The mind, a profoundly intricate and enigmatic entity, has been a subject of fascination for those who find themselves drawn to its exploration. It’s the reason behind my words on this screen, and your interpretation of them. It is a paradox, a beacon of stability and a whirlwind of chaos, capable of being a trusted ally or a formidable foe. It’s like a pendulum, swinging between positivity and negativity, and sometimes settling somewhere in the middle. It has the power to send you spiralling downwards or elevate you to new heights. The mind can be a serene oasis or a tempestuous storm.
It wasn’t until I experienced a runner’s high, a moment I refer to as my “zone”, that I appreciated the mind’s immense power. But what exactly is the mind?
The Definition of the Mind: Perspectives from Science and Esoteric Traditions
Scientific and esoteric traditions offer contrasting interpretations of the mind. Such diversity in understanding is expected.
From a scientific lens, the mind is typically defined as a collection of cognitive faculties and mental processes that govern our thoughts, emotions, and actions. These functions and processes are believed to emerge from the interplay between the brain and the nervous system.
The brain, an enchanting enigma nestled within our skull, orchestrates everything we do, feel, and think. Millions of neurons are in constant dialogue, giving rise to our thoughts, emotions, and actions. An intricate network of electrical and chemical signals zigzag through our brain, connecting different regions and empowering us to perceive our surroundings, make choices, think, feel, love, despise, dance, and sing. It’s an orchestra of connections, exceeding the number of stars in the Milky Way, with each neuron and each connection harmoniously contributing to the symphony of our consciousness.
While it is challenging to fully comprehend this complexity and elegance, one thing is clear – our brain sculpts our identity and outlines the contours of our existence.
Dr. Oliver Sacks, a renowned author fascinated by the brain’s extraordinary powers and uniqueness, described the mind as a dynamic, ever-evolving system that constantly adapts to an individual’s experiences and environment. He proposed that the mind isn’t confined to the brain but extends to the body and the world around us:
“The mind isn’t a static entity, firmly fixed and unchanging, but a dynamic, malleable system, moulded by experience, by the world, and by the brain, capable of reshaping itself.
Dr Oliver Sacks
He further argued that there’s no “standard” way of experiencing the world, as every person’s mind is unique.
“The brain is the most complex object in the known universe, and the mind is the most intricate aspect of the brain. Each person’s mind is unique, and each person’s brain is unique.”
Exploring the Mind through the Lens of Esoteric Schools
Contrastingly, in many esoteric traditions, including certain branches of mysticism and spirituality, the mind is considered more than just a physical organ housed within our bodies. Rather than being merely a tool for cognition and information processing, these schools perceive the mind as a conduit connecting the physical world to a larger spiritual domain. They believe that by learning how to navigate this bridge, one can access a profound understanding of reality and truth, ultimately leading to a higher level of consciousness – the universal consciousness.
The notion of universal consciousness is closely tied to the understanding of the mind. The belief is that by aligning with it, you can access an infinite reservoir of knowledge beyond your daily consciousness, enabling you to perceive things from both objective and subjective viewpoints. You free yourself from biases and limiting beliefs, and gain insight into the Truth. It’s a topic worthy of exploration in a separate discussion.
At its essence, the ideaof universal consciousness suggests that we are all interconnected, either through thought or experience, and while each of us has something unique to contribute, we all remain integral threads in the grand tapestry of existence.
Though the foundational concept remains the same, different traditions and schools propose unique beliefs and practices concerning the body-mind-soul nexus and the pathway to universal consciousness or enlightenment.
For instance, in Yoga, consciousness, or “Citta”, is perceived as the hub of the mind and the self. The ultimate aim of yoga is to cleanse the “Citta”, enabling the individual to perceive reality in its true form and attain liberation, a concept quite different from what you’d see on Instagram.
In Buddhism, consciousness is a river of experiences that emerge and fade away. The goal of Buddhism is to attain enlightenment, characterized by achieving a state of consciousness free from suffering and the cycle of rebirth.
Hermeticism, a personal favorite of mine, considers consciousness as the bridge between the physical and spiritual worlds. The aim is to attain a state of spiritual awareness or Gnosis, enabling the individual to experience the divine.
Hermeticism divides the mind into two components: the lower mind, responsible for everyday thoughts and emotions, and the higher mind, connected to the spiritual realm with access to universal wisdom. By cultivating the higher mind, an individual could unlock higher levels of understanding and spiritual enlightenment.
If you’re unfamiliar with Hermeticism, it’s an esoteric philosophy inspired by the teachings of Hermes Trismegistus. He’s the one behind the widely quoted phrase, “As above, so below”. Known as the alleged author of “The Emerald Tablet”, he is often associated with Thoth, a notable figure in ancient Egyptian religion who was the god of writing, magic, and wisdom. Alchemists and magicians of his era sought his counsel. A deep dive into Hermes’s life and philosophy could fill volumes – a subject I’ll earmark for future discussion.
In Hermeticism’s vision of a two-part mind, Hermes asserted, “The mind is the ruler of the universe, and it is the first of all things that came into being.” This statement emphasizes the supremacy of the mind in shaping reality, implying that the mind possesses the power to mold the material world.
Can the Mind Bridge the Gap Between Science and Religion?
Science perceives the mind as a byproduct of physical interactions, while esoteric schools envision it as having a higher purpose and state. However, one area where science does lend credence to spiritual practices is in the realm of meditation and contemplation.
In many spiritual traditions, the mind is often seen as a part of the self-responsible for thoughts, feelings, and perceptions. It is generally considered distinct from the physical body and is sometimes regarded as the seat of consciousness or the soul. In some spiritual traditions, the mind is a tool that can be honed and developed through practices like meditation to attain a higher state of consciousness or enlightenment. Science backs the use of meditation for:
- Stress reduction,
- Fibromyalgia relief,
- Psoriasis improvement,
- Cardiovascular health improvement,
- Enhanced immune system function (the mechanism isn’t clear, but the effect is clear),
- Improved concentration.
If meditation piques your interest, I recommend exploring Medito, a free, subscription-less platform with excellent lessons for novices and seasoned practitioners alike.
Comprehending how we interact with our surroundings extends beyond the use of our physical brains for ordinary tasks. It involves much more than what can be observed or quantified at the surface level. The capability to access spiritual dimensions through the mind allows us to see beyond the tangible, helping us ascend to levels previously uncharted by our conscious selves. This inspires growth within us as individuals and collectively as a species.
Recommended Books
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- “The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat” by Dr Oliver Sacks a fascinating book that explores the world of neurological disorders. Through a series of case studies, Dr Sacks delves into the lives of individuals living with conditions such as prosopagnosia (face blindness) and agnosia (the inability to recognize objects or people).
Sacks’ empathetic and holistic approach to understanding his patients’ experiences is both moving and thought-provoking. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in learning more about the human brain and the impact of neurological disorders on individuals and their families. It’s written in a friendly manner for the lay reader and the professional. - “The Kybalion: Hermetic Philosophy” by Three Initiates: This book presents the teachings of the Hermetic philosophy, a set of spiritual and philosophical beliefs that have their origins in ancient Egypt. It is a unique and interesting perspective on the nature of reality and the universe, and is worth reading for anyone interested in spiritual and philosophical traditions.
- “The Heart of the Buddha’s Teaching” by Thich Nhat Hanh: This book is an excellent introduction to the core teachings of Buddhism. It covers the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, and the concept of interbeing, which is the idea that all things in the universe are interconnected. Thich Nhat Hanh’s writing is both clear and accessible, making this book an ideal choice for anyone interested in learning about Buddhism for the first time.
