Is mind is everything?

Science and technology can only study and reveal how the brain functions; it is yet to find a way to plumb completely the mind that propels the thinking process. There can be no mind without body although mind does not have a physical form. Mind in a way is affected by external situations and circumstances like living conditions, the food one consumes, susceptibility to body’s demands like hunger, thirst, sleep and other physical needs. But the fact remains that the evolved mind can handle these demands or urges well. Immensity of this subtle, invisible, intangible force cannot be measured. Since mind does not have a gross or physical form, its run cannot be obstructed or restrained. It is said mind travels faster than light. Mind needs to be cultivated or charged to reach its potential power. Buddha said, “The mind is everything. What you think, you become.”

The mind can open up a spectrum of possibilities including inner wisdom, heighten awareness of being and relate to universal cosmic energy. But the same mind, by falling prey to substance abuse, lust and anger, could not only rob itself of its power of reasoning but also cause havoc with physical health. The mind could get trapped in the web of past and future, hardly ever stopping for the present. To become fully alive to the present moment and enter into an elevated state of awareness, the mind has to calm down as it is the seat of perception and interpretation.

One’s state of mind can be divided into pure and impure. When engrossed in worldly ways of material trappings and sexual desires, the mind could adversely affect the journey of life. Mind alone is the cause of liberation and bondage. According to Thakur Sri Ramakrishna, “By mind one is bound, by mind one is freed.” Mind has three dimensions: the subconscious, conscious and super conscious mind. When the conscious state of mind is regulated and undergoes upward evolution, one begins to tread the path towards the super conscious state. Abilities like Extra Sensory Perception, clairvoyance, and telepathy all arise out of sheer mind power. Hyper linking the conscious mind to the super conscious state of liberation leads one to freedom from all bondage.

The Supreme has co-opted humankind as co-creator by giving the human being a highly developed mind, which distinguishes the species from those of any other living entity of this world, whose mind and instincts function only for the basic need and survival. A mind tuned finely with the melody of the universal mind can alter and better the course of life. A mind that is full of positive thoughts will not give space for impure trends. This has to be a constant endeavor even for a mind that has tasted the essence of being because, deluded by objects of senses, it starts seeking illusory sensual pleasures.

Mind motivated by matter is ignorance. Controlling the mind is a lifelong process. The best way is to make your mind your best friend, so that you are able to work in tandem to discover the own natural state. One should meditate on the mind as Brahmn, for all objects are perceived by mind.