How can I control my mind? How can I understand myself?

Generally, when our mind is overloaded with thoughts, we try to find a way to escape it by using diversions or different activities. However, these are all temporary solutions. Once these activities have ended, countless thoughts continue to buzz around like a fly once again. So rather than controlling, try to analyse the thoughts that arise in your mind. Some thoughts are beneficial while others are not. Filter out the thoughts that are not useful. And then, progress ahead in life by following the thoughts that are useful, and on the other hand, do not pay heed to, in other words, let go of the thoughts that are utterly useless and destructive. When the thought is harmful, you can converse with the mind if need be; you may say, ‘I hear what you are saying, but I am not in agreement with it. By practising this habit of conversing, you will experience some detachment from your thoughts. Otherwise, you will drown in the ocean of thoughts that are not beneficial to you and the mind will control you. Controlling the mind is easily possible after Self-RealisationrnTherefore, according to the spiritual science of Akram Vignan, the key to controlling our mind and understanding our real self, the answer to both, lies in being Self-realised. After Self-realisation only, does the process of dealing with the mind and understanding ourselves rightly begin in its true meaning. So come let’s understand how this happens…rnWhat is mind? rnThe mind is like a projector and the thoughts that arise in the mind are like a film which plays thereon, continuously. Param Pujya Dadashri, the enlightened being, has explained the workings of the mind quite simply and minutely. rnHe says, the nature of the mind is to think. When one is immersed in thinking, one should realise that the mind is in action. The mind has no other function than to think. Remorse is not its function either. To repent is not its function; its function is only to think. These thoughts which we see arising right now in our current life are actually a result of the opinions that we had formed in the past life. For example ‘I like this thing, I hate that situation, I like this person, I hate that insect, etc.’ And when the thought arises in this life, we get absorbed in those thoughts. We react with attachment towards those which we like, and on the other hand, react with hatred towards those we do not agree with. And in the process, we further strengthen the opinions of the past in this life too. rnSo whilst the old mind which was generated in the past life is getting discharged, a new one is being created (charged) simultaneously because of our reactions that happen in the lack of awareness. This happens because primarily one believes that these are my thoughts, and accordingly, one has opinions towards the thoughts. But if you can gain the knowledge of the Self and understand ‘who am I? who really is the doer in this world?’ - then you automatically begin to have a good control over your mind, because then, you (as a Soul) are separate from your mind; you are not one with it. Also, in the awareness of the Soul (the Self), you are able to get rid of your opinions, one by one. Due to your past opinions, whatever reaction it has will arise, but with your awareness, you stop forming new opinions. Consequently, you experience an awesome sense of freedom and detachment from the clutch of your worldly self and its age-old opinions and habits. This is how slowly and gradually your mind comes under your control as you understand your worldly self and its set of carried forward baggage better and clearly, merely by remaining separate from all of it, in the awareness of the real Self (the Soul) that you really are. rnThus, the ultimate answer lies in attaining Self-realisation, as thereafter you become detached from the mind and body complex. You gain a better understanding of your real Self as you dwell in the form of the Self rather than in the false belief of, ‘this is my mind.’ You understand the realm of the pure Soul, your real self, more and more. And as you start to remain in the realm of the Self and see each thought separately, you will experience freedom from that thought and that thought will be dissolved forever. To know more: https://www.dadabhagwan.org/path-to-happiness/spiritual-science/know-the-human-mind/