Understand Your Mind
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
The Vedic texts offer profound wisdom on deeper aspects of the human mind. According to the Vedas, the mind plays a crucial role in both bondage and liberation and understanding its workings is essential for our existence. That irrespective of external circumstances mind is capable of joy or suffering as a result of its own strength/limitation. Let us explore these 15 insightful shlokas from various Vedic texts that shed light on the nature of the mind and its significance.
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The mind is the cause of bondage and liberation for human beings. When attached to the material world, it leads to bondage, but when detached, it leads to liberation.
This?shloka?emphasizes that the mind plays a pivotal role in our journey towards freedom or bondage. When the mind is attached to sensory objects and worldly desires, it becomes the cause of bondage. However, when the mind transcends such attachments and attains detachment, it becomes a pathway to liberation.
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Yoga is the cessation of the fluctuations of the mind.
Yoga,?as described in Vedic texts, involves the mastery of the mind. This?shloka?states that the true essence of?yoga?lies in calming the incessant fluctuations of the mind. By achieving a state of mental stillness and tranquillity, one can experience higher states of consciousness and union with the divine.
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All this that is seen in the world is the mind alone. The entire world is rooted in the mind, and without the mind, there is no world.?
According to this shloka, the Vedic texts proclaim the profound truth that the entire world is a manifestation of the mind. The external reality we perceive is intimately connected to the thoughts, perceptions, and interpretations of the mind. In essence, the mind is the foundation of our experience of the world.
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The mind is indeed Brahman (the supreme reality), and the mind is indeed Ishvara (God). By the power of the mind, the world is set in motion.
This shloka highlights the profound nature of the mind. It equates the mind with the ultimate reality?(Brahman)?and the god?(Ishvara).?The mind possesses immense creative power, and through its thoughts and intentions, it shapes and influences the world we perceive.
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Whatever one’s state of mind is, that state one becomes. The mind alone is said to be the cause of both bondage and liberation for human beings.
This?shloka?emphasizes the significant role of the mind in shaping our reality. It states that the state of our mind determines our experiences and outcomes. If the mind is filled with negativity and attachment, it leads to bondage, whereas a pure and liberated mind paves the way for ultimate freedom.
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The mind is difficult to control, restless, and obstinate. It is great, powerful, and very difficult to conquer.
This?shloka?acknowledges the challenges of taming the mind. The mind is described as elusive, unruly, and resistant to control. It possesses immense strength and can easily sway towards negative tendencies. Mastering the mind requires persistence, discipline, and unwavering effort.
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The mind is the source of knowledge and is also the cause of the manifest world.
This shloka highlights the dual nature of the mind. It is the seat of both knowledge and ignorance. The mind has the potential to acquire wisdom and understanding, but it can also lead to delusion and misperception. The world we perceive is shaped by the mind and its interpretations.
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The mind is the cause of both liberation and bondage. The mind alone is capable of attaining liberation.?
This shloka underscores the power of the mind in determining our state of freedom or bondage. The mind, when attached to worldly desires and attachments, leads to bondage. However, when the mind is free from such attachments and attains liberation, it becomes the pathway to ultimate freedom.
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The calming of the mind is the supreme means, and yoga (union with the divine) is the bestower of liberation.
This shloka emphasizes the significance of calming the mind as a means to achieve liberation. By quieting the restless mind and attaining inner stillness, one can experience the state of union with the divine. Yoga practices are considered instrumental in achieving this state of tranquility and ultimate liberation.
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Neither mind, nor intellect, nor volition, nor perception, nor sense objects—this is the state of pure consciousness (chitta).
This shloka describes the state of pure consciousness where the mind transcends its ordinary functions. In this state, the mind is devoid of thoughts, desires, judgments, and attachments. It is a state of pure awareness and being, free from the influence of external objects and internal fluctuations.
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Desire (kama) originates from the mind, grief (shoka) is a wave of the mind, greed (lobha) has its roots in the mind, and delusion (moha) arises from the mind.
This shloka highlights the role of the mind in the arising of various emotions and afflictions. Desires, grief, greed, and delusion all originate from the mind. They are like waves that arise and subside within the vast ocean of the mind. Understanding and transcending these mental tendencies is crucial for spiritual growth.
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Everything is conceived in the mind; the mind alone creates the world. Those with a focused mind perceive the Self, and the mind is perceived by the Self.?
This shloka emphasizes the creative power of the mind. It states that the mind is responsible for the creation and perception of the world. A focused and disciplined mind enables individuals to perceive the true nature of the Self (Atman), while the Self, in turn, perceives the workings of the mind.
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The mind is the basis of existence and the inquiry into what exists and what does not exist. The mind is the vision of the life-force; it is the characteristic of the life-force.
This shloka highlights the interplay between the mind and the life-force?(prana).?The mind serves as the foundation for exploring the concepts of existence and non-existence. It is through the mind that the life-force gains vision and awareness. The mind and prana are intricately connected, influencing each other in the journey of self-inquiry.
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Salutations to the Supreme Self, the tranquil, auspicious, undifferentiated, pure, and self-illuminating form of Brahman.
This shloka expresses reverence for the Supreme Self, which is described as the embodiment of peace, auspiciousness, purity, and self-illumination. It refers to the ultimate reality, Brahman, which transcends all limitations and shines forth as the divine essence within all beings. Offering salutations to this divine reality invokes a sense of reverence and connection to the highest truth.
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Conclusion
The Vedic texts offer profound insights into the nature of the mind and its influence on our lives. They teach us that the mind is the key to both bondage and liberation, and by understanding and mastering its workings, we can attain higher states of consciousness as well as health, wealth and prosperity in the truest sense. By cultivating a calm and detached mind, we can experience the profound truths of our existence and move towards ultimate liberation.
Assistant Manager-IT
1 年The Vedic texts offer profound insights into the nature of the mind and its influence on our lives. They teach us that the mind is the key to both bondage and liberation, and by understanding and mastering its workings, we can attain higher states of consciousness as well as health, wealth and prosperity in the truest sense. Totally agree to this point.
Certified Independent Director with IICA with certification for ESG and digitalisation. Published Writer.
1 年There are too many concepts together. It would be nice to have one concept and an explanation and exploration . The explanation of shlokas does not bring out the depth of the meaning. If an example from everyday life is added it might be interesting to explore and engage with readers. For example it is not practically possible for most people to disengage from senses nor are they looking for liberation. So how do they apply these shlokas in everyday life.