Re: What is Mind?
Namaste All,
Let me add my bit.
Classically mind is said to be jada like all observable objects (like body) but it is said to be pure sattwa so it is able to reflect consciousness (for the consciousness) whereas the body which is more of a tamasic object cannot do so. Mind is the intermediate between consciousness and the objects and when one observes the thoughts cropping up, the mind itself becomes the observed object.
So, some gurus like Ramana Maharshi teach that on observing and enquiring into the source of mind (which is non-different from Aham Kara -- the first "I" call), the mind is not found. It is held to be a power and not an object by Ramana Guru, who of course holds all other objects that reflect in mind as also trans-figuration of Atman alone. Considering that ultimately, the Atman is the reality, this view is finally the correct view. This view is similar to the Buddhist view, except that herein, Brahman the immutable, is considered and the mind is said to rise in immutable Brahman.
I add my intuitive bit. Mind is unique two way mirror that the Atman constructs trans-figuratively, out of itself, to enjoy the delicious objects that it has further plans to construct. Advaitin will say that Atman does not create anything and that the mind is the first product of Maya made of Sattwa Guna, which reflects the consciousness, since it is the purest matter. Mind deludes when one considers it to be an instrument of the body and mind liberates when it is known to be an instrument of Atman that has localised itself for some purpose.
RV5.3.3. For the glory of thee, O Rudra, the life powers make bright thy birth into a richly manifold beauty. When that highest step [The supreme plane of the three.] of Vishnu is founded within, thou guardest by it the secret name of the Ray cows.
Mind is said to be dark matter, not self luminous (similar to Moon). Atman is said to be self luminous (similar to Sun). However, it is Atman that illumines the Sun as well. Western philosophers consider mind to be intelligent and different from matter (Descartes) or to be a property of the body (Materialists). Both views are not acceptable to Vedanta which accepts the Atman as the only intelligence. And the crucial part comes when Atman is known as Advaita. Probably no other religion has this view of One Atman and its One Pragnya, which is the Lord, the Jiva, and the Universe.
That is why Yoga Sutra and all other meditative teachings exhort us to make the mind free of waves and let the Atman (or Purusha) act directly. Nirodha of the mind waves is not arresting the intellect, but unshakling it by making the individual mind disappear (Guru Ramana teaches that Nirodha or arresting is not a correct connotation). Logically also, in deep sleep when there is no mind, one is happy but one fails to partake happiness because one is lying with Yogamaya. So, uprooting the individualised i (mind) allows one to bypass the darkness of Yoga Maya but remain as self luminous Self.
Vedanta also teaches that this Atman (or Purusha) is Brahman. On disappearance of individual mind, whatever thoughts sprout, non-volitionally, belong to Brahman/Ishwara and not to the small "i". Guru Vashista, in Rig Veda, sings eulogy to Vishnu who cries "I am Cipivista". Mind is only one degree away from Atman, whereas the observed objects are said to be four degrees away from the Atman. So, Guru Ramana teaches observation and enquiry into the I, which is the beginning of mind manifesting.
Om
Last edited by atanu; 21 October 2007 at 07:34 AM.
That which is without letters (parts) is the Fourth, beyond apprehension through ordinary means, the cessation of the phenomenal world, the auspicious and the non-dual. Thus Om is certainly the Self. He who knows thus enters the Self by the Self.
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