Beginning of the year is always a good time
to adopt good practices. While I don’t really make New Year resolutions, I do
like to set goals for myself each year, and at the end of the year check on how
I’ve fared. Over the years I have learnt the art of setting goals that cover my
personal, professional and spiritual growth. Because I have consistently
improved in all these areas I am also motivated to try my best to achieve my
goals each year. This year I plan to share my experiences and insights more regularly
on this blog, not only to inspire my readers to live their highest lives, but
also as a consistent reminder to myself of staying in tune with my higher
purpose.
A few days ago I succumbed to the incessant
chatter in my mind, and got swept with all sorts of stressful thoughts
pertaining to all sorts of things. It was rather overwhelming, because my
regular practice of chanting the Hanuman Chalisa that usually calms me failed
to have its effect on that particular day. But it did leave me with a reminder
to read a book that was recently gifted to me by my mother in law: Mind Can It Be Tamed?, by Swami
Swaroopanand, published by Chinmaya Prakashan.
In this small 44-page booklet Swamiji
explains the nature of the mind and through various examples, analogies and
anecdotes, he gives very easy and applicable techniques on how to make our mind
our best friend and most efficient tool to live our highest life. The freedom
from one’s mind starts when we can simply step off our train of thoughts,
viewing them like an observer. Anything that pulls your attention to the past
or the future is sheer imagination.
With this knowledge it is possible to
center your mind into the present moment, and realizing that all the “stressful
thoughts” are just that – “thoughts”.
To really gain from this book I would
encourage you to read it yourself. I love the simplicity with which it is
written, yet when practiced regularly these techniques yield the most profound (and
almost immediate) effect on the state of one’s mind.
Do drop me a line if you read this book and share what you felt. Also, if you'd like to share your experience with taming the mind I'd love to hear about it.