The world is home to different kinds of people and umpteen attempts have been made to classify them. However, all kinds of men and women fall under 3 broad mental categories:
1. Restless Mind
2. Imperfect Mind
3. Perfect Mind
A self-centred person is concerned only with himself, his own interests and his own welfare. Everything that he does is aimed at his own benefit and he has no interest in anyone else. The world, however, is not made for the convenience of a particular individual. As such, a self-centred person remains dissatisfied and frustrated. He or she will forever have a restless mind.
Even a social and responsible person may experience periods of disturbance and agitation when he finds himself being insulted or belittled. A single incident can keep him disturbed for days, even weeks. The world is full of unpleasant and undesirable situations and a person who gets offended and disturbed quickly will lose his inner peace and harmony. Such a person is said to have an imperfect mind.
A fully evolved person is free from mental agitation. He is unaffected by the world’s negativity and has learnt to remain calm and composed in the face of even the worst environment or circumstances. He has reached a state of eternal peace and unconditional happiness, and has a perfect mind.
All students should strive to achieve this perfection along with academic superiority, to live a life of balance and fulfilment. To be able to enjoy their successes and take failure in their stride, and move with ease towards a meaningful and exemplary life.
These are some of the teachings of Vedanta, the science of life that has been developed and perfected over thousands of years by our Indian civilisation. The principles of Vedanta are general and timeless, and apply to all persons, regions and circumstances, even in today’s material and fast-paced world. Someone who has learnt to live his life in accordance with this simple but far-reaching guide to life finds that the happiness, peace and satisfaction for which people are scurrying about all around him, come easily and effortlessly to him.
It is especially important for a student, who is about to take the plunge into professional and family life, to realise the value of these principles, and begin to integrate them with his or her life.