________________
The Nature of the Mind
The mind can turn against anything; it has a habit to revolt that which it does not understand. It attacks and in that way it can save itself. If it does not strike, it will not save itself. To save face it uses a device to strike out at what it does not grasp or cannot conquer. Sometimes when the mind does not understand the teacher or Master, it strikes out against him also. It happened to all the teachers in one way or another. So the wise man wants to conquer his mind and his senses and that is all. He says, "Those who are ready, let them understand. Those who are not ready, let them learn through suffering."
There are those people, I tell you, who are not happy unless they become unhappy. They find some reason to have a discussion and create a fight, and they spoil their evening instead of sitting in silence, having peace and seeing beauty. That is why, if you are going away for the weekend with friends and you want to have a very pleasant time, better take some time for silence. Then you will enjoy nature. Otherwise you might come home with fighting, quarreling and disputing moods.
It is very difficult to understand the nature of the mind and how it works against us. For example, it may say, "I will fight in the name of religion." The religion that comes to give peace to mankind becomes an instrument for war and cruelty. There were many crusades in the name of religion. People were butchered and massacred in the name of God. Religion is for peace, for love, for joy, for liberation. "Do what
47
