Shri Samarth Ramdas Swami was one of the greatest Mahatmas to have walked the land of Maharashtra. He was the Guru of our beloved Shivaji Maharaj. His most famous and well-known composition on mind was Shri Manache Shlok.
Shri Manache Shlok is a practical handbook of directing your mind towards your highest good. Shri Samartha Ramdas Swami says make your mind your disciple so that you can live a peaceful life.
As a practicing psychologist this is the most vital ingredient for mental wellbeing according to me because through our mind we perceive the world and only through our mind we can turn any upsetting event into an uplifting lesson.
Ramdas Swamiji’s Manache Shlok sheds light on
1. How to understand your mind.
2. How to train your mind to think rationally and most importantly,
3. How to anchor your mind onto noble values like compassion, humility, devotion etc. to live a life of contentment. As they say, contented man is the wealthiest of all.
I would like to share 6 priceless lessons on mind management from Shri Manache Shlok. If you reflect on these lessons you will be able to befriend your mind and it will then become your dependable companion for lifetime.
Lesson 1 and 2
मना सज्जना भक्तिपंथेचि जावें।
तरी श्रीहरी पाविजेतो स्वभावें॥
जनीं निंद्य तें सर्व सोडूनि द्यावें।
जनीं वंद्य ते सर्व भावे करावे॥२॥
1. Don’t try to control your mind just understand its nature.
Mind is nothing but a flow of thoughts, our mind can never be without thoughts.
Rather than controlling thoughts, just observe and acknowledge different thoughts as temporary and projection of your own fears and doubts.
2. Focus on what is good for your mind.
Engage your mind in the company of inspiring thoughts, activities and people. This will enable you to develop a positive and resilient mindset.
Spend your time in nourishing activities such as reading, gratitude journaling, being in nature, self-reflection, sharing motivating insights with each other etc.
Lesson 3 and 4
मना वासना दुष्ट कामा न ये रे।मना सर्वथा पापबुद्धी नको रे॥मना धर्मता नीति सोडूं नको हो।मना अंतरीं सार वीचार राहो॥४॥
3. Do everything in moderation.
Having desires is not the problem but entertain them in a balanced way.
If you want to enjoy your weekend by watching a movie and travelling, it’s absolutely fine but know where to stop.
Don’t let your desires control you, everything in excess creates friction and restlessness.
4. Encourage selfless actions
Selfless actions promote deep oneness, fellowship and humility.
Spend dedicated amount of time every month in community service, do something for others without expecting anything in return.
Lesson 5
मना श्रेष्ठ धारिष्ट जीवीं धरावे।मना बोलणे नीच सोशीत जावें॥स्वयें सर्वदा नम्र वाचे वदावे।मना सर्व लोकांसि रे नीववावें॥७
5. Learn the art of tolerance
Tolerate short term difficulties on your pathway to success. If you only choose pleasure, you will get habituated to it and you won’t be able to enjoy long term success.
Let’s say you have to clear a job interview, you will have to sacrifice some short-term pleasures like hanging out with friends, going on a trip etc. only then, you will be able to prepare and clear the interview.
Lesson 6
प्रभाते मनी राम चिंतीत जावा।
पुढे वैखरी राम आधी वदावा॥
सदाचार हा थोर सांडूं नये तो।
जनीं तोचि तो मानवी धन्य होतो॥३॥
6. Dedicate all actions to a higher vision
When we offer all actions to a higher purpose we are able to do our best and we don’t get overly preoccupied with the results.
Your higher ideal could be faith in god, community welfare, spirituality, compassion etc. hold onto it and serve it with dedication.
Posted 1 year ago