Practice and Detachment
The mind is undoubtedly difficult to control, but it can be subdued through practice and dispassion.
Krishna's prescription for mind control is twofold: abhyasa (persistent practice) and vairagya (detachment from results). Practice builds the skill of directing attention; detachment releases the grasping that agitates the mind. Together, they gradually calm mental turbulence. This dual approach appears in Patanjali's Yoga Sutras as the core methodology for yoga. Modern research on habit formation confirms that consistency and emotional non-reactivity facilitate change.
Undoubtedly, O mighty-armed Arjuna, the mind is restless and very difficult to control; but by practice and detachment, it can be controlled.
Patanjali's Yoga Sutra 1.12 echoes this precisely: 'Their suppression is brought about by practice and non-attachment.'
Bhagavad Gita
Written about in
- What the Bhagavad Gita says about habit and discipline
Krishna grants the difficulty and answers it in two parts: abhyasa, repeated practice, and vairagya, dispassion. Practice builds the capacity to direct attention; dispassion removes the grasping that keeps agitating it. Patanjali's Yoga Sutras take the same pair as their core method.