In yesterday’s Satsangh, Lakshminarayanji gave an inspirational discourse on the 13th Chapter of the Gita where we continued discussing the 18 qualities that constitute “Jnanam” or “Knowledge” (verses 8-12).
While describing the need to contemplate in solitude, Lakshmiji compared our mind to a wardrobe. Many times, some of us only need to take a look at our wardrobe to see how blessed we are!! 
. Especially in modern times, our wardrobes are overflowing with clothes, since we seem to be able to pick up new clothes as and when we want. Lakshmiji quoted Mrs Sudha Murthy’s principle – every time her children want to buy a new item of clothing, she asks them to take an old one out and give it away to someone. It would be good for us to emulate this example since we not only contribute to the society, we also manage to keep our wardrobes clean and ordered!
Our mind too can be compared to a wardrobe and it is over-full with many thoughts – memories of various events in our past as well as worries about the future. Just as we need to clean our wardrobes once in a while, contemplating in solitude, is the process by which we get to clean the wardrobe of our minds. As long as we are in the proximity of people, we do not have time or interest in turning inwards. It is hence necessary in our evolution along the way to self-realization to take some time and reflect alone. When we do this, the wardrobe of our mind can be cleared of unnecessary extra baggage and we have room for what is really important in this life.
An extremely powerful concept illustrated with a vivid example and one that has got me thinking! Feel free to share your thoughts too..
Pranams
Lakhmi Narayanji’s obsevations brings to light
1. Don’t add luggage ; less of it makes the journey of life enjoyable. On the lighter side it is easy when you shift your house you pay less to the packers , possibly buy one less wardrobe for old clothes !!!
2.Old memories is born again with you so throw it off …as Sri Sri once answered old memories are like rotten food inside black garbage bag…. would anyone want to open and see this ? tie it at the neck and throw it off
Thanks
Root cause Analysis / Self Introspection
1) Release me from the never-ending chain of desires
So I may live in peace with Absolute contentment
2) Free my mind from the darkness of lust
And fill my soul with the light of divine Love
3) Let me not live to eat & indulge in the unreal outer shelf
Eat but to live & realize my Real Inner Self
4) Let me not use words as missiles that injure
Use them but gentle sparingly for comfort & cure
5) Let me not forget my brittle dwelling of glass
So throw not I stones wherever I glance
6) Enlighten my mind with the knowledge of thee
And releasing the weight that scholarship brings
7) Detach my SELF from the bondage of my ego
So differentiated am I no more
And merge my soul with that of one & all
9) Inspire in me the sense of surrender at thy Lotus Feet
So sorrow not I see, but your dance to stay on my feet
10) Let me not do any work for rewards & fame
But let every act be dedicated to thy Name
11) Help me eliminate the chatter in my mind
So I stay connected with thy Name on my mind
12) Help me to enrich & protect my subjective mind
To filter & deflect the objective mind
13) Help me to rid the fear so I am ever fearless
So I am true to Your Will & nature as a free Will
14) When you finally Grace me to thy shore
Let me please come with my friends Galore
By Natesan
Dear Nate Natesan,
I liked your Divine Poem.
Especially the concluding line
“When you finally Grace me to thy shore”
It reminds us of the Bhagavadgita Chapter 18 Verse 62 :
which says:
“Take refuge in Him alone with all your being, Arjuna. By His mere Grace you will attain supreme peace and the eternal abode.”
Dear Dumane,
Thanks for your feed back. Thanks for the Gita reference (18.62)
I am not a writer/poet,not a scholar by any means.
all this came to me one fine morning – always believed in keeping desires in good check,not by suppression but by “growing up”. Many others are difficult to follow.
The example which lakshminarayan ji gave is too good.
Mind is like a Rose garden, keep the garden neat and clean, without weeds and pests and plant fresh rose plants all the time. We have to clear the mind from unnecessary thoughts, negative thinking……and everytime sow a positive productive thought. The Rose garden would be amazing!! This is a visualisation technique which we can practise.
Luvingly
supraja sampath
Great example Supraja – Positive and “eco” friendly as well;)