So what’s on your mind?

"One’s own thought is one’s world.

What a person thinks is what he becomes –

That is the eternal mystery.

If the mind dwells within the supreme Self,

One enjoys undying happiness." – Maitri Upanishad

About 10 years ago, I entered the gates of an ashram called Gurudev Siddha Peeth in Ganeshpuri, India. I was compelled by an inner longing to find a greater understanding of life and ended up taking a plane by myself, to Bombay, without knowing what I would find there. The ashram and the teachings of Siddha Yoga opened up new dimensions I had not known existed. Up to that point, I had thought that my life’s pursuits were outside of myself. Little did I know that the greatest possible adventure we can embark on is an inner journey away from our limited concepts of ourselves, our confusion, anxiety and bad habits, towards inner steadiness and joy.

Easier said than done. Which is why I find What’s on My Mind? by Swami Anantananda, a disciple of the Siddha master Swami Chidvilasananda, really important reading for everyone. Swami Anantananda teaches the yogic practice of dropping thoughts and developing "witness consciousness" especially when dealing with our "inner enemies" of desire, anger, fear, greed, envy and jealousy, pride, worry and infatuation to give us the chance to experience the detachment, equanimity and joy of our true Self.

This ancient wisdom is especially pertinent for us, as a nation. We have embraced the bad habit "of self-doubt, skepticism, envy and ill will of others" because we have forgotten our purpose for being. As a result, we have become exhausted, stressed, and cynical. We have become lost in the ever-powerful play of a negative national psyche, indulging in complex thoughts and emotions that pull us up and down to nowhere. We need to stop holding on to this bad habit, to quiet our noisy minds, and start loving ourselves. As the great teacher Swami Muktananda said, "Begin to value your own Self. Know it. Remain aware of it. Then you will be your own best friend, and you will be able to cross the ocean of worldliness."

This reminds me of a story I once heard about a famous silversmith who was known for the beautiful silver cups he made.

One day, a lady decided to visit the silversmith to learn about the work involved in the process of refining silver. The work was long and required the tedious process of burning the silver in a hot furnace to take away its impurities.

Before she left, the lady asked one final question, "How do you know when the process is complete?"

"That’s quite simple," replied the silversmith. "The refining process is complete when I no longer see the silver but see my own image in its reflection." In the same way, when we allow ourselves to quiet our minds, and free ourselves from seeing only the form of our limited self, we will begin to become "conscious of the sunlight that illumines" us. We are "works of art in progress." Let us allow ourselves to shine.

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Thanks for your letters sent to dorisho@attglobal.net. Swami Anantananda’s book What’s on My Mind? can be purchased at the Siddha Yoga Center, Narra Building, Pasong Tamo Extension. Evening meditation programs at 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. every Wednesday night.