we know how to protect our body (from the cold, heart attacks) but how do we protect our mind/identity?

Question

from being attacked? Modern Age Problem, I know, suppose alot of people will agree, because I see it happening all around me almost every week/ does anyone have a solution? (We can protect ourselves from the cold, by putting on warm clothes, hats, scarves, warm drinks, cars, heating, shelter)

Thank you Douglas B, that was very helpful and insightful. But by ignoring your problem, rather than embracing it, does this not repress the problem, and leave it lingering beneath, ready to arise again/projected on something else, make the problem grow rather than diminish it? (I think Sigmund Freud mentions something like this?)

very knowledgeable, noble and intriguing answer, Whitebucket

Thank you, Whitebucket

Answer 1

We’ve studied this very aspect of life under a great teacher Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi. This Lady lived in Gandhi’s ashram as a child and has taken his spiritual non violent quest to new heights on a global level.

Some of your answers already touch on many common sense approaches to this problem. The eyes are the window to your soul so what you perceive through them should be auspicious and your mind controlled with your attention should filter out thoughts that are negative in any way. What we listen to is also important as well as how we express ourselves. Avoiding harsh language and getting used to paying compliments in a genuine way and generally using sweet language has a tremendous impact on the environment we create. (So often our cultures use a lip service and pay only superficial compliments ~ this should be avoided).

To “Know Thy Self” is often misunderstood and usually taken to mean some kind of expression of ones ego. Do not indulge in Freudian nonsense all his work has been exposed as baseless and is designed to prey on our weaknesses rather than help us overcome problems. The Self that Christ referred to was the higher self, the reflection of the Creator in your Heart and the manifestation of this in ones life protects from all invasions through the Holy Spirit. This may sound very cliché but none the less is a reality and sensitivity to this can be developed to such an extent that a prayer can be felt taking effect through the central and parasympathetic nervous system.

Following extracts from the Bhagavad Gita where Shri Krishna (Almighty God) is giving instruction to his only disciple Arjuna on the field of battle before its commencement gives a great example of how old this problem is for human beings and Gandhi used many extracts to help keep his attention pure………..

“With your mind thus established in the Yoga of renunciation (Offering of all actions to Me), you will be free from the bonds of Karma in the shape of good and evil consequences; and freed from them, you will attain Me.”

“I am equally present in all beings; there is none hateful or dear to Me. They, however, who devoutly worship Me abide in Me; and I too stand revealed in them”.

“Free from passion fear and anger, ever absorbed in my thought and ever dependant upon Me, many have attained to My state, being purified by the fire of knowledge and wisdom, Oh Partha, who so ever worships Me in what so ever form, verily I bless and accept them in that way”.
Shri Krishna

To avoid succumbing to the onslaught today’s culture has brought upon us, you really must become your own master through constant introspection and self realisation and in this way your own identity will be unique, incorruptible and a shelter in a storm for others who lose their way. This may sound like an insurmountable task but once you embark on the journey the experiences you have are magnetic and you crave more and this makes it very difficult for you to leave the path.

The two books at the top of the following list have proved extremely helpful in this regard and will give you a lifetime of experiences to explore.

Answer 2

The protecting is something that we already try to help children with by using censorship. But it is something an adult has to take their own responsibility for - as they would do when it comes to physical protection. Being aware of the dangers and the consequences is a big start. Alas, I think that in a culture of free speech, people would be so focused on their 'right' to think whatever they want, that trying to convince them that their thinking can be harmful would be an uphill battle.

I'll try and help on the protection front anyway. The mind feeds off what it takes in from the senses. So the mind can in large part be protected by limiting the rubbish taken through the eyes and ears. As I say, it has to be personal choice.

E.G. If someone decided that they needed protection from the desire to buy new shoes. They could greatly benefit their wellbeing by
1) avoiding catalog's containing shoes.
2) avoiding shoe shops or at least distracting themselves with something else when having to pass a shoe shop.
3) instantly changing the channel if shoe ad's came on the TV.

