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Taming the Mind

By Raymond Ribeiro
It is a fact that the primary aim of yoga in all its aspects, i.e., asanas, pranayamas, meditations etc., is to control the mind, - to bring it into equilibrium with the individual. In other words, it functions to aid an individual to realize the �spiritual- self�, at least, this is the theory behind most yoga philosophies. Many have compared the wondering of the individual mind to that of a monkey, and therefore in other to control it one has to first learn to tame it, through the various �practices in yoga�.

From a realistic view, we learn that we are neither the body nor the mind. In other words, we have taken physical birth in our present physical form generally, because we have �unfinished business� in this world to deal with.

From this perception, it is often held within yogic scriptures that our karma is often what determines our life situations. Nevertheless, it is possible to take physical birth ( not necessarily to repay, in terms of karma) in this physical form as an avatar- ( i.e. to help raise the consciousness of humanity on the �spiritual plane�. Such people, -avatars- it is often said, have returned to this physical world owing to their compassion for the suffering of mankind largely due to Maya ( illusion ).

A basic concept in taming the mind nevertheless does not necessarily mean that one can make progress without, at least, becoming aware of spiritual or metaphysical principles. What I mean here is that it is not enough to meditate or engage in various practices in yoga in the hope of controlling or taming the mind without familiarizing your self with fundamental truths about reality. This is a very important point because it seems that many today, have somehow hold the assumption that they are making progress in their life, not because they have different perception of life but simply because they meditate regularly. Surely, without doubt, it is the willingness to learn, different aspects about our life situations that brings about new light to our life situation.

TO BE CONTINUED

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