Aatma - Vinigrahah - Self Control

What is Self-Control?

• Ability to enjoy what we want at our will, and to withdraw when we need
• Being a master of one's own moods of the mind
• Doing actions guided by conscious choice and not impulsive reactions

Will Self-control not make life boring?

• If you are in front of your TV set to watch your favorite program, and it keeps on flipping channels on its own, switching on and off by itself and even increasing and decreasing the volume automatically, is that not irritating and boring??
• Just like watching TV is fun only when the remote is in your hands and you can control it, in the same way, life is fun when we can control it! THINK!

What Self-control does not mean?

• Self-control doesn't mean not enjoying life at all
• Self-control doesn't mean we starve our mind of all joys
• Self-control doesn't mean we live an unnatural life
• Self-control means we train our mind to listen to us!

Why do I need Self-Control? 

• We can't control anybody other than ourselves. People will be the way they are. Things will be the way they are. But, we can only change the way we are. And when we change, the world around us changes.
• So, the only person I can really control is me. Hence it is important I do it.
• When we have no control, we are never focused. For instance, if you can't control yourself from constantly texting your friends, you can't concentrate on your studies ever!
• When we have no control, impulsiveness takes over. The mind is like a untrained puppy. If you don't chain it and train it properly , it will just run here and there, and might even eat things which will harm itself!
• When we have no self-control, we tend to make mistakes. An uncontrolled mind takes wrong decisions and commits mistakes. For instance, if you get angry with a friend and if you have no self-control, you may even say or do something so wrong, that you will end up regretting all your life.

How is Self-control gained?

1. Discipline: A disciplined life is important to get self-control. Have fixed hours for play, study, talking on phone, watching TV etc. Once in a while, it is okay to be a little flexible. But follow a routine and stick to the discipline. All successful people do that.
2. Practice: Constant practice of self-control is needed. Whatever values inspire you, practice them under all circumstances. with years of practice, self-control becomes spontaneous and natural.