Trained Mind: The solution to all your frustration

Read time: 5 minutes

Ever felt like you're constantly seeking more, even when you have everything?

Let’s demystify the constant chase that defines modern life.

Consider for a moment: What makes humans stand out from animals?

At their core, animals are driven by basic instincts – to eat, sleep, defend, and reproduce. Their lives, though intricate in their own way, are fundamentally straightforward.

Humans, though? Complete different story.

We want more than just living like an animal, right?

But what does that look like?

If life revolves solely around money, you think maybe I need more money. If it's about pleasure, you might be in a constant quest for the next high. Is it prestige? Maybe I need to further climb the social ladder.

Whatever it is, we constantly find ourselves yearning for more.

Now, society's echo chamber amplifies this feeling even further.

We are bombarded with phrases such as: “Carpe Diem”, "Live in the now", "The world is your oyster", "You can become anything you wish to be."

We’re constantly urged to chase every desire, every dream, as if that’s the golden ticket to happiness, to success, to a life well-lived.

The bitter truth? We're being misled.

In today’s hyper-connected digital age, hidden forces subtly shape our choices, aspirations, and even our self-worth.

We're not just being told to chase our dreams; we're being told what our dreams should be.

Behind every 'live in the now' is an algorithm deciding what 'now' should look like, directing our desires and crafting our lifestyles.

This manufactured reality tricks us into believing that the relentless pursuit of every external achievement or fleeting pleasure leads to fulfillment.

But nothing could be further from the truth…

The rush of instant gratification, the highs of material acquisitions, the buzz from new experiences — they’re here today, gone later today. And in the long term, they always lead to stress, burnout, and a profound sense of unfulfillment.

Not sometimes. Not often. Always.

Blindly following our mind’s desires always leads to frustration.

Why? Because at the root of it all lies an unchecked mind.

An ancient wisdom from the Bhagavad-gita tells us: “For him who has conquered the mind, the mind is the best of friends; but for one who has failed to do so, his very mind will be the greatest enemy.” (— Bhagavad-gita 6:6)

It's a stark truth: a mind not mastered is the source of misery, and thus our greatest enemy.

When our emotions and desires run wild, we lose out on genuine happiness and life's true meaning.

So, it’s simple: either master your mind or be enslaved by it.

Simple in theory. Challenging in practice.

In a world where everybody is obsessed with artificial intelligence, we seem to forget the wonder of our intrinsic human intelligence.

What if our obsession with external advancements isn't the solution?

Sure, our lives are more convenient than ever, but does that equate to happiness?

The absurd rise in mental illness diagnoses in recent years tells me it’s not.

We don’t need better external tools. We need better internal tools. Our own thinking, used the right way, is what makes the difference.

As the poet Horace rightly said, "Rule your mind or it will rule you."

If we let our minds control us, we'll never find true joy. Just doing what we feel like, without thinking, means we're not really in charge of our lives. Our mind is.

Being at the whim of your mind’s desires? That's a true prison.

The most reliable way to achieve a breakthrough in life is not by chasing every worldly desire, but by mastering your mind and guiding your actions with intention rather than impulse.

And understanding our mind's influence starts with recognising the power of our senses.

You see a flashy ad for the newest phone… Even if your current one is fine, your eyes trick you into thinking, “I want that!”

Walk past a bakery and you smell the fragrance of fresh-baked goods? Even if you just had lunch, you suddenly crave a pastry.

And then there's the notifications – the buzz or the ping, or both. Every time we feel or hear them, we're compelled to check, almost like a reflex.

It's our senses dictating our choices more often than we'd like to admit.

Think of your mind as an empire, and your thoughts and senses as its army. Without a wise ruler, this army runs amok, leading to chaos and conflict. But capture the emperor — that is, master your mind — and his entire army, your senses and, thus your desires, fall in line.

Every time you're drawn to that shiny new gadget, the enticing aroma of food, or the lure of a distraction, it's your senses sending signals to your mind.

If unchecked, these can hijack your priorities, decisions, and overall well-being.

However, by mastering your mind — the emperor — you dictate the terms, not the other way around.

You decide what matters, what doesn't, and what’s worth pursuing.

So, here’s the key point: if you are a slave to your mind, you're on a constant treadmill of fleeting pleasure and frustration.

It's like being on a boat. If you just float around, going wherever the wind takes you, you'll never really get anywhere. But, if you take control, decide where you want to go and steer towards it, you'll reach your destination. And you’re NOT being tossed around by every wave of desire or distraction.

That's the power of controlling your mind versus just letting it run wild.

Conquering your mind will make it your ally rather than your adversary.

The result?

A life of genuine contentment, purpose, and direction.

It's not about denying pleasures but about understanding what truly enriches our lives versus what traps us in a never-ending cycle of dissatisfaction.

Here's the big question: Are we going to let the wind push us wherever it feels like?

Or are we going to take the wheel and steer our own path?

This choice, folks, shapes our lives.

So, my goal is to help you make that choice.

Your next step

Take a moment today to reflect: Where are your desires and senses leading you? Is it where you truly want to go? Remember, every moment is an opportunity to choose mastery over passivity, intention over impulse.

Your journey to mastering your mind is a courageous one, and I'm grateful to be a part of it.

Look forward to diving deeper into our next conversation.

Until then, steer your path wisely.

To making a difference,

Dr Yannick