Nowadays, we hear of more and more people complaining of tension, as a reaction to frustration, failure and disasters. Tension is caused as a result of the mind indulging in likes and dislikes. Everyone must be vigilant about the mind, its capabilities and character. It reacts in fifty million different ways, not one or two. It assumes fifty million forms. Each of these is a wave that agitates. The system of education practised today does not divinise the mind and turn it towards the I which is a reflection of the Atma within. Students must, even while they are undergoing this education, probe into the divine basis of mental activity, so that the mind can bestow wisdom and bliss. (SSS Vol.19)
The body is the car, the senses are the mechanical parts and through the petrol, the sadhana -you have to keep it going. When you have finished your meditation, do not get up all of a sudden. Loosen the tension slowly, massage the joints a little if necessary, after you have got rid of the tension, sit quietly at the same place and recall to your mind once again the thrill of dhyana and repeat Om Shantih, Shantih, Shantih, feeling the Peace within you. (SSS Vol.7)
When you are students, study without participating in other adventures like politics. They will only increase tension and anxiety and harm your studies. Let discipline, devotion and duty be subjects in your compulsory curriculum. Master these and you will win glory. (SSS Vol.14)
Evil thoughts cause ill-health. Anxiety, fear and tension also contribute their share. All these result from greed, greed to have more of things, of power and of fame. (SSS Vol. 15)
The progress of the universe is bound up with the progress of man. Any amount of development in the areas of scientific, economic and social spheres will not be of much use without mental transformation. How can we bring about this transformation? It is by restraining passions and emotions. Since mental tension is most detrimental to man s health, man should learn the art of controlling his passions and emotions, which cause stresses and strains. It is also essential to keep our mind serene and peaceful while eating food. We should not indulge in discussion of topics which will cause agitation and excitement and disturb our mental peace while we are taking food. Mental tension is responsible for ill health. We should also avoid viewing TV, video, etc., while eating food, as they may cause mental disturbances. (SSS Vol.27)
Our ancients knew the secret of enjoying peace. Today even a tiny tot suffers from ‘tension.’ Where there is tension there is temper. Tension and temper are jointly destroying humanness. How can peace be found? Peace has to be found within each of us. (SSS Vol.28)
The most common source of illness among people today is tension. What is the cause of tension? It is indulgence in excesses of various kinds. Men must learn to moderate the hectic pace of living. Hurry causes worry and worry causes disease. ‘Hurry, worry and curry (fatty food)’ are the causes of heart diseases. Therefore the first requirement is control of food and head (the mind). When you control these two, there will be no room for illness. (SSS Vol.28)
What is the cause of disease? It is mental tension, which is man’s own making. Tension gives rise to temper ,and the two together ruin man. If you want to fill a cup with milk, which is already filled with water, what do you have to do? You have to pour out the water and then fill it with milk. In the same way, remove all wicked thoughts and wicked feelings from your heart and then fill it with love. (SSS Vol.31, p. 308)
Eating food is a holy ritual, a yajna. It should not be performed during moments of anxiety or emotional tension. food has to be considered as medicine for the illness of hunger and as the sustenance of life. Treat each trouble you encounter as a fortunate opportunity to develop your strength of mind, and to toughen you with greater hardihood. (V Vahini, p. 45)
One should train oneself to adopt a good sitting pose (asana), to avoid tension of the body, and to ease the mind from the weight and pressure of the body. This is what deserves to be called pure meditational practice (sattvika dhyana sadhana). Discipline is very necessary for this. (DhyV, p. 17)