meedkuh pahrehgahmnehreetz lahvakouinn eh ayn mahrtou hahmahr, ohv eesskhoum eh nuhrah vuhrah: sahgaiyn,ohv tzahkhaghvehl eh ayit kohrdzoum, eehr meedkuh tahrnoum eh nuhra ahmehnamehdz tuhssnahmeen.

By learning to control the mind, one can focus it in order to accomplish tasks effectively. Concentration of the mind is necessary to successfully achieve a goal in life. Success in life requires that one can control the urges of lust, anger, greed, envy, rash behavior without considering the consequences, and action prompted by a deluded state of mind. An uncontrolled mind that easily succombs to the above six urges becomes an enemy that subverts one’s ability to follow nature’s first law of self-preservation.

When one lives on the mental level, the mind accepts or rejects based on sensual perceptions, not on rational considerations of longterm good or bad for oneself. It is a natural and innate quality of a human being to follow the order of a superior. As long as the mind remains an unconquered enemy, one has to serve the dictations of lust, anger, greed,etc. But when the mind is conquered (controlled by superior intellect of the person), it voluntarily abides by the dictation of authorities that one may recognize. For example, if a person is sick, he or she may approach a doctor for help. If the doctor prescribes a medicine, the patient will most likely get the prescription filled and follow the doctor’s advice to heal their sickness.

During one’s life, there are many levels of authorities one may choose to follow. When one voluntarily accepts the authority of God (or His saintly messengers) and agrees to abide by His divine instructions, he or she completely conquers the flickering mind and becomes free of all degrading influences. Thus one can deliver oneself from unnecessary problems in life with the help of the controlled mind.

The mind can be trained not to be attracted by the glitter of material objects whether they are things or persons. When the mind is affected by the desire to control and exploit something or someone in this world for personal satisfaction, it becomes entangled. For example, when a man sees an attractive woman dressed in tight, suggestive clothing that reveal curves and bulges of her body, his thoughts, emotions and behavior may be affected. Thus, the more one is attracted to the objects of the senses, the more one is entangled in material existence.

In the Vedic Upanisad Amrita-bindu, it is said: “For man, the mind can be the cause of bondage and it can be the cause of liberation. The mind absorbed in sense objects is the cause of bondage, and the mind detached from the sense objects is the cause of liberation.”

One is freed from the bondage of material objects by learning how to use everything in the service of God. This requires voluntary acceptence of the authority and guidance of genuine spiritual teachers who give the knowledge of how to employ everything properly in the service of God. For example, to help control the mind from impulsive sexual attraction that may lead to irresponsible behavior, holy marriage is recommended by spiritual teachers. In such a union of man and woman, there is the development of respect, commitment, true affection and love solidified by the vow of marriage. The stability of society depends to a large degree on maintaining the vow of marriage by which the parents stay together and cooperate to educate their children, work responsibly by abiding by the laws of a country and gradually develop skills that enable them to contribute to the well-being of others.

This is one essential formula for success in one’s own life and for the entire human society.