The importance of controlling your mind

Since ancient times, human philosophers have understood the importance of the mind in managing human affairs. They knew that a person's external circumstances were the result of their internal thoughts.

They were aware that if a person thought of wealth, they would have riches, while if their thoughts were of poverty, success and failure would produce corresponding effects in the person's circumstances.
Today, modern science has recognized the truth of these discoveries. Therefore, it becomes crucial for a person to control their mind.

Yoga has specific techniques that deal with the science of mind control. Shankaracharya defined the mind in four different ways according to its functions:

• Manas for resolving and doubting.
• Buddhi for decision and judgment.
• Asmita for awareness of one's individual existence.
• Chitta for remembering previous experiences.

The mind is a vast collection of thoughts and traces of past experiences.
At birth, your mind is the collection of samskaras gathered from previous births (if one believes in reincarnation). These samskaras, whose fruits have already been enjoyed, are reset at birth. But as you grow, new samskaras are continuously added due to various acts performed by you from birth to death.

Yoga recognizes five factors, fundamental to every person's mind. They are called kleshas because they are the ancestors of every human misery. These are:

• avidya which is false knowledge or ignorance of one's true self in relation to objects.
• asmita or ego, since in yoga, body and soul are two different aspects.
• raga is the liking for pleasant experience.
• dvesha or aversion to pain.
• abhinivesha or fear of death.

Yoga understands human behavior from the perspective of these five qualities which are supposed to be present in a person from birth and are considered the impurities of the mind.
They make a person unstable and agitated. Therefore, yoga offers Dhyana and Pranayama to cleanse your mind...

To go further, discover the Yamas as a guide for the mind and a harmonious life. Heart coherence is also a valuable tool for learning to control your breath and emotions. And if you are looking to deeply soothe your mind, explore mantras to calm the mind like the Gayatri Mantra.