Be Master of the Mind and Intellect!
Divine Life
Society Publication: Seek The Beyond by Swami Chidananda
The most important, holiest,
and the greatest of all mantras in the Vedic religion is the Gayatri mantra,
Brahma Gayatri mantra, into which a young boy is initiated at the time
of being invested with the sacred thread. And the import of the mantra
is a prayer for enlightening and illumining the intellect. The last line prays
to the Most High exactly for this: "Graciously illumine our
intellect."
Man is body, mind and
intellect. The outer physical part is the body. The inner part, the
psychological part, is mind and intellect. If the intellect retains its
independence—it is not caught, held and overcome by the mind—then the
independent intellect is able to function as an observer, as a moderator, as a
regulator, as a wise counsellor and as a guide. It becomes a very great helping
factor.
But if the intellect loses its
independence and is overcome and controlled by the mind with its
vagaries—various fancies and imaginations and schemes and cravings—then the
intellect gradually becomes deficient in its power to be the helpful inner
guiding factor to the individual concerned. For in giving in to the mind the
intellect loses its relationship of superiority, and its status becomes one of
being manipulated. The mind is no longer an instrument of the intellect. The
intellect becomes an instrument in the hands of the clever and deceptive mind.
This is not as it should be,
and it is the source of much tribulation and trouble, botheration and vexation
to the individual. So we always have to be alert and careful and observe the
state of our interior. We should do everything that we can to make the
intellect the superior factor, the governing and deciding factor, and not let
it be overcome and controlled by the mind. The great Gayatri mantra
says, "Illumine our intellect." That is our best friend.
However, let us suppose that
due to its carelessness and not being alert and vigilant, the intellect has
somehow played into the hands of the mind. Let us suppose that unfortunately we
have failed to recognize that this correct condition of the interior is an
indispensable necessity, that it is very important and has to be acquired,
retained and maintained. In that situation, is there some solution, some way
out?
Emphatically, yes! There is a
way out. For, fortunately for us, we have a factor higher and superior to both
the mind and the intellect that make up our psyche. And that third factor,
which is superior even to the intellect, is a silent witness to both mind and
intellect.
It is a witnessing factor that
stands apart. And because of its unique position as something apart, unlike the
intellect it can retain its integrity, be itself and, therefore, be in a
position to govern and guide not only the intellect, but even the mind. If its
powers are developed, this third factor becomes the crucial factor, the most
important factor.
And this witnessing factor is
the Spirit, the breath of God. Herein lies our solution. Identify with this
third factor, this important factor, this witnessing spiritual factor. Refuse
to be drawn into a state of identification with not only the body, refuse to be
drawn into a state of identification with even the mind, with even the
intellect, with even the psyche.
"I am higher than the
mind, I am higher than the intellect. I can help the intellect to free itself
from the mind, if need be." In this way, we must understand our interior,
the life and the power of this higher third factor, which is beyond even the
psyche and which is superior to the mind as well as to the intellect. Therein
lies the possibility of uplifting ourselves to a state even higher than this
unseen inner dimension of our being. Therein lies the key and the solution to
be master of the entire situation—which is your rightful role in this entire
set-up of the human personality.
Claim your rightful role! Play
your rightful role. Assume charge. Be firmly established in this role. Exercise
it. Let it play the most important part in your life, in your daily activities.
In this lies your real good. In this lies true inner success. May God and
Gurudev help us to do this!
Excerpts from:
Be Master of the Mind and
Intellect – Seek The Beyond
by
Swami Chidananda
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