You are the lord of your mind

Today let me tell you a secret of nature — no animal, unless associated with human beings, falls ill. So why this uncalled-for honour for humans alone?

Before I explain, let me define health. Health isn’t just the absence of pain. Health is the ability of the physical body to perform a desired action with energy at any given point of time. And conversely, a health problem is the inability to perform the required action with energy or without pain, discomfort, and disability.

In animals, physical health alone defines health. However, for human beings, health is a combination of the physical and non-physical. The physical is the physical body and the non-physical is the psychic or the mind factor. Animals do not have the non-physical factor; and neither do they have thoughts about the past or fear of the future. Therefore, their health is dependent solely on their physical state.

In the case of humans however, the mind plays a crucial role in the health of an individual. A disturbance in the physical body may or may not affect the mind, however, any disturbance in the mind, will undoubtedly affect the body. Even with a strong body, the ability to perform an action is decided by one’s state of mind.

Or, stated differently, strength in the physical body can be utilised only when the mind is free from disturbance. Any mental disturbance instantly affects the immune system, giving diseases and disorders access to the body.

Unless the mind is at peace, the physical system is designed in such a way that immunity cannot function to its fullest.

It is high time one realised that health is not about healthy food and right exercise alone.

The highest priority should be given to one’s state of mind. To experience good health, a human should first keep the mind at peace. In other words, free oneself of worries of the past and fear and doubts about the future, which are the cause for all the stress and anger. Remember, your health is not in your hands, it is in your mind!

Unless one is clear about his fears— what makes one angry— or suffers from self-doubts, one can never experience peace of mind. To achieve freedom from fear, doubt and anger, take time every day to consciously study three things about yourself : What fears did I have today?

What doubts do I have about myself ? What makes me angry?

As you focus on food and exercise, along with introspection of the self, give highest emphasis to meditation. It is the only mental exercise that liberates one from worries of the past and fears about the future. This is the only way to experience a lifetime of holistic health.

Wishing you a life of peace, good health and happiness.

Aham Brahmasmi!!

—Shri Aasaanji is a non-religious, contemporary Spiritual Master and the founder of the Atmayoga Foundation (Institute for Inner-Science and Self-Transformation) www.atmayoga.in