UNFOLDING THE HUMAN MIND
FUNCTIONS OF MIND
Psychology, that was introduced in the world in the 19th Century, defined Mind as: “The mind is the primary domain of psychology. From rectifying problematic thought patterns to uncovering the workings of memory, mental illness, and emotions, psychology is heavily involved in the analysis of the mind.”
Before 19th century, study of mind was held under Philosophy of Mind. René Descartes(1596–1650) was the first to clearly identify the mind with consciousness and self-awareness, and to distinguish this from the brain, which was the seat of intelligence. He was therefore the first to formulate the mind–body problem in the form in which it still exists today.
There are three functions of Mind: Thinking, Feeling and Wanting.
1.Thinking of Interpretation and evaluation, Judging and Determining, Clarifying and Resolving, Incorporating and Comprehending.
2.Feeling of Happiness and Excitement, Sadness and Depression, Anxiety and Stress, Calmness and Peace.
3.Wanting of Goals, Desires, Purpose, Ambitions and Aspirations.
What you think, controls your feelings and your wants. Also, what you feel and want, controls your thinking. It is inter-connected. The right way to channelize your mind is through giving the access to your thinking. Your thoughts shall control your feelings and your wants, rather than your feelings and wants, controlling your thoughts. You shall keep your thinking in the right way, so that your feelings and wants stay on the right way too. Meditation is the path to keep your thoughts aligned.
Whereas, in Yogic Science, there are four Functions of Mind: Manas(Processing House), Chitta(Warehouse of Thoughts), Ahankara(Identity/Ego), and Buddhi(Intellect).
Manas works, using the five senses. Through these senses(eyes, ears, nose, tongue and skin), the impressions, goes to chitta. Chitta is the memory house, where those impressions are stored. Now, the stored impressions goes to Buddhi, where the buddhi decides, whether the impressions that were recorded by the Manas were useful or useless. The decision is influenced by the Ahankara(identity). Then the Buddhi sends the final decision to the Manas, and lastly, Manas performs it. To understand it, we will see an example:
A and B are friends and work together in a company. One day, A tells B, that your performance in the latest project is not good. Now, B hears this through one of his five senses(ears). This impression was taken by Manas and goes to Chitta(storage house), now once it is stored here, it goes to Buddhi(intellect), where this information was influenced by Ahankara(indentity). So, now B’s Buddhi made a decision, that he will now work harder but also his Ahankara influenced his decision, that is why he wants to work hard, mainly because he wants to prove himself to A and satisfy his ego.
How to Channelize your Decision-Making?
Manas is the lower mind and Buddhi is the higher mind. Chitta is the storage of impressions and Ahankara is our identity/ego. If we contemplate our Mind, we will notice that most of our decisions are mostly influenced by our past experiences or because of our ego. Our Buddhi(Intellect) is mostly clouded by Chitta(memories) or Ahankara(ego). Now, if we keep our Chitta and Ahankara in the right place, our buddhi will work pleasantly.
To clear your chitta and Ahankara, one can do Pranayama and Meditation, it will lead you to peaceful awareness. Peaceful Awareness will lead you to make wise decisions rather than influenced by emotions or ego.
