A collection of thoughts of Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha Mahaswamigal – (The Jagadguru of Sri Sharada Peetham, Sringeri, from 1954-1989)
Tendencies develop, regardless of the characteristics of the action performed. Hence, he who wishes to lead a proper life will do well to avoid evil deeds and repeatedly perform virtuous deeds.
The light of a lamp falls on its surroundings. One may study Sastras in that light, while another may, paying no attention to it, spend time sleeping. Similarly, great souls are always showering their grace. Each one can derive benefit depending on one’s mentality.
The need for mind control is quite obvious. Only he who has control over his mind can be successful in worldly pursuits and be happy. Such being the case, what need be said about the need for mind control in the case of spiritual aspirants? To study, to work, and even to play well, the mind must be concentrated on the task in hand and this is possible only if one has control over the mind.
One should perform all one’s actions in a meticulous manner.
Even a minor task ought not to be performed carelessly. The time allocated to
it may be small and other tasks may receive priority over it but, when one is
engaged in it, one must treat it as important.
People say that thoughts keep coming to their minds. They
can hardly conceive of a situation where the mind is quiet. However, this surprises
Me. As I see it, the mind should be quiet and just rest on the Self, unless a
thought is needed for any task. When the necessity ends, the mind should revert
to the state of tranquility. Even when a task is at hand, active thinking is
generally not needed all the time. For instance, when reading a book, the mind
ought to become quiet when a page is being turned.