THE MIND: ITS MYSTERIES AND CONTROL - 16. THOUGHT CREATES THE WORLD - Sri Swami Sivananda - The Mind: Its Mysteries & Control - HQ Full Book.

In Chapter 16 of *The Mind: Its Mysteries and Control*, titled **Thought Creates the World**, Sri Swami Sivananda delves deeply into the profound nature of thought and its role in shaping reality. This chapter serves as a cornerstone in understanding how the universe, as we perceive it, is intrinsically linked to the mind and its activity. Sivananda's exposition provides not only philosophical insights but also practical guidance for mastering the mind and transcending its illusions.     

Thought: The Origin of Everything  
Swami Sivananda begins by asserting that everything in the material universe originates from thought. Every invention, artwork, or creation first exists as an idea within the mind before manifesting in physical form. Just as an artist visualizes a painting before applying the brush to the canvas, so too does the mind conceive the world we experience.   The mind, with its vast and varied preoccupations, is the ultimate creator. The universe itself, he argues, is merely an idea or a thought. When the mind ceases to think, the world vanishes, revealing an indescribable bliss. Conversely, when the mind resumes its activity, the world reappears, bringing with it the dualities of pleasure and pain. This cyclical process underscores the mind's pivotal role in sustaining the illusion of the material world.     

The Illusory Nature of the Mind  
Drawing from both Indian philosophy and Western thought, Sivananda highlights the enigmatic nature of the mind. Descartes' famous assertion, "Cogito, ergo sum" ("I think, therefore I am"), aligns with the Advaitic view that the self's reality is undeniable, even in the act of denying it. However, Sivananda goes further, analyzing the mind as a bundle of thoughts, with the thought of "I" being its root.   This "I" thought, he explains, is a false construct. When the root thought of "I" is dissolved, the mind itself disappears. What remains is the ultimate reality, Brahman, the Supreme Cosmic Spirit. The mind, therefore, is both the origin of the illusory world and the barrier to realizing the true nature of existence.     

Universe: A Creation of the Cosmic Mind  
The universe, according to Sivananda, is not merely the creation of individual minds but a manifestation of the Cosmic Mind or Universal Mind. This Divine Will materializes as the phenomenal universe, appearing real through the workings of individual minds.   To illustrate this, Sivananda compares the universe to a drama staged by the Cosmic Mind. Just as a playwright envisions an entire play before writing and staging it, the Cosmic Mind holds a complete, timeless vision of creation. For the Cosmic Mind, there is no past or future; all is present. Similarly, there is no "near" or "far"; all places are "here." Individual beings perceive events sequentially due to the limitations of their minds, while the Cosmic Mind perceives all events simultaneously.   This analogy emphasizes the illusory nature of time and space, which are constructs of the mind. The universe is ultimately a projection of the Cosmic Mind, sustained by its thought and intention.     

The Role of Maya (Illusion)  
Sivananda introduces the concept of Maya, the cosmic illusion that veils the true nature of reality. Just as a mirror reflects the objects before it without being affected by them, God or the Cosmic Witness observes the movements of the universe without being influenced. The entire universe, with its endless activities, is a projection within this great mirror of Maya.   The mind’s intentions, desires, and impressions float within this illusion, creating a web of false identification. Liberation, therefore, requires transcending these mental constructs and realizing the illusory nature of the world.     

Reality of the Universe and the Mind’s Intentions  
Sivananda emphasizes that the universe is a manifestation of the mind's intentions or thoughts. This process begins with the thought of "I," which gives rise to a cascade of other thoughts and perceptions. When the mind renounces all intentions, it aligns with the one ultimate reality beyond the universe. This is the state of Yoga—the union with Brahman, where all dualities dissolve, and the eternal, infinite reality shines forth.   The annihilation of the mind’s intentions leads to the dissolution of the perceived differences between the seer and the seen. This realization unveils the universe as an illusory projection, with the Supreme Cosmic Spirit as its substratum.     

Practical Insights: The Mind as the Creator of the World  
Sivananda offers profound insights into the workings of the mind. The mind creates the world, and the world exists only as long as the mind does. This principle is likened to a dream, where the mind generates an entire reality that vanishes upon awakening. Similarly, the external world is a projection of the mind, sustained by its activity and intentions.   He further explains how notions and objects are tied to sounds and names. For instance, the sound “cow” brings forth the mental image of the animal. This association reveals the mind’s power to create and sustain illusions. By analyzing and deconstructing these notions, one can dissolve the mind’s attachment to false objects and realize the true nature of reality.    

Transcending Time, Space, and Causation  
The mind functions within the constraints of time, space, and causation, which are themselves mental constructs. For example, the height of a tree or the distance of a journey is interpreted and measured by the mind. These dimensions vanish when the mind is transcended.   Sivananda urges seekers to annihilate the mind through self-inquiry and meditation on Brahman. By doing so, one enters a realm of eternal peace and bliss, free from the limitations of time and space.     

The Transcendental Question: Why and How of the Universe  
The chapter acknowledges the perennial question of why and how the universe exists. Sivananda suggests that this question is beyond the comprehension of the finite mind, which is conditioned by time, space, and causation. The creation of the universe, he explains, is a divine play or Lila, an expression of Brahman’s nature.   Instead of seeking answers to this transcendental question, Sivananda advises focusing on the realization of Brahman. The destruction of the world, in his teachings, does not mean the physical annihilation of objects but the dissolution of the idea that the world is real. When one recognizes the universe as a mirage or dream, its hold over the mind is broken.     

The Mind and Maya  
Sivananda concludes the chapter by exploring how the mind’s activity gives rise to Maya. The mind’s vibrations, fueled by desires and impressions, generate the illusion of the external world. When the mind is stilled through spiritual practice, Maya loses its power, and the seeker perceives the underlying reality of Brahman.     

Final Reflections  
Chapter 16 of *The Mind: Its Mysteries and Control* is a profound exploration of the mind’s role in creating and sustaining the illusion of the universe. Sivananda’s teachings inspire seekers to transcend the mind and its constructs, dissolving the illusion of separateness and realizing the oneness of Brahman.   Through self-inquiry, meditation, and the renunciation of mental intentions, one can attain liberation from the illusory world and experience the eternal bliss of the Supreme Reality. Sivananda’s insights in this chapter provide a roadmap for spiritual seekers, emphasizing the power of thought and the necessity of mastering the mind to achieve ultimate freedom.  

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