This morning an aunt of mine who lives in Auckland, New Zealand, sent me the above WhatsApp message which I thought conveys a very interesting way of how as humans we can look at and use our God-given minds .
Let me tell you now about another way we can all train ourselves to regard and make our minds function and serve us. I am no trained psychologist nor am I any new-age spiritual guru of the modern world … no, not by any stretch of imagination … But I can speak on this matter still with some confidence since I speak from personal experience here.
For several years now I’ve changed my own attitude towards the way I look at and treat my mind.
I look at my mind as a tourist might who is ever fascinated with the idea of travel and discovering vast new landscapes and vistas around the world . He spares no effort to journey across vast distances just to visit sites of interest to him and then all the rewards he expects from his peregrinations are that he is able to later revel in those personal experiences through memories and impressions, the only precious souvenirs he wants.
Likewise , I too look upon my mind as a vast unexplored, exciting and exotic landscape that is situated deep within myself and that tantalisingly beckons me to come and discover its many hidden sights, landscapes and experiences.
Instead of getting tempted into spending far too much time, money and effort going on pleasure cruises or “budget” backpack-trips to the many fabulous touristic spots of the world I know are touted to me by travel-agency salespersons, for many years now I decided on something even better: to travel, as often as I can at my own leisure and on my own terms, into my Mind and explore there its very many fabulous sites and scenery I had never before imagined existed nor expected to ever see.
In fact over the years, my Mind has become my most favourite and reliable travel-agent . It provides me frequently with lists of recommended sites to visit , persuades me to make the journey to travel and makes all the necessary mental preparations and arrangements while I am there to be able to soak up and savour the experience.
My Mind is what these days reveals to me are the best ever “tourist destinations” to go discover and enjoy! And you know what! After every such tour into my mind I return with a bagful of colourful little souvenirs and mementoes! They happen to be the books I have published in life, the daily blogposts I share on my own website, the views and opinions on life and world affairs that I air with friends and family and with anyone who is willing to listen to me … And above all , there are souvenirs that I collect and hold as treasures of good memories too which I know I shall carry to my grave..
Thanks to my Mind , my life has become an endless fun-filled tourist vacation and expedition! I’ve become an avid tourist unto myself … My journeys are endless and my pleasures are boundless.
Sudarshan Madabushi