A strong mind is that which depends on its own strength and this happens with constant application, practice and cultivation of certain qualities. Maharshi Patanjali says that meditating on four qualities of the mind: Maitri (friendliness), Karuna (compassion), Mudita (Joy) and Upeksha (indifference) gives us different types of strength. What my mind focuses on, becomes a strong factor in my life. This was explained by rishis in the past and today the modern sciences of hypnotherapy are talking about these powers of the mind.
Earlier, it was mentioned in the Yoga Sutras that to those who give us joy, we must entertain the attitude of friendship. To those who give us sorrow, we must express compassion. To those who do good, our mental expression should be of joy and to those who disgrace the world by their evil actions, our attitude must be one of nonchalance.
The thought of friendship grows when I meditate on friendship. Compassion expands with meditation and so does joy when I focus on it. In situations that are beyond my control, a withdrawn attitude will stop attention and awareness going in that direction.
We strengthen situations with our attention and most often than not, subconsciously end up giving strength to all the wrong things in life and in the end we empower those situations and people with our consciousness.
The sutras such as Baleshu Hasti Baladini gives us practical tips to cultivate different qualities. The more I focus on the power of an elephant the mind acquires that power too. The more I focus on the energy and the gracefully sharp movements of a tiger, the mind acquires those qualities. Nothing is impossible and all the qualities that we really need can be cultivated through concentration, meditation and absorbing it into the mind.
The mind is subtle light of awareness. When the samyama is done on these qualities of the mind, no object that is near, far away or hidden underground or in the depths of the ocean can be unknown to such a person. Yoga is a method by which the faculties of the mind are expanded. This expansion gives greater knowledge and hence greater control. When the situation is in control, then there is more energy left for concentration and meditation on the self. Yoga empowers us to handle the mysteries of the world using the power of the mind.
By meditating upon the sun, not necessarily by seeing it directly, but even by chanting mantras addressed to the sun or activating the solar channel of energy within the body, one hits upon all the secrets of the earth. So in simple words, if we are into studying geography, geology, archaeology, farming, horticulture or any study dependent on the earth, meditation on the sun will help tap the spring of knowledge from within.
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