Try Controlling Indriyas (Senses) in proper way:

- Ramachandra Murthy ABS - 9/30/2011

We have the below 5 Indriyas which are attached deeply to the mind and any addiction connected to them may become Vasana (s): Indriyas Eyes Nose Touch Tongue Ears Eyes: Eyes are the most important Indriyas in our body, so as the saying: Sarvendriyanam Nayanam Pradhanam Most of the problems start when we start seeing. If the view stops at something, it is normal tendency to analyze and tend to possess the object (Object can be moving or immovable). It is very difficult to control the view because mind continuously sends signals to the eye to stare at something. Any small distraction in the current view will also be observed carefully. If the Object is pleasing, Mind instructs the Eyes to gaze at the same object, satisfies itself in its own way and if the Object is Unpleasant, Mind avoids the view but still thinks about the unpleasant thing inside (meaning, the view becomes inwards) which is dangerous and could creates negative effects. The best way to avoid the problem is to stop seeing. I advise beginners to close the eyes immediately when he/ she continuously gazing at something. After closing the eyes also, we shall not think of it; better to visualize a landscape or a sea or your favorite GOD. It is just that we are over-writing the image. Spontaneous correction is required to identify that eyes are on unnecessary objects and Strong determination is required to close the eyes. Nose: Nose simply takes the smell; we cannot direct it by saying you should smell only good ones and not bad ones because likes and dislikes are again a product of brain. And we cannot stop something external entering the nose. Nose does not have a lid to close and if it happens for a longer duration, the body cannot sustain. So the best way is to control the impulses that brain sends. We shall stop imagining the object (Good one or Bad one) and stop reacting to it immediately. Touch: The entire body has the Touch and feels programming. Whatever pleasing things around, we use hands to get it near (when we want), so hands also play a major role in satisfying Indriyas. To take anything near humans uses the hands unlike animals. If we could control other Indriyas we can easily control the Touch because Feeling an object is a second step after it is seen (or smelt etc.). and Hands & Legs are Karmendriyas which does secondary actions. Once Gnanendriyas are controlled, there is no place for Karmendriyas. We should expose the body to all possible circumstances and avoid confining it to particular temperature or surroundings. Aspects See Smell Feel Taste Hear / Listen

Tongue: Tongue is a tougher part wherein we need so much effort to get rid of its passion, tastes and attachments. As eating is a regular activity, we cannot survive without eating, even though we should overcome this Indriya, which is a bigger challenge! We need different varieties, we try different tastes and we have many favorite items. That is why it is a bit difficult to control the tongue. The better way to train the tongue is to change the food habit to Satvika-Aharam, through this we will get proper thinking and also we can understand that food is for survival and not that we are surviving for only food. And we should make sure not to discuss about the food before and after the meal. Everything is Iswara-Prasadam, do not see the taste, just have it. General time taken for eating is hardly 30 minutes, for this we prepare our day with choosing favorite items, cooking special dishes and discussing on recipe & the way of preparing etc. if we have this kind of understanding, we can easily win on this Indriyam. If you could not control your like on any item, reduce the quantity gradually and leave it at the end

Hearing: Hearing is the toughest Indriyam to Win. Although we tend to over look it as an easily achievable Indriyam, we will actually understand the effort that needs to be put in, after we achieve all the above Indriyas. For other Indriyas, we can control by not seeing, losing passion, not going near; whereas the Duty of Ears is to perceive the sound. Whatever happens, the sound will immediately be converted into different thoughts which actually disturb the current mind state. Although it becomes normal after some point of time, as how ripples in an ocean merges within the sea. The same way the ripples (Disturbances) start in an ocean (Mind) by a stone (thought). When we leave everything and are ready to meditate, a simple noise will spoil entire meditation, again it leads to anger and the ultimate purpose is defeated. This can only be achieved by pure concentration, deeper questioning the Question, feeling the bliss of the knowledge. Even in waking state, to avoid thoughts that arise by any situation, just chant the supremes name repeatedly and forget the thought of this world. We should not leave the ear and wander in some different thoughts; this may also weaken the brain.

Once we achieve these, there will not be any difference from us with others, only that our brain is trained to control feelings of all the kinds, we too lead a routine life as others, only that we will not be attached. The above all can be achieved with pure Bhakti, following Ahimsa, Satya-Vakku, Sat-sangatvam etc. Satsangathve Nissangatvam Nissangatve Nirmohatvam Nirmohatve Nischalatatvam Nischalatatve Jeevan Mukthi Mohana Mudgaralam (Shankara Bhagavad Padacharya)