MIND

FIRST, THE SCRIPTURES

Vedas are texts in Sanatana Dharma which illustrate the whole of creation, the meaning and purpose of birth as human beings and enumerates methods to attain salvation. Upanishads are more practical applications of the Vedas. Puranas are simple ways the essential  concept is explained to lay people for whom the other two are heavy to understand. So the Vedas begin at the beginning, i.e at the time the Universe was created. According to the Vedas, initially, only pure Consciousness existed. Then this consciousness wanted to manifest. So it is said that Brahma was created and assigned with the task of creating the Universe. Prakruti (Matter) and Shakthi ( Energy) were formed. In order to fuse these two, environment in the form of three Gunas, namely, Rajas, Tamas and Satvic were created. Interestingly, Consciousness also was made a part of the resultant product which  now can be called as the Universe. This begining is timed presently at about 1.70 billion years ago. A lifetime of 100 cosmic years (4.32 billion years) was given to Brahma. Brahma then appointed assistants to execute the plan with clear instructions. Thesis for all these are the Vedas. Vedas then led to Upanishads which detailed practical explanations to the Vedas. It is said there are 108 Upanishads. Then we have 18 Puranas, two Itihasaas, I e Ramayan and Mahabharat with a view to understand the Vedas in simple terms for the ordinary layman. 

THE ATMAN

The centre point in the Scriptures is the Atman. This one whole Atman (Paramatma) can seperate from the main, acquire attributes, undergo certain experiences and then if sufficient will power exists can merge with the whole once again. The breakaway Atman is called as Jivatma. The primary nature of this Jivatma is explained as without form, ever-existing (timeless), without qualities or attributes and can be all-pervading and very similar to Paramatma. It is later explained in this write-up that this Jivatma, though pure and effulgent, gets covered with dirt. Imagine a diamond, so shining, that is thrown in a gutter containing filthy mud. If this diamond is taken out, wiped clean, then it regains the original shine. Another example is that  of a closed empty pot. There is same air both inside and outside of the pot divided by the mud wall. Once the pot is broken, the air inside merges with that in outside and the air that was inside of the pot cannot be identified seperately. 

THE ENTRY OF MIND

In order to fulfil certain requirements, this Atman is made to manifest as living beings. Towards this purpose, it is given a kit in the form of Mind. Thankfully the mind is connected to  consciousness or conscience as we call them. Mind is therefore one's gateway between the pure form called as Brahman and the experiences called as Vasanas. The nature of the mind is that it is extremely creative, can be moulded by the surroundings, and comes with a pre-programmed software called as Karma. It must also be said that the lifetime of this mind is finite and is dissolved at the time of death. But the software of Karma is carried over. 

Now the Mind has two appendages, memory and emotions. The importance of the Mind is that it can generate thoughts continuously. The stimulus for these thoughts are from five inputs called as the five sense organs, i.e eyes with ability to see and perceive, ears with the ability to detect and analyse sound energy, nose with ability to smell, tongue with the ability to taste and skin with the ability to feel pleasure or  comfort or pain. Mind is also given the same original environment, the Gunas, viz Tamas, Rajas and Sattvic, from which it can  operate in different proportions at different times. Based on the inputs from the senses, the thoughts arise in the mind. These thoughts are influenced by memory and emotions, the two appendages to the Mind and shape the way for the actions. If every thought is made to pass through Consciousness that is attached to the Mind, then the outcome can be known as Dharma, the right way to do the Actions. Actions are initiated through the organs in the body. It needs to be said here that while Dharma is the right action, it does not ensure release from the cycle of rebirth. For this, there is another concept called as Sharanagati, total surrender to God, which is to dedicate all the consequences of one's actions to God and this can take away the individual from the recurrent cycle. 

