The mind that is always competing becomes diseased

What is a mind that is always competitive and is always thinking in relation to the other? Such a mind is an afraid mind. Such a mind does not look at itself because it is so busy looking at the other - the other’s life, and all their activities. All its thoughts are determined by what is happening on the outside. So, if someone else is running at a particular speed, this mind might say that I have to run harder. If that fellow starts swimming, then this might say that I have to swim harder.

This mind has nothing of its own. Somebody else dictates what it does. And it is always afraid. It is always afraid because its sense of accomplishment comes only in relation to others.

If you are not available to what is happening right now, if you are not available to what is happening in this moment, and your mind is thinking of future, then your life will be boring, dull. The real moment is right now. But if your mind keeps thinking of the future, it will miss life now. Then life will be boring for you. When life becomes boring, you start finding it valueless. Then studying becomes unimportant, results become important. Then studying a particular course becomes unimportant, getting a job becomes important. The result is that we live very superficial lives.

Our actions lack depth. You have heard somewhere that there is a lot of competition and to survive in it one needs to do a lot of planning, without understanding what is ‘career’, without understanding that the mind which is always competing becomes diseased. Without understanding all this, you have jumped into it because you are afraid. Even this fear is not yours.

This fear has been implanted in your mind, by your family, by the society, by the media, by your education. You have imbibed this fear. This fear cannot help you. Go deep into what is available to you. Go deep into your mind.

Understand the mind, understand the world. And then you will yourself come to know what is worth doing. You will yourself know what kind of career will give happiness. You will not be lost. Then, you will not study engineering or law or medicine because somebody else suggested it. Then whatever you will do, will come from your own understanding. So, do not be in a hurry to take any decisions. Observe the mind, understand the mind.

Observe the world, understand the world. Leave aside your fears and observe. Everything will be clear!

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