Mind – its Features, Nature and Conquest

Mind – its Features, Nature and Conquest

by Swami Sivananda

I. PHILOSOPHY OF THE MIND

Mind is made up of subtle matter. It is through mind that God manifests as the universe. Mind is a subtle force. Prana vibrates on mind and mind generates thoughts. Mind is a bundle of impressions, thoughts, Vasanas (desires) and cravings. The seed of mind is egoism.

Mind can do five functions of the five senses of perception or knowledge (Jnana Indriyas). There are three Gunas or qualities, viz., Sattva, Rajas and Tamas in the mind. Lust, anger, greed, jealousy, pride, delusion, egoism, likes and dislikes are waves in the mind. The ever-restless mind becomes quiescent when all desires perish. The mind is purified by the practice of selfless service, Japa, Tapas, right conduct or practice of Yama (self-restraint) and meditation. The mind filled with Sattva is Suddha Manas or pure mind. The mind filled with Rajas and Tamas is Asuddha Manas or impure mind. Relaxation of mind, Japa, prayer, meditation, cheerfulness, Sattvic food, study of religious books, are necessary for keeping up mental health.

The mind assumes the form of any object it intensely thinks of. If it thinks of an apple, it assumes the form of an apple. If it thinks of the form of Lord Jesus, it assumes the form of Lord Jesus. As you think, so you become. This is an immutable psychological law.

In waking state mind has its abode in the brain. In dream state it has its abode in the throat. In deep sleep it rests in the heart.

Prana is the connecting link between body and mind. If you control Prana or sex-energy, you can control the mind. If you can control the mind, you can control Prana also. Through control of breath you can control the mind. Cosmic mind is the universal mind of the Lord. It is superconscious mind. Conscious mind operates through the brain in the waking state. Subconscious mind is Chitta. All impressions are imbedded in the subconscious mind. Practice of Pranayama helps to attain mental equipoise. It can hear and see at the same time.

Mind is the dividing wall between soul and body. Mind is the commander-in-chief. The senses are the soldiers. Egoism, greed, jealousy, vanity, etc., are the attendants of the mind. Man says, – My mind was elsewhere; I did not see. My mind was elsewhere; I did not hear. Man sees with his mind and hears with his mind. Steadying or fixing the mind in one point is called Abhyasa.

II. CONQUEST OF THE LOWER BY THE HIGHER

You can control the mind through Abhyasa or practice and Vairagya. You can be established in Samadhi or superconscious state only by long practice, with zeal and faith. Without dispassion or non-attachment or indifference to sensual enjoyments no spiritual progress is possible. Annihilate the impure mind or the lower mind with the help of the pure or the higher mind and transcend the higher mind also.

The senses cannot do anything without the cooperation of the mind.

Do not try to drive away impure thoughts. The more you try, the more they will return. Fill the mind with divine thoughts. The impure thoughts will gradually vanish by themselves. Do not try to control the mind through violent methods. You will miserably and hopelessly fall. Use the approved and intelligent methods. You can control the mind easily.

III. MIND AS THE BASIS OF THE WORLD-PROCESS

The mind is at the root of Samsara or world-process. Desire is the fuel. Thought is the fire. Withdraw the fuel of desire, the fire of thought will be extinguished. Mind is like an ocean; thoughts are the waves. Mind is the organ of sensation and thoughts. Mind thinks, intellect determines, egoism self-arrogates, subconscious mind memories. When the mind is Sattvic, calm and pure, you will get glimpses or flashes of intuition.

Mind and Prana are interdependent. Prana is the overcoat of the mind. Wherever there is Prana, there is mind; wherever there is mind, there is Prana.

Waking state, dream state and deep sleep state are the three states of the mind.

Mental actions are the real actions. Thought is the real action.

A Rajasic mind wants variety and new sensations. It gets disgusted with monotony. Change of work is change for the mind.

Mind is a gatekeeper. It allows only one thought at a time to enter the mental factory or the mental palace.

