The mind is both the source of joy and sorrow. Since the seeker associates himself or herself to be an entity with a mind, the entity goes up and down with the mind. Hence, the feeling of being happy or sad. This problem of ups and downs is the reason most seek out an answer. Everyone wants to be only happy and who would not? There are two ways to go about figuring out how to get out of this mess. The best way is to disregard the mind and investigate the entity ("me"). The other way is to investigate the mind itself and realize its nature, its functioning and source.
A lot of spiritual practices will encourage one to control the mind. Mind is nothing but a bundle of thoughts. It is not an objective entity. One who has tried to control the mind will be able to testify how difficult this can be. Instead, would it not be a lot easier if the seeking entity (called "me") SEES the falseness of itself and disengages from the activities of the mind? If one can come around to doing Self-Inquiry (vichara), there is no better solution than that. However, this article is for those of us for whom Self-Inquiry is not feasible or easily understood. Perhaps for some, purifying the mind may be the first step towards greater and eventual goals like knowing one's own True Nature.
It is peace of mind which the seeker wants and is that not what most of us want? How can one get peace of mind? Common experience tells you that the more you try to control it the more it rebels. Meditation is certainly a temporary solution. If peace of mind, even temporary, is what you want, then meditation is not a bad answer. But what kind of meditation?
When one keeps oneself engaged in thoughts, the thoughts multiply. One gets lost in more and more thoughts. The thoughts lead one away from one's own self. However, if the mind can be turned around and gently focused on the source from where the thoughts arise, then the thoughts gradually lose their energy and subside into their source. Do not try to stop the thoughts. Just watch where they come from and be the silent witness of the thoughts. Do not get carried away into the thoughts. Always bring your attention back to the source of the thoughts. Anchoring the mind to its source brings about peace almost immediately. One falls into the state of thoughtlessness, which is your Natural State. Repeated practice of this simple meditation of bringing one's attention to the source of the thoughts will take one deeper into further insights of one's own True Nature.
