Is the Mind Your Friend or Enemy
We all live with a constant companion: the voice in our head. For some, this voice is a source of inspiration and guidance. For others, it is a source of anxiety, lust, and confusion. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the mind is the central figure in the drama of our life. It has the power to take us to the spiritual world, or to drag us down to hell. The difference lies entirely in how we train it.
The Duality of the Mind
According to the Bhagavad-gītā, the mind is not inherently evil, but it acts as a mirror. If it is cleansed, it is a friend; if it is dirty, it is an enemy.
- For him who has conquered the mind, the mind is the best of friends; but for one who has failed to do so, his very mind will be the greatest enemy.
- Our mind is our friend, and our mind is our enemy. If it is cleansed, it is a friend, and if it is dirty, we contact material diseases.
The Cheater Within
Śrīla Prabhupāda warns us never to trust an untrained mind. It is by nature restless and deceitful. Even great yogīs like Lord Śiva have been agitated by the mind's trickery. Therefore, one must be vigilant.
- The mind is by nature very restless, and one should not make friends with it. If we place full confidence in the mind, it may cheat us at any moment.
- Don't make friendship. Simply beat the mind with shoes and broomstick; otherwise cannot bring in control.
How to Make It a Friend
How do we turn this formidable enemy into an ally? Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that the mind acts according to its association. If we associate with sādhus (devotees) and engage the mind in Kṛṣṇa's service, it naturally becomes friendly.
- If I want to make my mind as my friend, then I have to associate with sadhu.
- If we divert our mind to thoughts of material enjoyment, then our mind becomes an enemy, and if we concentrate our mind on the lotus feet of Krsna, then our mind is a friend.
Conclusion
We may conquer empires or fly to other planets, but if we fail to conquer the mind, we are failures. A controlled mind is the true measure of success.
Dive Deeper into Srila Prabhupada's Vani
Srila Prabhupada lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Mind - Friend and Enemy. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Srila Prabhupada's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.