This simple guidance of the Buddha is invaluable:

Cease to do evil

Learn to do good

And follow the 8-fold Path to perfection.

The 8 -fold Path is outlined in Raja Yoga or Asthanga Yoga and is the classical basis for training in self control-  in a nutshell!

It is not that we need more knowledge about the mind as much as finding how to construct a life- saving bridge from our minds to the knowledge deep in our hearts.

Stranded on the shores of knowledge of the intellect alone, we eventually find ourselves lonely and devoid of real life satisfaction and experience regardless of our accumulation of information.

If we should choose to depend upon our emotions and consciousness of our hearts alone, we soon learn that we need the mind to channel our affections and sympathies appropriately.

We may pay lip service to the importance of the heart and soul but are inconsistent in our references and often suffer some confusion in identifying how to apply this aspect of our nature.

It is not by alternating between our thought activity and our emotional states but by a blending.   We come to realize that it is only the harmonious cooperation between our minds and hearts that will produce the faculty we should cherish – that of ‘common sense’ where the two spheres are blended.

Common sense is capable of serving us as a good friend and guide through the maze of events and circumstances of our lives and throughout its duration.

There are frequent times in our lives when we place more emphasis upon either mental pursuits or emotional needs and perhaps are left wondering which sphere of our intelligence we should listen to – our thoughts or our feelings. It is likely that there are times where our mind says one thing and our emotions another and we must make choices.

In this, it may help to recall that the knowledge of the mind is ever active, changing and growing in our search for truth.

The knowledge of the heart, where the deeper knowledge of life experiences and wisdom resides in stillness is related to our enduring, immortal soul and our capacity to love.

Bhakti Yoga accents Love as Raja Yoga accents Truth. We need them to blend.

Imagination is the fundamental tool for the individual when forming a self-image.

Unless one creates a self image the personality is apt to become pressured and influenced by what others think, and this may not be as you would wish.

Use your self image to become whatever or whoever you wish to be – to pattern your future, determine your habits and reactions and help you to succeed in your achievements.

Determine to be whatever you yearn to be.  Include love, truth, gladness and peace in your aim.

Seek to become your own ideal – expect no other person to fully represent your ideals or disappointment will ensue.

Pattern your life in reflection of those whom you most admire.

Maintain a sense of your own personal uniqueness and your worthiness not only as an experiencer of life but as a capable contributor to society.

Sally E. Janssen

Most spiritual teachers teach the value of balance and have indicated to us that any quality can be exaggerated to our detriment even those qualities we consider are virtues.

As reminders of the need for balance in your personal and private self discipline or Sadhana, the following offer a helpful guide for you when drawing up your own personality needs to avoid extremes……

Balanced – Not fanatical

Beautiful – Not vain

Courageous – Not rash

Devoted – Not enslaved

Flexible – Not weak

Helpful – Not intrusive

Humble – Not submissive

Impartial – Not indifferent

Independent – Not isolated

Keen intellect – Not cutting

Kind – Not condescending

Loyal – Not undeserving commitment

Passionate – Not aggressive

Patient – Not procrastinating

Perceptive  -  Not hypercritical

Persevering – Not stubbornly persistent

Sensitive –  Not to personal hurt

Strong – Not domineering

Psychology or the understanding of human nature is perceived as the knowledge of the total nature of the individual. This is inclusive of –

personality that comprises physical body,(kaya) emotional nature,(kama) and mental nature (manas) and conceived as a collection of feelings, perceptions (anjna) and past impressions (samskara)

soul that is perceived as the consciousness of the immortal self with its profound wisdom accumulated through many incarnations of life experiences relevant to male births or as females

spirit or the supreme directing intelligence of the individual being that is likened to a spark of the Universal fire, or as a drop of the Universal ocean of life of the Cosmos.

Once these aspects are recognized and identified through our own insight and understanding of ourselves it is possible to see ourselves as an integrated human being and be able to comprehend much more about ourselves than the mere personality.

Self knowledge and self understanding are held as important throughout all cultures and hinted at as the commencement before embarking on a more expansive search to comprehend the nature of all things beyond.

Although it is natural to require some knowledge or perception of our origins as well as our life purpose and future, the first can be replaced with the faith that it was from God or the Divine Light that we came and to this we return, life after life. Each life we undergo experiences that the law of Karma deems  necessary in our long spiritual evolution towards the ideal of human excellence and that mysterious concept, perfection.

We are likely to find life easier with acceptance of the natural law that stipulates that each individual grows through his own efforts. There is no known ‘instant’ achievement.

We can only add to any present knowledge of psychology by seeking to understand and embrace all ideas motivated by truth and directed towards truth.

There is much to learn.