Whenever We Sit Down for Spiritual Practices, and our Mind Often Wanders Off
- MBP Blogs
- Oct 2
- 3 min read
Updated: Nov 28
IExcerpt from a video of Maitreya DadashreejiI
Maitreya Dadashreeji:
Namaste,
Welcome to Maitri Bodh Parivaar's transformation class. Today we will answer the question that is raised by a lot of people pursuing a spiritual journey. They may have practiced yoga, meditation, or other spiritual practices for 15-20 years, and yet they struggle with this situation (a wandering mind).
Sushma Sharmaji asked us, “Whenever we sit for any spiritual practice (sadhana) the mind wanders off and goes all over the place. At such times, is our spiritual practice efficacious? Is it complete? Would we receive the fruits and positive benefits from such spiritual practices?”
Let us look at it this way….
Whenever any action or process is performed with sincerity and pure emotions, such an action will always have a positive outcome. Such an action or process is always beneficial. For instance, recitation of mantras, meditation in keeping with your traditions, reading books on contemplation or your Guide may have guided you in spiritual practices. You need to observe and be aware of your sincerity ( of your emotions and feelings) while doing any of the spiritual practices. If it’s done with sincerity and pure emotions, you will always receive the fruits (phala) of such the practice. There is no doubt about it.
The second part of this question is about the wandering of the mind. What should be done when your mind wanders? In an earlier session we had talked about watching your breath. If you watch your breath for 5-10 minutes every day ( and time permitting increase it to 15 minutes), you will notice a significant change over time. The restlessness in mind will reduce noticeably. You will be able to accomplish this goal quite easily. Watching one’s breath is a very powerful contemplative action.
There are many ways to contemplate ( perform dhyaan) but when you focus on your breath, this is the most powerful and effective way. You will feel the effect of it right within your inner core! The other issue we need to look at, after breath watching and being able to contemplate is about the wandering state of mind.
What can you do with your wandering mind? First and foremost we need to realize and understand the ‘nature of the mind.’ The Mind by nature always wanders, thoughts are never steady. This is how people who have been pursuing spiritual practices for 15-20 years still ask about the mind not being steady! We always tell them that the mind is never steady. It is the mind’s nature to wander. That which is often restless, always wandering, can never be stable. Such is the nature of the mind. Once you’re in a spiritual state (adhyatmik avastha) you do become steady internally, but the thoughts continue to come and go. Your thoughts will always wander. When this happens don’t tamper with your mind or thoughts. Don’t deliberately interfere with your thought process - just leave ii! Don’t struggle with your thoughts. Try to be in a relaxed state and let the thoughts come and go.
All of you need to keep this in mind, whatever the thoughts may be, let them be. Why? Because our mind and thoughts will always wander. Don’t do anything! Just leave it.
Finally, and most importantly, is for all of you to know and understand that a river flows continuously. We don’t expect a river to stop flowing. Similarly, thoughts will also keep flowing. To try and stop your thoughts is like trying to stop a river from flowing. The nature of a river is to flow. Just let the thoughts flow. What happens to the river in the end? Eventually the river merges into the ocean. Similarly, your thoughts too ultimately merge with the Divine, or Guide. That ultimate place is at the lotus feet of your Guide where there is abiding peace! Thoughts too become peaceful and relaxed at the lotus feet of the Guide.. The mark of a true Spiritual Guide is their peaceful state. One look from a True Guide, when you meet them, sit with them - you experience a sense of peace.
Whenever possible, contemplate upon your Guide’s lotus feet! They have gone ahead spiritually and their state within is always Peace! When you focus and meditate upon the Guide’s lotus feet, your mind and thoughts also resolve; they become steady and peaceful. You too will experience a very different spiritual state!
This week may all of you sit for 5-10 minutes and contemplate upon the lotus feet of your Guide or Divine. Within a week itself you will notice how your thoughts will slow down. You will become peaceful and relaxed. You will see this change within a week itself!
Full video highlight available here🔗
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