THE MIND: ITS MYSTERIES AND CONTROL - 1. WHAT IS MIND - Sri Swami Sivananada - Complete Works with FULL English Translation of all Sanskrit Words.

In the opening chapter of "The Mind - Its Mysteries and Control", Sri Swami Sivananda delves into the fundamental nature of the mind, its origin, functions, and the path to its control. The text, deeply rooted in Vedantic philosophy and Yogic practice, offers a profound exploration of the mind's role in shaping human experience and spiritual progression. Swami Sivananda begins by discussing the mind as a mysterious force, one that most people fail to comprehend fully, despite its central role in their lives. 

The Mind as a Wall Between You and God
Swami Sivananda asserts that the mind acts as a barrier between the individual soul and the Supreme, or God. This metaphorical "wall" of the mind obstructs one’s ability to experience direct union with the Divine. The key to overcoming this wall, he suggests, lies in practices such as meditation (especially Om-Meditation) or devotion, which serve to dismantle the mental barriers and bring one face-to-face with God. This illustrates the mind’s pivotal role as both a medium and an obstacle in the spiritual journey. 

The Mystery of the Mind
Despite its omnipresence in our lives, Swami Sivananda laments that the vast majority of people, including so-called educated individuals, have little understanding of the mind’s true nature and operations. Western psychology, while advanced in understanding the physical brain, is still far from grasping the deeper, subjective nature of the mind. According to Western scientists, the mind is merely a product of brain activity, a biological function akin to the secretion of bile by the liver. This, Swami Sivananda suggests, is a gross oversimplification, and he emphasizes that only Yogis and those who practice deep meditation can truly understand the mind’s intricate workings. 

The Origin of the Mind
Swami Sivananda explains that the mind originates from the Supreme Consciousness, which is the fundamental source of all existence. He recounts the creation of the mind in a symbolic, Vedantic manner: the Supreme Cosmic Spirit (Brahman) manifested the universe, and from this divine act, the mind was born. The heart, in this context, is the seat of the mind, and from the heart bursts forth the mind, which becomes the channel through which the Supreme manifests in the form of differentiated beings and objects. In meditation, the mind returns to its original seat in the heart, where it experiences a state of pure, undivided awareness. 

Cosmic Mind and Individual Mind
The concept of the "Cosmic Mind" is a central idea in Vedantic thought. Swami Sivananda explains that the individual mind is an extension or fragment of the Cosmic Mind, which is synonymous with terms such as universal mind, superconscious mind, or infinite mind. Just as electricity flows from a power station to individual light bulbs, the Cosmic Mind provides energy to individual minds. Even though the individual mind appears separate due to the physical boundaries of the body, it is, in reality, in constant contact with other minds and with the universal mind. This interconnectedness forms the basis of the Raja Yoga theory of mind, where one’s thoughts and intentions can influence others, no matter the distance. 

Mind in Orthodox Hindu Philosophy
Swami Sivananda further explains that in Orthodox Hindu Philosophy, the Cosmic Mind is the first principle derived from the Unmanifested aspect of Brahman, the Absolute Supreme. The mind, which arises from this cosmic energy, is inseparable from the ego, the sense of ‘I’. The ego is the root of all mental activity and is the lens through which individuals experience and interpret the world. This process of identification with the ego results in attachment to external objects, desires, and thoughts. The mind, thus, is not an independent entity but is intricately tied to the ego and the physical senses. 

The Subtle Body and the Role of the Mind
The mind is a key component of what is known in Vedanta as the Subtle Body. The Subtle Body, distinct from the physical body, consists of the mind, intellect, ego, and the subconscious, and it survives the physical body after death. This astral body is what carries an individual’s karma and continues its journey after physical death. A Yogi, however, possesses a purer version of the Subtle Body, known as the Antarvaha Sarira, which allows for advanced spiritual feats such as traveling between bodies and realms. This distinction highlights the transformative potential of the mind when subjected to disciplined spiritual practice. 

The Nature of the Mind:
Subtle Matter Swami Sivananda emphasizes that the mind is not a gross, physical entity, but rather a subtle form of matter. It is not tangible or visible like the physical body, but it is composed of a fine, undifferentiated, and pure matter that is responsible for all mental activity. According to the Chhandogya Upanishad, the mind is formed from the subtlest portion of food, which in turn is derived from the cosmic essence. While the mind is not purely immaterial like the soul or the Supreme Consciousness, it is a subtle form of matter that influences the body and its experiences. 

The Mental Body
The mental body is another concept discussed in this chapter. Just as the physical body is composed of solid, liquid, and gaseous matter, the mental body is composed of various grades of subtle matter. It is through the mental body that a person perceives the world, forms thoughts, and experiences emotions. A Raja Yogi, through intense spiritual practice, can transcend the various layers of the mental body and access higher states of consciousness. The mental body is dynamic and varies in different individuals, with some possessing a well-defined, active mental body and others having a more clouded, ill-defined mental state. 

Types of Mind
Swami Sivananda acknowledges the diversity of human minds, noting that each person possesses a unique mental world. He provides examples of regional differences in the types of minds, such as the emotional, devotional Bengali mind, the intellectual, mathematical Madrasi mind, and the chivalrous Punjabi and Maharashtrian minds. These differences in mental types influence one’s approach to life, spiritual practice, and understanding of the world. Thus, spiritual practices, including Yoga, must be tailored to the individual’s mental type and capacity. 

Mind's Ever-Changing Nature
One of the key points Swami Sivananda makes in this chapter is the ever-changing nature of the mind. The mind is constantly evolving, influenced by desires, impressions, and experiences. It is a collection of thoughts and feelings, many of which arise from external stimuli. The mind changes constantly, as old desires and impressions fade while new ones take their place. Despite this, there is a certain harmony in the mind’s operations, as the new and old elements work together to sustain the mind’s identity. 

The Fourfold Mind
In Vedanta, the mind is often described in terms of its fourfold nature: Mind, Intellect, Ego, and Subconscious Mind. Each of these functions represents a different aspect of the mental process. The Mind is responsible for perception, thought, and will, while the Intellect is concerned with reasoning and decision-making. The Ego represents the sense of self, and the Subconscious Mind is the storehouse of impressions and memories. Understanding these different aspects is crucial for anyone seeking to control the mind and achieve higher states of consciousness. 

Through this chapter, Sri Swami Sivananda introduces the reader to the complex nature of the mind, its creation, its interconnectedness with the universal mind, and the importance of controlling it in the pursuit of spiritual realization. The mind, though seemingly elusive and mysterious, is an essential element in the quest for self-realization and union with the divine.

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