THE ART OF CONTROLLING THE MIND

This presentation is based on the Bhagavad Gita, As It Is, translated by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada Founder Acharya – International Society for Krishna Consciousness

Modern Society

…some common facts

Violence Unemployment Drug Addiction Murder Corruption Suicide Divorce ALWAYS ON RISE Violence Unemployment Drug Addiction Murder Corruption Suicide Divorce Mental stress Rape

Violence

Public Unrest

WAR

T e r r o r i s m

Steadily increasing every year.

What are the main problems facing society today ? Time magazine poll What are the main problems facing society today ? 1st : crime 2nd: lack of morality

U.S. prison population

Gun Sales in America

Murders A phenomenal 124% rise

Average number of reported rape cases in South Africa in a year 33,000

Before finishing school an average child watches 100,000 acts of violence 8,000 murders

Number of Drug users in European Union 7.4 million Number of serious drug addicts in European Union 1.8 million

No. of divorces per 100 marriages US 55 Canada 45 Denmark 40

Av. number of suicides in Japan every year 22,500 Approx. number of attempted suicides in US in a year 650,000

Are we really advancing in the right direction ?

Why is there so much chaos & confusion in society ?

“With a pack of dogs in a room, how can we expect peace?” Srila Prabhupada: “With a pack of dogs in a room, how can we expect peace?”

bandhur ätmätmanas tasya yenätmaivätmanä jitaù vartetätmaiva çatru-vat Krishna in Bhagavad-Gita 6.6 bandhur ätmätmanas tasya yenätmaivätmanä jitaù anätmanas tu çatrutve vartetätmaiva çatru-vat

“For he who has conquered the mind, the mind is the best of friends; but for one who has failed to do so, his mind will remain the greatest enemy.”

Uncontrolled Mind WHAT CAN IT DO TO YOU ? Lack Of Confidence Depression Stress Loss Of Trust Hypertension Madness Dangerous Diseases Damage To Oneself, Family And Society Weakened Determination WHAT CAN IT DO TO YOU ?

How can we expect peace & happiness ?

the solution to our problems: a controlled mind

Before understanding the MIND… ...let’s answer the most fundamental question

the most fundamental question… who am I ?                                        

In the early years of the 20th century, a scientist analyzed the constituents of the human body.

Total value of chemicals CALCIUM IRON PHOSPHORUS WATER CONTENT OTHER SUBSTANCES

Total value of chemicals $5.00

are we just a bag of five dollars worth of chemicals ?

dehino ’smin yathä dehe kaumäraà yauvanaà jarä tathä dehäntara-präptir dhéras tatra na muhyati Bhagavad - gétä 2.13

A simple analogy from Bhagavad - gétä väsäàsi jérëäni yathä vihäya naväni gåhëäti naro ’paräëi tathä çaréräëi vihäya jérëäny anyäni saàyäti naväni dehé Bhagavad - gétä 2.22

a car cannot move even an inch without the driver similarly, a body cannot function WITHOUT ITS DRIVER, the soul

CHARIOT OF THE BODY SOUL INTELLIGENCE MIND 5 SENSES

Role of the MIND

Can the mind be our friend? Is a knife good or bad ?

In a surgeon’s hand : it can save a life !

In a murder’s hand, it can kill !!

Techniques for controlling the mind Step 1 Regulate the senses

Techniques for controlling the mind Step 2 Do not allow the senses to wander astray in any direction they want. Withdraw them from unhealthy engagements.

Engage the mind in hearing (reading) spiritual topics Techniques for controlling the mind Step 3 Engage the mind in hearing (reading) spiritual topics

Associate with spiritual people Techniques for controlling the mind Step 3 Associate with spiritual people

Purify the senses Ceto darpana marjanam chanting (sacred sound)

It isn’t necessary to withdraw the mind from everything; it will automatically be withdrawn, because it will be concentrated on the sound vibration. The recommended method for controlling the mind is loudly chanting and hearing Hare Krsna maha-mantra. Even if the mind is diverted, it will be forced to concentrate on the sound vibration “Krsna.” Kjj

benefits of a controlled mind                                         benefits of a controlled mind                                         Clear Intelligence Cool Mind Purified Senses Peace Concentration & Memory More Efficient

CHANT ... HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE HARE HARE RAMA HARE RAMA RAMA RAMA HARE HARE AND BE HAPPY!!