Self control is the most important quality for peace and tranquility in the life of man. It is very difficult to live without self control! All troubles and difficulties of man are mainly because of lack of Self control! What is the reason for this lack of Self Control in man? The villains are the Arishadvargas or the inner adversaries that silently provoke and torment him. Man is a bundle of desires. This desire or Kama is insatiable and fulfillment of it leads to another desire and there is no end for it. When desire is not fulfilled it creates disappointment and man grows angry. Anger or Krodha destroys mental equilibrium and man involves himself in actions without realizing their consequence. He becomes almost a beast. He is covetous, a miser, who gloats over the accumulation of wealth and property! He becomes the victim of Lobha or miserliness. He is attached to his wife, children, kith and kin. This is Moha or “Mamakara” from which he can never escape. He is proud of his achievements and egged on by his ego thinks too much of himself. He becomes arrogant which quality is called Mada. He develops hatred for others and is plagued by envy. This feeling is called Matsarya! Thus these inner enemies torture man and leave him restless and unhappy throughout his life!
Is it impossible for man to defeat these inner enemies? Yes. They are invincible. It should be possible for man who has conquered almost every thing on Earth. Has he not stamped his foot on the moon and Mars? Has he not achieved much in inventions and discoveries? Is not scientific advancement and technology his forte? But the point is that man has controlled all outer things in the universe but failed miserably in subjugating his inner enemies! The tragedy of man's life is that he has no control over himself! The raw and basic tendencies have not left him though he calls himself a civilized human being! The Upanishads call the body as a chariot dragged by the senses or the horses! It is the Manas or heart that is the bridle and Buddhi or intellect the driver of the chariot! If the horses or senses are uncontrolled it results in fatal accident! Therefore self control becomes absolutely essential for every individual. Self control cannot come all of a sudden. It requires slow and steady practice even from early life. Mind is a monkey and to control its vacillation is really a Herculean task. But dedication and determination to control oneself can definitely yield the desired result. We have a hoary past where our sages and saints ate fruits and leaves and performed severe penance, controlled their senses, lived for long and realized God! Where there is a will there is a way!
What is self control? Essentially it means control of the senses which have been described as invincible. Senses can be kept in check through ' rigorous discipline and steady faith.’ You have to take a decision and obey the order yourself. Control of senses does not mean annihilation of the senses. In fact, that can never be done! It means denial of their functions. Man must be the master of his senses, not a slave. They have to be utilized for the specific purpose for which they have been gifted to us. They should not be let loose for uninhibited freedom for the senses is always catastrophic. How to start controlling the senses? First he should master his behavior. He should not be influenced by the momentary impulses and instincts. He should be aware of what is good for him. In his duties, he should never suffer not make others suffer. Fits of anger or sorrow or elation or despair and despondency should be avoided. Sense attraction is always tempting and tantalizing but you should check yourself from yielding to it. “ The eye should not wander towards obscene sights. The words uttered should not hurt the self respect of others. The hand should never be raised in anger against anyone. The ears should not exult in scandal. The mind should not have attachment to bad habits.” remarks Bhagawan Sri Sri Satya Sai Baba. Is it possible to carry out at least one of these requirements? Easier said than done but we should try in all earnestness.
What are the things to be avoided to draw nearer to self control? According to Bhagawan Sri Satya Sai Baba they are frivolous talk, luxurious life, deleterious habits, addiction to films, horror comics, pen friends, exotic dress, outlandish coiffures designed to draw attraction to oneself. These lead astray boys and girls and compel them to involve themselves in unrighteous and immoral ways! Impediments to self control like selfishness and conceit have to be discarded. On the other hand, ideal qualities like love, forbearance and compassion should be developed. Hatred, jealousy and beating one's own trumpet should be given up. One should maintain unity in thought, word and deed. Detachment from mundane affairs including wife, children and property is the most important need for self control because it is rare and almost impossible.
