The Infinite Mind

10 Mind Patterns WE CANNOT ACCEPT failure before our opponents in daily life. That opponent could be a friend to whom we lose an argument, or opponent in any competition, whether in the field of education or games. The irony is we that we are losing every moment and every day to our own mind yet we accept this failure with great ease. When the mind is unsettled then that very day, you would have observed that you had hardly any success with your tasks throughout the day and there was little or no perfection in the tasks that you did do. The power of thinking, power of intention, power of attention, power of expression, power of manifestation of thoughts in life, and intuition, all stem from the mind- the main power house of the body. On this planet earth we are surrounded by so many different types of people. The power of the mind actually defines a person and our behaviour defines us. The people around us are the result of our mind. The power of the mind is truly exceptional. Some are slow at their tasks, some are fast and agile. Some have the best decision making skills and reasoning skills. Some take time to process information. Some make mistakes but some refrain from making mistakes. While one cannot see the mind of a person practically, the image of the mind is reflected in the actions of the person. It is strange indeed that humans have developed such intelligent machines, machines that can send measured data from the moon to the earth, but no instrument to measure the complete mind, i n all its aspects. I would like to share with you how simplistically, and incorrectly, all of us look at the mind and the brain. During childhood, we all would have studied in school and if one student excels in class the teacher would say he is ‘brainy’. The student’s mind is basically measured on the education scale. On the other hand if a student fails to achieve the required grades and needs greater assistance, the teacher then says that his grasping power is less. Or that his understanding power is less. The mind of this student is also measured on the education scale or a test scale too and people immediately stick a label to that mind. People measure others through their mind and become ‘label makers’ in the process. In reality, the human mind cannot be measured. How does a strong mind look? Let us see. A sincere, young boy Amit studies well and clears the toughest engineering test and goes on to join a renowned institution in the country. On the other hand, another boy Ravi began his college education from an institute that is not so prestigious. After few years Amit commits suicide, as he was unable to handle the pressure of studies. Ravi goes on to graduate and starts working in a small firm. So, what happened here? Both got admission into colleges. Amit ought to have less stress regarding his career or job as the best companies would come to his campus. Even if not selected, he will anyway graduate from a top college. Being in a prestigious college, Amit and his parents are happy. On the other hand, from day one, Ravi is under exponential stress as he is sure that the top tier companies won’t be coming to his college. Hence he is conscious that he should be sincere in all his work. Like Amit, he did his projects and tests very well. As he is studying in an average college, he is constantly subjected to comments from his parents about his future prospects. Of course relatives join in too. Why Amit did chose the path to end his life even though looking at his life situation externally, anyone would say there was less stress in his life? Why did Ravi continue even when he knew that in the future stress in his life would increase exponentially? Brooding over these questions is just squandering time. But yes, from the mind perspective let us reflect on the thought below: Whose mind is stronger, Amit or Ravi? Amit cleared a tough engineering exam – his mind is stronger than Ravi’s. Ravi is unable to clear the same engineering exam – his mind is weaker than Amit’s. The above mentioned statements are authentic and correctly said as there is only parameter involved: an academic test. Ravi has weak mind as far as academics go. . I need to complete the equation. There are other parameters here, stress in life, one’s own coping mechanism. One’s life circumstances can be yet another parameter. One way of looking at their lives would be: Amit’s Life Positive External Factors + Negative Internal Mechanism ----> Weak Mind Ravi’s Life Negative External Factors + Positive Internal Mechanism (X factor) ----> Strong Mind Here, Ravi has a stronger mind than Amit. The behaviour of the mind is not linear when it deals with multiple parameters, it changes drastically. This creates many permutations and combinations within those parameters. Those people, who commit suicide, fail in life and have a weak mind. I have classified the mind into two categories: Strong Mind and Weak Mind Do you have a mind like Ashish’s? A small part of the day from Ashish’s life: He wakes up in the morning, smokes a cigarette and walks around the room just to get on with his bowel movement. Without consuming a cigarette he finds it nearly impossible to complete this part of his morning routine. Here, the cigarette is an external stimulus that controls his nervous system, his mind and so becomes his habit. Everyone tells him, that cigarettes are not good for health. He knows it is bad for the lungs, his mind knows it’s bad for him. But the fingers are programmed to hold a cigarette; lips are programmed to hold it and lungs to consume it. Ashish has a weak mind and his body actions are beyond his control. The urge to smoke does not allow him to shun this bad habit. Every day he promises and commits to friends that he will shun the habit, but fails. Ashish’s body is strong which disobeys a weak mind and wants a cigarette every day. The next day he gives a commitment to himself to shun cigarettes but fails. Ashish is carrying a weak mind, he breaks his own commitments and promises, and he breaks promises and commitments given to other people. Do you have a mind like April’s? April is a sweet girl in her teens, has an auto immune disease which was diagnosed at a later stage after her both hands were amputated due to decay of the tissue of her hands. She has a short life span and she is aware of it and so she does what she likes. She is a renowned singer and has a few hit songs to her credit. In her free time, she teaches other girls a foreign language. April has a strong mind but a weak body. I am listing a few categories here, which come to my mind: 1. A weak mind and a weak body 2. A weak mind and a strong (and healthy) body 3. A strong mind and a weak body 4. A strong mind and a strong (and healthy) body Indications of a weak mind: 1. Not fulfilling promises each time. 2. Inability to keep commitments. 3. Leaving work or projects accepted half way through and jumping to another task 4. Accepting unwanted thoughts (garbage for the mind) from people 5. Continuing to live with your addictions 6. Unable to make a change in one’s life by just altering at least one habit. 7. Inability to take risks in life Indications of the strong mind: 1. High degree of commitment 2. Valuing time and other aspects of life 3. Fulfilling promises made 4. Finishing the accepted tasks 5. Developing a ‘Let go’ attitude; an acceptance towards happenings in life 6. Ability to make changes in one’s life 7. Ability to take risks in life Which mind and body are you carrying?