Mysteries of Mind

Author(s): Mahapragna Acharya
Publisher: Today and Tomorrows Book Agency

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THE MYSTERIES OF MIND
time? "The preceptor asked the king to sit down for some time and to listen to him. He delivered a long lecture to the king. It was such an interesting lecture that the king became absorbed in it. The preceptor then asked the king, "For how long have you been listening to my lecture ?" The king replied that the lecture had begun only a few moments ago. The lecture was so engaging that the king had lost the sense of time. This is an example of the power of speech.
The human body has two wonderful powers. Let us take the example of Bhagavan Mahāvīra. He kept standing in meditation like a statue for four months at a stretch without
stirring or speaking or eating or drinking anything He did not even brush off mosquitoes which perched on his skin. It is also mentioned that he meditated in the same way for a whole year. Bahubali also stood motionless in meditation for full one year at a stretch. Creepers which stood by his side grew thick and covered it. It is difficult for us to keep standing for an hour or two. Is there any difference between the powers we possess and those possessed by Mahavira and Bahubali? The only difference is that they were acquainted with their powers whereas we do not know ours. We have lost contact with our powers and consciousness. They were conversant with the technique of developing their powers, but we are not. That is why it appears strange to us that Mahavira kept standing for four months and Bahubali for a year. If we trained ourselves, we could also do the same. That is the secret of sadhanā.
The development of tolerance is a kind of self-discipline. There are some who will be the least perturbed even in the midst of terrible afflictions. They would simply watch the afflictions without allowing them to influence their minds. Self-discipline would make them disinterested spectators of what happens to them.
One of the forms in which spiritual powers manifest themselves is self-reliance. Good sădhakas would not like that others should extend a helping hand to them because dependence on others would disturb their sadhanā.
Another factor which is a hindrance to sädhanā lack of patience. People expect immediate returns from their selfexertion. They would like to know the outcome of sadhanā