There is another invaluable aid for Self control. It is Yoga or the science of mind control. This method has become very popular throughout the world today. Patanjali Yoga Sastra authored by the sage Patanjali defines yoga as that which arrests the vacillation of the mind. “ Yogah chitta vrutthi nirodhaha.” It suggests Pranayama or control of breath for control of mind as well as longevity. A number of Asanas or postures of body for physical fitness and general health are also recommended in Yoga Sastra that lead to self control. It is the bounden duty of every single individual to make an earnest attempt to realize self control lest peace and happiness may be denied to him. Meditation or Dhyana is another tool suggested for Self control. Concentrating the mind on a single object goes a long way in helping Self control.
Ok
Is it impossible for man to defeat these inner enemies? Yes. They are invincible. It should be possible for man who has conquered almost every thing on Earth. Has he not stamped his foot on the moon and Mars? Has he not achieved much in inventions and discoveries? Is not scientific advancement and technology his forte? But the point is that man has controlled all outer things in the universe but failed miserably in subjugating his inner enemies! The tragedy of man's life is that he has no control over himself! The raw and basic tendencies have not left him though he calls himself a civilized human being! The Upanishads call the body as a chariot dragged by the senses or the horses! It is the Manas or heart that is the bridle and Buddhi or intellect the driver of the chariot! If the horses or senses are uncontrolled it results in fatal accident! Therefore self control becomes absolutely essential for every individual. Self control cannot come all of a sudden. It requires slow and steady practice even from early life. Mind is a monkey and to control its vacillation is really a Herculean task. But dedication and determination to control oneself can definitely yield the desired result. We have a hoary past where our sages and saints ate fruits and leaves and performed severe penance, controlled their senses, lived for long and realized God! Where there is a will there is a way!
What is self control? Essentially it means control of the senses which have been described as invincible. Senses can be kept in check through ' rigorous discipline and steady faith.’ You have to take a decision and obey the order yourself. Control of senses does not mean annihilation of the senses. In fact, that can never be done! It means denial of their functions. Man must be the master of his senses, not a slave. They have to be utilized for the specific purpose for which they have been gifted to us. They should not be let loose for uninhibited freedom for the senses is always catastrophic. How to start controlling the senses? First he should master his behavior. He should not be influenced by the momentary impulses and instincts. He should be aware of what is good for him. In his duties, he should never suffer not make others suffer. Fits of anger or sorrow or elation or despair and despondency should be avoided. Sense attraction is always tempting and tantalizing but you should check yourself from yielding to it. “ The eye should not wander towards obscene sights. The words uttered should not hurt the self respect of others. The hand should never be raised in anger against anyone. The ears should not exult in scandal. The mind should not have attachment to bad habits.” remarks Bhagawan Sri Sri Satya Sai Baba. Is it possible to carry out at least one of these requirements? Easier said than done but we should try in all earnestness.
What are the things to be avoided to draw nearer to self control? According to Bhagawan Sri Satya Sai Baba they are frivolous talk, luxurious life, deleterious habits, addiction to films, horror comics, pen friends, exotic dress, outlandish coiffures designed to draw attraction to oneself. These lead astray boys and girls and compel them to involve themselves in unrighteous and immoral ways! Impediments to self control like selfishness and conceit have to be discarded. On the other hand, ideal qualities like love, forbearance and compassion should be developed. Hatred, jealousy and beating one's own trumpet should be given up. One should maintain unity in thought, word and deed. Detachment from mundane affairs including wife, children and property is the most important need for self control because it is rare and almost impossible.
There is another invaluable aid for Self control. It is Yoga or the science of mind control. This method has become very popular throughout the world today. Patanjali Yoga Sastra authored by the sage Patanjali defines yoga as that which arrests the vacillation of the mind. “ Yogah chitta vrutthi nirodhaha.” It suggests Pranayama or control of breath for control of mind as well as longevity. A number of Asanas or postures of body for physical fitness and general health are also recommended in Yoga Sastra that lead to self control. It is the bounden duty of every single individual to make an earnest attempt to realize self control lest peace and happiness may be denied to him. Meditation or Dhyana is another tool suggested for Self control. Concentrating the mind on a single object goes a long way in helping Self control.
No comments:
Post a Comment