An agitated mind is like a boat with the oarsmen pulling it in different directions. It causes stress and confusion. An agitated mind struggles with conflicting thoughts – fear of the past and greed for the future. These thoughts often lead to bad decisions. A continuous pattern of agitation is like an infection or a disease. It leads to ill health and mental stress. It can also infect others in the society, leading to a breakdown in relationships.
In the Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6, Dhyan Yoga, verses 13-14, Shri Krishna gives the direct technique for being centered in oneself and attaining serenity.
Chapter 6, verse 13
samam kaaya-shiro-greevam dhaarayan-achalam sthiraha |
samprekshya naasikaagram svam dishash-chaanava-lokayan ||
“Holding the entire body, the neck and the head in a steady manner, look intensely at the tip of the nose without being distracted in any way.” This is a powerful posture in which Samadhi can be experienced.
Chapter 6, verse 14
prashaantaatmaa vigata-bheehi brahmachaarivrate sthitaha |
manaha samyamya macchittaha yukta aaseetha matparaha ||
Lord Krishna further instructs – “Being serene within oneself, abstaining from apprehensions, having subdued from the thoughts, intent on the vow of living like a God, intensely reflecting on Me, live your life, devoted to Me.”
Being serene within oneself is to stop having an agitated mind. An agitated mind destroys health and causes deep distress in the old age. Abstaining from apprehensions is to be free from thoughts of fear and greed. And having subdued thoughts is to reduce the number of thoughts. Shri Krishna also instructs his devotees to follow the vow of celibacy or brahmacharya vrata, and to live a life intensely reflecting on Him and live a life devoted to Him.
This is a direct instruction from an incarnation to human beings to save themselves. If a person is drowning and he is given this instruction by the captain of the ship, the person cannot stop to question the captain. Similarly, this is a direct and unquestionable instruction from an incarnation to human beings to save themselves.
Taken from Nithyananda’s morning discourse on Bhagavad Gita on 11th September, 2012