Nature and Conquest – Self-Mastery, Inner Strength, and Spiritual Victory

Nature and Conquest is a meaningful subject that explains the relationship between human nature and the effort to rise above its lower tendencies. Every person is born with certain instincts, desires, habits, emotions, and weaknesses. Some people are naturally calm, while others are restless. Some are inclined toward discipline, while others struggle with laziness, anger, fear, or attachment. Human nature is powerful, but it is not impossible to transform.

Nature influences our thoughts, speech, and actions. The body has its demands, the senses seek pleasure, and the mind runs after comfort, praise, possession, and enjoyment. If a person follows every natural impulse blindly, life becomes uncontrolled. They may become a slave of taste, sleep, anger, greed, jealousy, or pride. Therefore, the conquest of nature begins with awareness.

Nature and Conquest does not mean hating the body or rejecting life. It means understanding the lower movements of nature and guiding them toward higher purpose. Hunger should be regulated, not abused. Desire should be purified, not blindly followed. Energy should be directed toward service, study, meditation, discipline, and noble action. The aim is not destruction of nature, but mastery over it.

The first step in this conquest is self-observation. A person should watch their own mind carefully. What creates anger? What increases desire? What weakens discipline? What kind of company makes the mind restless? What habits make the body heavy and dull? Without observation, a person remains controlled by hidden tendencies. With observation, the path of correction begins.

Nature and Conquest also requires control of the senses. The eyes, ears, tongue, skin, and mind constantly move toward attractive objects. This movement is natural, but when it becomes excessive, it creates bondage. The tongue wants taste again and again, the eyes seek pleasing forms, and the ears want praise or entertainment. A disciplined person does not allow the senses to rule life. They use them wisely and in moderation.

Desire is one of the strongest parts of nature. It promises happiness, but often creates restlessness. One fulfilled desire usually gives birth to another. If desire is uncontrolled, the mind never feels satisfied. Conquest of desire does not mean becoming lifeless. It means learning the difference between need and craving. Needs are limited, but cravings are endless. Wisdom lies in satisfying what is necessary and refusing what weakens the soul.

Nature and Conquest is also connected with anger. Anger rises when desire is blocked or ego is hurt. In anger, a person may speak harshly, insult others, or act foolishly. Later, regret comes, but the damage may already be done. Conquering anger requires patience, silence, reflection, and humility. A strong person is not the one who shouts loudly, but the one who can remain calm when provoked.

Fear is another force of nature that must be understood. Some fear protects life, but excessive fear stops growth. People may fear failure, criticism, loss, loneliness, or change. Fear makes the mind weak and dependent. Conquest of fear begins with faith, courage, right knowledge, and repeated effort. When a person faces small fears with awareness, inner strength gradually increases.

Nature and Conquest also includes overcoming laziness. Laziness may look harmless, but it quietly destroys opportunity, discipline, and willpower. It delays duty, weakens study, disturbs spiritual practice, and keeps a person stuck in old habits. Regular routine, meaningful work, good company, and a clear goal help overcome dullness. Action is a strong medicine for laziness.

The conquest of nature is not possible through force alone. Suppression may hide desires and emotions, but it does not purify them. True conquest comes through understanding and transformation. Anger can become courage for truth. Desire can become dedication to service. Ambition can become disciplined effort. Emotional energy can become devotion. When lower forces are transformed, nature becomes a helper instead of an enemy.

Nature and Conquest requires patience because inner habits are old and deep. A person may fail many times while trying to control the mind and senses. But failure should not create hopelessness. Every sincere effort has value. If one falls, one should reflect, correct the cause, and begin again. Slow progress is still progress when the direction is right.

Spiritual practices give great support in this journey. Meditation calms the mind, prayer brings humility, self-study gives knowledge, and service reduces selfishness. Pure food, controlled speech, simple living, and good company also help. The more the mind becomes pure, the easier it becomes to conquer lower tendencies.

Nature and Conquest finally teaches that true victory is inner victory. Conquering others may give temporary power, but conquering oneself gives lasting peace. A person who controls anger, desire, fear, pride, and laziness becomes truly strong. Such a person can live in the world without being ruled by the world. They act with wisdom, speak with care, serve with humility, and move steadily toward spiritual freedom.

Free Will