Ever catch the Mind lying helpless in a dark tunnel when life is pressing in on you? Just when you need a courageous ally, the mind has become disabled, a runaway soldier. If you can witness the disabled mind, there is a good chance you will want to have a serious talk with it.

Besides a good talking to, what are the techniques that have worked for you when the cowardly companion of the mind must be made into a helpful ally? Here are few I have tried. I call them the beg, borrow, or steal trio. They can give the mood a boost. One technique might work one day, and another day another one might just do the trick.

Technique 1 – Beg

This works well when there is a feeling of helplessness. You do not know where to turn. Every idea has met a dead end. You feel exhausted and defeated. This is time to pray. To feel fully the desires of your soul. To know within your heart, what you really, really want. These heart felt desires are prayers. The feelings can happen spontaneously, and you can also stop, search your heart, and elicit the feelings intentionally. I call it begging.

Technique 2 – Borrow

Borrowing works when within there is a little determination within. It is possible to recall the significant victories in the past, and just how uncertain those times were.  There is a chance you will find that magic ingredient that worked previously and is missing right now. Maybe it was faith that gave stability. Identify it, borrow it from yourself, and use it again.

Technique 3 – Steal

I find this technique works when I know and feel there is an answer somewhere.  The mind can become an ally by thinking about people that have been in a similar challenging situation. For example, it could be my ancestors, a distant acquaintance, or a religious figure. These individuals remained courageous and showed strength of character. Simply by thinking of their virtue, I feel more virtuous. It is like taking from them without asking their permission. Just think of their courage, and there it is – a courageous feeling.  Is it somewhat like stealing?

Remember the trio:  beg, borrow or steal to make Mind an ally.