I was asked this question when I was 26 by a cousin who was barely 20s. I did not know the answer then. Firstly I did not expect this question from some one in early twenty's, especially when rest of the world is bothering about girls, movies and so called materialistic enjoyment. It has shaken my conventional knowledge that these sorts of question arise when a person reaches a threshold age or starts getting grey hair or no hair on head situation.
As the kid who asked me this question was sweetest one, he patiently listened to the answer I gave without doubting that it could be wrong. I don't even remember now, what answer I gave. But I did not forget that question. Every time I come near any book, discourse or discussion around that topic, I kept my eyes and ears open.
When I was recently listening to Bhagavdgita CD of Late Ghatasala garu, I suddenly realized the answer to that question is clearly stated by Lord Krishna. Even though many times from many people we learn that Bhagavadgita is quick reference document for any query on Sanatana Dharma, I rarely had ventured to get into the details. Here is what I learnt from Gita
Question: Manas keeps wavering back and forth between material things. How do we control it
Geethacharya's Answer :
There are two ways of controlling wavering mind/manas
1) Abhyasa : Meaning practice. We keep manas in check by relentless practice by feeding it only the good things and keeping in check its interaction with sensual desires that are unwarranted. Keep it busy with work, keep feeding it with good material then it gets used to the good deeds and thus stops wavering on sense objects
2) Viragya: Means Renunciation. We keep telling the manas - hey buddy you think this (sense object) is permanent? It is not and it perishes with time. Why do you after all going after something that is not true. If every sense object and desire is visualized in a viraga manner then wavering mind starts discarding them as unfit of its attention over time.
As the kid who asked me this question was sweetest one, he patiently listened to the answer I gave without doubting that it could be wrong. I don't even remember now, what answer I gave. But I did not forget that question. Every time I come near any book, discourse or discussion around that topic, I kept my eyes and ears open.
When I was recently listening to Bhagavdgita CD of Late Ghatasala garu, I suddenly realized the answer to that question is clearly stated by Lord Krishna. Even though many times from many people we learn that Bhagavadgita is quick reference document for any query on Sanatana Dharma, I rarely had ventured to get into the details. Here is what I learnt from Gita
Question: Manas keeps wavering back and forth between material things. How do we control it
Geethacharya's Answer :
There are two ways of controlling wavering mind/manas
1) Abhyasa : Meaning practice. We keep manas in check by relentless practice by feeding it only the good things and keeping in check its interaction with sensual desires that are unwarranted. Keep it busy with work, keep feeding it with good material then it gets used to the good deeds and thus stops wavering on sense objects
2) Viragya: Means Renunciation. We keep telling the manas - hey buddy you think this (sense object) is permanent? It is not and it perishes with time. Why do you after all going after something that is not true. If every sense object and desire is visualized in a viraga manner then wavering mind starts discarding them as unfit of its attention over time.
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