The Science Of Mind Nobody Teaches You | Dr. Pradeep Chiluka | Honest Hour #upscpreparation

The Science Of Mind Nobody Teaches You | Dr. Pradeep Chiluka | Honest Hour #upscpreparation

Author Name:The Honest Hour with Shashank

Youtube Channel Url:https://www.youtube.com/@TheHonestHourwithShashank

Youtube Video URL:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOJ2m-1gJO4



Transcript:
(00:00) The most important human organ is everyone will say heart, [music] liver, kidneys, then they will say brain. I felt that the most important organ [music] is blood. Blood is 5 liters. >> Now, when a person is affected by trauma, >> [music] >> is it the brain which is affected or the >> The first thing is he gets into pain cycle scale all together.
(00:21) So, pain scale is like zero to one you have. The same is the case with mind. Suppose [music] if you are not refining your mind, if you're not reflecting on your mind, then this negative effect will impart on your body. So, that is how depression actually works. >> You were a student and also a teacher, [music] right? So, what does teaching actually give you a different perspective towards life? >> A good student can learn lots of things from the [music] bad teacher also, sir.
(00:40) That is one saying. And second saying is when the student is ready, teacher appears. [music] When the student learns on himself, the teacher disappears. >> Doctor, you moved from medicine field to civil services. Was there any specific reason for the same? >> The intriguingness of the geopolitical issues or the economic issues or the societal issues that intrigued me to prepare for civil services.
(01:02) >> [music] >> What is mind? >> So, mind So, mind is in human population, there are many varied. So, in order to understand mind much better. So, >> Dr. Pradeep Chilka, sir, welcome to The Honest Hour. >> Thank you, Shashank. >> Yeah. Sir, when I was going through your profile, it speaks about living through multiple demanding worlds like being a civil servant, a bureaucrat, and being a MBBS doctor, surgeon, and now a sports mentor also along with being a you know, railway officer.
(01:39) So, like what does Pradeep Chilka, sir, actually identify himself with? >> Uh Shashank, this is a very tough question, but I try to answer. Uh when when I did my medicine, then I did my MS Orthopedics, then I wrote civil services. Then off late I'm pursuing International Olympic Committee Diploma in sports medicine.
(02:00) I have completed my Harvard sports medicine also. Then I'm doing FIFA sports medicine also. Of all these things, there is one invisible thread that is for me reading books is a very intense passion. So if I read books, so I completely get immersed into that books. Probably because of reading such kind of books, the profile is so varied which I feel Shashank.
(02:21) >> Mhm. So it means like you're a constant learner. >> Yes, yes. Constant. >> So like based on what you have discussed, you also made it clear that what should people think about an administrator and what is it like being an administrator about? So now I would just want to move into something interesting actually.
(02:37) You're a person who's read a lot of books. So always I had this curiosity to ask you. Now what is mind? >> So mind. So mind is the most elusive and enigmatic substance or tool or instrument which is present in human body. >> Okay. >> And it is invisible also. Here I'm choosing the words very carefully, sir. First is enigmatic. Second is it is very elusive.
(03:02) >> Mhm. >> Then it is present and it is invisible also. >> So these are conscious choices of words that you're using. >> Yes, yes, yes. Because on that we will try to develop the concept of what mind is. >> Mhm. >> So it is present and it is it is invisible. So I'll give you an example. >> Please. >> Gravity. >> Mhm.
(03:19) >> Is it present? It is present but it is invisible. >> Mhm. >> Is Bluetooth present, sir? >> Mhm. >> It is present. It is invisible. Wi-Fi, it is present. It is invisible. >> Mhm. >> Electricity, present, invisible. Then your words, it is present and it is invisible. >> Mhm. >> So these are present and invisible.
(03:41) So basically what happens with mind is we get into uh a noun trap. What is noun trap? Noun trap it is Okay. Mind is actually a verb. What it does. Right? We are seeing from the perspective of noun, from the perspective of name. If you see from the perspective of name, we cannot find the characteristics of mind.
(04:06) But when we see it from the perspective of what it does, then we can see what mind is. So mind is it is present and it is invisible. Now, adding to that, adding to that, if [clears throat] you take where actually human mind is present. So I'll try to explain what actually the mind is and where mind is. So if that can be useful for any person, so this becomes a very greatest tool for a human being all together.
(04:30) Whether it is success or whether it is satisfaction also. So let's actually derive what mind is. So mind, so when we take how am I formed, how am I formed is basically by the fusion of an egg and a sperm. So when the egg and sperm gets united, it is like a nuclear fission, nuclear fusion. When these two fuses, there is a light generated.
(04:50) >> Right? >> Right? When there is a light generated, there is a collision which has happened. The sound is also present. Not only that, when these two collided, there is a moment generated. So in the core of in the core of any embryo or the zygote, whether we we see it from embryology point, there is completely all together different.
(05:08) That is the ovum, the egg that fuses, then it becomes zygote, the zygote becomes the embryo, embryo becomes the blastula and morula. That is a different concept all together. Rather than entering into the new embryology point of No, we will try to address this mind from the mysterious point of view. The mysterious point of view is once the sperm and the ovum is fused, then you have a sound there, you have light there and you have a moment there.
(05:32) These three things combine and they become life all together. Okay? When these three things fuse together and they become light all together. Now, let's derive this mind from other concept called from any mythology or theology concepts when we take, So, you consider mind as a human body. If you tell >> [snorts] >> uh a human body if I see this is a skin.
(05:54) >> Right. >> Then you have a superficial fascia. >> Mhm. >> These are the layers what I'm telling. This is a core medical subject which I which I make I give a metaphor how mind is actually. So, what happens is the skin then you have a superficial fascia then you have a deep fascia then you have muscles. >> Mhm.
(06:09) >> Muscles beside the muscles you have nerves, blood vessels and then you have a bone and the bone has a bone marrow. >> True that. >> This is the layers 1 2 3 4 5 6. These are the visible layers. These are gross layers. But there are invisible layers. Invisible layers is like >> Mhm. >> There are cells which are present which human eye cannot see.
(06:28) >> True that. >> There are chemicals which are human eye cannot see. They are present. They can seen by microscope. >> Mhm. >> Once you chemically test if you test a blood urea or Benedict's test all these things sugars and all you can see. Those are the chemicals which happen. There is emotional layer. >> Mhm.
(06:44) >> There is intelligence layer. There is memory layer. Okay? These are invisible layers. Which which are not seen which are not which as a human eye cannot even think of. So, when we consider as a human from an invisible perspective as an onion layers the first layer is probably the gross layer which we can see as a human body.
(07:04) >> Mhm. >> Then the second layer is our the human cells RBCs, WBCs and the lymphoid cells and the third layer is your chemicals whether it is blood urea or your proteins or your sugars whatever it may be. On the fourth layer we can consider the emotions, intelligence and all these things.
(07:22) And the fifth layer probably it is mind all together. >> Mhm. >> And the corest of the thing is that now the ovum and the egg is all fused there you have light. >> Right. >> And there you have a sound. There you have a moment. And that is life all together. The center of any human organism is that is called in yogic philosophy it is called self and the self has all these three components.
(07:43) For making it very simple, we consider it as three layers, that is in the center it is self and the second layer is the mind and the third layer is the body. So, this is called body, mind and self complex. >> So, like uh so, you mean to say that mind is more like a process or a system? >> So, mind Now, now that you are asking about the process and the system.
(08:04) Suppose, if we consider as a human brain. >> Right. >> So, human brain is actually developed uh say around 6 to 8 weeks. So, say 6 to 8 weeks what happens is in an embryology point of view if I tell. So, it's a neural streak which has it's a small line. It's a small line and the line and the small bulb.
