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October 2016October 2016

October 2016October 2016

Disturbed intellect blocks constructive activity

One of the universal problems faced by humans is worrying over problems. Worry is a serious issue

and needs to be tackled, as it obstructs solution of all other problems.

First, we need to understand the nature of worry. Whatever the subject matter, in the first stage worry occupies our mind whenever it wants. What we worry about and when, is not in our choice; we seem to be helpless in regard to this factor of occupation by the subject matter of the problem. We seem to have lost the battle in the first round itself, as it were, as the subject matter of worry has chosen to locate itself in our mind without any volition on our part. The mind, called antakarnam (inner instrument), given by the Lord for deliberate use by us, is hijacked by the subject matter of worry. Thus, mental freedom or mastery is lost.

Second, it appears that we do not determine how long a particular subject matter of worry shall stay in our mind; the duration seems to be entirely in its hands. Accordingly, the problem seems to remain in the mind and it keeps on churning it, producing unhealthy emotions, such as depression, hatred, anger, helplessness and fear. Thus, the second stage of worry is victimisation of the mind, leading to destruction of mental health, as a disturbed mind can lead to deterioration of physical health.

Unhealthy Emotions

October 201614 October 201615

Disturbed intellect blocks constructive activity

One of the universal problems faced by humans is worrying over problems. Worry is a serious issue

and needs to be tackled, as it obstructs solution of all other problems.

First, we need to understand the nature of worry. Whatever the subject matter, in the first stage worry occupies our mind whenever it wants. What we worry about and when, is not in our choice; we seem to be helpless in regard to this factor of occupation by the subject matter of the problem. We seem to have lost the battle in the first round itself, as it were, as the subject matter of worry has chosen to locate itself in our mind without any volition on our part. The mind, called antakarnam (inner instrument), given by the Lord for deliberate use by us, is hijacked by the subject matter of worry. Thus, mental freedom or mastery is lost.

Second, it appears that we do not determine how long a particular subject matter of worry shall stay in our mind; the duration seems to be entirely in its hands. Accordingly, the problem seems to remain in the mind and it keeps on churning it, producing unhealthy emotions, such as depression, hatred, anger, helplessness and fear. Thus, the second stage of worry is victimisation of the mind, leading to destruction of mental health, as a disturbed mind can lead to deterioration of physical health.

Unhealthy Emotions

October 201614 October 201615

of the problem and do not allow it to gatecrash.

Thus, as against being vulnerable to occupation we make the decision when we allow the problem to enter and, if so, for what length of time. Second, we condense and crystallise the problem into salient points without being emotionally affected (crystallisation as against victimisation so that instead of emotion the intellect takes charge.

In this manner, we are in a position to limit the stay of the problem within a time frame instead of allowing it to continuously churn the mind with disastrous consequences.

In the next stage, we use intellect to explore solutions to the problem. As against immobilisation of the intellect, we put it to proper use to look for and arrive at possible remedial measures.

Thus, the intellect becomes solution-oriented instead of being bogged down by the problem and getting stuck with worry. In the fourth and final stage, we start dwelling on implementation of the possible solutions.

Strengthen the Mind

Until the implementation programme is successfully completed (which may take time),we should prepare to strengthen the mind by means of wisdom (cogent and rational analysis and understanding of the relevant issues) and by prayer to the Lord to accept the results of our efforts and to develop a proper attitude by which we rise above the problem, making it appear insignificant in our enlightened vision.

This will make us turn our attention to other constructive activities instead of being plagued by problems which defy solution.

Thus, we need to conquer worry by retaining our ability in relation to decision, crystallisation of problem, exploring and implementing possible solutions and preparation of the mind to face the ultimate results H

athreyaanna@gmail.com

Because of the disturbed and negative mindset, our intellect loses its problem-solving capacity and cannot meaningfully marshal and employ its resources to tackle the problem behind the worry.

The intellect resembles a virus-affected computer. All the knowledge (worldly and spiritual) gained by us cannot be retrieved when needed because of this virus affliction. Our intellect and capacity for curative measures are blunted.

We face the problem of immobilisation of our intellect, which leads to inability to look for and employ appropriate solutions.

