DECODING THE BMI CHART: The Key to Unlocking Vedic Wisdom and the SELF

?Introduction:

Swami Chinmayananda’s BMI (Body, Mind, Intellect) model, a cornerstone of his teachings, serves as a profound roadmap to understanding the nature of the SELF. This model, represented in a simple chart, reveals the layers of human experience—from the gross physical interactions with the world to the subtler realms of emotion and thought, and finally, the intellect that governs them. Swamiji famously remarked that this chart is the autobiography of every individual SELF because it encapsulates our entire interaction with reality. The body perceives the world, the mind feels emotions, and the intellect thinks and reflects, all of which are shaped by deeper impressions (Vasanas).

Understanding this model is the first step toward realizing the essence of our true SELF, transcending these layers, and gaining clarity about the Vedic knowledge that unlocks the wisdom of the SELF (Atman).

?Layer 1: Objects of Experience - Objects, Emotions, and Thoughts

At the most basic level, we encounter the objects of the world, we feel emotions in response to them, and we generate thoughts based on those emotions. This layer describes what we experience and how it unfolds.

• Objects: External things that we perceive, such as a flower.

Example: A flower in the garden.

• Emotions: How we feel about those objects. They arise as reactions to our perceptions.

Example: Joy when we see a flower bloom.

• Thoughts: Mental reflections on what we perceive and feel.

Example: Thinking how flowers represent beauty or peace.

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Layer 2: Action of Experience - Perceiver, Feeler, Thinker

Here, we consider how we interact with the world through different roles. These roles describe how we process the objects, emotions, and thoughts from Layer 1.

• Perceiver: The one who receives sensory input. The Perceiver uses the body’s senses to engage with objects.

Example: Your eyes (Perceiver) see a flower.

• Feeler: The one who experiences emotions. The Feeler responds to the object and its perception.

Example: The joy or serenity you feel upon seeing the flower.

• Thinker: The one who reflects and analyses. The Thinker engages the intellect to form judgments and thoughts.

Example: You think about how flowers remind you of a peaceful moment from your past.

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Layer 3: Subject of Experience - Body, Mind, Intellect

This layer dives into the instruments used by the Perceiver, Feeler, and Thinker. These instruments are parts of our being that interact with the world at different levels.

• Body: The physical mechanism that connects with the world through senses.

Example: Eyes that see, ears that hear, skin that feels.

• Mind: The emotional processor, dealing with feelings and immediate reactions.

Example: Feeling calm or joyful upon seeing the flower.

• Intellect: The reasoning and decision-making tool.

Example: Judging whether the flower represents beauty or peace.

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Layer 4: Conditioned Experience - Vasanas (Tendencies)

Now we enter the realm of Vasanas, which are like subtle impressions or tendencies. They shape the way we experience the world. Our perceptions, emotions, and thoughts are conditioned by these Vasanas, much like a pre-installed program influencing how we react.

Vasanas: Subtle mental impressions that guide our responses to experiences. These tendencies are the result of past actions, habits, and conditioning. Example: If you have a strong Vasana for appreciating nature, you may feel especially joyful or connected when seeing the flower.

The Vasanas condition our perceptions (how we see the flower), emotions (the joy we feel), and thoughts (what we think about the flower). They act at a subconscious level, shaping our desires and behaviours.

Layer 5: Unconditioned Experience - OM

At the highest level is the unconditioned experience, symbolized by OM in Vedic philosophy. This represents a state where we transcend the Body, Mind, and Intellect. OM is the pure, unconditioned state of awareness, free from the influence of Vasanas or personal tendencies.

OM: The unconditioned, universal state of being where the distinctions between Perceiver, Feeler, Thinker, and their respective layers fall away. It is the state where the Self experiences reality without the filters of Vasanas. Example: A state of peace or bliss that arises not from seeing the flower, but from an inner realization of being connected to all things.”

Conclusion:

As Swami Chinmayananda emphasized, the clarity of the BMI model is not just a philosophical concept but a practical tool for introspection and self-realization. By delving into this model and recognizing the interplay of our body, mind, and intellect with the deeper conditioning of Vasanas, we take the first steps toward breaking free from our conditioned selves. The culmination of this journey lies in experiencing the unconditioned state of OM, where the self is no longer bound by worldly perceptions and finds its unity with the divine. Mastering this model offers an entrance ticket to understanding not just ourselves but the timeless wisdom of the Vedas.