(08:22) So, it's a streak and the streak folds on itself and the there are multiple layers which it folds and it becomes the forebrain, that is your cortex. >> Frontal cortex. >> Frontal cortex and your temporal lobes and parietal lobes and all. Then you have a midbrain >> [snorts] >> and the midbrain is actually takes care of your emotion and all those things.
(08:40) And it also takes care of your respiration and all so. There is hindbrain which takes care of your balance and all this cerebellum and all these things. So, how did you actually develop? So, now we will evolve it into different things. So, evolution know, evolution what happened is it is a single size single celled organism.
(08:56) When it is a single celled organism, so the the in order to survive that single celled organism, it has got only two functions. The first function is respiration, the second function was reproduction. >> Right. >> Respiration and reproduction. That respiration and reproduction is the core part of that amoebic brain.
(09:12) >> Mhm. >> Then it is slowly evolved into a multi-layered cell. Then the multi-layered cell actually has to deal with the multiple survival critical things. Then it actually developed its flight, fright and the flee mechanisms. Then then the human human brain the human brain is a rational and emotional brain.
(09:31) So, all these things from unicellular to multicellular, so this evolution actually packed the brain into one uh event. >> Right. But what is mind in brain? So we cannot find mind in brain, sir. The western philosophy >> People usually use mind and brain as interchangeably they use, right? So you're of the opinion that both are different or how does it work like? >> Uh I'll I'll try to explain this in a different concepts altogether.
(09:56) So the western if if I ask you the modern medicine, modern medicine in mind is brain in action is called uh mind. So brain in action is mind. So this brain in action it has got first is it has got the experiences, it has got the memory, it has got the intelligence. Not only that, it has got to look forward also and to make decisions also.
(10:17) Not only that, it can survive its human body also. So the modern medicine talks about body brain in action is called mind. And this is the modern medicine concept. And coming to uh the theology part of medicine or the theology part of the mind which we are talking about. So it comes from There is one experiment which was done. This is present in Uddalaka and Shvetaketu conversation with between a father and a son.
(10:51) So what he the son asked him like uh father, where is the mind? >> Mhm. >> What the father does is what he does is he gives an experiment for him saying that, "My dear son, what you do is you uh fast for 40 days." >> Okay. >> With only water. >> Mhm. >> With only water, okay? So on the 20th day I'll ask you. Okay? We will try to elicit what mind is.
(11:14) So what happens is this kid he gets into fasting. >> Mhm. >> And he doesn't [clears throat] eat any food. >> Okay. >> He takes only water. On the 20th day he could sustain his life. Okay? He could sustain his life. But on the 20th day the father asked him, "Can you recite to me um the Upanishads? >> Mhm. >> Can you recite me uh the poems which I have learned you? Not only that, what he does is he tries to hit with the a cane.
(11:42) >> Okay. >> But he could not move ahead. >> Mhm. >> So, in 20 days of fasting, what exactly has happened is with fasting he lost his cognitive capacities. >> Mhm. >> He lost his intelligence capacities. He lost his reflexive capacities. That is half of the half of the uh experiment. >> Makes sense. >> On the 20th day, what this father he does is "Son, go and eat slowly.
(12:08) " Okay? Then the boy starts eating. >> Right. >> 22nd day, 23rd day, 30th day, and the 40th day. On the 40th day, the son father asked him, "Can you recite the poems?" Now, the intelligence has come back. >> Mhm. >> The memory has come back. >> Right. >> Not only that, he made sure that some dog is pouncing on him. He could run away also.
(12:28) Okay? >> Mhm. >> He could run away. So, what exactly is here, what I meant to say is food also becomes mind. >> Yeah. >> This food has two components. What is One is the gross food what what we are eating. >> Right. >> Then the second one is the sensual food and the kind of experiences and the kind of thoughts.
(12:49) It is also a food which we are having. So, mind is actually made of mind in modern medicine we call it as brain in action is called mind. And the coming to the principle uh the better way to understand the mind is if we can bring the confluence of uh the neuro science and uh the yogic philosophies also. So, this mind is actually made by the food and the food is by the gross food and the second one is the uh spiritual food or the sensual food what we are consuming.
(13:16) So, essentially mind is derived by the food what we are consuming. >> Mhm. Mhm. Mhm. Now, this brings me to another question. Like [snorts] uh can two people have the same brains but different minds because of their habits and conditioning. >> Right. >> When we talk about the varieties of mind together, basically we have to see from the composition of the mind which is present.
(13:36) >> Mhm. >> So, until unless we don't know what is what the composition of the mind, we cannot make actually the variety and the vividness of the mind all together. >> Okay. >> So, in human population, there are many varied, okay? Indians are different. Indian brains are different. Indian construct is different.
(13:52) Greek construct is different. European construct is different. African construct is different. The same is the case with mind composition also. So, in order to understand mind much better, so I would like to give an analogy, that is So, we all everyone can drive a car, right? We know the parts of the car. >> Mhm. >> So, I'll try to bring some simulation or some analogy, so that we can compare the motor and the mind all together.
(14:18) >> Please. >> Okay? So, the moment we see a car, >> Yeah. >> we will answer the vividness of the mind all together from this composition of the mind. So, let let us first understand what mind actually is. So, when we see a car, so from the outer what we see, we see the tires. >> Yeah. >> We see the tires. We see the four tires.
(14:38) >> Mhm. >> So, if we can relate the si- tires to sensual organs. >> Mhm. >> Okay? We have a stepney also stepney also. That is the fifth. So, considering five sense organs, so we can consider the tires as the sense organs. >> Right. >> Okay? Then, [snorts] second is Then, the moment you see the car, you you have the mirrors also, the indicators.
(14:59) You have the right and the left indicators. >> Mhm. >> So, we can bring a analogy that these indicators are not nothing but your body and your face. So, what are the emotions we are carrying, that is reflected in your mind and faces also, okay? Your indicators are your uh face and your body, okay? Now, you have a fuel component there, okay? The fuel.
(15:22) Now, what is the fuel then? The fuel is what which I explained to you that we can relate in the modern era with junk food and what. I'll explain you that also. The The fuel. Okay, the fuel component is nothing but that brings the core existence of the mind all together. So, the fuel we know that there are three types of fuels which we consider.
(15:41) The first fuel is the gross fuel. The gross is which is used in the shipping industry. >> Right. >> And it brings back lots of smoke. >> Mhm. >> Okay, so when you consume lots of junk food all together, so that actually darkens your mind all together. Okay, that is first layer. The second is you have petrol >> Mhm.
(16:01) >> which is the finer part of the fuel after refining. That That gives less amount of smoke. Okay, so that is the Rajasic content of mind we say. And the purer content that is air turbine fuel which has very less smoke. >> Yeah. >> That is called Sattvic content of the fuel. >> Mhm. >> Not only the gross content, there's spiritual content also which is very important.
(16:25) So, the spiritual the kind of sensual pleasures what you take that also becomes an experience and that experience becomes actually a food for your mind all together. >> Mhm. >> That is second. Okay, and the third is when you see a car, you have four doors. >> Right. >> Okay, so we will try to understand what these doors are. The doors are one is Sattvic >> Mhm.
(16:43) >> then Rajasic >> Mhm. >> and Tamas and the fourth door is your Turiya. Turiya what I'll tell for a normal person to understand also. So, we can consider that four doors. So, that is how the composition of mind actually begins. The Sattvic is the pure form of the mind. >> Mhm. >> And the Rajasic is the passion part of the mind.
(17:04) >> Okay. >> Then your Tamas is passiveness of your mind. Whether it is inner nature of your mind. Turiya is the peace of the mind. >> Mhm. >> So, we have four parts of the mind now. >> Right. >> So, we have dealt with the car analogy also. Now, we have a key. >> Mhm. >> Okay? The key is your desire. >> Okay. >> Key is your desire. What you want to do.
