Command of the Mind - A Story

A Story

Command of the Mind -  Raghava had always prided himself on his ability to control his routine. He would go to a café after a long day of office work, it was his usual habit. The evening ritual was sacred: a coffee, a small snack, and a moment of relaxation. As the day turned to night and the city bustled around him, he would relax in his favorite café, where the aroma of dark roasts and baked pastries filled the air. But today was different. It wasn’t a grand revelation or a sudden epiphany; it was subtle. Normally, the steps that led him to his destination felt hesitant, as if his body was questioning his mind. With each step, his feet turned towards the café. Forward, then a slight retreat. A pause. An internal dialogue began. “Yes or no?” he asked himself, uncertain. Coffee? Yes, of course. But today wasn’t just about caffeine. Today was about something deeper—something he had been quietly practicing for months but had yet to be tested. 

 His meditation sessions, long and rigorous, had always been about controlling the mind. At first, it was an attempt to focus—then a struggle to steady the thoughts that bombarded him from all directions. Over time, however, he learned the art of mastery: to control his thoughts, to guide them like a ship’s captain through a stormy sea. The mind, he had come to understand, was like a restless river—if you don’t carry it, it will carry you. And today Raghav had set his mind. He would test his control beyond the realm of meditation and into the practical world. “Today I will not follow you,” he whispered to himself, his legs swelling again. “Today you will follow me.” Raghav stood staring at the neon sign in front of the cafe. 

The warm light beckoned him to his favorite spot at the corner counter—where he always ordered the same thing: a cappuccino, a chocolate croissant. But this time, he didn’t want to give up the autopilot habits that had killed his body. Today he was going to take it out. He turned and walked deliberately toward the entrance, his feet moving with purpose. Every step was a challenge, his mind protesting. *It’s been a long day, you deserve a coffee. Once again, routine isn’t harmful.* “No,” Raghav repeated quietly, almost to the point of chanting. “I won’t act on my impulses. Today I’ll lead you.” He entered the cafe and the soft jingle of the bell above the door rang out like a triumph. The counter looked the same as always. The barista smiled at him as usual. Raghav paused, taking a deep breath, centering himself. The little voice in his head—the one that always wanted the quick relief of coffee and snacks—said. *Order a cappuccino. You’ve had a rough day, and rightly so.* But today he was no longer a slave to that voice. 

 He approached the counter and stood tall, his posture shifting from tentative to commanding. The barista waited for his order with the usual, predictable anticipation. But this time, Raghav’s mind commanded the moment. “No,” he thought, taking a breath. “I won’t be ruled by habit.” He looked the barista in the eye. “Today I’m ordering something different.” The barista raised his eyebrows, but Raghav’s attention was unwavering. His mind buzzed with quiet authority. “I have water,” he said, and then, as if agreeing with himself, he said, “Just water.” “That’ll do.” The barista, momentarily stunned by the unusual order, nodded and made a sound. Raghav’s heart was pounding. Was this a test of his will?

 A simple shift, yet it felt like a significant accomplishment. It wasn’t about water or cappuccino; it was about choosing what he wanted, despite his insistence. A strange calm settled over him as he sat at the counter. The usual contentment he would have found in the warmth of the coffee was replaced by a quiet triumph of control. It wasn’t a physical sensation, but something deeper—like a muscle that had finally been stretched and strengthened. He sipped his water slowly, savoring the peace that followed the decision. 

He had regained control of his mind, his preferences had been set aside, his usual preferences had been set aside. When he was done, he stood and left the café, his steps firm and purposeful. The evening air was cooler than usual, the streetlights casting long shadows. Raghav walked down the street, his mind clear, his will strong. For the first time in a long time, he felt in 'control' not just of his mind but of his life.

Conclusion 

For the first time in a long time, Raghav felt in control not only of his mind but of his life. The simple act of choosing rather than following had awakened something in him. It was as if a layer of mist had lifted, and he could see his thoughts, his desires, for what they really were – fleeting, fleeting, not commands to be obeyed. In the stillness of his heart, he understood that true freedom did not come from external choices, that there were two luminous minds residing within our bodies, one inner and the other outer. The act of mastering the external world with his inner mind had gained strength. As he walked, each step felt like a small meditation, a reminder that peace comes when we align our actions with our deepest intentions.

We can control our minds.