Our mind tends to be very restless. Particularly, when we sit to do bhajan (mantra japa) or meditate, all types of thoughts and desires arise within us. We are unable to focus. This is a common experience that many of us have when we start our sadhana or spiritual practice. Such an experience can often be very frustrating and demotivating. However, we must not give up and must continue with our practices of mantra japa (bhajan) and meditation.
Jagadguru Puri Shankaracharyaji addresses this very important concern in detail, with several examples. This read shall be very encouraging and helpful for seekers, aspiring to follow the path of dharma.
The mind focuses where our heart lies
Our mind wavers when we sit for bhajan or meditation. However, when we eat our favourite foods, our mind does not waver at all. Similarly, our love for money keeps us absolutely calm and focussed while counting notes. We do not get restless when we have our grandchildren playing in our laps.
Thus, Jagadguru highlights that whatever we are drawn or need, brings natural focus to our mind. If good foods, wealth and family can invoke such an undistracted state of mind, we must try to give Bhagavan the same level of importance if not more. Then, we shall not be restless.
When we are thirsty, even water feels so precious. Have we given even this much importance to Ishvara? Is Ishvara inferior to water?
When a person is hungry, he sees food everywhere and waits for it. We must try to give this much regard to Bhagavan. Then, the mind will not be restless.
People say that their mind does not stay focussed at the time of doing bhajan or japa. Shivji tells Parvatiji that nothing other than bhajan appeals to those who recognize the nature of Bhagavan. However, if we have not reached such a position yet, we must know that we are already drawn to Bhagavan since else, it would not matter to us if we can focus our mind during bhajan or not.
Slowly, on learning about the nature and influence of Bhagavan, and practicing, we shall reach this state. As we continue to do bhajan, the mind starts deriving deep fulfilment from it on its own.
Attaching ourselves to Bhagavan
The experts in eating tobacco say that when you put “tobacco devi” on your tongue for the first time, it may make you puke. However, do not go by the force of nausea at that time, just wait and continue to have it in your mouth. Then, even if blood falls from your nose, tolerate it and she (tobacco “devi”) shall give you company your whole life and go with you to your deathbed. The one who is addicted to tobacco will reject saunf or anise. This example demonstrates that the mind derives pleasure from what it is deeply attached to. Even such toxic and harmful item like tobacco can captivate us and make us dependent if the mind is absorbed in it.
To help our mind develop such a deep attachment with Bhagavan, we must take the name of Bhagavan, meditate on His form and contemplate on His lila, live in His dham for sometime and try to create His space in our heart. The reason why we are concerned that there is no focus of our mind when we remember Bhagavan is because we already have faith in Him.
Restlessness is good!
Restlessness is a good thing. Bhishmaji has explained in the Shanti Parva of the Mahabharata, that if the mind gets restless while meditating, it must be thought of as the first success. This may sound opposite but it is true. If a room is being cleaned by brooming and mopping after a period of five years, dust is bound to rise. This rising of dust is an indication of success. The dirt that was stuck to the ground begins to rise and to prevent it from getting into our nose, we wet the floor and start scrubbing it. If there are stains we use soap to clean it further.
When our mind gets restless while meditating, we are actually progressing. The very first achievement is that our desires wish to rise and escape like the dust rising from the room. These desires and thoughts are samskaras or impressions imbedded in us through several births. They begin to escape when we start taking the name of Bhagavan and meditating (that is how our system gets purified).
Create a support system
We need additional methods that can help us deal with the rising restlessness in our systems. A parallel can be drawn between these methods and the sprinkling of water to prevent the dirt from disturbing our eyes and getting into our nose when the room is being cleaned.
Chanting aloud
In Manusmriti it is mentioned that taking the name of Bhagavan loudly pacifies our mental activity. We must try this if restlessness is too much.
Devotional texts & conversation with Bhagavan
If we go through the Vinay Patrika by Tulasi Dasji, we can select the verses that reflect the state of our mind and read it out to Bhagavan. Reading this or any other devotional text that we can relate to, will help our mind get focussed and bring tears of love, settling our mind.
Mental havan
We can also do a havan or sacrifice mentally, by imagining the various objects connected to our five senses, and offering them in the havan kund of senses. Then, our mind can be made the fire. The mind can be made the offering and put into the havan kund or fire of the buddhi or intellect. Then, the buddhi can be offered into the fire of our consciousness. Finally, our consciousness is offered into the Atma Tatva. This will calm the mind down quickly.
Patience & persistance
After cleaning the room intensely about five times (read guidance here), it shall finally become sparkling clean. Thus, we must persist and keep repeating the process of sitting of meditation and bhajan.
When we drive a car or motorcycle on a turn, we experience a jerk. In the same way, when our entire mind, ego and intellect is soaked in worldly matters, and we try to take it towards the Supreme Truth, we shall experience some jerks. When this happens, we are maybe alarmed but we must not lose patience, and continue on the path knowing this is a good sign.
May all have success in their sadhana and be helped by this wonderful guidance given by Gurudev.