The Dynamics of the Mind

I. PURE AND IMPURE MIND

Suddha Manas or pure mind leads to liberation. Asuddha Manas or impure mind causes bondage. Suddha Manas is filled with Sattva or purity and divine virtues. Asuddha Manas is filled with impurities such as lust, greed, jealousy, hatred, etc.

II. FUNCTIONS OF THE MIND

It is actions of the mind that are truly termed Karmas. The functions of the mind are Sankalpa-Vikalpa, thinking and doubting. It is the mind that really sees, hears, smells, tastes and feels. Mind can do the five functions of the five senses of perception or Knowledge. Mind connects itself with the five senses of perception and enjoys all sense-objects.

III. POWER OF THE MIND

The mind had the potency of creating or undoing the world in the twinkling of an eye. Mind creates the world according to its own Sankalpa or thought. It is the mind that creates this Universe, (Manomatram Jagat; Manah-Kalpitam Jagat). Through the play of the mind, a Kalpa is reckoned by it as a moment and vice versa. Like a dream generating another dream in it the mind having no visible form generates existent visibles.

IV. PLAY OF THE MIND

The Mind assumes the form of any object it intensely thinks of. Through the play of the mind in objects, nearness appears to be a great distance and vice versa. In introspection a portion of the mind studies another portion of the mind. The senses can do nothing without the co-operation of the Mind. It is the Mind that causes bondage and release. Devoted to sense-objects it causes bondage; devoted to the Lord it creates freedom and release. With the growth of the Mind, the pains increase, with its extinction, there will be infinite bliss. Mind can do or attend to only one thing at a time.

V. THE MISCHIEVOUS MIND

Mind is the slayer of Atman or the Supreme Self. Mind is the birth place of desire. Mind ever whirls far and wide in vain in sensual objects, like a strolling street dog. This puerile mind which ever rises and falls with the ebb and flow of desires, fancies this illusory universe to be true through its ignorance. Ever thirsting after fresh Vishayas or sense-objects the mind is more restless than monkeys.