Seated in the astral body, the mind plays the dominant role in our life. The Gita reminds us that the mind can be our best friend or the greatest enemy. If not harnessed, it can bring about the greatest misery and ruin. The English poet, Milton, rightly said that 'Mind can make a Heaven of Hell and a Hell of Heaven'. Everyone knows that anxiety and stress about a particular problem can make you physically sick.
College students find it hard to eat properly just before an exam.
As far back as 1906, Israel Waynebaum, wrote that actors can induce feelings of anger by frowning hard, and the reverse by grinning without provocation. Other scientists have found that anger, disappointment, bereavement can actually supress the number and activity of white blood cells which protect us from infections of various kinds. Total healing and mind control are, in fact, two sides of the same coin. However, it is to be noted that control of the mind is a most difficult task, particularly in this age. And the reply which Krishna gave, forms the basis of thinking and practices of mind control in India and other eastern nations and which is now spreading to all parts of the world.