If there is one thing that human beings are not able to fully control, it is himself/herself. The person who can control the satellites going along their orbits, often finds it hard to control himself. It is paradoxical that human beings are able to control almost everything on earth, but not themselves; and that is why human beings are capable of doing the most unexpected and most ridiculous kind of things. Besides human persons are the most unpredictable of all creatures. We often pride ourselves on the uniqueness of our creation, but looking at the entire scenario, we cannot call ourselves unique, but only abnormal and even psychotic.
Self-control is an art, everyone would agree, and not everyone is capable of mastering this serious and genuine art. Unfortunately very few schools teach this art form, and most often we are let alone to learn this art from life, out of trial and error. The ancient Indian schools, called Gurukula (literally clan of the master), had taught all arts, including this noble art, and that is the reason why most of the princes and kings who had gone through this system were able to rule with level-headedness. They were able to contain their entire self in the palm of their hands, and any amount of provocation and incitement could not make them lose their control.
Self-control is put to serious test under two vital circumstances, on the face of a deep-seated desire and at provocation on something related to one’s personality, character, morality and demeanor. When a person desires to have something dearly, unless there is a strong self-control, one is bound to lose the battle; give in to the desire, which may or may not bring dire consequences. I would like to think of a biblical example, so that I do not need to strip part of myself in illustrating this point. David had this desire to have Bathsheba, and when he is not able to control this desire for flesh, he plots to get rid of her husband Uriah. We know what happened to him then. But such a thing can also happen with things and positions, ambitions, craze for name and fame.
Most often we associate loss of self-control, when it comes to losing of temper; but it can be applied to any strong negative emotion or feeling. A uncontrollable jealousy may impel a person to kill his/her rival; a person who is not able to control one’s gluttony may die of over-eating, and so on. Thus self-control is a noble virtue, to bring to harmony between strong desires and emotions. But it is not that easy to arrive at self-control. Several rishis and munis had spent several years of tapasya, penance in order to learn the art of self-control, and still they would claim they are not able to subdue their body and mind to their spirit.
Is it possible to bring one’s body and mind under the control of one’s spirit? Will we be ever able to do what we desire from the core of our being? It is possible, and it should not take too much of one's years to master this art. But the stepping stone is to realize that one truly wishes and desires to bring the body and mind to a balanced state, where s/he would do only what is good for herself/himself and to the rest of humanity. Maybe one can start reciting this beautiful prayer for all universe : Sabka mangal (2)/Sabka mangal hoi re / Jan Jan mangal (2) / Jan Jan sukiya hoi re / Is darathi ke har ek prani / sabka mangal hoi re (2) / Tapo bhuvan ke sabi tapas / Sabka mangal hoi re (2) : The translation is : May all have well-being / May every human person / Have well-being and happiness / May every living creature / Of this earth have well-being / May all the rishis and munis / Have well-being.
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