(17:25) >> Mhm. >> Okay? The moment you have you have ignited the car, okay? You have the gearbox now. Okay? 1 2 3 4, okay? Now, comes the car the functions of the mind. So, mind actually has 1 2 3 4 5 gears, okay? So, for the sake to understand for normal public, the first gear is Once I see any part once I see anything which I feel that okay, what are the good and the bad? So, that is uh the evaluation part of the mind.
(17:56) This is called the manas. And this is called the manas. >> Mhm. >> Okay? Then, when it differentiates between the good and the bad, the differentiating part becomes very prominent. That is called buddhi. >> Mhm. >> Then, once you do any activity, once you do any activity, that activity becomes your memory. >> Mhm. >> That becomes your chitta.
(18:17) >> Right. >> Third gear, okay? >> Mhm. >> And the fourth gear is ahankara, right? The moment you these do these these things, your ego develops. That is the fourth. But, there is one another gear which is also present called reverse gear. >> Mhm. >> Please remind me what that reverse gear is.
(18:33) We will talk later, okay? That is one. And I did not complete yet, Shashank. >> Yeah, please. >> Uh now, we have a clutch. >> Mhm. >> Clutch is your choice. >> [laughter] >> Clutch is your choice. So, what choice you are making. >> Right. >> Okay? Then, you have both uh brake and the accelerator. Brake and brake and the accelerator are nothing but your pleasure and pain.
(18:51) >> Mhm. >> Brake is your pain. Pleasure is your accelerator. So, this is these are the components of your mind. But, there is another important beautiful thing also. That is you have uh what do you call the dickie? >> Mhm. >> Part the back space and the back space and your front space. The back space we can call it as subconscious mind.
(19:10) >> Okay. >> The front space we can call it as conscious mind. >> [laughter] >> Where the engine is present, the engine is nothing but the ego, which actually drives everything. Okay? But off late many cars, new cars, they have sunroof or sun shade also. We can call it as conscious mind also. >> That's quite an interesting analogy.
(19:32) >> So this is for a person normal to understand. So now that we have divided the components of mind all together. So it is our choice or desire where we have to enter. Now you have asked me regarding the vividness of the mind, variety of the mind. So what happens is the food the food whether it is a gross food what we are consuming or the essential food what we are what is it is we are taking inside.
(19:56) Yeah. So that becomes a component all together. So I said you the purity then the passion part and the passivity part of the inner part and the fourth part is the peace part. So we can divide it into four parts, 25% 25% 25% and 25%. This 25% if you take into permutation and combination it is infinite combinations.
(20:18) So the satvic component if you take a yogic and monks the satvic component is almost 90 plus. If it is a CEO the passion part the rajas part is highest. And if you take a tamas who is a addict drug addict or alcoholic that is a tamas part. And if not only this if some people are very happy all together that is a turiya or the peace part of the mind.
(20:41) So this is the different combination of your mind on the components of the mind which actually brings so much of variety in human mind all together. >> Now like that brings me to another question. Like so you mean to say that based on what people consume it is what determines their mind predominantly and then also their actions.
(21:06) So is there any scientific evidence for Now you have asked me scientific evidence, now I'll tell you the most important human organ is everyone will say heart, then they will say liver, then they will say kidneys, then they will say brain. Of late, I felt that the most important organ is blood. >> Okay. >> Blood is [clears throat] 5 L, sir.
(21:26) >> Mhm. >> Supposedly, if you have consumed a high cholesterol diet, suppose burger, chips, and all these things, what happens is it enters into your stomach. Then the digestive process happens. The digestive process, now that it is in the intestine, when the digestive juices have come down, so that actually becomes a thick fat in nature, sir.
(21:47) >> Mhm. >> That becomes emulsified, which is present in blood all the time. >> True. >> The moment such sort of foods which we are consuming, that becomes the blood becomes so viscous in nature. When it becomes so viscous in nature, it cannot flow forward. When it does not flow forward, stagnation happens.
(22:02) When the stagnation happens, that is when the disease process actually starts. >> Makes sense. >> Okay. Now, if a person is consuming a fresh lime juice or fresh fruits or a very non-inflammatory food, now the blood component is very lively and it can flow very fast, also, sir. >> Mhm. >> So, essentially, what we call it is called chyle, c h y l e.
(22:23) >> Okay. >> Chyle in lymphatic chyle, we say. So, the lymphatic chyle is actually a very brown a very milky white in nature, and that shall actually that enters into your blood, and that is how the refining process actually happens, sir. So, if you So, if you want me to give any evidence, >> Mhm. >> so So, this is an experiential kind of things.
(22:43) We cannot have an evidence for anything, sir. So, this is an experience. How you experience? So, the same what actually the Shvetaketu and Uddalaka have done, we can experiment with us, also, sir. We can eat the 40th day, we can eat the junk food and all. You can experiment how your body works, how your mind thinks, how your mind contemplates.
(22:59) Then after the 40th day, if you want to see really observe what your mind does to you, then you enter into a a unlimited or a fresh fruit or a very soft and light diet, then you can examine on yourselves. We have Now that we have read about modern India modern India where we have a British rule altogether. The British had different capitals altogether.
(23:21) There was a summer capital and the rain capital and the winter capital altogether. The same is the case with human mind also. It has got different different locations in which it will be present. Suppose they make what people say it is Jagrat, Swapna and Sushupta. Okay? When you are Jagrat or when you are wakeful, fully wakeful, your brain is fully active and you are in a mode of getting acquiring knowledge or you are reading or you are observing, then your mind actually is present in the center of your eyes. This is called Glabella. Okay?
(23:52) And in yogic philosophy, it is called Agna Chakra. Okay? And the second is when you are a sleepful stage. Okay? You are in a sleep. When you are sleep semi-sleep, then then what happens is your mind actually is present at your neck. Okay? That's the reason when we are in dreamful stage, either we will move our move our neck.
(24:16) Okay? Because that is where the relevant part of your mind is present. And the third is you when you are in a deep sleep. That is where the mind actually goes and rests there. That is heart. So, the location of mind or the origin of mind is heart. Is heart. Because why is it heart? Because the first organ first organ human embryo creates his heart.
(24:40) >> Okay. >> By the age of By the age of 6 to 8 weeks, the heart is formed. The modern ultrasound ultrasonography actually checks the heartbeat which is present by the 6 to 8 weeks. So, that is the dynamo of any human organism. So, in In to simplify and in order to understand, and in order to use the concept of mind, is the the location of the mind.
(25:04) The location of the mind and the seat of the mind is always in hearts. >> So, doctor, like when we talk about trauma, now when a person is affected by trauma, is it the brain which is affected or the mind which is affected or it is both? >> So, supposedly if a person is met with a trauma, >> Mhm. >> the first thing is uh he gets into pain cycle, pain scale altogether.
(25:31) So, pain scale is like zero to one you have, okay? What happens in pain is actually uh the raw nerves gets exposed. When the raw the nerves gets exposed, now impulses will be there, and the nerve impulse becomes a chaotic. Then the nociceptors, which we call it as pain receptors, and the pain receptors gets activated, and that is how uh the human brain actually perceives the pain altogether. That is one.
(25:52) Now, supposedly if that person, the same person, is sleeping deep sleep, supposedly. That pain is gone. >> Mhm. >> That pain is gone, okay? So, the mind, the moment it intervenes, it reacts to the pain. The moment it is in deeper state, it will not react to the pain also. The pain is absent. The moment that person again comes back, he can feel the pain.
(26:13) That is how the things actually work. >> Mhm. Mhm. Mhm. Like like certainly can body influence the mind? >> Body influence the mind, definitely, sir. The same is the case with I was giving you the fuel example also. Supposedly, if you are if you are eating so much of junk food, and it has produced so much of fat and the viscous content in your blood, so that your blood your blood doesn't move.
