[Advaita-l] Jagadguru Speaks: Securing Mental Peace and Stability

[S Jayanarayanan]

(Around the beginning of the month, a nugget of Wisdom from the Jagadguru may be posted
on the Chaturamnaya list : http://lists.advaita-vedanta.org/cgi-bin/listinfo/chaturamnaya )
 
 
https://www.tattvaloka.com/uploads/jagadguruSpeech/pdf/1306494157J-Speaks%20--TATTV%20AUGUST%202022.pdf
 
 
For a man to be always at peace, our scriptures have
advised the course of mind-training. This is because peace
follows when the mind is stable and pure, whereas an
agitated mind yields only suffering. "sthirathA sukhahetuH ,
chAnchalyaM duHkhahetuH". Purity presupposes clarity of understanding.
 
One of the precepts is to be sympathetic towards the less
fortunates, to show compassion in their misery, joy in their
goodness and consideration in their badness. Doing so
engenders a steady stream of positive thoughts.
When the mind is disturbed by improper or wrong
thoughts, constantly pondering over the opposites is the
remedy. "vitarkabAdhane pratipakShabhAvanam.h"
 
Wrong modes of the mind include moral lapses like violence
done, caused to be done or abetted, preceded by greed, anger
and delusion, be they mild, middling or vehement. The
remedial measure is to cultivate contrary thinking. Positive
or neutralising thoughts here include the realisation that
violence and the like only beget sorrow, ignorance and
endless suffering.
 
  vitarkaa hi.nsaadayaH kR^itakaaritaanumoditaa lobhakrodhamohapuurvakaa
  mR^idumadhyaadhimaatraa duHkhaaGYaanaanantaphalaa iti pratipakshabhaavanam.h ..
(Yoga Sutra 2.34)
 
By the constant beneficial practice of positive thinking,
the mind becomes peaceful and stable. Joy and serenity
well up by themselves. These teachings are useful to all,
from a layman to the advanced aspirant of moksha
(liberation).
 
We bless all to follow this precept and lead a peaceful life.