, often of a physical nature. It can manifest in various forms, from a longing for material possessions to an insatiable appetite for sensory pleasures. This intense craving can lead individuals astray from their true purpose and cloud their judgment, hindering their spiritual growth and overall well-being.
The journey towards mastering the mind is not an easy one, as it requires dedication, patience, and a willingness to confront one's innermost fears and insecurities. By facing these challenges head-on and working through them with mindfulness and self-awareness, one can begin to unravel the complexities of their own minds and gain a deeper understanding of themselves. Controlling the mind may pose challenges, but in Srimad Bhagavad Gita Lord Krishna assures us that it is not an impossible task:
asaṁśayaṁ mahā-bāho
mano durnigrahaṁ calam
abhyāsena tu kaunteya
vairāgyeṇa ca gṛhyate
"O mighty-armed son of Kuntī, it is undoubtedly very difficult to curb the restless mind, but it is possible by suitable practice and by detachment." ( BG 6.35 )
Srila Prabhupada mentions in the purport : "The difficulty of controlling the obstinate mind, as expressed by Arjuna, is accepted by the Personality of Godhead. But at the same time He suggests that by practice and detachment it is possible. What is that practice? In the present age no one can observe the strict rules and regulations of placing oneself in a sacred place, focusing the mind on the Super soul, restraining the senses and mind, observing celibacy, remaining alone, etc. By the practice of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, however, one engages in nine types of devotional service to the Lord."
Various techniques and practices can help in taming the unruly nature of the mind. Such as hearing the transcendental activities of Krishna (the first process of nine types of devotional service to the Lord : 'shravanam') , mindfulness meditation on His beautiful form, chanting 'Hare Krishna' mahamantra, accepting foods offered to Him, avoid things that agitate mind and positive affirmations etc. Srimad Bhagavad Gita serves as a timeless guide for those seeking to enhance their mental well-being and find inner peace. By cultivating awareness and practicing mindfulness, one can observe their thoughts without being consumed by them, leading to a sense of calm and clarity.
In order to counteract the negative impact of lust, it is very important to develop a deep understanding of ourselves and engage in self-reflection. By identifying the factors that stimulate feelings of lust, we can effectively tackle them from their core. According to the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna advises controlling lust from the outset by disciplining the senses and mind (verse 3.41). He further instructs conquering lust through steadying the mind with spiritual wisdom and fortitude (verse 3.43) :
evaṁ buddheḥ paraṁ buddhvā
saṁstabhyātmānam ātmanā
jahi śatruṁ mahā-bāho
kāma-rūpaṁ durāsadam
"Thus knowing oneself to be transcendental to the material senses, mind and intelligence, O mighty-armed Arjuna, one should steady the mind by deliberate spiritual intelligence [Kṛṣṇa consciousness] and thus – by spiritual strength – conquer this insatiable enemy known as lust." (BG 3.43)
Srila Prabhupada writes in the purport : "...but by the strength of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, one can control the material senses, the mind and the intelligence. One may not give up work and prescribed duties all of a sudden; but by gradually developing Kṛṣṇa consciousness, one can be situated in a transcendental position without being influenced by the material senses and the mind – by steady intelligence directed toward one’s pure identity."
In another purport he mentions, "In the human form of life, one can conquer the enemy, lust, by cultivation of Krishna consciousness under able guidance." (BG 3.38)
Another reference from 'Memories Anecdotes of a Modern Day Saint' - Volume 2 by Siddhanta Dasa:
"Dina Bandhu: We were walking down the beach, and Dr. Judah said, "Prabhupada, what does one do about lust?" Prabhupada stopped and dug his cane in the sand. He said, "You have to become Krishna conscious, otherwise there is no solution to lust." Then he walked on. Again he repeated, "If you become Krishna conscious, then this question of lust is solved. You cannot solve it any other way." Prabhupada was saying that you can do so many things; you can cut down eating sweets, you can have defense mechanisms like saying that women are snakes and this and that, but only by becoming Krishna conscious can you overcome lust."
In essence, by aligning our actions with our higher purpose (Krishna consciousness) and embracing a mindset of detachment and equanimity, we can harness the power of our inner strength to control our mind and navigate life's challenges such as lust.