(26:39) Then your blood blood doesn't move, then you become lethargic. The moment you become lethargic, you sit in a quiet place, and you don't want to do anything. So, that actually your inerting your mind or you are bringing it to passive state to the of that mind. So, definitely it is uh the food what we continue which we take and the actions what we do and the things which we learn from the actions will definitely have an effect on your mind all together.
(27:04) And the same is the case with mind. Suppose if you're not refining your mind, if you're not reflecting on your mind and if suppose if a person take for instance grief reaction. Suppose if you have lost your very dear one and if you're not coming out of from that dear ones trauma of the grief reaction, your mind will have a negative effect and this will negative effect will impart on your body also.
(27:28) That is how depression actually works. >> Sir, as you mentioned about depression, now like I just want to understand what is actual nature of mind. Now is the actual nature of mind restless or is it always at peace? >> So, we will try to answer this question whether it is restless or whether it is at peace. So, we will try to compare with Virat Kohli.
(27:49) >> Okay. >> Okay. So, Virat Kohli when he's on the field, supposedly on the field when he's fielding, he's very aggressive. Okay? When it is when he's playing when he's batting, he's perfectly at peace. >> Yeah. >> Okay? Now, the both the natures whether it is restless or and at peace also. So, how to bring restlessness into peace? So, this is an intense action which we have to do.
(28:15) This is continuous reflection and continuous contemplation which we have to do. The inherent nature of mind is actually it it actually attaches. It is agitated. And it is scattering all together. The moment it is agitated then it is aggressive, then it is restless. What happens is this mind actually the energy actually becomes small small small part of it.
(28:40) That is called scattered brain. When it becomes scattered brain, that is that is when the restlessness happen. Now, what happens is when the mind becomes restless, what happens is that is when the darkening part of the mind will happen. The darkening part of the mind is when it becomes restless, you cannot think of what is exactly as happening with you, and you cannot get the ideas also.
(29:03) You cannot become creative all together. Then the next is the moment that scattered mind, if you have a willpower, and the willpower is like by practice. By discrimination, habit of discrimination, by restrain, by having control. Now that you have asked me, one gear which we mentioned, that is the reverse gear which is present. The reverse gear is actually pausing.
(29:26) The reverse gear is stepping back. When you step back and see, the things becomes very clear to. The car is incomplete without a reverse gear. The same is the case with mind also. When you don't practice pausing, when you don't practice getting back, when you don't practice step back, the scattered mind cannot be brought together as a gathered mind.
(29:46) The moment gathered mind is come, then that gathered mind can be concentrated. That concentrated mind becomes one pointed, that is become that becomes a focus. So from restlessness nesto being pointy, or the single mind focus is from scattering, then darkening, then it is gathering, then it is concentrating, that is one point, and then it becomes a focus all together.
(30:09) >> So now people talk about a strong mindset. You know, what exactly do they mean by a strong mindset? How do What are the characteristics or what could be the characteristics of a strong mindset? >> So mindset is actually it has got different components all together. So to give an analogy, so our parents, our fathers usually have repair set or a tool set toolkit with them.
(30:32) >> Yeah, like in childhood we used to see, right? >> All right, all right. So they they used to have these wrenches, then they have pliers, they have tape and all these things. [clears throat] So the same is the case with our mindset also. For in order to understand so in order to make it very simplified so we use for our sake of understanding we try to understanding it from the parlance of T.
(30:57) First is your uh track. >> Mhm. >> Second is uh your talk. >> Mhm. >> Third is thought. >> Mhm. >> Fourth is tune in. Fifth I shall tell you what it is. >> Mhm. >> So first is track, then talk, then thought, then tune in. >> Mhm. >> So I'll try to break what these things are. So the moment mind is created by your food and the mind is created by your essential talk.
(31:23) The moment it is created what it does is it comes out. And before the moment it comes out it tracks what should I where should I go. >> Mhm. >> So the moment it tracks what happens is it wants to go and attach to something. >> Mhm. >> [laughter] >> It is its nature. So so we will try to understand the mind mindset from the perspective of uh track, then talk, then thought, then tune in. Okay.
(31:49) The fifth I shall tell you what it is. >> Mhm. >> So the track So first is the track. Okay. The moment mind is created so what he does is it wants to attach to something. Until unless it doesn't attach to something it existence is not there. >> Mhm. >> And its existence is not there and it cannot make the other thing also exist. So what it does is it tracks.
(32:09) So in order to understand the tracking example from here we shall take the example of Charles Darwin altogether. >> Okay. >> Charles Darwin he was a brighter student and he was a medical student. So he went on a Galapagos Island. So that is when when he went into the Galapagos Galapagos Island so he tracked many fossils altogether.
(32:29) >> Mhm. >> The variety of animals which are present. >> Okay. >> So he was observing. Track is nothing but observing. >> Mhm. >> So you have tracked it you have observed it those things. And what he does is he has observed barnacles. Barnacles are small seashells which are present. So when he observed the seashells, so that intrigued me.
(32:48) Oh, that intrigued him by the shape and the size and the variety the colors or the vividness of the seashells. Then he collected those seashells. Then he saw the big turtles and that when he saw the what iguanas and all those things, then that actually intrigued him. So from observation, from the tracking and observation, what he did was he went into experimentation with that tracking kind of thing.
(33:13) So the moment he experimented with that real tracking. So with that track he observed, with that observation he collected something. When he collected something he experimented. And this has become a daily routine for him. Okay. So when he was doing doing doing doing doing and he could understand the micro patterns what exactly he was doing doing doing doing.
(33:32) And someday with sheer perseverance for eight years, when he's when he was observing micro micro micro level and the nano level very deep when when he was making all these notes, suddenly the microcosm has become the macrocosm altogether. That is how he conceived origin of theory of evolution altogether. >> Okay.
(33:52) >> So before theory before Charles Darwin on the on the ship there were might be almost 400 people, but no one could conceive the origin of species or theory of evolution. That occurred only to him because he has the capacity to observe very micro micro elements altogether. When he micro elemented or when he micro observed the big picture altogether appeared to him.
(34:14) The first element is actually tracking. >> Right. >> That is one. And the second element giving that example with Marconi also the radio also. What he was doing is he was actually observing how a transistor works, how a magnet works, how electricity works, then how a sound amplifier works. What he was seeing seeing seeing was tracking them tracking them tracking them.
(34:38) And when essentially when he combined all together, that is how the radio is actually invented. So, the first mindset is your observation or your tracking capacities of your the same is the case with MS Dhoni also. And so when he's on the field, so he observes very intensely very intensely that intense observation had made him a proactive at least a five steps ahead of all these people.
(35:02) When he becomes five steps ahead, he could control his anger. He could control his restlessness. Then that is how he got the Mr. Cool which I feel. So, it is observation capacities are the first that is we can name it as track for her to understand. That is track. And the second one is talking. Okay. So, I give you an I before starting this I we have we have tracked we have talked about the example of how an ovum and a again the sperm is fused and the sound is present.
(35:35) That sound is actually the internal chatter what we have. That is the constant what we can talk to others, but the kind of internal chatter what we have no one could listen. So, this talk what what am I talking to myself? That is very important. So, this talk actually defines whether will I go into a positive side or into the negative.
(35:57) So, talk is nothing but your energy. So, what sort of energy you have? So, if you continuously and cautiously use the positive words, then that becomes the positive energy. And if you without any choice if you kind of use negative, that becomes your negative energy. So, what exactly it does? I give you an example all together.
(36:18) The example is there is one famous Indian Idol winner. His name is called Sunny Hindustani. So, he sings he he was actually a shoe polish man in Punjab. So he was an intense fan and he was a very fan to Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. So what Nusrat Fateh he wanted and he repeatedly said to himself that he would like to sing like Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.
