How To Control your Mind: A Vedic Perspective

At times, your mind becomes your worst enemy. It plays tricks on you and makes you assume the worst out of every situation. You feel bad about yourself and don’t know what to do next. It’s not always possible to control what happens to you, but you can always control your reaction to situations. 

Plus, unlimited access to information on social media can leave you feeling overstimulated and restless. Knowing how to control your mind is focusing your energy on goals that actually matter. Let’s explore five ancient practices from the scriptures, which will help you control your mind. 

What is Mind? 

Western psychology considers the mind to be a single object, whereas Vedas consider the mind to have 5 parts:

Manas

Collects information from the five senses- hearing, touch, sight, taste, and smell. It’s ever-changing and unpredictable. 

Ahamkara

It is what creates a sense of individuality, the sense of “I”. It is what connects all experiences to your personal identity.

Buddhi 

Buddhi is the logical decision maker. It evaluates all options and information brought in by manas and ahamkara. Helping you make decisions on a daily basis. 

Citta

Citta is your sub-conscious brain which stores past experiences and memories. It shapes your habits and emotional reactions based on what you have experienced in the past.

Atman

Atman is the pure consciousness, the observer. It observes all thoughts, emotions, and feelings, without getting involved in it. It’s who you truly are beyond your daily worries, emotions, and personal identity. 

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Rituals for Controlling the Mind

Did you know that the trending practices today, like box breathing, silent retreats and stretching are not new? They all find a mention in the Vedas. These rituals are simple yet powerful. 

The rituals are designed to help you live a holistic life by bringing your thoughts, emotions, and intentions into perfect balance. Here’s how you can make these practices a part of your daily life:

Meditation (Dhyana)

It’s not possible to just empty your mind of all thoughts. So, the vedas ask you just sit in silence and observe your thoughts without judgement. You don’t have to change them, interact with them or resist them. Just acknowledge their presence and let them be. The goal is to become an observer of your thoughts and allow them space to breathe. 

Breath Control (Pranayama)

Breathing is something we do automatically, but when observed and controlled with intention, it transforms your physical and mental state. Have you ever observed how your breath changes with your emotions? 

When stressed or anxious, your breath becomes rapid and shallow. While, deep and slow breath signals your body to relax. 

Breathing practices like alternate nostril breathing balances your nervous system. So, you feel more relaxed and reduces stress. 

Good Company (Satsang)

Even when you are not aware, the information you consume and people you spend your time with play an important role in your life. What you read, watch, or listen to is constantly shaping your mind.

Having a close group of friends who believe in you and motivate you can uplift you. They make the stresses of life so much more bearable. 

Be selective of the creators you follow and the content you consume on social media. Filling your mind with inspiring stories, and uplifting content gives a positive direction to your thoughts, and helps you use your energy in constructive ways. 

Reflection (Swadhyaya)

By reflecting on your actions, emotions, and behaviours you can understand them. You get to know your triggers and patterns you have been operating from. It’s like sorting files from an old drawer. So, what seemed to be overwhelming and confusing at first, now seems to be more manageable. 

Here’s a great trick: when you start spiralling into fear or worry, write your thoughts down. Putting them on paper creates distance. You learn to break free from the loops of fear and worry. 

Movement (Yoga)

Moving your body is not just good for your physical health but also for your mental health. Yoga is one such practice which builds and improves your mind body connection.

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It’s about letting your prana (life force energy) to flow freely. To experience this, try going on a walk without your phone. Without the constant notifications your attention will automatically get focused on your steps, the air moving past your skin and the sounds around you. You’ll feel the energy shifting away from overthinking in your head to grounding in your body.

Eventually you’ll need to realise that you are not your thoughts. You are the one in charge, and you can watch them and manage them as you wish. Surely, it will take time and you’ll have to be consistent in your efforts. But, learning how to control your mind, you stop wasting energy on endless loops of stress and worry.

FAQs

Q1. Why is controlling the mind so difficult?

Our mind is constantly picking up information from the environment, trying to process it, and responding to it. With so much information to process our minds can easily get overwhelmed.

Q2. Can meditation really help me control my mind?

Meditation brings awareness to your thoughts and mental clarity. So, you are able to observe your thoughts without judgement. You can also try guided meditation on the Vedic Meet app to help your healing journey. 

Q3. How to control your mind to stop overthinking?

Overthinking happens when your mind keeps replaying same thoughts. The fastest way is to get out of whatever environment you are in and shift to a new place. This breaks the cycle, allowing your mind to focus on something else.

Q4. How to control your mind to improve focus and productivity?

For focusing your attention, start by removing distractions. And set small goals to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

Q5. Can sleep and diet also influence my mind?

A good quality sleep allows your brain to rest and leads to better decisions. And following a healthy diet ensures that you get all nutrients required for healthy functioning brain.