Psychology for Everyone

The Restless Mind of Mohan

Mohan Pillai, forty, a shopkeeper in Kozhikode, found his mind jumping like a monkey. He replayed an old quarrel with his brother, feared losing his business, and craved sweets and phone scrolling to escape. He felt woun…

Mohan Pillai, forty, a shopkeeper in Kozhikode, found his mind jumping like a monkey. He replayed an old quarrel with his brother, feared losing his business, and craved sweets and phone scrolling to escape. He felt wound up and short with everyone. 'Mind is my enemy,' he told his friend.

His friend, who attended classes on the Yoga Sutras, said that the old teachers listed five inner knots called kleshas: not seeing clearly (avidya), the sense of 'I' and 'mine' (asmita), clinging to what pleases (raga), pushing away what hurts (dvesha) and fear of loss and ending (abhinivesha). Mohan laughed because he saw himself in all five. The friend also reminded him of the Gita's line that the mind can be a friend or an enemy, and that the restless mind is tamed by steady practice.

Mohan started a small routine: five minutes of quiet chanting in the morning, slow breathing, a walk, and a simple habit of noting 'clinging' or 'pushing away' when he saw it. It helped him step back. But his sleep stayed poor and his worry about money grew. His wife persuaded him to see a doctor, who diagnosed anxiety and arranged counselling alongside his practice.

'The old words gave me a map,' Mohan said. 'The counsellor helped me walk it.'

How to recognise it

  • A mind that jumps, replays the past or races ahead, with difficulty settling.

  • Strong clinging to comforts, such as sweets or phone, and strong aversion to discomfort.

  • Fear of loss, such as of money, status or life, that is out of proportion.

  • Irritability and poor sleep for weeks.

  • Looking for calm in distractions that leave one more restless.

What this story explains

The chapter's sections on the Yoga Sutras' five kleshas, Gita teachings on the restless mind, and mantra and chanting show how ancient models describe the mind's suffering and how practice supports calm. Modern counselling and medical care sit beside them.

Probable root causes

  • Chronic worry about money, family or health.

  • Habits of clinging to comfort and avoiding discomfort.

  • Anxiety, poor sleep and constant phone use.

  • Unresolved family conflict and no quiet time.

What to do

  1. Set a short daily practice such as quiet chanting, prayer or breathing at the same time.

  2. Observe thoughts and name them as clinging, pushing away or fear, without judging.

  3. Reduce phone scrolling and late-night snacking.

  4. Talk through family quarrels with someone neutral, or with the person directly when calm.

  5. See a doctor or counsellor if worry and poor sleep continue for weeks.

Whom to consult

  • Family doctor for sleep problems, anxiety symptoms or if physical health may be involved.

  • Clinical psychologist or counsellor for anxiety and thought patterns.

  • Psychiatrist if anxiety is severe or interferes with work and family.

  • Trusted teacher or elder for guidance on practice, alongside medical care.

Do and don’t

Do Don’t
Do keep practice short and regular. Don't force the mind to go quiet.
Do observe the mind kindly. Don't use chanting to avoid facing real problems.
Do keep sleep and meal routines. Don't judge yourself harshly for wandering thoughts.
Do see professionals if worry persists. Don't ignore sleeplessness.
Do share practice with family or a group. Don't stop medicine if prescribed without the doctor's advice.

How to behave and communicate

  • Be a friend, not a judge: 'Your mind sounds tired. Let's sit together a while.'

  • Share a verse or idea gently, after listening.

  • Ask: 'What is the worry that returns most?'

  • Avoid 'just don't think about it'.

  • Encourage: 'You noticed it. That is progress.'