(36:42) >> Right. >> So he continuously said said said to himself said to himself said to himself that I would sing like Nusrat Saab Nusrat Saab Nusrat Saab. When you listen to his Qawwalis on Indian Idol we actually feel that whether it is Nusrat Saab is only singing that. So that is the power of >> manifestation. >> the power of the talk all together.
(37:02) >> Sir you also worked as an assistant professor where you taught lot of students MBBS students and PG students. So like what does teaching do to a person? Like as a teacher you were a student and also a teacher right? So what does teaching actually give you a different perspective towards life? >> So there is a very famous saying from Einstein also.
(37:22) Until unless you are not you don't learn the thing completely you cannot teach it very simply also. >> Right. >> So that is the case. Teacher if I have to teach to someone I have to learn it into a different perspective and in a very depth and detail manner. So the day you learn any concepts in depth and detail that is when your core consciousness will change and that is how human wisdom also from the knowledge and the wisdom how actually evolves is through teachers. We evolve.
(37:50) The moment you teach someone that knowledge is actually perfected. So coming to that there is now that you have asked me about teacher also. There is a good student can learn lots of things from the bad teacher also so there is one saying and second saying is when the student is ready teacher appears. When the student learns on himself the teacher disappears.
(38:11) So this is the three stages how a teacher actually self teaching also happens. >> So it gives the precision and thought maybe like you know teaching actually >> Oh definitely sir precision and that brings lots of creativity also. The way you teach and the way you make things learn also and that brings a that even expands your thought also.
(38:31) Coming to uh the example of What do you call Tesla? So Tesla actually he learned many things from Edison. >> Right. So >> Well Edison was a good teacher. He was a scientist and essentially was a very good teacher. From Edison actually this Tesla the teaching component actually made Tesla to invent many things.
(38:56) Actually teaching brings many vivid experiences into any subjects. >> Mhm. Of late there are a lot of discussions that India is not valuing its teachers enough. Do you second this opinion? >> Valuing teachers? >> Yeah. >> Sir, of late when we were in medicine there were a physical teachers. >> Mhm. >> So definitely that reverence for teachers were was there because it was physical component which she used to have.
(39:20) The same is the case with with MBBS and MS Orthopedics and when I joined for civil services then the technology boom has come. Much of the things are being taught online. So probably it is because of the human touch which is missing as a teacher. So probably that is missing but down the line I feel that every human in order to evolve from a stage to another stage definitely it is teacher which is very important.
(39:43) And until unless we don't revere the teacher so the knowledge does not come. That humility does not come and then when the humility does not come knowledge learning will not come. >> Sure. Sure. That's a very important point that you have mentioned like humility. For any human being to be a learner a good learner they have to first be a seeker right? To be a good seeker you should have that humility.
(40:01) >> Okay. >> You know I think that is definitely a very impactful point that you have made. Doctor you moved from medicine field to civil services. Was there any specific reason for the same? >> Nothing as such because I felt that Orthopedics Um, I have learned that I was just experimenting myself.
(40:21) So, should I learn civil services? I was off late then I became very interested in geography, then political situations, then uh now that my age matured I could understand the economic aspects of a state and all. Then I thought I that intrigued me. When that intrigued me, I thought I'll read civil services subjects.
(40:38) Then that is how my journey started with the intriguingness of the geopolitical issues or the economic issues or the societal issues that intrigued me to prepare for civil services. >> So, it was more out of sheer curiosity. Now, now that you've taken the decision, did you ever feel that you're leaving your doctor identity behind and getting into a new role? Because, you know, society reveres doctors.
(40:59) At least at that point of time, usually people are sorted. I've become a doctor when it comes to your family and peers also. My son is a doctor. You know, it's it's a matter of prestige. So, do you did you ever feel like if I become a civil servant, probably I might leave this identity behind? >> No, sir, because I wrote my civil services with medical option.
(41:17) I'm very good at medical option. >> Right. >> So, not only that, then >> Very few people take medical optional. >> Uh yes, so >> How come you have chosen that? >> So, I had intense passion for medicine also, sir. I am very thorough with medical subjects. And even this 2025, for me to read medical subjects is always enlightening and very enthusiastic.
(41:41) That is one and second is so that doctor being a doctor as being an author >> So, I did not leave also, sir. >> Because I am doing many things also. Now, sports medicine in different fields, be it IOC, be it Harvard, or be it FIFA sports medicine, it's an online course. Harvard is also online course. And then I am interested in longevity medicine.
(42:04) Then I'm interested in regenerative medicine also. So, as time permits, probably I'll do that also, sir. >> Certainly a avid learner. >> And one more one more thing one more thing. I did not leave my medicine because most of my professionals, be it railways, be it civil services I teach them.
(42:24) I teach them on healing diseases or explaining how disease actually occurs. I like take lots of seminars. It for our official railway professionals and the personal also. So, I try to contribute from the health perspective also being an administrator. >> In the recent times or in the present modern times, what do you think is the most neglected function? >> A neglected function is sir The neglected function is the mind has the power of going at it attaching it to it.
(42:53) That instantly goes and attaches sir. The most neglected part is training your mind to sit quiet also is very important sir. You have to bring back that mind rather than training it you have to bring back. You have to get that things back again. So, here I can give you the example of Mike Tyson.
(43:16) So, Mike Tyson after he becoming entangled in some court cases, what he does is he enters into the prison and he was continuously boxing, boxing, boxing, boxing, boxing. So, what he was actually becoming he was harnessing his physical power. So, then he felt that I I'm not harnessing my mental power. So, then his coach coach what he continuously said is Mike you have to train your mental powers also and the mental powers is by meditating.
(43:42) So, what in the jail cell what he did was he actually he actually brought his mind into a quieter stage. When you bring back that quieter stage of mind the still that agitation becomes slowly, slowly, slowly, slowly, slowly still. And that agitation from the rarity it becomes purity. The moment it becomes pure, you have uncontrollable powers which you have sir.
(44:05) You will not react with aggression but you will react with so much of precision you would do. And after the after that coming out of that prison there was this in Madison Square Garden I guess. So there was a match between his opponent and he could knock out his opponent within 8 seconds. That is the power of the mind also. >> Mhm. That is a purity.
(44:24) >> A purity of mind. And the purity is sir that you have to sit quiet. You have to bring it back. You have to bring it back. That is very important. You have to bring it. You have to sit quiet. So the same is the case with Bruce Lee also. So Bruce Lee Bruce Lee we see Bruce Lee from the perspective of very strong physical when you see the Enter the Dragon posters you see those chiseled body and also.
(44:47) That chiseled body has invisible part that is the purity of mind also. He trained it by sitting quiet and he practiced Zen Buddhism. He practiced Kinin that is walking meditation also. So meditation now that you are asking me body needs sleep. Mind needs body. Sleep is the rest for the body. For mind the rest is meditation.
(45:12) >> Mhm. So as part of the conversation you were telling about the five variables. So can you talk about the remaining? >> Yes. Yes. The first part is the track which we have tried to try to deal with the Charles Darwin as an example. And the second one was with the thoughts with the talk that is by Phil Jackson example.
(45:31) And [snorts] with the thought. Thought is what happens is what actually thought is. Thought is what happens is when the mind becomes still. Supposedly you assume that it is a lake. >> Mhm. >> And some ripple which is present. That ripple in mind is called thought. >> Okay. >> The moment the thought is attached to whether it is a good or bad that becomes a feeling.
(45:56) >> Yeah. >> And the thought feelings when drives into an action it becomes an emotion all together. So so thought has all components whether it is the feeling or the emotion or the desire to do an action. So, thought. See, thought I would like to give an example of what actually thought does to a human body all together.
