Preface

It is the greatest wonder of the world that we have to seek the help of our mind to understand the vagaries of mind! It is highly essential to utilize the medium of mind for gaining any type of achievements whether it is worldly or spiritual. To achieve this goal, you have to obey the only condition that you have to control your mind, not being controlled by your mind.

Once an aspirant came to the great master for attaining knowledge. The master said to him: 'First of all, I will test you whether you deserve for knowledge or not. I am giving you one assignment, if you will succeed to accomplish it I will surely accept you to be my disciple. First of all, please take this sealed box and handover it to my friend who is residing four kilometres far from here.'

The young man immediately started to complete his task, but after an hour's journey he had taken a hault under the shadow of tree. While relaxing, an mischievous idea came to his mind. Let's see, what is in the box? First of all, he tried to advise his mind: No, it is not good to interfere in any body's asset. But after a while, he lost his control over his curiosity to open the box and at last he opened the box. As soon as the box was opened, a little mouse jumped out of it and ran away in the forest. After happening this small phenomenon, the whole situation has been changed. Now the box was empty and not in the same condition as it was handed over. That young aspirant was put in the poor plight. Now what to do? He had no alternate except returning back to master. The master explained him: 'The mouse trapped in the box is like an opportunity for you to be my disciple, but you lost it due to your feeble mind. It shows that you are lacking in self-control, so it is better for you to return to Sansar and try again to learn how to control the mind. First of all, be the master of your mind, then and only then, you can go for spiritual practice.'

Rev. Guruvarya Shri Narayanbhai Thakker always said: 'Do make your mind deep like infinite. Digest the informations whatever you heard and bury the secrets known in the basement of mind. That task of self-control will make you the master of mind.' Our master's this point of view is still found to be so relevant after so many years.

This book - 'Pilgrimage to mind' English version of Manoyatra is going to be published on the auspicious occasion of Pujya Shri Narayanbhai Thakker's BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY on 16th February 2015. We hope it will help a lot to devotees at large to evolve on the path of ultimate salvation.

May Lord Swaminarayan, Bapashri, and Pujya Guruvarya Shri Narayanbhai bestow supreme bliss upon all the aspirants who have contributed in the publication of this valuable book.

16 February, 2015

Samvat 2071, Maha Vad Baras

Publication Committee

Shri Swaminarayan Divine Mission

Ahmedabad