Chaitanya Charan Das Based on Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18.

Make the mind wonder spiritually, not wander materially by Chaitanya Charan Das Based on Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18.

The mind tends to wander to various worldly objects, going here, there and everywhere – except where it should be for constructive engagement. By its wandering, the mind often traps us in fantasies of material gains or anxieties about material losses. The wandering mind makes our thought process unproductive, akin to a fan that keeps moving round and round, but gets nowhere.

The mind wanders because it thirsts for pleasure, and its thirst reflects our innate-pleasure seeking nature as souls. That’s why it can’t be repressed; it needs to be redirected to an arena of higher happiness. The best such arena is Krishna, who is infinite and infinitely glorious. The mind can wander within him eternally – and relish constant wonder during that wandering.

 That charioteer contains within himself not just the chariot on which he sits, but also the earth on which that chariot rests, and even the whole universe within which that earth is just a speck.

The Bhagavad-gita concludes with Sanjaya declaring (18.77) that he is wonderstruck as he recollects the astonishing form of Krishna. Inconceivable is the glory of the Absolute Truth Krishna manifesting in a personal form. Though he is present within the universe, the universe is present within him. He appears to be like just any other mortal, being situated on a chariot in a none-too-conspicuous role as a charioteer. Yet that charioteer contains within himself not just the chariot on which he sits, but also the earth on which that chariot rests, and even the whole universe within which that earth is just a speck. How mind-boggling is Krishna’s greatness! And although Krishna is the source of innumerable living beings, he as the Supersoul accompanies each one of us. With inexhaustible compassion, he guides us towards everlasting fulfillment. How heart-warming is Krishna’s love!

When we start relishing Krishna’s glories thus, our mind will gradually replace its useless material wandering with rewarding spiritual wondering – seeking to remember him, planning to serve him, aspiring to love him and looking forward to live with him.