Mastering the Mind: Insights from Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj on Spiritual Discipline

 

If your mind does not want to apply itself to the right things, then you should scold your mind to do so. Even if you apply your mind in a disinterested way, in due course, your mind gets attuned and starts attaching itself to it. But if you listen to your mind, and follow its impulsive choices, then you will be ruined. If your mind, for instance, is not interested in doing seva and wants to sleep instead, you tend to allow it to sleep. Each time your mind does not want to do the right thing, the only solution is to deliberately engage it. Apply your mind anyway, despite the disinterest.

When people refuse to eat, for example, when they do not have an appetite. You say, "Oh brother, still eat something," and you coax, "Even if you are not interested, it will go to your stomach and give some energy to your body. If you keep eating the body will heal itself and develop an appetite." In this way, when you keep repeating an action, even with disinterest, your mind eventually accepts defeat, and you develop an interest for it. The mind accepts defeat. But if you really listen to your mind, it will destroy your higher pursuits. You have no idea where your impulsive mind can take you.

Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj has already told you that when such a situation arises, you need to become adamant. Do not think that since your mind is not interested, what is the point of doing seva? My mind is not enjoying the kirtan, so what's the point of being in it? Do not think like this. Keep applying your mind. Keep attending the kirtan for the first 10 times. Your mind will perhaps be disinterested each time, but on the 11th time, it will develop a taste and will start becoming attached. And once the mind is attached to it, then what need is there for doing any more sadhana? Your job is done. You are now on autopilot.

In Prem Ras Siddhant, Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj wrote that trying to apply your mind is devotional practice-sadhana. Once your mind is already situated in it, the sadhana has been accomplished. It is called the siddhi state. But would your mind ever reach the stage of siddhi first before you even attempt to get there? Read Prem Ras Siddhant and see what Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj wrote. Do you expect to do sadhana first, or do you expect to reach the culminating success? Your mind is already malfunctioning. It is therefore expected that it will sputter and give you trouble from time to time in the beginning.

Conclusion :- The emphasis in the teachings of Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj is that deliberate use of the mind while being spiritual is crucial. One should therefore endeavor to continue doing what is right like seva and kirtan whenever the mind doesn’t feel like it. With this, the mind tends to get lifted by little everyday repeat movement from hence after it is that then tend to use to reach up in devotion leading spiritual fulfilment. Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj teaches that persistent practice where there will be resistance from the mind in the beginning, is a form of sadhana which will eventually lead to spiritual perfection. We can rise above the impulsive tendencies that block spiritual progress, and so attain a state of peace and spiritual harmony, by disciplining our minds in this way to aim at spiritual objectives.