Computer Viruses

Our mind can be equated to a computer. A computer is a machine that is multi-faceted, racing, high speed, with many functions. There are countless programs, applications and search engines available for many different uses. Just like a computer, our mind is boundless.

The mind is so powerful in racing from one thought to the next, that before we know it, we have come up with countless things to worry and ponder over. One thought and worry generates countless worries – just like a computer that moves at rapid speed to present the daily highlights, coupon discounts, weather report and celebrity statuses all on the same webpage.

Computers can be contaminated with viruses. These viruses can block the normal computer functions and also deceive the computer so that programs and even virus protectors are invaded. Similarly, our mind can be contaminated with worldly images. These viruses can take the form of worldly temptations like cheating, gambling, immoral thoughts and other negative activity. They can also invade our mind with worldly desires and stimulate thoughts of wanting more and more material goods.

We can control our computer activity by limiting what we do with it. In other words, we can use it only for researching, word processing and checking email or corresponding with friends. We can avoid reading about daily gossip, or looking for ways to make more money. Similarly, we need to protect our minds from the external viruses. We need to hardwire our minds and install our own virus protector (simran) so that we stay focused on our primary life goal, which is God-realization.

Just as we reboot a computer and install firewall protection and an antivirus program, we need to reboot our mind to keep it on track to perform its normal daily functions. By doing so, we can cultivate an environment that is conducive to God-realization and that helps us perform our daily task of meditation.

The next time we decide to upgrade our computer to a higher model, perhaps this should remind us to control our mind and upgrade it to a higher level of thinking, one that surpasses worldly desires and attachments and stays on track to achieve our ultimate goal of becoming one with the Lord.

We can only control our mind when we attach it to that word, that shabd, that nam. Attachment to that automatically detaches us permanently from the world. Then the mind goes back to its own origin, and the soul gets release from the mind. It is only then that the real love and devotion of the soul takes it back to the Lord. Socrates said: Know thyself. It is only after the soul is released from the mind that it really knows itself. Only then do we realize who we are. Only when we know ourselves are we capable of knowing the Lord.
_{Maharaj Charan Singh, Spiritual Perspectives, Vol. I}