MINDFULNESS

Mindfulness is taking care of the thought process.

Part of becoming a better human is to observe the thoughts that cross your mind. Paying attention and close concentration in any task will certainly bring favorable results. If we try to do only one thing at a time we will avoid mistakes and put more thought and feeling into the task. Mindfulness is a very essential tool for doing a job well.

A true devotee, having been absorbed in the Name of the Lord, should also be mindful of his worldly responsibilities. He cannot neglect his duties. In one of his couplets, Kabir refers to the advice given by Namdev to Trilochan " Remember the Name of the Lord with your mouth, but be mindful about all the work to be done with your hands and feet, while keeping the conscious mind in tune with the Lord." (p. 1376, Shlok Kabir)

Guru Tegh Bahadur ji says: Be mindful of the fleeting opportunity, therefore remember the Lord (Jaijavanti M. 9, p.1352) The one who conquers the mind, conquers the self (Guru Nanak)

Mind and intellect are the outer coverings of the soul undergoing transmigration. Kabir says that if one disciplines the mind, he attains perfection. The mind can only converse with the mind. Guru Nanak Dev ji says that the mind is like a wild elephant lured by attachment, wanders in the woods of maya. Without the Guru's Word the mind finds no peace....this mind is ignorant. It becomes fearless by concentrating on the Name through the grace of the Guru. It overpowers the five evils and kills them. (p.415, Asa M.1) The Grace of the Lord and the True Guru play a great part in the conquest of the mind.

The Guru Granth Sahib Ji makes many references to the mind.