“You have power over your mind—not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.”
Marcus Aurelius
What is Mind Control?
The human mind is very fascinating, and incredibly powerful. It has the potential to shape your reality, for better or worse, depending on how you harness it. That is why learning mind control is crucial. Mind control is the ability to approach every situation with balance, responding calmly rather than reacting impulsively. By mastering the art of regulating your thoughts and emotions, you unlock the key to a more focused, peaceful, and empowered life.
Mind Control in the Bhagavad Gita
“For one who has conquered the mind, the mind is the best of friends; but for one who has failed to do so, the mind will remain the greatest enemy.”
Bhagavad Gita 6.6
In the Bhagavad Gita, the mind is described as turbulent and restless. When left unchecked, it easily gets carried away by worldly desires and attachments. This leads to emotions like anger, greed, and lust that can steer us off the path of dharma. An uncontrolled mind clouds your judgment, distracts you from your true purpose, and can push you toward unjust actions. On the other hand, a controlled mind is your biggest ally, as it guides you to make the right decisions in all kinds of situations.
Arjuna, one of the Pandava brothers and a courageous warrior, faced a tough decision on the Kurukshetra battlefield—whether to fight against his own family, the Kauravas. Lord Krishna emphasized the importance of upholding one’s dharma and taught him that while controlling the mind is difficult, it’s possible through consistent practice and detachment. Symbolically, this teaches us that just like Arjuna, we all face challenges and inner conflicts, and mastering the mind is key to overcoming them. The lessons of the Bhagavad Gita encourage disciplined and intentional practice to achieve this control. By training the mind to stay focused and detached, we free ourselves from distractions, elevate our consciousness, and move closer to the Divine. Mastering the mind is the key to inner peace and spiritual growth according to the wisdom of the Gita.
How to Control the Mind According to the Bhagavad Gita
The Bhagavad Gita highlights the importance of meditation in Chapter 6, and teaches that it is a powerful tool for quieting the mind, increasing self-awareness, and connecting with the divine. You can empower yourself by taking charge of your own mind and elevating yourself as you are the only person responsible for the circumstances of your life. The Bhagavad Gita teaches you to take accountability for your own actions. It offers guidance on how to meditate effectively to gain control over your thoughts and emotions.
- To begin, find a quiet space and sit comfortably, ensuring your seat is neither too high nor too low.
- Keep your spine, neck, and head in alignment to support focus and clarity. Direct your attention inward and focus on a single point, like the image of Lord Krishna.
- As you settle in, regulate your breathing, maintaining steady focus. Whenever your mind inevitably wanders to temptations or distractions, gently guide your attention back to your breath or the image of Krishna. This is a very important part of the practice as it teaches you how to direct your focus on a single point of concentration despite distractions.
- You can also recite the mantra, “Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare,” to help center your mind and connect with divine energy.
Along with meditation, the Bhagavad Gita also talks about other forms of mind control such as mindful living, and developing a connection with the divine. By consistently practising this form of meditation, you develop stronger mind control, fostering inner peace, spiritual growth, and harmony in your life.
Your mind may pull you in different directions, but bringing it under control is in your hands. A controlled mind is open to endless possibilities and opportunities. No matter how challenging life becomes, having a calm and focused mind can always help you find solutions. By practising the meditation techniques from the Bhagavad Gita, you can strengthen your mental discipline and use it to shape the life you desire. For personalised guidance on mastering mind control, our SoulSensei leader Nityanand Charan Das is here to help. With his deep knowledge of the Bhagavad Gita and ancient scriptures, he can provide you with powerful strategies to harness the full potential of your mind.
Sources
- Dasi, Laxmimoni. “How Is It Possible to Control the Mind?” Krishna.Com, The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International, Inc.
- Gopal, Krishna. “How to Control Mind: 10 Tips To Control Mind.” ISKCON Ghaziabad, ISKCON Ghaziabad, 29 Dec. 2023.
- “How to Control Mind According to Bhagavad Gita?” Level SuperMind, Level Fittech Pvt. Ltd.
- “Mind Control Quotes.” AZ Quotes, AZ Quotes.
- Newlyn, Emma. “The Bhagavad Gita and the Battle of Everyday Life.” Ekhart Yoga, Ekhart Yoga, 10 July 2024.
- Raghuvamshi, Vinayak. “Your Mind: Best Friend or Worst Enemy” – Insights from the Bhagavad Gita.” LinkedIn, Vinayak Raghuvamshi, 5 Mar. 2024.