Which is more important — the objects we desire, or the senses through which we experience them? The senses are actually more important than the objects themselves. For instance, your eyes are more valuable than a television, your ears more precious than music, and your tongue more important than delicious food. Our skin, too, is more crucial than the things we touch.
But what do fools do? They do not realize this truth and give more importance to sense objects than the senses. They know that looking at the TV for too long harms their eyesight yet they continue watching television for hours. They understand that overeating is bad for their health, yet they prioritize food over their well-being. Knowing that our senses are more important than the objects of senses is the first step.
The mind is even more important than the senses. Often, we do things without being fully present—our minds are elsewhere. In such a state, our actions lose their meaning. When the mind is neglected and only the senses and their objects are cared for, we get upset. This low feeling arises from prioritizing material desires over the needs of the mind. If you want certain type of food, and you don’t get that, you feel low. The fool attends to the senses over the mind.
What is the nature of the mind? It fluctuates, much like the moon’s phases. The mind is often compared to the moon, which waxes and wanes. Just as the moon is not constant, our minds too are in a constant state of flux.
Beyond the mind lies our intelligence, or intellect. If we merely follow our minds, we will experience constant ups and downs without any sense of purpose. People who are driven solely by their minds often end up feeling more miserable. Their minds may tell them to seek solitude, but even in silence, they remain unhappy. That’s why in many schools of thought it’s said: kill the mind. In the military they teach you to kill the mind. In schools and colleges the discipline is imposed on you, you are asked to kill the mind. The key to overcoming the mind is discipline, which can only be understood by the intellect. Discipline is what can truly control the mind’s erratic tendencies.
It is the intellect that guides us with wisdom, distinguishing between right and wrong. Fools follow the mind, going with their whims and fancies, like a rolling stone. Fools will start a business and close it, and start another, then close it…because of their cravings and aversions. What is the big deal about your feelings, your mind’s likes and dislikes? One who does not care for the feelings will reach the Self.
It comes for a moment and passes away. Experience it, don’t run away from it.
Instead of your feelings, go by your dedication and commitment. Your life is dedicated to a cause on this planet. That brings out valour, vigour, peace, and stability from within you. Otherwise, you’ll feel good one moment and bad the next. Haven’t you experienced feeling miserable even in the best situations?
When we don’t worry about our feelings much, then we get established in the wisdom. And being established in wisdom brings you to your Self which is Peace, Joy, and Love.
