________________
consuming, or actively controlling, the rising tide of thought. During meditation the mind creates air castles beyond description. While sitting in one place the mind wanders everywhere, and we cannot even keep track of its ever swirling nature. Therefore, the saints instruct that first we must practice pratyahara. Just as we would sit down to eat and consume food, in the same way we should sit in meditation to consume the thoughts as they arise. We should consume such thoughts that very moment. No matter what images and fanciful ideas infest the mind during meditation, the saints insist we should consume
them without any delay or hesitation.
If you are unable to practice constant vigilance of mind then when you sit down to do japa (recitation of a holy name) your mind will be involved in unnecessary gossip, solving problems, creating imaginary castles, and making long term plans. In this manner, your meditation time will be wasted with the roaming mind and remaining unfocused. Therefore, do not get defeated in the constant practice of pratyahara. If you give up in pratyahara you will not succeed in subduing the mind.
Keep this in mind and reflect upon it: The mind is unconscious [the mind-machine is powered by consciousness; it is considered
75
