Shrunken Mind
Another state of mind is the shrunken mind. A shrunken mind means a mind that is lethargic, drowsy, in a state of sloth and torpor. It destroys effort, it destroys resolve, it prevents you from going forward. So at all times we must try to avoid our mind going into a shrunken state. Two factors bring about this shrunkenness of mind. One is the consumption of intoxicants and the other is eating too much. So eating in moderation is a vital factor for progress in this Path. That is why I always remind you to eat in moderation. If you eat in moderation, then that shrunkenness gets tranquilised and controlled. If you have a shrunken mind, such a mind cannot progress. No concentration will dawn to a shrunken mind. No wisdom will dawn to a shrunken mind. It’s a powerful hindrance. Therefore pay attention to it. That is the eighth state of mind. A Mind Gone Great There are two other states of mind. A mind gone great and a mind not gone great. What is meant by a mind gone great? It means the mind is firmly established in right mindfulness, it is one pointed, it is well composed and equanimous. To such a mind we say, it is a mind going great. So the three hallmarks of a mind gone great are right mindfulness, concentration and equanimity. The further they grow, the greater the mind grows. Greater is the power of the mind. Greater is the opportunity for wisdom to dawn in such a mind. One of the purposes of this Practice is to acquire a mind that is gone great. As we keep developing this meditation, be it Samadhi Bhavana or Vipassana Bhavana, this mind can go great. Because mindfulness, concentration and equanimity is all the time developing. If the mind is not in right mindfulness, if there is no concentration, if there is no equanimity in the mind, then such a mind has not gone great. That would be due to one or more of the hindrances yet arising in the mind and such a mind is said to be a mind not gone great.
