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I would like you to consider your mind a treasure. Your mind should generate constant hope and enlightenment for you in every situation. While interacting with the world, do not become diffident. Be confident, and rely upon the Supreme Reality.

Q: Devotees: Swamiji, how to nourish and empower the mind?

Swamiji: I would like you to consider your mind a treasure. Your mind should generate constant hope and enlightenment for you in every situation. While interacting with the world, do not become diffident. Be confident, and rely upon the Supreme Reality. Call it God, call it something else, but rely upon It.

This reliance is a quality that the mind has to develop and strengthen. When you are sitting on a branch of a tree, if there is a cyclone, you will be unstable – the branch itself will swing. Go and hug the trunk; the trunk will not move or swing. In the same manner, make your mind rely upon the unshakeable supreme God. Then you also will remain supreme and invincible. This quality you should develop.

Devotion is actually a functional formula for living victoriously. It is a beautiful methodology. A devotional mind will always be confident, hopeful and also tolerant. Such a mind will not be ruffled in any difficult situations.

Generally, devotion or bhakti is towards God. When you have contact with the Sadguru, your devotion gets directed to the Guru. You listen to him, have association with him and look to him for instructions. Thereafter, abide by whatever you are learning from him.

Let the devotional qualities be your characteristics. Develop inner contentment by contemplating on the Supreme. Contentment is a product of the mind. Your mind can become unhappy even with many things; it can also be contented with nothing.

I once met a 69-year-old sannyāsin. I asked him about his life. He told me that he was not carrying on well with his pūrvāśrama  family. Once, his son had told him: “You can stay in my house. But remain in a corner, eat and keep quiet!” The father refused: “No, I will not remain here only to be fed by you. I will see if food is available elsewhere.” He went away and became a sannyāsin! He is very brisk, very active. He wraps himself around with a single dhoti and moves about vigorously.

Just imagine this picture! Because of those unpleasant words from his son, he decided to go and find reliance elsewhere. And he became a wandering monk! That is reliance on the Supreme!

This is what the mind can do. You also have the same mind. But you are complaining about attachment. By contrast, here is a 69-year-old man who evinces that the mind is capable of leaving anything and generating contentment at any time in any situation. Be given to these values and be enriched. This is my message to all of you.

Devotees: Thank you Swamiji. Our pranaams to Poojya Swamiji, Ma and Nutan Swamiji.

Swamiji: Okay. My blessings and fondness for all of you. Ma will chant the concluding Shlokas.

Jai Guru!

– Vicharasethu – Feb 2008