(46:13) So, you know this game called horse riding, right? So, horse riding the horse riding has very very three It is called triple crown. The triple crown is Kentucky Derby, then the Preakness, and the third one is the Belmont Stakes. So, in this in the three things, it is horse racing is a very intense sport. >> Mhm.
(46:33) >> Here, why is it intense sport is because we as humans, we cannot control our mind itself. >> Mhm. >> Now, in a game like horse racing, you have to control the mind of the horse. >> Yeah. >> Not only controlling that mind of the horse, >> Mhm. >> then the the horse muscles and your muscles and you have to become a unison all together.
(46:53) Okay? Until unless this unison is not bought and this unison is not target oriented, you cannot win the race all together. So, here apart from the horse, apart from me, that is my mind, my muscle, horse and horse muscle, and the trainer, and the owner. So, for this I'd like to give an example called uh there is one great horse which is called Secretariat.
(47:17) >> Mhm. >> So, Secretariat is a horse which has won the three, that is Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and the Belmont Stakes. It is considered one of the greatest horse which is alive. >> Okay. >> So, we will try to understand the greatest attributes of thought from the perspective of the Secretariat, okay? So, Secretariat uh in the Belmont Stakes, >> Yeah.
(47:40) >> it has made a record from the from almost a 30 length. Supposedly, it is 30 seconds time place, okay? It has won that race. And no one could have been that race till this moment, the record. So, with Secretariat, with Secretariat, there was another horse which was running, that is called Sham. It is called Sham.
(48:03) So, what happened was when the trainer when the trainer goes into to ride the horse, he has to have that positive attitude and the positive thought. The moment you are you are not having that positive attitude and a positive thought, that horse picks up the thought. When the thought the horse picks up that thought, what happens is Now, after the race what happened happens was Sham was going very fast.
(48:30) Then Secretariat was actually in the back of it. The horse trainer what he does is he was actually abusing that thought abusing that horse saying that you have to run it very fast. So, when it was run not running fast, what that fellow what that rider did was was actually whipping the horse. Okay, when that thought was infused into the Sham, and the Secretariat jockey was not punishing it.
(48:56) >> Mhm. >> He was continuously saying, "Very good. Very good. Very good. Go ahead. Go ahead. Go ahead. Go ahead. Go ahead." He was giving that input. >> Yeah. >> And after the middle of the race, Secretariat has overloaded that Sham. >> Mhm. >> And it became the world record all together. That is how from the horse jockey trainers have shifted from whipping to talking very positive and with a very positive thoughts all together.
(49:22) And mind you, the same from that probably I don't know. That is when people say if a performance is failed they say it is a Sham performance. >> Mhm. >> And the Sham could not run the race all together. So, the power of thought is that all together. >> Fantastic. That's a great example, sir. >> Amazing, sir.
(49:39) Like that brings me to this question. Like a while ago you mentioned about meditation also. You practiced or studied about various yogic practices and meditations like Zen, Yoga Nidra, etc. So, what exactly is meditation for a layman to understand? And secondly, what does meditation begin with? Does it begin with breath or silence or observation? >> So, meditation has many parts.
(50:03) It is not a single discipline altogether. Stoics, for them, just observation was a part of it. For yogic, it is observation plus breathing. For other religions, it is by writing many things. So, meditation is nothing but the nature of the mind. The nature of the mind is First is the moment the mind is created, it goes into attachment.
(50:28) It goes into attachment. So, meditation is a process where the attachment nature is brought into attractive nature. >> Okay. >> From attachment to attraction. How does it happen? Attachment to attraction. If you read this book uh uh of >> [clears throat] >> uh Daniel Goleman. So, he writes about so much of meditation also.
(50:50) >> So, he's also written about emotional intelligence. >> Uh emotional intelligence also. Daniel Goleman, what he says is he has this book called Science of Meditation or something as such, which I forgot the name. So, what he tells is that there are many disciplines where he says that you observe your thought you observe your breath you observe your how thought dissolves.
(51:09) There are many disciplines there. So, what he tells is rather than observation, you the moment that observation is lifted out to some exquisite thoughts, what he tells is bring back the thought. Bring back bring back bring back. So, bringing back is actually meditation. >> But that is the most difficult part. >> Oh, that has to be trained.
(51:25) So, that has to be trained and you have to sit you have to work on you because that is when from attachment attraction happens. That moment rather than mind meditation, we can call it as mind magnetization technique. >> [laughter] >> Mind magnetization. >> The moment magnetization that becomes you become very still.
(51:42) When you becomes very still, what happens is everything comes to you. That is law of attraction people say. That is Rhonda Byrne has written that saying that lambda law of attraction. So that is stillness is the key and the Stoics also say that you stay still stay still stay still. When you become still what happens is actually you are infusing so much of magnetic or attractive capacities in your brain.
(52:04) So this happens very easily also just stay quiet and sit quietly in your room. Do nothing. This has to be done sitting quietly in your room and the morning silence is also very important. If you can practice morning silence for morning 15 minutes so that brings us so much of stillness here in your mind vibration all together. >> Coming back to our discussion about the T's I think something is left out over there.
(52:23) >> Ah yes, in tuning so we would like to I would like to say something about another thing called awareness. What is this awareness concept? Awareness or consciousness all these things comes come. There is a very good book called focus by Dandapani. So what he tells is mind is actually a big palace.
(52:40) So on the right side say supposedly you have all the positive say for thankfulness, gratitude forgiveness, love, compassion, empathy, sensitivity. On the left side is vengeance, anger, hatred, enmity, animosity on the left side. Okay? But that mind is completely dark. Okay? I am that person and I am holding a headlight with me.
(53:02) The coal miners which they actually go and dig that coal mine. So that headlight so where do I want to stand? Supposedly if I go and if I see to the right side I can see on the positive thing. And if I see on the left side it is left side. So focus is what do you want to where do you want to focus? That is very important.
(53:21) The emotive part of the mind is also very important. When the emotive part of the mind comes that is when people say it is awareness which is very important. So the first T is your track that is your observation capacity that we have learned it from the Charles Darwin and Marconi.
(53:41) And the second is your talk the positive internal communication by Phil Jackson Phil Jackson and your third is uh your thought that is from the secretariat the horse and the fourth is your tune in that is formula one races and the fifth T this is uh very very important that is that is fathers our fathers used to have that toolkit and the toolkit every time they used to keep a new tool into that new tool and they used to take out the other tool other tool out of it.
(54:17) So the other thing is that that particular toolkit is finite in size. >> Yeah. >> Okay finite in size. In order to make it infinite in order to make it infinite we have to pull it other things also that is called emptiness philosophy. >> Okay. >> So that philosophy is Zen Buddhism philosophy that is uh uh from this I would like to say about Jack Ma also.
(54:40) >> Mhm. >> So Jack Ma I was reading his biography so where he's where he says that I could relate that >> Yeah. >> [snorts] >> the word which can describe Jack Ma is nothing. N O T H I N G nothing is nothing but emptiness. >> Why would you say that? >> Why would I say this? Because uh when I read and when I mysteriously understood what exactly it is so what I felt that when he had nothing >> Mhm.
(55:06) >> he had discipline when he had nothing he had devotion >> Mhm. >> when he had nothing he had uh determination when he had nothing he had everything. So that is the reason people say in the biography also he says that in a very big mansion he has this a small room where he used to uh live in Hong Kong as a teacher and the same house is present in his bungalow his mansion also where he goes and he sits there make sure that that nothing is present in self so that he can have everything.
(55:36) >> Wonderful wonderful example sir. So, like that's a very good way of putting across things. The five T's that you mentioned, they have very deep significant impact and the way you've given a lot of examples and analogies, you know, that that has made >> [snorts] >> that concept very simpler for us as an audience.
