Yogic January 2020_Digital Issue | Page 47

Getting the answers to our questions santoṣaḥ paramo lābhaḥ satsaṅgaḥ paramā gatiḥ | vicāraḥ paramaṁ jñānaṁ śamo hi paramaṁ sukham || Contentment is the highest gain, good company (who can guide to discover oneself) the highest passage, enquiry the highest wisdom, and peace the highest joy. All experiences happen in the mind. Experiences change the brain; the brain changes our attitude and behavior that shapes our personality. Behind personality, there is our true nature. The mind cannot reach there without specific qualities of contentment, seeking company who knows the subjective reality i.e. masters of eastern wisdom, self-enquiry (as explained by the masters) and discovering peace free from anything outside. The mind needs to be educated to qualify by cultivating qualities of contentment, learning directly from the teachers of eastern wisdom, self-enquiry and regular practice of calmness. The most important out of four is self-enquiry. We claim we are a thinking being by default. We did not learn, how to think rightly. No one guides us what is right vs. wrong thing. Which ever thought enters our mind, we consider it is right. We reason to prove thought pattern is right. These thoughts lead to wrong, habitual and instinctual actions. Self-enquiry means, we should answer the following questions [ What is the goal of life? What is the goal in life? [ What is suffering? What is the cause of suffering? [ Who am I? What is the world? Is it for pleasure or discovering peace within? [ What are the positive and negative traits? [ How to change the mind- thinking to live in peace and happiness? The above questions should always be addressed to oneself and anyone outside. This helps us to work on the mind, instead mind works on us. The state of contentment is present deep within the mind. Learning and educating the mind clears mind from doubt, confusion and suffering. Regular practice helps discover calmness within. About Author Acharya Girish Jha has been teaching, mentoring and promoting wellness for people. He has been offering services in the field of mind-body non- pharmaceutical well-being and illness management programs for the last 35 years. Jan. 2020 www.yogicherald.com 45