MIND CONQUERED, WORLD CONQUERED It
is the mind that has made all this world, as pots from clay. When
the mind is conquered, everything is conquered. Remember,
that the mind is almost invincible... except through intelligent
practise. The
very best intelligent means by which the mind can be subdued is
complete freedom from desire, hope or expectation in
regard to all objects at all times. It
is by this means that this powerful elephant (the mind) can be subdued.
This means is both very easy and extremely difficult; it is very difficult
for one who does not engage himself in serious practise, but very easy
for one who is earnest in his effort. Just
as there is no harvest without sowing, the mind is not subdued
without persistent practise. Hence, take up this practise
of renunciation. Until one turns away from sense pleasures
here, one will continue to roam in this world of sorrow. Even
a strong man will not reach his destination if he does not move towards
it. No
one can reach this state of total dispassion without persistent practise. Only
by right self exertion can dispassion be attained; there is no other
means. People
talk about divine grace or fate, but in this world we perceive the body, not a god. When
people speak of god they simply imply what is inevitable, what is
beyond their control and the events of natural order. Even so, whatever
brings about total equanimity and the cessation of joy and sorrow
is also referred to as divine grace. Divine
grace, natural order and right self exertion all refer to the same
truth; the distinction is due to wrong perception
or illusion. Whatever
the mind conceives of through right self-exertion comes to be in its
own fruition, and when the mind apprehends such fruition, there is
experience of joy, etc. The
mind is the doer, and whatever it conceives of, the natural
order (niyati) creates and manifests. The mind is also able
to run counter to the natural order; hence it may even be said that
the mind is the prompter of the natural order. Even
as wind moves in space, the jiva (the individual) functions in this
world, doing what has to be done within the natural order though such
actions appear to be selfish or egotistic. Prompted by nature, he seems
to move or stand still - both of which are mere expressions or false
superimpositions, even as the movement of trees on a mountain top makes
it look as if the peak is swaying. Hence,
as long as there is mind there is neither god nor a natural order; when
the mind has ceased to be... let there be whatever is!
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