SUMMONING INTELLIGENCE

SUMMONING INTELLIGENCE TO 
REDRESS MIND'S PROBLEMS


In spiritual pursuit there are two facets. One is the practice of devotion. Here the object is to develop surrender and attunement. Surrender to the Supreme Reality and attunement to Its grace. Whether you call it `surrender and attunement' or something else, understand that this is the quality which your mind has to develop and preserve.
Why is it that not all are able to develop `surrender and attunement' to the required degree so that life's problems can be resolved comfortably? It is only because of lack of resoluteness. You must assert: "It is possible for me to develop this quality. Whatever I have now is not sufficient. I have to strengthen it, deepen it and broaden it". That self-effort you must make.
In YogavaasiShTha the same thing is done by exposure to knowledge. The intelligence is asked to address the problems of the mind. Here also self-effort is required. Yesterday we were reciting one such verse from Upashama PrakaraNa (13.35).
Manasaiva manash-chitvaa kuThaareNva paadapam |
Padam paavanam-aasaadya sadya eva sthiro bhava ||

– Cut asunder the mind using the mind itself, as one would a tree with an axe. And then reach instantly the immaculate abode within, to remain unshakable forever.

Just as we cut a huge tree with the help of an axe fitted to a small wooden handle, we should treat the mind. By using a portion of our mind, a mere fractional power of the mind, we have to cut across the mind – meaning, we have to eliminate the undesirable elements from the mind.
If you keep on lamenting: "My mind is like this; my mind is like that; thoughts are coming in quick succession. I cannot do anything; I am helpless. What can I do?" – power of the mind will not grow. At one point you have to assert and say: "I will not be subjected to these vagaries of my mind. I shall remain unaffected. I am not going to indulge in these unwanted traits. I shall not welcome them."
In the case of surrender and attunement also, though in a different way, the same self-assertion is called for. Understand that you have got the potential and possibility for making the mind lighter, purer and peaceful.
Realise that this is your birthright. This is your potential and possibility. Don't argue, don't lament or weep! Your mind can be set right! And the power to set it right is within yourself. It is a question of using the power, employing it and asserting it every time. None of you should suffer unduly. There is no necessity at all.
There are so many beautiful hymns. They are devotional, spiritual and introspectional. Why don't you chant a few of them loudly with a full throat and a full heart? When you do so, you will find that the problems of the mind vanish within seconds.
There are also so many beautiful books. Why don't you read them?
              Read them over and over again, until the contents become one with you. Have love for wisdom and love for words. Grow also love for literature. But for this, what else is there to attain in life? Are we meant only to eat, drink, sleep and make merry?
Why don't you reflect upon the Truth? With regular contemplation on Truth done for half an hour or one hour, you will find your whole personality becomes different. So, remember this particular verse:
Manasaiva manash-chitvaa kuThaareNva paadapam |
Padam paavanam-aasaadya sadya eva sthiro bhava ||
The power is right within your mind. Don't be defeated by problems. Be clear in your mind and be well resolved. Be peaceful.
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