With the disturbed mind and immobilised intellect one is not only not able to solve the problem but is also not in a position to undertake any other constructive activity, confined to a mechanical life without being able to employ freewill. It is a life in absentia, a dissipated life.

To sum up, at the stage of occupation freedom is lost, at the stage of victimisation health is destroyed and at the stage of

A Dissipated Life

immobilisation solutions disappear and at the stage of dissipation life itself becomes meaningless.

There is a general misconception that worry is a manifestation of the sense of responsibility and one will be considered an irresponsible and non-caring person if there are no worries.

Our scriptures, however, do not approve of this impression. In Chapter 14 of Bhagavad Gita, the Lord clearly classifies worry (chinta) as part of ausiryasampat (negative value).

There is also a famous verse which says that between the funeral fire and worry, worry is more destructive as the former burns only a dead body whereas worry burns a living person.

The scriptures, therefore, urge us to work on the problem instead of worrying over it.

In working to solve the problem also, there are four stages corresponding to and contrasted with the factors related to worry mentioned above. In the first stage,we choose the time to think

Erroneous Impression

R. B. Athreya

(Edited extracts from lecture given by Swami Paramarthananda in Chennai.)

October 201616 October 201617

of the problem and do not allow it to gatecrash.

Thus, as against being vulnerable to occupation we make the decision when we allow the problem to enter and, if so, for what length of time. Second, we condense and crystallise the problem into salient points without being emotionally affected (crystallisation as against victimisation so that instead of emotion the intellect takes charge.

In this manner, we are in a position to limit the stay of the problem within a time frame instead of allowing it to continuously churn the mind with disastrous consequences.

In the next stage, we use intellect to explore solutions to the problem. As against immobilisation of the intellect, we put it to proper use to look for and arrive at possible remedial measures.

Thus, the intellect becomes solution-oriented instead of being bogged down by the problem and getting stuck with worry. In the fourth and final stage, we start dwelling on implementation of the possible solutions.

Strengthen the Mind

Until the implementation programme is successfully completed (which may take time),we should prepare to strengthen the mind by means of wisdom (cogent and rational analysis and understanding of the relevant issues) and by prayer to the Lord to accept the results of our efforts and to develop a proper attitude by which we rise above the problem, making it appear insignificant in our enlightened vision.

This will make us turn our attention to other constructive activities instead of being plagued by problems which defy solution.

Thus, we need to conquer worry by retaining our ability in relation to decision, crystallisation of problem, exploring and implementing possible solutions and preparation of the mind to face the ultimate results H

athreyaanna@gmail.com

Because of the disturbed and negative mindset, our intellect loses its problem-solving capacity and cannot meaningfully marshal and employ its resources to tackle the problem behind the worry.

The intellect resembles a virus-affected computer. All the knowledge (worldly and spiritual) gained by us cannot be retrieved when needed because of this virus affliction. Our intellect and capacity for curative measures are blunted.

We face the problem of immobilisation of our intellect, which leads to inability to look for and employ appropriate solutions.

With the disturbed mind and immobilised intellect one is not only not able to solve the problem but is also not in a position to undertake any other constructive activity, confined to a mechanical life without being able to employ freewill. It is a life in absentia, a dissipated life.

To sum up, at the stage of occupation freedom is lost, at the stage of victimisation health is destroyed and at the stage of

A Dissipated Life

immobilisation solutions disappear and at the stage of dissipation life itself becomes meaningless.

There is a general misconception that worry is a manifestation of the sense of responsibility and one will be considered an irresponsible and non-caring person if there are no worries.

Our scriptures, however, do not approve of this impression. In Chapter 14 of Bhagavad Gita, the Lord clearly classifies worry (chinta) as part of ausiryasampat (negative value).

There is also a famous verse which says that between the funeral fire and worry, worry is more destructive as the former burns only a dead body whereas worry burns a living person.

The scriptures, therefore, urge us to work on the problem instead of worrying over it.

In working to solve the problem also, there are four stages corresponding to and contrasted with the factors related to worry mentioned above. In the first stage,we choose the time to think

Erroneous Impression

R. B. Athreya

(Edited extracts from lecture given by Swami Paramarthananda in Chennai.)

October 201616 October 201617

October 2016