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Good Morning.

There’s a beautiful statement made in the Bhagavad Gita, one of the most well-known Hindu scriptures: one is one’s own best friend, and one is one’s own worst enemy. When our daily routine involves early starts on cold winter mornings, it certainly seems that the mind can either be our biggest cheerleader, pushing us out of bed, or a force of nature akin to gravity in pulling us further into a warm duvet!

The mind, often turbulent and restless, can nevertheless be a powerful ally to us. Advaita Vedanta, the philosophy of non-duality, teaches us that the mind is not our natural enemy, but an instrument at our disposal. Just as a skilled craftsman uses his tools with precision, we can learn to harness the mind's energy for constructive purposes.

The question is, how? The key lies in understanding its nature. The mind is likened to a monkey, constantly jumping from thought to thought, driven by desires and attachments. Through practices like meditation and self-inquiry, and tools like discernment and dispassion, we can train the mind to become still. A quiet mind becomes adept at understanding and responding to situations with efficiency.

More significantly, when the mind is quiet, we can discern our own true nature as distinct from the endless succession of ego-driven thoughts. This clarity brings peace, joy, and liberation from the cycle of suffering.

By cultivating self-awareness and disciplining our thoughts, our mind can be transformed into an instrument primed for success in the outer world, and the profound wisdom of our own real nature. May our mind become a true friend, leading us towards the ultimate freedom. Hari Om.