Mind

The mind is that weapon of humans, if not controlled will kill its user and if controlled will help you to win this world. To control this weapon, you need not challenge it, you just need to befriend and understand its nature.

Introduction

In Indian philosophy, you would often mention Chitta, Buddhi, Man(मन) and Ahankar. Chitta is described as an energy plain- a neutral in which all these things happen. Man is the depository of all thoughts and provides different options to you. Buddhi is the intellect, which allows you to make decisions- a discriminatory [formal meaning] power which allows you to differentiate two things. Ahankar is the self which you recognise as yourself.

In Indian philosophy, the roles of these things are described with the help of a chariot which is as follows:

The horses of the chariot are senses. Reins are man. The charioteer is buddhi and you are the rider.

 

Mind

The senses, described as horses, will be activated or work when they come into contact with things which stimulate them. If there is noise around you, your ears are going to tell you that there is some sort of sound around you. The work of senses is up to here. Then, your mind will start providing you thoughts and options. The final decision will be of your buddhi to decide what to do or not to do.

So, mind is a kind of neutral thing which is made positive or negative by conditioning it. Mind is the processor of the information. It processes the information and provides you all the relevant thoughts and options according to how you conditioned it.

If the charioteer (buddhi) is not strong enough to hold the reins (mind) then your whole system (chariot) will be in control of senses. Senses will give you simulation, Mind will give you thoughts on it and your buddhi is weak- you will fall to your senses. Your body (chariot) will act on the wishes of your senses.

Right or Wrong

Remember, nothing is right or wrong in itself, it is defined by the time and situation. If anyone is falling to senses, then why it is described as wrong. It is because there will be no option between you and an animal. You degrade yourself as an animal and will be of no use to society as a human. If you accept this thing also right, then Society will discard you (Karma). You should not claim it as your right.

Leaving this here, coming to the spirituality. If you are falling to senses, your mind which is your weapon will get trapped in these senses. There is one other possibility of this life as well. You are going to miss it if your mind has fallen in these senses.

As mentioned, we are humans- distinguishing ourselves from the Universe. The delusions of Maya make you feel this duality. These all delusions are breakable by man if the buddhi is strong enough to guide them. If you engage your mind to understand the nature of Maya or this universe you will know its reality. And for this, you require strong intellect- which is possible when you do tap (तप )- again and again practice, gathering knowledge.

 

Conclusion

Man (mind) is the innocent friend which you should not let it fall- to your senses. Use it to conquer this material world. This is gyan (ज्ञान) yoga – to understand the true nature of this universe. This is possible when you know about your weapons.