Walk With Me

Author(s): Chandanaji Acharya, Vastupal Parikh
Publisher: Veerayatan

Page 160

Walk With Me
People acquire self-discipline in the early years of sadhana. This requires training one's mind and body. But our mind is very fickle and restless. Our senses take note of all external events and send a signal to the mind. The mind responds with emotions such as happiness, sadness, love, anger, mercy, and kindness. Our soul and conscience also contribute to these responses. A self-disciplined mind controls or stops responding to the signals from the body, or is completely detached from the events affecting the body. This is the stage where mind is at rest and there is perfect harmony between the body and the mind.
Prasannachandra has achieved this harmony through his sadhana. As a result, this extreme cold does not bother him. Despite all that sadhana, his mind sometimes gets disturbed and escapes that harmony. Right now Prasannachandra is in that disturbed state of mind."
Mahavir continued, "This morning, a passerby sarcastically said to Prasannachandra, 'Look at this foolish king! He is standing here for a victory over his mind, while his son has lost a war and his kingdom.'
This remark triggered a reaction in Prasannachandra's mind. Although his body has become immune to the cold weather, his mind has become restless. His mind is disturbed by the news of his son's defeat, and is recalling the days when he ruled an invincible army. His mind is now fighting an imaginary war killing an imaginary enemy while his body is standing still on the riverbank."
Emperor Shrenik wanted to know the effect on one's sadhana under such circumstances. He asked, "Bhagwant, what will happen to him if he were to die while being in such a disturbed state of mind?"
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