Mind control

It is self evident that we are in control of our hands and feet. Our hands and feet are not in control of us. It is very clear that there is a “me” who decides about our hands and feet. Sometimes, as in playing the piano, the result is very nice. But when it comes to mind it is more uncertain. Who is in charge? Who decides about what? Is there a “me” deciding what mind should do, or is mind the “me”? The self-activity of the brain is bigger than the self-activity of our hands and feet. If we leave the brain alone a few moments it will start producing thoughts and feelings on its own initiative. Children experience a self-activity in hands and feet. Taking control over mind is called taming the mind in the Eastern traditions. It is considered most important. A tamed mind is like a tamed elephant. It is totally obedient and very powerful. The process of taming the mind is a struggle between awareness and awareness. The awareness of the “me” trying to get control is challenging the spontaneous awareness of the brain. The hypothesis is that my control over the brain is better than the spontaneous activities of the brain. And indeed, so it is, but in surprising ways. Taming the mind takes a lot of practice, but the individual must know what it is about. So there is a manual. In the manual it says that the brain has five defects, and that there are eight processes for getting control. The five defects are laziness, forgetfulness, dullness, sensual incitement and vigilance problems. These problems can be lack of vigilance or unnecessary vigilance. When reading this list we might feel certain that we do not suffer from any of these defects personally. Others do it obviously, but not we. However, a better test is the standard meditation test of counting 21 consecutive breaths. It usually reveals laziness, forgetfulness, dullness, sensual incitement and all kinds of vigilance problems. The remedy is to seek tranquility. Tranquility is the dramatic turning point in the struggle between “me” and my brain. In the beginning, brain is in charge. When I try to take control, the brain will use any bad trick to stop me. It will use my laziness (“Why do these stupid exercises?”), it will make me forget what I want, it will use my dullness and indulge in sensual fantasies. The lack of vigilance will give me the false feeling of doing right while doing wrong. The brain is a very sneaky enemy. The brain can be forced to obedience from a platform of tranquility. Tranquility is reached by focusing on a decided object. Dullness and sensual incitement should be detected. The defects should be abandoned by using remedies. In the beginning of a process for taming the mind, the “me” will have very weak awareness to its support. The brain will take over, time after time. But eventually will the “me” become stronger and stronger. The brain will eventually be defeated by itself.