Exploring the Interplay of Brain, Mind, Consciousness & Intellect
U. Mahesh Prabhu
Founder, Chair & Professor - Vedic Management Center | Author | Advisor to Multiple Startups in US & Europe | A pioneer in #VedicManagement Practices including #YogicCounseling, #Rajaneeti & #Kootaneeti
In the quest for meaning and fulfilment, humanity has long grappled with the fundamental question of existence. Who are we beyond the confines of our physical form and mental constructs? Vedic wisdom in Yogic texts offers profound insights into this inquiry, suggesting that our true essence transcends both body and mind.
The body, a temporary vessel bound by the constraints of time and space, inevitably succumbs to the inexorable passage of time. With its demise, the mind, a product of the intricate interplay of biological processes, likewise ceases to function. Yet, what endures beyond this ephemeral realm is something deeper and more enduring.
In the Vedic Sanskrit scriptures, this essence is referred to as the Atman, the eternal self that pervades all existence. It is the source from which consciousness arises, distinct from the transient phenomena of the physical and mental realms. When the Atman asserts its sovereignty over the mind, a profound transformation occurs, giving rise to what is known as Chitta.
Chitta, often translated as consciousness or awareness, represents a state of transcendent clarity beyond the limitations of ordinary thought. Unlike the restless wanderings of the mind, which are prone to imitation, comparison, and dissatisfaction, Chitta embodies a profound sense of inner peace and contentment. It is the stillness at the heart of the storm, the unshakable refuge amidst the turbulence of life.