Ayurveda considers Mannas or the mind as 11th Indriya. By virtue of its functions, Mannas performs the functions of both Gyanendriya, the sensory organs and Karmendriya, the motor organs.
It has two specific characters, viz. Ekatwa (solitude or seclusion) and Anutwam(subtleness). Because of its Subtleness, Mannas can move swiftly. For its swiftness, Manas is considered as the fastest object in the universe. It is said manna is very clever; it has no feet yet its speed is considered to be the highest. In fractions of a second it is on the Moon, in fraction of second it is on the Sun, it travels everywhere with in no time. Manna is called horse with wings. People says bridle it fast. But bridling it does not solve the question, however, it becomes more vigorous. Let the manna run more fast, if you earn $10000. Let it think you are earning millions and millions, billions, trillions… it will automatically get tired and dissolve itself in meditation.
Mannas are an entity that is responsible for generation of knowledge. It plays an instrumental role in the perception of Indriyartha. For this purpose, it conjugates itself, with the respective Gyanendriya and receives sensory signals.Gyanendriya can’t perceive any type of knowledge on its own, without conjugating itself, with Manas or Mind. Functioning of Karmendriyas also needs a conjugation with Mannas.
Apart from such a dual role, Mannas is also responsible for some more faculties. Analysis, Thinking, Imagination are some of the special functions of Mannas.
Good karma (work) and bad karma (work) are results of Manas. It is your Manas that make ones thinking SATWIK, RAJSIK, and TAMSIK and thus lead to your nature of health whether bad or good. An angry man looses his health easily as compared to a happy man. It is Manna that makes a man angry or happy or a patient mind.
If your manna is under the control of your soul it allows sense organs to do good karma or otherwise bad karma
How to control manna!
· Initially let your mind get tired by wandering here and there. It grows more restless if you force to concentrate.
· Then slowly bring it to rest on the focal point of your choice.
It is said manna is very clever, it has no feet yet its speed is considered to be the highest. In fractions of a second it is on the Moon, in fraction of a second it is on the Sun, it travels everywhere with in no time. Manna is called horse with wings. People says bridle it fast. But bridling it does not solve the question, however, it becomes more vigorous. Let the manna run more fast, if you earn $10000. Let it think you are earning millions and millions, billions, trillions… it will automatically get tired and dissolves itself in meditation.
· Condition your mind such so as to remain quiet for the duration of your meditation session.
· Follow a rhythmic breathing pattern – inhale and exhale.
From the standpoint of yoga, meditation was practised for its spiritual, rather than physical, benefits. The apparent attitude was, simplistically, attain enlighten and everything else will fall into place. With regular practice of a balanced series of Pranayam techniques, the energy of the body and mind can be liberated and the quality of consciousness can be expanded. The body automatically gets nourishment. This is the reason why the Rishis and sages are able to meditate and pray without eating or drinking for years. This is not a subjective claim but is now being investigated by the scientists and being shown by an empirical fact.
This style of meditative exercise will help you control your mind down to a finer focus, teaching you the principle of single point concentration.