A fearless mind should rise above comparisons with the progress – real or imaginary – of fellow seeker sand always remain positive and patient about the results, writes Ravi Valuri
The extraordinary Chinese military strategist Sun Tzu wrote, ‘In peace prepare for war, in war prepare for peace. The art of war is of vital importance to the state. It is a matter of life and death. A road either to safety or ruin. Hence it is a subject of inquiry which can on no account be neglected…..’ Similarly, the human mind needs to be prepared for all eventualities (satisfactory or unfavourable) in life.
Satisfactory conditions are akin to peaceful times and unfavourable ones mirror the war like zone in our lives and mind. Till the mind attains equanimity and poise, it needs to be trained to grapple with what Charles Dickens would call ‘the best and worst of times’. Only an intrepid mind which is malleable can combat such situations.
Stephen Hawking, the noted physicist and cosmologist was diagnosed with ALS – a motor neuron disease. Ordinary human beings would have capitulated at the altar of such an affliction, but this remarkable man has made significant contributions to the scientific world through sheer tenacity and the robust qualities of his fearless mind. So much so he has now predicted that life on the planet would terminate within a thousand years, because of climate change, use of nukes by dictators or through the rapid usage of robotics.
Let us look at the life of the brutally candid and innovative Steve Jobs. He succumbed to pancreatic cancer, but was passionate and destroyed the demons in his mind with an audacious thought process to revolutionise no less than six industries-personal computers, animated movies, music world, phones, tablet computing and digital computing.
Despite suffering immense physical torture because of a debilitating disease, he led a rollercoaster life, had his share of dalliance with drugs, yet the mind of this enigmatic personality remained unique, innovative and mettlesome. The icon’s mind was positively influenced by his stint in the Himalayas interacting with yogis such as Neem Karoli Baba and the pearls of wisdom learnt from Zen teachings.
Only the mind of a yogi or a person with an intrepid mind can cultivate these qualities; to have control over speech, thought and palate. We are surrounded by innumerable distractions but only a Zen like mind overcomes intrusions.
Only the mind of a yogi or a person with an intrepid mind can cultivate these qualities; to have control over speech, thought and palate. We are surrounded by innumerable distractions but only a Zen like mind overcomes intrusions.
To become fearless and remain motivated, the human mind needs to be trained. Motivation is the willingness to exert high levels of effort towards organisational goals, which are conditioned by the effort’s ability to satisfy some individual need. The need of the mind is an internal state which makes results an attractive proposition.
Will the mind be attracted to perform in circumstances when the final product does not produce the desired result? This is a challenge encountered quite often. A fearless mind should rise above comparisons with the progress- real or imaginary – of fellow seeker sand always remain positive and patient about the results.
Once there were students learning theology under a renowned Master. A student became covetous about the perceived spiritual progress and meditative faculties of his colleague. He was always awe struck at how his batch mate could remain in a state of meditation for hours together, while he could barely sit meditating for ten to fifteen minutes.
He broached the subject on several occasions with the enlightened one, who chose to remain silent. Finally, in utter desperation, the tutee accosted his master and implored him to reveal the secret. The compassionate one merely remarked that his colleague meditated barely for ten minutes, and rest of the time he snored after consuming a hearty meal.
This left the disciple distraught who sunk at the feet of the Guru asking for forgiveness. An intrepid mind is one that is lithe like adeer and robust like a panther; it does not indulge in comparisons.
Such a mind is like a warrior who irrespective of the outcome embarks upon the journey. The individual may be a devotee, a sadhak or a sportsperson, but unflinchingly does sadhana.
An inner transformation, a re-engineering, a mental churning result in a metamorphosis which is visible only to the clairvoyant and the Guru. Ordinary humans or those not perspicacious enough often opine and form perceptions that the desired results are not visible.
The seeker, devout or sadhak may perhaps be carrying on with certain habits or past impressions like anger, arrogance or even ignorance. But their flashes of brilliance, a prophetic statement, the perspicacity to capture the larger picture are ignored by the ordinary mind at their own peril.
They fail to appreciate the transfiguration which has taken place in the mind. Similarly, a sportsperson or an artist scales the summit of success by regular practice of their area of specialisation.
A Zen teacher was known for his severity towards his tutees. Those wishing to learn under his tutelage took a vow that even if they were annihilated, they would not leave the seminary. Several of them cut their thumbs to learn the craft from this Zen Master.
Once it so happened that a disciple was striking the gong, a symbolic gesture before the commencement of class. A beautiful damsel happened to pass by and the monk was distracted in the process.
The Master noticed how the student had got distracted. He thus struck him with a blow. So, strong was the strike that the disciple dropped dead. Word spread far and wide about the incident. Yet, that did not act as a deterrent for prospective strapping youngsters from joining the monastery and it went on to produce several more Zen Masters.
Thus, the teacher and students all possessed remarkable and intrepid minds to conquer the Mephistopheles in their minds. It must be remembered that regular sadhana clears dust from the mind to make it mettlesome and robust. Regular practice of yoga, pranayama, meditation, chanting of mantras, Sudarshan Kriya of the Art of Living or the Vipassana breathing technique lead to far reaching transmutations of the mind, which ignites dramatic results.
