Understanding Universe and Life – Samkhya Philosophy-5 Please refer to
(http://www.omdasji.blogspot.in/2013/01/map-of-creation-samkhya-philosophy-flow.html)
MIND & ELEMENTS OF MIND
From Prakriti arise the three gunas and also the three elements of the Mind:
- the higher, intuitive, self-knowing Mind (buddhi), which connects with Consciousness
- the Ego (ahamkara), which exists in a space between the higher and the lower Mind
- the lower-thinking, rational Mind (manas), which connects Consciousness to the outer world via the senses
- the Mind evolves from the Satwa Guna
The Manas or Mind is perpetually involved in several important functions:
- Sense Mind: The Sense Mind internalizes objects in the outer world through the use of the jnanendriyas, i.e. the sense faculties of hearing, touch, vision, taste and smell
- The Reasoning Mind: Prana carries objects in the outer world via sensations through the sense organs and into the Mind where the Rational Mind then recognizes, assimilates and discerns such sensations, in turn processing and translating them into knowledge, communication, skills and talents. The Reasoning Mind includes our curiosities, interests, communicative skills, talents and manual dexterity
- Chitta or Emotional Mind: Thoughts generated by the Reasoning Mind are then translated into particular feelings and emotions which, over time, constructs the foundation for our state of emotional stability and happiness. Chitta is the emotional disposition and ability for proper perception of the outside world
The Sense Mind, Reasoning Mind and Emotional Mind are affected by the three Gunas.
Separate from Buddhi is the Manas, or Mind, which is an instrument of Consciousness. Although the Mind originates from the Satwa Guna, proper mental-emotional perception and response requires an appropriate balance of all three Gunas. When the Gunas are balanced, the person is able to:
• assimilate a clear perception of the outer world through the sense organs
• discern such perceptions with right reasoning and recognition via the intellect
• assign an appropriate emotion to the thought, thereby creating a proper desire which, in turn,
• causes a message to be sent to the organs of action (karmendriyas) for a particular mode of action-reaction which is congruent with the reality of the outer world
The mind is essential to our successful existence in this world. It has to be watched, assessed and trained in right manner in order to help us perform our duties well in our daily lives. A well trained mind performs like a computer and is a joy to behold in action. A finely tuned mind performs its duties effortlessly and helps in perceiving, reasoning, recognition, assimilation and reaction. It protects us, our rights, properties and the rights, freedom and properties of others too.
The Gunas keep our mind balanced and functioning well. When there is imbalance of Gunas, there are excessive or wrong desires, fears, grief, anxiety or attachment. Over time, such imbalance leads to mental-emotional disease and illness.
(Contd in the next blog 6..... )
