Every individual has the possibility of experiencing three conditions of the mind.
-Restless mind
-Imperfect mind
-Perfect mind
Restless Mind
A selfish person is concerned only with himself. He focuses his attention and energies on his needs, wants, and demands. His actions, emotions, and thoughts are directed toward his own welfare. He finds no interest in anyone else.
The world we live in is not designed to cater to a particular individual. As a result, his desires remain unfulfilled, and experiences agitations. His mind remains disturbed. This type of mind is like a core positioned on its vertex as shown in the figure of the Restless Mind.
Imperfect Mind
Through alignment with higher values, a person moves from being selfish to unselfish. They are able to identify and accommodate the interest of others. Their mind is less agitated and not restless. They are relatively peaceful. But when someone insults them and flings a nasty remark at them, their mind becomes agitated.
The agitations may last for hours. Sometimes for days or months. A single incident can keep the mind disturbed for a long period. Even before the mind could settle down, another experience can create further mental agitations. A single negative experience can create havoc. Such a mind is termed Imperfect. It acts like a cone lying on its side on a smooth surface as in the figure of the Imperfect mind.
A cone lying on its side May normally be at rest. But when tapped on one side it starts oscillating. From one side to the other. Another tap before or after it stops creates further oscillation. The impact from an external agency maybe only for a moment. But the consequent oscillation can continue for a long. Similarly, an imperfect mind goes on oscillating, swaying, and getting agitated most of the time. Makes life miserable. All of life’s experiences are an inevitable part of our journey. Do not allow them to disturb your mind. They will hamper your peace and harmony within.
Perfect Mind
When a person moves from being unselfish to being Selfless through their process of spirituality, they become free of mental agitations. They experience spiritual maturity. They are the same in the best or worst of life’s experiences. They are tranquil in any environment or situation. Joy or sorrow, honor or dishonor, heat or cold doesn’t disturb his mental equanimity. He remains ever calm and composed. Revels in the state of perfect mind. He remains like a cone resting on its base as in the figure of the Perfect mind.
Oliver Wendell Holmes describes such a person in exquisite poetry:
“For him in vain the envious seasons roll
Who bears eternal summer in his soul.”
Vedanta helps you to reach the perfect state of mind. It provides the technique of disciplining the mind. An undisciplined mind can cause considerable damage. Even prove fatal. Reflect upon the truths of life. Apply them in your life. Your mental agitations gradually cease. You live a life of peace and bliss.
Text by S A Sreedharan
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