MAYA

Mind, however, is always attached to the Atman (Original Consciousness) but does not realise it. This is because this part is enveloped in a zone called as Maya. This Maya is a powerful force whose influence is extremely strong. It can be described as a wall, or as a barrier or a membrane enveloping the Mind and the body. The quality of Maya is that it is unreal but can give the illusion of reality to the Mind.  The analogy given by Sri Sankaracharaya is that of rope, that may appear in darkness  as a snake and create a fear. When light is shone on it, then it can be seen clearly as a rope. But for the realised, this rope also may disappear over a period of time by disintegrating. So same object appears in different forms. 

KARMA 

With this setup, the Mind undergoes experiences which are dictated by Karma. Karma, we can say, is a recording of the Mind of the consequences of its actions during its lifetime and can be carried over across different births. Therefore, a reborn mind has a deposit of Karma at the time of birth and more is acquired like money during the lifetime by actions executed by the Mind. Karma is a supreme Law, non-negociable, not interfered by even the Supreme Consciousness. Since the actions arise out of the thoughts arising in one's mind, even the thoughts come under the purview of Karma. Now we come to the purpose of this whole exercise. One is born to atone for the Karma, both good and the bad. But the same individual also generates fresh Karma during a lifetime which also need to be spent either in the same birth or in future births. There goes the cycle of births and deaths, a rigmarole of never-ending chain. 

THE REALISATION

According to the Scriptures, the Atman,  which for the reason had to manifest and undergo experiences due to accumulated Karma, at one point, realises that it wants to go back to its original state from which it was seperated. There are only 4 paths indicated, by following which this can be attained, namely the Karma Yog, Bhakti Yog, Gyan Yog and Raja Yog.

For an individual, when he starts to realise that he or she wants to attain this, can follow either one or more of these four methods or a combination of these. The practical method one must realise is that during the effort, called as Sadhana, to attain the original Atman , the end goal is that the mind must be made to shrink and finally dissolve. Once the Mind is shrunk and minimised to the maximum extent possible, then it shall become so small so as to pass through the fine pore in the Maya barrier and merge with the Atman just as a droplet of water in a river flows into the sea and merges with the vast ocean and loses its individual identity. Further, the Atman which has a thin wall seperating it from the Whole (called as Paramatma) ( remember mud pot example) also dissolves it's wall and merges with the Whole and loses its identity. 

THE PROCESS

But the process of shrinking of the Mind calls for strenous effort on the part of the individual and requires enormous power. Shrinking of the mind happens through intense concentration to create a focus. The purpose of the focus is to stop the thoughts that arise in the Mind, which are energy generated from the environment of Maya. When thoughts stop in the Mind, it starts shrinking. To stop thoughts from arising, the  stimulants (the five senses)have to be cut off. For eg. Eyes must stop seeing and perceiving, the ears have to fall deaf etc.. So, the wise people have described forms of Gods and installed them in temples, created music soothing for the soul and divine fragrances.The pleasures of the skin must be done away with. The tongue must taste only food that help in sustaining the life in the body till such time as the goal is attained.. With such efforts, the inputs from the senses are greatly restricted to enable the individual consciousness to focus. But, in the world of Maya  the disturbances are wide and varied in the world. So one must develop the power of discrimination. It is said that such efforts are so difficult that for an individual it is not possible without the guidance of a seer, a Guru.  So Vedas recommend to undergo tutelage under a teacher.  One must always dwell upon the Paramatma, called as supreme Brahman so as to concentrate and focus. 

For the layman, in day to day life,  many ways are prescribed towards concentration and shrinking of the Mind. Going to temples, indulging in Rama Nama, rituals, doing Nithya karmas such as sandhyavandana, homa, sacrifices, listening to namasankeerthanas and discourses, meditation, Yoga, penances and any way that purifies the thoughts ( chitta-shuddhi) are all Upasanas to focus on the end goal. Some practical ways in today's world are to shut out cacophonic noises and bombarding news, keeping a balanced view on all subjects, choosing wisely one's food intake, curbing ego and all the associated vices such as greed and malice, practicing simplicity and avoiding extravagance, refraining from judging are some tips to elevate one towards more peace and prepare oneself for ultimate liberation.