How to control the external mind?

 How to control the external mind?

Our mind operates in two states: the subconscious mind and the conscious mind. In our daily lives, our conscious mind is constantly engaged. It is entangled in the events of everyday life. Controlling this conscious mind is quite difficult. If you try to control it, it becomes even more chaotic, because it is caught in the external temptations and illusions of daily life. It is not so easy to free it from that.

The daily events and habits of our lives keep our conscious mind bound. As a result, a specific mental stress is placed on our body. This body is constantly connected to a mind that is trapped in a state of worldly desires and illusions.

The Logic of the Entangled Mind

The human mind has long been described through metaphor to illuminate its layered complexity. One of the most compelling images portrays the conscious mind as the “captain of the ship,” standing at the helm, surveying the horizon, making decisions, and issuing commands. Beneath the deck, unseen yet indispensable, lies the subconscious—the engine room—relentlessly powering the vessel. While the captain believes himself to be in command, the true momentum of the journey depends on forces operating below awareness. The logic of the entangled mind emerges from this dynamic tension between the visible authority of consciousness and the invisible influence of the subconscious.

The conscious mind governs logic, analysis, judgment, and deliberate choice. It evaluates consequences, distinguishes right from wrong, and navigates social expectations. Because it interfaces directly with the external world, it becomes the primary arena where temptations, distractions, and what we might call “worldly illusions” appear. Advertisements, social pressures, ambitions, and fears all present themselves to consciousness as choices demanding evaluation. The captain must decide whether to change course or hold steady.

Yet this role is more complicated than it seems. The conscious mind is not an isolated sovereign. It operates under constant influence from the engine room below. The subconscious houses memories, habits, emotional imprints, and automatic responses. It does not argue; it conditions. It does not deliberate; it propels. Thus, when the conscious mind attempts to resist temptation or suppress an unwanted thought, it often encounters a paradox: the very act of suppression intensifies the presence of what it seeks to avoid.

This phenomenon, known in psychology as the “ironic process,” reveals the entanglement of mental layers. When the conscious mind says, “Do not think about this,” it must first identify the forbidden thought in order to monitor it. In doing so, it activates and sustains the mental representation it seeks to eliminate. The captain orders the crew not to mention a particular destination, yet by repeating the prohibition, he ensures that everyone keeps it in mind. Suppression becomes reinforcement.

Here lies the central logic of the entangled mind: control cannot be achieved through direct opposition alone. The conscious mind, in its attempt to dominate impulses, often strengthens them. The engine room responds not to commands of negation but to patterns of attention and emotion. What we repeatedly focus on—whether in desire or in resistance—feeds the subconscious machinery.

This insight suggests a shift in strategy. Instead of battling thoughts with force, the conscious mind must learn redirection. Attention can be guided rather than suppressed. Habits can be reshaped through repetition rather than denial. The captain’s authority lies not in shouting orders at the engines but in adjusting the compass, altering routine routes, and gradually influencing the ship’s momentum.

The entangled mind, therefore, is not a flaw but a design. Its dual structure ensures both adaptability and depth. Conscious reasoning provides flexibility; subconscious conditioning provides continuity. When these layers operate in harmony—when intention aligns with ingrained patterns—the ship moves steadily toward its chosen destination. But when they conflict, turbulence arises.

Understanding this logic transforms self-control from a battle into a dialogue. The captain must listen as well as command. True mastery emerges not from suppressing the engine room, but from educating it—patiently, consistently, and with awareness that what is resisted directly may persist, but what is redirected wisely may evolve.

Let us do some actions and experience it by taking the above reference.

As usual, we go to the market. After all the shopping, the thought of eating something spicy comes to our mind. There is no question of money, we have enough money in our pocket. We can easily buy that spicy food. If we think about our mind here, it is attracted to those foods. The desire on the tongue does not remain calm, it pulls our feet in that direction. The desire becomes stronger with the smell of those foods. This is where we should learn to control the mind. The first thing to think about is, is there really a need to eat this spicy food? Or have we got used to eating this? Ask this simple question to your mind. Now even if we eat this spicy and delicious food for this time, this desire will definitely come again. Then force your mind to hold this desire in my mind right now. No, no matter how much desire arises, you should instruct your mind that this time I will not eat this food.

Let your mind be instructed that this lustful mind of mine is attracted to that spicy and delicious food, I am someone who can control it. This "lustful" mind is not superior to me. I am "superior" to it. My inner mind is superior to that lust. Keep such thoughts lingering in your mind.

Initially, this action seems difficult, again the mind turns towards that lust, and our feet turn in that direction. The lustful mind pulls the feet in that direction. This is where our real test comes in.

A duel of two minds begins in our mind, one is the lustful mind and the other is our inner mind, this war of thoughts is going on. The outer lustful mind is very strong in the beginning. But as long as our inner mind is in a neutral state, the lustful mind cannot make a decision.

For this, we must be able to play this lustful mind. We must be able to give it a push. We must take that lust to the door and then pull it back again. By playing this mind game, the power of desire weakens. And when this desire-like mind realizes that the inner mind is very capable and strong, it is pulled away from desire.

Initially we should experiment with small desires, it is possible to control them. But it takes time to control alcohol and other desires. These desires are in a higher form, they are not easily controlled. If we repeatedly experiment with restraint, after some time the mind starts to refrain from those desires.

We should do the initial experiments on small things, like unnecessary eating, things that tempt the mind, we should learn to divert our mind from these.

Here are some examples of eating. This example is only related to external food. Many such lustful examples come up in our daily life. For this, we have to keep our inner mind strong and determined. When we become able to control our mind from these desires, we will become able to achieve peace of mind.

There is no doubt about this, because control over the tongue is an important desire in those three chakras. One who has gained control over the tongue can move towards more peace of mind.