Get Even with Life!
O Arjuna, they will not succeed in the practice of mind evenness who eat too much or eat too little, who sleep too much or sleep too little.
— Bhagavad Geeta, Verse 6:16
The person who has learned to be detached in all his actions through the practice of mind control, who is temperate in eating and sleeping, work and recreation, will come to the end of sorrow.
— Bhagavad Geeta, Verse: 6:17
Have you ever regret flaring out in a stressful situation? Or wondered why your emotions are so overwhelming that you put yourself in this difficult situation?
In this fast paced society, most of us lose our patience quickly. It could be the person in front of you blocking your way when you are in a rush; the children shouting throughout the train journey; getting angry with the cashier for not cashing your items fast enough.
Next time, when you feel like screaming at the salesperson who pesters you, take a deep breath, retain your breath for a while, and let out a complete exhalation. Step out mentally, and try to observe your thoughts. You’ll probably foresee that the impulsive behavior may turn you into an ugly person and you might end up ruining the other person’s mood. This practise will give you time to react wisely for the benefit of the people around you as well as yourself.
Mind control does not mean that you have to enroll in a meditation class or sit in a corner for hours. Lifestyle habits play a vital role for a clear mind. It’s the easiest and most practical approach towards a steady mind:
- Consuming too much food makes one lethargic, laziness of the mind.
- Starving makes one move into depression, leading to uncontrolled indulgences.
- Sleeping too little increases the stress physically and mentally, causing anger easily.
- Sleeping too much makes one drowsy; causing the mind to be too clouded to think clearly.
- Have a little more awareness towards your habits and practice evenness as much as you can. You’ll find that you can be a happier person!