What the Bhagavad Gita Says About Controlling the Mind
Arjuna tells Krishna the mind is restless, turbulent, and as hard to hold as the wind. Krishna agrees — and answers with practice and detachment rather than force.
One should raise oneself by one's Self alone; let not one lower oneself; for the Self alone is the friend of oneself, and the Self alone is the enemy of oneself.
The Self is the friend of the self of him by whom the self has been conquered by the Self, but to the unconquered self, this Self stands in the position of an enemy, like an (external) foe.
From whatever cause the restless and unsteady mind wanders away, from that let him restrain it and bring it under the control of the Self alone.
The mind verily is restless, turbulent, strong and unyielding, O Krishna: I deem it as difficult to control it as to control the wind.
The Blessed Lord said Undoubtedly, O mighty-armed Arjuna, the mind is difficult to control and restless; but by practice and by dispassion it may be restrained.
For the mind, which follows in the wake of the wandering senses, carries away his discrimination, as the wind (carries away) a boat on the waters.