Hari
Om
Each 'Choose-day' we will investigate the process by
which we can reassess our activity and interaction with the world of plurality
and become more congruent within our personality.
KINDLE LIFE. We continue exploring points raised by HH Pujya
Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda-ji in the publication of this name. Remember, you
can purchase, (very economically!), the book from Chinmaya
Mission Publications or if you
prefer, the Amazon Link. Thus you can read
Gurudev's words directly and bring your own voice to the discussion.
We
come now to chapter eight which picks up on the theme, MIND AND MAN.
For
most people, when referring to mind, there is the idea that it is a singular
component which acts as the driver for the body. There are those who confuse
mind with brain. Brain is matter only. It serves as a physical engine upon which
mind is superimposed. Brain can exist without mind, but mind cannot exist
without brain. Mind is a function beyond the physical. As we shall be learning,
it is also not at all a singular item. There are four components; the key two
in immediate use are mind (as in the part which consists of the thought flow)
and the intellect (the part which analyses the thoughts - or ought to!)
Learning how to appease and control mind whilst educating the intellect is a
key function of higher education - all the more so when dealing with
philosophy/religion and self-development. By developing subtler discrimination
via the intellect, we can train our thinking for improvements within our personality
and, consequently externally also.
It
is not that external happenings magically change but that we adapt more readily
and receive in different, more positive attitude.
In
understanding that the mind and intellect are the main cogs driving our
personality, it follows that rehabilitation, 'recalibrating' if you will,
requires that we more fully understand the mechanics.
In
Sanskrit tradition, 'mind' is considered to be 'heart'. This is because the
component part called mind is the seat of emotion. It receives the imput, and
reacts according to basic preservation instincts (feelings). In this respect,
then, mind (as in the flow of thoughts) is considered to a large degree as a
biological function; particularly as all
animals have 'mind'. We see this in them and identify with it and unwittingly
anthropomorphize as a result. Certainly some animals have a greater level of
intelligence than others; but make no mistake, every thought within the animal
mind is instinctual and used only in self-interest, self-preservation or for
preservation of the social group (as seen in the likes of whales, elephants and
such).
This
holds true within the human animal also. One component that Man has, however,
developed far beyond any other species with which we share this planet, is the
intellect. This is the ability to stand apart from the immediate emotional
trigger and analyse, quantify and then
act. Sadly, this component part of our total being often gets neglected or is
never offered the opportunity to grow and expand itself. Even when we think we
are weighing up the 'pros and cons' of a situation, very often it is still
being done within our emotive selves and not in the true realm of logic. Thus
we see the degradation of society.
Sometimes this has been brought about by the way the society runs - but be very clear, every individual has the capacity
to rise above their circumstances and if they are focused in doing so, there is
very little which can hinder that progress.
Modern
society works on the principle that majority people assume mind is dominant.
Advertising relies on this aspect of our nature. That we will see, desire and
seek to obtain. Very often, intellectual activity is not considered necessary
in daily activity. This is a mistake!
Every action we take has the potential for intellectual intervention. Choice is
available at every tick of the clock.
Gurudev's
penultimate paragraph in this chapter gives a very good analogy;
"The mind is defined as a flow
of thoughts, just as a river is a flow of water. The banks of the river guide
and direct its flow and when the banks are not firm, the water runs amok. So too, when the intellect of man is not firm
and determined, the mind functions as it wants and man is tossed hither and
thither by the vicissitudes of his environment and circumstances…"
The
choice is ours as to whether we rise or fall.
