From River to Ocean: A Manual of Mental Discipline

The Bhagavad Gita reveals the true nature of the common, untrained mind by comparing it to the river: ever-flowing, yet ever-agitated. The edified, quietened mind of a sthita-prajna (person of stable intellect), however, is like the ocean—calm despite the torrential rivers flowing into it. Here is a brief manual to take us from the river to the ocean, taken right from the Bhagavad Gita.SIT STILL.This should be in good posture, with minimal comfort. Plump cushions on all sides do not help the mind-quieting process. And still means absolutely still—neither adjusting your leg nor fidgeting with your hands.STARE AT A FIXED POINT IN SPACE.A singular physical point - infinitesimally small and without dimension - is like a magnet that draws in the scattered thoughts of the mind, creating a straight, unwavering flow.The principle behind levels 1 and 2 is simple: The body is the gateway to the mind. Keep the body still, and the mind automatically follows.BREATHE, but CONSCIOUSLY.Breath is subtler than the senses. Therefore, focusing on the breath will require more effort than on the senses. Do not control it, only observe it. We are now moving well along the river, although we will see a far greater incarnation of this step in the later stages. SHUT THE EYES AND OPEN THE MOUTH.This is the next level - cutting off the cleverest thief of focus: the sense of sight. Chanting stotrams and stavahs are simply a means of keeping the mind-child occupied; the variations in these chantings are enough food to keep it well-fed and undistracted.SADHANAPerhaps the most enlivening of the many practices in our scriptures. Sit, chant, and repeat. These are mantras; however, the Gayatri mantra, ‘Om’, or any such short mantra, works just as well. Quality and quantity are both important here—we must bring to mind the story of the boy who chanted the Gayatri thrice a day and complained of agitation. 1 mala (108 times) is the minimum for established sadhakas. Gurudev, in his exalted vision, wanted us to perform 20 malas (2160 times)!MEDITATIONOut the window goes the next (and subtlest) of the senses - sound. Now there are only you and your thoughts. Here, we begin a multi-level practice to conquer the mind. Begin by focusing on the image of the Lord, then on a mantra (only mentally, not verbally), then finally, on the breath. This progression from gross to subtle is a gradual walk onto the shore. We are now finally facing the ocean.SILENCENow, the final step: let go of the thoughts. As the pinpointed focus dissipates into the total silence, you will find yourself in the thoughtless space that is the goal of all mental endeavours. Congratulations! The waves are all yours.

From River to Ocean: A Manual of Mental Discipline

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