For more work, Balanced Mind is more essential
In various Upanishads we find that
this Vedanta philosophy is not the outcome of meditation in the forests only,
but that the very best parts of it were thought out and expressed by brains
which were busiest in the everyday affairs of life. We cannot conceive any man
busier than an absolute monarch, a man who is ruling over millions of people,
and yet, some of these rulers were deep thinkers.
Everything
goes to show that this philosophy must be very practical; and later on, when we
come to the Bhagavad-Gita — most of you, perhaps, have read it, it is the best
commentary we have on the Vedanta philosophy — curiously enough the scene is
laid on the battlefield, where Krishna teaches this philosophy to Arjuna; and
the 
doctrine
which stands out luminously in every page of the Gita is intense activity, but
in the midst of it, eternal calmness. This is the secret of work, to attain
which is the goal of the Vedanta. Inactivity, as we understand it in the sense
of passivity, certainly cannot be the goal. Were it so, then the walls around
us would be the most intelligent; they are inactive. Clods of earth, stumps of
trees, would be the greatest sages in the world; they are inactive. Nor does
inactivity become activity when it is combined with passion. Real activity,
which is the goal of Vedanta, is combined with eternal calmness, the calmness
which cannot be ruffled, the balance of mind,
I have been asked many times how we
can work if we do not have the passion which we generally feel for work, I also
thought in that way years ago, but as I am growing older,
getting more experience, I find it is not true. The less passion there is, the
better we work. The calmer we are, the better for us, and the more the amount
of work we can do. When we let loose our feelings, we waste so much energy,
shatter our nerves, disturb our minds, and accomplish very little work. The
energy which ought to have gone out as work is spent as mere feeling, which
counts for nothing. It is only when the mind is very calm and collected that
the whole of its energy is spent in doing good work. And if you read the lives
of the great workers which the world has produced, you will find that they were
wonderfully calm men. Nothing, as it were, could throw them off their balance.
That is why the man who becomes angry never does a great amount of work, and
the man whom nothing can make angry accomplishes so much. The man who gives way
to anger, or hatred, or any other passion, cannot work; he only breaks himself
to pieces, and does nothing practical. It is the calm, forgiving, equable,
well-balanced mind that does the greatest amount of work.
A balanced mind can indeed lead to increased productivity and efficiency, which may be interpreted as "doing more work." When the mind is balanced, one is better able to focus, concentrate, and think clearly, which can lead to better decision-making, problem-solving, and creativity.
Balanced mind can also help reduce stress and anxiety, which can often interfere with one's ability to work effectively. By managing stress levels and maintaining a sense of calm, one can work more efficiently and effectively, leading to increased productivity. Moreover, a balanced mind can promote a positive outlook and a more optimistic attitude towards work, which can help foster motivation and engagement. This can help individuals stay focused and committed to their work, even in the face of challenges or setbacks.
A positive balanced mind can be a valuable asset when it comes to being productive and efficient in one's work.
