“The happiest person is the person who thinks the most interesting things” – Timothy Dwight, 19th Century educator Our mind is like a donkey. Just as a donkey resists when you push it similarly our mind too will resist. Also when you pull the donkey, it will resist. The more you push, the more it will resist. If you still push, it will kick you! So how do you maneuver a donkey?
The only way is to move it is by holding in front it and then the donkey will come with you. The same applies for our mind too. We cannot manipulate the mind. We have to convince the mind. You cannot force our mind into doing anything. We need to use the tool of encouragement.
When you sit and start meditating, you will not be able to control the mind. Numerous thoughts will cross your mind and only as time goes by would you be able to control it. This is because if you focus your mind on something for the first time, you cannot hold the focus for long. For example, if you practice jogging or running for the first time; you will not be able to sustain for long. As a result you could slip back into your old habit too.
This is when you need to use the emotional component of interest on the subject in order to convince your mind into doing it. You need to induce the emotional value for the activity. In the absence of the same, you will not be able to change your old behavior.
Interest on a subject will strengthen your mental muscles. You will observe that you would pay more attention to a subject which interests you. If you cultivate an interest in your task or job, then your attitude towards it will be positive and you will be more inclined to do it.
In order to cultivate an interest on a thing, you need to ask the following questions:
- What will it do for me?
- Why is it important for me?
- What will I get if I do it?
- What will I lose if I don’t do it?
Once you create an interest on a thing, you will be happy to do it. To try this thing, choose an activity you have been postponing for a long time and ask these above questions and sincerely answer and meditate on the various advantages that will accrue to you. List to them and ponder.
Once you mentally visualize yourself getting all the benefits, by maneuvering your mind you will experience the difference in your mind.
