Can we control?

Can we control anything at all, i clearly came into a conclusion from these two following stories...

Story #1 : Control of Senses?

A spiritual aspirant went to a guru and asked guidance to improve his meditation and mind control. The all knowing guru directed him to do meditation in a river bed. Our man started it very enthusiastically and was continuing it for days until a gorgeous looking woman came to the river to fetch some water. Our man was stunned for that moment and later felt that he got completely distracted. Next day he closed his eyes tightly with a cloth and continued his sadhana. Now came the woman again and the sounds from her jewels fell into his ears and he again got disturbed. Next day he closes his ears too with a cloth, but got distracted by the scents of her flowers. So the following day he is completely wrapped himself closing his eyes, ears and nose and started his sadhana. Thanks to his wrap, there were no disturbance - sound, smell or sight. But the thought of her started to haunt him more because he was unaware of what is happening outside. He gave it up and went to the guru and narrated all these to him. The guru told him that it was the "mind and not anything which needs control”.

Story #2 : Control of Mind?

A king was affected with some unknown disease and all treatment given by the best doctors in his kingdom failed. A wise man heard about it and offered a medicine to the King. He said that there was only one rule to follow when he had to take the medicine. He should not think about "Monkey" when he takes the medicine. The King failed miserably to consume the medicine because the moment he took the pill in hand, Monkey thought haunted him. (The rest of story follows as to, he understood it is only in mind and gets cured etc..etc....not important for us). So it is clear that you cannot control your mind in any way.

So what do we do?...we can control neither our senses nor our mind (from say unnecessary thoughts).......solution?

From Satsang with great people and grace from Lord , i humbly feel we should work on the roots of the thoughts.

1. Set your goal first - Spiritual progress
2. Every thought which comes to your mind, analyze if it will take it to your goal. Pursue it only if you think it will.

From the story above, if we have to apply this solution...

if we see this gorgeous looking girl, and if we see our mind following thoughts/imagination that are directed towards her, try and remind it of its GOAL. Just an example the girl scenario was, we can use this in all unnecessary catches and hurdles which let us go towards our GOAL!!!

Note : Easy said, but tough to follow...I am also trying :-)