(55:55) Now, let's move to UPSC preparation. You also successfully cleared the examination and you know the examination process. So, what kind of mindset does it require to clear the Mains examination, sir? >> Sir, here Mains examination is on the important front is we are actually fighting with the time. >> Yeah. >> Yeah.
(56:17) Because we have almost 20 questions and we have to write all the questions, okay? And in order to have that, we have to have a very, very, very, very informative preparation also. >> [snorts] >> And that informative preparation when you write in the examination, when you sit in the examination, you should not have any time lapse and you have to premeditate the answer before the question is you have to deal that question beforehand itself.
(56:43) >> Mhm. >> So, how to deal that? How to deal that is you have to take the newspaper, sir. Every newspaper, consider that newspaper headline, whatever the headline, you can reframe that ad as a question >> Mhm. >> in in itself. Whether you can put that statement and you can say that you critically analyze, examine, >> elucidate, >> or whatever the adjectives which we have in civil services examination.
(57:07) And you should have at least a 10 to 15 points for pro and cons. So, for that point, you whether it is a geopolitical issue or societal issue or economic issue or basically it's an ethic ethical answer writing also. You have to pre-handly you have to have that answer in that mind itself. So, how to do that? How to do that is that is one regular having rather than writing a complete answer what we can have is we can have a bullet points all together.
(57:40) So, if some geopolitical situation is there you need to have one two three four five points. India Israel that is on agriculture technology or warfare strategy and all these things. Whether it comes to society whether it is the modern day economic issues. So, you need to have one two three four five another piece one two three four five.
(58:00) If you can have that content in positive and the negative sides of it and if you can have a way forward on the positive note and the negative note before entering into the exam hall to get that that kind of preparation if you have you will not have any time lag where you can again think of and what exactly to be written that is when you can save the time.
(58:22) When you can save the time you can complete all the answers when you complete the all the answer with a decent content I will I'm pretty sure that you can clear everyone can clear the mains all together. >> Sir, as far as your experience is concerned mains examination is about information or the kind of expression? >> Sir, information expression and the decision these three things will come.
(58:42) So, what information you have and how are you expressing that and what kind of decision are we making? So, if you can have those both information expression and the decision with a quantifiable examples and if you can put that and if you can make it much more lucid with flow charts and what do you call the pictures and the pie charts and all these things.
(59:05) So, if you can put some sketch pens on the colors so that takes care of all the answers also. >> Sir, coming to mains preparation you know many aspirants have this dilemma. Sir, when I'm writing the mains examination or when I'm writing the mock test I am having lot of disturbance in my mind a lot of thoughts are running in my mind.
(59:25) So, as far as your experience and understanding of this examination is concerned, can a disturbed mind write good answers? >> So, disturbed mind you have to bring it to a clarity, sir. Why is it disturbed? Basically, you are information dense, that is one. Second is your clarity of thought, how are you uh how is the thought flowing into that particular answer? And the third thing is >> [clears throat] >> what what sort of decision are we making? So, rather than having uh agitated or restless mind, so we can have an answer beforehand itself so that
(59:56) this particular thing is dealt beforehand itself before This is like a war ground, sir. You have to prepare your battle before itself. This is a Napoleon strategy. You have to study each and every part very minute details, and you have to prepare for that strategy. And when that strategy works out, the same actually happens in your battle ground, also.
(1:00:15) There, if you are fearless and there, if you are fearful and if you are agitated and if you are remorseful, this is a cutthroat competition, so you we cannot survive, sir. So, this has to be the pre-battle strategy, also. You have to prepare it thoroughly, thoroughly. >> Sir, you must have also observed many students collect lot of information, but still struggle in the examination.
(1:00:33) Why is that so? It's not like they don't have information or content. >> Sir, it is the demand of the question, which is very important. So, you have to understand the demand of the question. Then you have to have the same the demand and the kind of information should actually mirror that demand of the question.
(1:00:51) Not only the information what we are giving, the relevance of the information, which is also important. Once the relevance of that information is given, and how actually how actually you make a decision with that relevant examples, also, is very important. First, we have to understand the demand of the question, what exactly it is asking, and you have to have that information mirrored to that demand.
(1:01:11) >> Another major challenge is answer writing speed. How to improve answer writing speed without losing the depth? >> Oh, right. So, now you have >> quality of answer. >> Uh quality. First, you have to have speed. >> Mhm. >> Until and unless you don't have a speed, so even if you have a very great information, the quality of information and if that information is not put in that correct time, so it will not give you anything.
(1:01:34) So rather than what you have to do is you have to practice handwriting. That is very important. Suppose if an answer is of 250 words, so what you have what I per se did was my name is Pradeep p r a d e p it is almost seven letter word. So I used to make 150 boxes and 150 boxes 250 boxes then I used to write Pradeep Pradeep Pradeep Pradeep Pradeep how much time am I taking? >> Okay.
(1:01:56) >> So that way you can actually you can increase the speed also. So when you increase the speed at the same time the quality of information which you have and the information and the speed if you can put that and that 20 marks that 20 questions we can complete it in with three hours. Not only this the medical medical option is very very very very vast also.
(1:02:15) >> Mhm. >> And every question it has almost many sub parts and the sub parts have again sub sub parts also. So for that here even if you have information, if you don't have a speed we cannot work on both information and speed are very important. >> Mhm. So like what >> The same is the case with ethics paper also.
(1:02:34) Ethics paper is very vast you have to give many real time examples also many real time solutions to any case studies also. There you have to have a very good handwriting speed also. >> Mhm. So like you must have interacted with a lot of aspirants once you cleared the examination and before that also a lot of your peers who are into the preparation phase etc.
(1:02:54) What do you think uh is or are the biggest mistakes that aspirants make when it comes to the UPSC Mains examination? >> First thing is sir they neglect their physical exercise. >> Rightly said. >> Very important. >> That's the most neglected and less talked spoken about thing. >> So I give my example. I give my example. I have cleared the UPSC four times.
(1:03:14) I went for four Four interview. >> True. >> Okay, two times I got into IRTS. So, third and fourth I could not get into IRTS. So, I was contemplating. So, I was contemplating what exactly went wrong with my preparation. What What were the strategies? Every time I used to reinvent myself and I used to clear the examination, but essentially I could not make into the final list.
(1:03:34) Then I contemplated what went wrong. So, when I was reading some book I don't know what book I I was reading some Italian poem and the Italian poem is like this that in the medieval in the Roman Empire so they wanted to have a weapon which is which can be used by the infantry, cavalry, and the kings also.
(1:03:56) So, that is when the weapon has to be decided decided. So, this is like a selection of a weapons among the weapons. >> Yeah. >> The first weapon was what? >> Mhm. >> Okay, the sword. What are the advantages of sword is it can cut on the two sides. >> Yeah. >> Okay. When it is cutting on the two sides it may damage you.
(1:04:14) That is the biggest disadvantage. Second thing is the advantage of it is very agile. You can swiftly move it. That is second. Third thing is supposedly if it breaks, you cannot use in both of the hands it is gone. So, that way the sword was kept second or third in position. Then mace was there. The competition was with mace. >> Mhm.
(1:04:33) >> In order to use mace you need to have a shoulder strength very big robust shoulders. So, that cannot be given to all the infantry or the cavalry who are very robust and who have a shoulder they can only use the mace. >> And >> the advantage of the mace is like the moment it is hurt hit the opponent will not come back again.
(1:04:53) So, it is such a destructive weapon. But it is heavy we cannot use. That is another disadvantage. The third was the chain saw which were they were using. So, like that there were many advantages and disadvantages. Essentially one equipment one weapon which was actually was selected. The weapon is spear. >> Mhm.
