If we do not live life on purpose, we live life by accident. People’s minds today are racing, so all they do is at breakneck speed. Accidents often happen because of haste and impatience. It is neither necessary nor desirable to rush. When our mind is at peace whilst we are driving, or in fact doing anything, we arrive at our destination or complete our tasks on time.
In the same way that a speeding car poses a safety threat, uncontrolled scattered thoughts can bring undesirable outcomes. We need to use the internal brake of mental control. Mental control helps us to slow down and steer our thoughts in the right direction before moving ahead on the journey of life. To practice controlling the speed of thoughts, pause several times during the day. Slow down. Observe the thought patterns. There is no knowing how long our physical life will last. But, by remembering that although the body is made of matter and is perishable, I the soul am imperishable, I never die; by becoming aware of this deepest inner space of the self, separate from the body, we can find this point of stillness which is always perfect and pure, and where an enriching experience of silence can be deeply experienced.
To experience this silence, there is no need to withdraw from daily life. To experience and maintain a calm, collected internal state, I simply need to allocate time each day to spaces of stillness and meditation. One pure and positive thought may look like a tiny spark, but if nurtured every day, it can change my whole life. When my eyes open in the morning, I sit for a moment and hold on to a peaceful thought and appreciate the gift of a new day. I need to think less, think slowly, but think powerful and enriching thoughts. I pay attention to each task and avoid multitasking. I eat with gratitude and appreciation. I notice my breathing and focus for a moment or two on the in breath and the out breath.
Nurturing the inner being in this way allows me to take care of my home, work and family affairs, and yet continue giving without depleting myself! I see each day as an opportunity to make each thought one of good wishes and each action one of benefit to the self and others.
Chirya Yvonne Risely is a Rajyoga meditation teacher, based at the Brahma Kumaris Peace Village Retreat Center, USA.