You may control a mad elephant; You may shut the mouth of the bear and the tiger; Ride the lion and play with the cobra; By alchemy you may learn your livelihood; You may wander through the universe incognito; Make vassals of the gods; be ever youthful; You may walk in water and live in fire; But control of the mind is better and more difficult.
Interpretation
The greatest challenge is mastering one’s own mind, despite the ability to control external forces.
This quote by Paramahansa Yogananda emphasizes that while one may achieve numerous feats and exert control over powerful entities in the world, the true mastery lies in controlling one's own mind. It illustrates the complexity and difficulty of self-discipline and mental awareness, which surpasses any external accomplishments.
In practice
In a motivational speech to inspire self-control and mental strength.
Man is important in one sense only. He was made in the image of God: That is his importance. He is not important for his body, ego, or personality. His constant affirmation of ego-consciousness is the source of all his problems.
When, by meditation, we withdraw restless thoughts from the lake of the mind, we behold our soul, a perfect reflection of Spirit.
It is wisest to be impartial. If you have health, but are attached to it, you will always be afraid of losing it. And if you fear that loss, but become ill, you will suffer. Why not remain forever joyful in the Self?
From joy people are born; for joy they live; in joy they melt at death. Death is an ecstasy, for it removes the burden of the body and frees the soul of all pain springing from body identification. It is the cessation of pain and sorrow.
It is better to meditate a little bit with depth than to mediate long with the mind running here and there. If you do not make an effort to control the mind it will go on doing as it pleases, no matter how long you sit to meditate.
Millions of people never analyze themselves. Mentally they are mechanical products of the factory of their environment, preoccupied with breakfast, lunch, and dinner, working and sleeping, and going here and there to be entertained. They don't know what or why they are seeking, nor why they never realize complete happiness and lasting satisfaction. By evading self-analysis, people go on being robots, conditioned by their environment. True self-analysis is the greatest art of progress.
It is safer to offend certain men than it is to oblige them; for as proof that they owe nothing they seek recourse in hatred.
I have found that I always learn more from my mistakes than from my successes. If you aren't making some mistakes, you aren't taking enough chances.
I have known it for a long time but I have only just experienced it. Now I know it not only with my intellect, but with my eyes, with my heart, with my stomach.
Great thoughts speak only to the thoughtful mind, but great actions speak to all mankind.
I will begin to speak, when I have that to say which had not better be unsaid.
The sage acts without taking credit. He accomplishes without dwelling on it. He does not want to display his worth.
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