(1:05:12) >> So, [clears throat] why spear was selected? The why spear was selected is because spear is a forger of a strong wood and a sharp metal. >> Right. >> Right? If the wood is not strong, the thrusting capacity of the spear is lost. And if the wood if the steel is not sharp, the piercing capacity of the spear is lost.
(1:05:37) So, it is a combination of wood and a combination of metal. Strong wood and a sharp metal. >> Yeah. >> Strong wood and a sharp It is forged. Suppose if it breaks into two pieces, both we can handle it >> Yeah. >> in both hands. And that spear is of weightless. It can be used any untrained person also. There is no need for so much of shoulder strength.
(1:06:04) Okay? And you can keep at least 6 ft away multiple people also. And you can throw it at a different thing. So, that was the reason the knights and the inventories always had in Italian Roman Empire they used to have a spear. Now, bringing that metaphor into my life, so when I was giving civil services, my brain was sharp, but my body was weak because I was not exercising.
(1:06:26) >> Mhm. >> So, the loss of if I have to contemplate what went wrong with me see is I was not exercising. Had I was exercising, that would be a complete uh spear. I would have been a weapon of myself that would have kept you in everything altogether. So, the most important thing is for any aspirant is what I tell them is uh please take care of your body and exercise regularly.
(1:06:50) That is very Eat very minimal and sharpen your mind, that is by the magnetization method. So, the mindset is track, uh talk, then thought, then tune in, and uh the two late. So, that is how. So, coming to the car analogy which we have explained, the most important part of another uh part is the exhaust. The exhaust is letting go, sir.
(1:07:13) If you're not letting go, you cannot move ahead also. >> Perfect. >> Perfect. So, uh my advice is whether uh whether we may win or may we may lose, our mind has only one place to stay, that is in our body. So, please take care of your body very well. >> So, that gets me to another question. How can meditation help UPSC aspirants? >> So, meditation, it is not only for UPSC aspirants, it is for everyone, sir.
(1:07:37) >> Yeah. >> First is it brings you lots of clarity of thought. >> Mhm. >> Second thing is it become it trains you about patience also. And third thing is it sharpens your mind also. Fourth thing is uh it gives an ability. So, why humans are humans? Because animal any animal is perpetually present. So, it cannot think about past, it cannot think about future.
(1:08:03) But as humans, we have this ability called mind. So, mind can go back and reflect and it can project into future also. >> Right. >> So, this is a major tool which we have. So, the tool can be sharpened by by one mechanism that is called meditation only. So, rather than we call it as meditation, let's call it as magnetization method.
(1:08:25) So, the moment it is magnetized, how is it magnetized? From the law of attachment to law of attraction. >> Mhm. >> The principle [clears throat] is you sit quietly in a room. You You sit quietly in a room and you observe where your thoughts are going and you bring it back. You bring it You can have any commodity, whether it is a light, whether it is a breath.
(1:08:44) Or another thing is that you can have a reflective thoughts what you are happening what what I went wrong. And you have a contemplative journal, okay, I will do this, I will do this, I will do this, I will not do like this, I will do this. That is prayer on paper, that is second.
(1:08:59) The third thing what you were saying is the prayer and the divine connection. So, you can have a divine connection also. And the fourth thing is NSD that is yoga nidra. So, you can have train your sleep also. So, the physical exercise and the sleep part and all these the sleep >> So, it's a balance of >> It's a balance. It's a physical exercise, then the basic pranayama techniques, then you can sharpen your brain by meditation, and you can have your sleep training by the yoga nidra also.
(1:09:30) That brings a comprehensive way you can actually deal aspirations of UPSC preparation. >> Right. Right. So, that holistic personality >> Not only that, you you could you should have a plan B also. Because it is taking so much of your years also. So, now what plan B uh anyone can have. Suppose if someone is doing BSE, he can have a chemistry background.
(1:09:51) So, he can develop he can do a masters in simultaneously. It doesn't take much. Not only that, he can add some some skill, whether it is drawing or whether it is learning a music or learning a basic finances. So, you that doesn't take much time also. So, even if you don't clear your UPSC, the moment you come out, you have many skills together and the skills will all take you to another level altogether.
(1:10:11) >> But some people say that like when once you start thinking about plan B, your focus on the core goal will be you know, reduced. >> It is not backing up. So, basically when you have a plan B, you have no fearful factor also. So, you can see it from the fear perspective also. That now that you have something in your hand, you can do much better also.
(1:10:33) >> So, that way it brings you have more confidence. >> You we can have more confidence. >> More free mind. >> More free mind. >> Mhm. >> And the way you look at things also becomes very enlightened and >> Yeah, better clarity. >> Better clarity and the better perspective also. >> Mhm.
(1:10:48) You'll not have any inhibitions per se. >> So, now that you have asked me the difference between attention, concentration and focus, I'll tell you the example by giving you the optics the lens formula what we have. Lens is like you have a concave convex lens where you have and you have [clears throat] a big palm tree. This is a physics which we used to learn.
(1:11:08) There are rays which come out. So, the rays are nothing but the attention. Once that attention which is got into the lens, it is called concentration. And the concentration which is brought into a small point is called focus. So, attention, concentration, and focus. So, this is how um the steering of the car works.
(1:11:32) Then you have the key that is the desire. Then you have the gearbox that is your manas, chitta, buddhi, and ahankara. Then you have choice that is your clutch. Then you have your break and your accelerator that is both pain and pleasure. And you as a driver, you should have perspective what am I looking at. So, this is the thing and another important plane of function is uh mind always gets into attraction uh attraction attachment.
(1:11:58) So, from attachment to attraction. So, from the law of attachment to law of attraction, it happens by the way you meditate. So, if you have a practice of meditating, then that becomes rather than a meditative process, it becomes magnetization process. That is fourth. And the fifth is uh the T philosophy. That is your track that is observative capacity.
(1:12:19) Then then you have talk the positive internal communication what you have. The constant chatter which you have in your mind. Third is your thoughts. Where you have we have used the horse jockeying example also. And the fourth is uh our tune in. That is how focus actually works. The formula one flow and fusion technique. And the fifth one is to let.
(1:12:41) That is your emptiness. Until and unless you are not empty, the whole Zen Buddhism concept fits in. So, that is how the things will come. So, this is all a If you can use mind, its origin, the nature, then the planes of mind, the constituents of mind by using car as an example, and the methods how we do, whether it is by journaling, yoga nidra, or meditation, or breathing.
(1:13:03) So, this is how how mind actually you observe, then the observation makes it a magnetic powers. That is how from law of attachment, you get into law of attractions. >> So, finally, in a very brief manner, can you share any words of wisdom for the younger generation? >> So, the wisdom is um very important wisdom is, sir, you have to have a book for yourself.
(1:13:26) You might be reading geography, polity, whatever book. So, my dear friends, have a book for yourself. Daily, whatever you are facing with, you have a book. That is called prayer on paper. So, you put those thoughts on your paper. Slowly, slowly, that thought slowly, slowly gets refined.
(1:13:43) And the moment those refined, that is the most important book in our lives. Until unless you don't have a book for ourselves, nothing will come out of us. >> Amazing, sir. Like, it was certainly, you know, an amazing conversation, and it was so much so insightful. Like, a lot of things that I or the audience did not know.
(1:14:00) You explained those things in a very simplistic, you know, lot of complex topics you explained to us in a very simplistic manner with relevant examples and correlations and analogies. And I'm sure there like significant takeaways that not only UPSC aspirants, but general youth cutting across age groups, they'll get a lot of learning from this.
(1:14:21) And to be precise, like uh you know, we also got an understanding how a person can handle their inner life by also taking care of the external responsibilities. How it is through your experience and through your work and the insights that you have shared. Thank you so much, sir. >> It was wonderful having you. >> Thank you, Shashish.
(1:14:51) >> Mhm.