The above steps can apply to so many dangers. Men could avoid forming strong attractions and fantasizing about women they weren't married to if they learned to train their eyes to immediately look away from women whose bodies caught their attention.

Likewise, people could choose not to feed negative and angry feelings by choosing not to listen to hurtful music.

The mind is like the learning remote in the movie 'Click' in that it learns to follow the patterns you set. After consistent training it learns the thoughts you don't allow and starts to throw them out subconsciously.

As I say, many people won't even see the problems with my examples (the first one lighthearted anyway), because they feel they have the right to think whatever the want. Once people realize the pain caused by " stinkin' thinkin' " they will find a way to combat it.

Answer 3

1 John 5:19

" WE know we originate with God, but the whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one."

Censoring what goes into the brain , thus being filtered in to the heart is the best protection.

John 17: 3 Says " this means everlasting life, thier taking knowledge of you the only true God and of the One whom you sent forth Jesus Christ"

Answer 4

Only my opinions, OK? I have the same concern. It's a big sociological question. My opinions are like paradoxes: Tear down the walls of misunderstanding and isolation between yourself and others, be "out there", realize that people are not served well by the society we live in and are under tremendous self-imposed stress, not knowing what to do that is good. Strengthen your mind and identity by exercising and applying them in your environment, spreading yourself around. You protect by increasing your awareness, reducing the likelihood of attack, and strengthening yourself to withstand an attack if it does happen. It's a matter of teaching everyone to have good self esteem, not at someone else's expense. Increase everyone's awareness of their own behavior and the consequences of their actions. Get people to see themselves as important to their neighbors, even strangers. Peoples' behavior is flexible and trainable, many of us seem to be in attack mode right now, for lack of anything better to do, it may be a form of stress relief, like bullying. It's also a case of monkey see-monkey-do. We follow examples of our friends and neighbors or suggestions from media, without stronger guiding principles or motives, our collective behaviour goes downhill. Even on a national level, read "Slouching toward Gemorrah" by Robert Borck. I believe a person must define where their personal space/boundaries are and understand who they are as a person, then achieve inner strength harmony or integrity of being, possibly by studying or following a person who has those qualities. In other words, what kinds of thoughts and emotional energy are your own motivators? Do you see yourself as being at peace with other people or at war? This will determine how you respond to the challenging events that happen. Attacks can be real, circumstantial, or imaginary. I prefer Christian teaching on this subject "do not repay evil with evil" and "love your enemies, do good to those that hate you." When practiced, this reduces the amount of attacking going on in society. Christian society valuesand respects the individual, not all societies do that.

Answer 5

LON what your asking is all around us and there is no direct answer to give to your question except to say take care of your health by healthy eating and from being attacked just give thought where you are going out to and if the club/pub is rough don't go and walk where there is plenty of light if you drive always have you mobile with you its a case of being wise BEFORE and not after

Answer 6

I think we must protect ourselves by editing what enters our hearts and minds. Pity there aren't protective garments for our spiritual and emotional beings, and our efforts at self protection will never completely protect us, but if we resolve to avoid what is damaging, we can be ahead of the game. I do not mean being an ostrich and closing our minds to new ideas. I mean avoiding those criticisms that lead to self hate and doubt.

Answer 7

Philippians 4

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Answer 8

By trusting fully in God the Father, God The Holy Spirit and God The Son, I know that he will bring me through a situation and I know my place in eternity is secure as long as I trust Him even unto death.

Answer 9

My answer is rather short.

Exercise you mind. Read, think, and learn.
Think of yourself as one who shared with the others in the world. You have causes and effect for everything you do.

Answer 10

1. Do not watch television
2. Do not read newspapers
3. Do not listen to political speeches
4. Do not read books
5. Do not listen to idle gossip

Goodness me, looks like we are now all free individuals,living in the stone age!