Mind – Studies in its structure

Mind – Studies in its structure

by Swami Sivananda

I. WHAT IS MIND?

Now then an exposition of the mind, its nature and control. Mind is Atma Sakti. Mind is Maya. Mind is born of Prakriti. It is through mind that Brahman manifests Himself as the universe with heterogeneous objects. Mind is inert. It cannot by itself illumine the objects. It borrows its light from Atman or the Self. The body with its organs is no other than the mind.

II. MIND AS THE UNIVERSE

All the visible objects do not really exist. The mind alone shines as the cause of all the manifold created objects.

This universe is no other than the mind itself. The Self-light of Para Brahman alone is appearing as the mind or this Universe. Mind alone is the Universe.

III. MIND AS SANKALPA

The form of the mind is Sankalpa alone. The expansion of the mind alone is Sankalpa (thought, imagination). Wherever there is Sankalpa (thought) there does the mind exist. Sankalpa, through its power of differentiation generates this Universe. The Sankalpas and Vasanas which you generate enmesh you as in a net. Man is subject to bondage through his own Sankalpas and Vasanas, like a silkworm in its cocoon. If the mind turns its back upon discrimination, it entangles itself in the folds of Vasanas, or desires.

IV. STOREHOUSE OF IMPRESSIONS

Mind is a collection of Samskaras or impressions. The mind goes into modifications according to the latent impressions of the past. These impressions are called Samskaras. Mind is a bundle of Vasanas, Sankalpas and likes and dislikes. If you free yourself, from these, the mind dwindles into an airy nothing. Mind is nothing but a bundle of habits, desires and cravings. The mind which is the conditioning vesture of the soul is a storehouse of impressions. It is attached to the pleasure of senses and is tossed about by three Gunas, and hence is liable to disturbance in the form of lust, anger, etc. The true nature of the mind is Vasanas or subtle desires.

V. STUFF OF THE MIND

Mind is atomic according to the Nyaya School. Mind is all-pervading according to the Raja Yoga School. It is of middling size, same size as that of the body according to the Vedantic School. Mind is made up of subtle Sattvic matters. It is formed out of the subtlest portion of food. Mind is termed the sixth sense.

Studies in its structure – Mind, Personality, and Inner Organization

Studies in its structure help us understand how the inner life of a human being is organized. The mind is not a simple or single movement. It contains thoughts, emotions, memories, desires, imagination, reasoning, ego, habits, and deeper impressions. These parts work together and shape the way a person thinks, feels, speaks, acts, and responds to life. Without understanding this inner structure, self-control and spiritual growth become difficult.

The mind receives knowledge through the senses. Eyes, ears, nose, tongue, and skin bring impressions from the outer world. These impressions enter the mind and create likes, dislikes, memories, attractions, and fears. What a person sees, hears, reads, eats, and experiences does not disappear completely. It leaves a subtle mark inside and influences future behavior. This is why environment and company are very important.

Studies in its structure show that memory is one of the important layers of the mind. Memory stores past experiences, both pleasant and painful. It helps a person learn from life, but it can also create bondage. If someone constantly remembers insult, loss, or failure, the mind becomes heavy. If memory is used wisely, it becomes a teacher. If it is used carelessly, it becomes a prison.

Another part of the inner structure is desire. Desire gives movement to the mind. It pushes a person toward food, comfort, success, love, knowledge, pleasure, power, or freedom. Some desires are useful and noble, while others are selfish and harmful. When desire is guided by wisdom, it becomes purpose. When desire becomes uncontrolled, it creates restlessness, attachment, and suffering.

Studies in its structure also explain the role of emotion. Emotions give color and force to thoughts. Love can make life soft and meaningful. Anger can make the mind hot and destructive. Fear can protect, but it can also weaken courage. Jealousy can poison relationships, while compassion can purify the heart. A person who understands emotions can guide them instead of being controlled by them.

The intellect is another important part. It gives the power to judge, compare, understand, and decide. When the intellect is clear, it can guide the mind toward truth and discipline. But when the intellect is clouded by ego, desire, or fear, it may justify wrong actions. Therefore, right knowledge and honest reflection are necessary to keep the intellect pure.

Studies in its structure show that ego is one of the strongest forces in human personality. Ego creates the feeling of “I” and “mine.” It identifies with body, name, status, success, possessions, opinions, and relationships. Because of ego, a person feels proud after praise and hurt after criticism. Ego is useful for practical identity, but when it becomes too strong, it creates separation, pride, fear, and conflict.

Habits also form a deep part of the mind’s structure. Repeated thoughts and actions become tendencies. If a person repeatedly chooses anger, anger becomes natural. If they repeatedly choose patience, patience becomes stronger. If they practice laziness, laziness grows. If they practice discipline, discipline becomes easy. This means the inner structure can be changed through repeated effort.

The subconscious mind stores many impressions that may not be clearly visible. Old fears, past pain, hidden desires, and deep tendencies may influence behavior without the person fully knowing it. Sometimes a person reacts strongly to a small event because some deeper impression has been touched. Self-observation helps bring these hidden patterns into awareness.

Studies in its structure also explain why mental discipline is necessary. If the mind is unorganized, thoughts run in many directions. A scattered mind wastes energy and becomes tired quickly. A disciplined mind is stronger because it knows how to focus. Concentration, meditation, controlled speech, pure food, good company, and regular routine help organize the mind.

The structure of the mind is not fixed forever. It can be purified, trained, and lifted. A person who is restless today can become calm through practice. A person who is selfish today can become compassionate through service. A person who is fearful today can become courageous through knowledge and effort. Inner change is possible because the mind is flexible.

Spiritual practice goes deeper than ordinary mental improvement. It helps a person understand that the mind itself is an instrument, not the true self. Thoughts, emotions, desires, and ego are observed by awareness. That awareness is deeper than the mind. When this truth is understood, a person stops identifying completely with every mental movement and begins to experience inner freedom.

In the end, Studies in its structure teach that the mind has many layers and functions. Senses bring impressions, memory stores experience, desire creates movement, emotion gives force, intellect gives judgment, ego creates identity, and habits shape personality. By understanding this structure, a person can live with more awareness, control lower tendencies, build noble character, and move toward peace, wisdom, and spiritual growth.

What is the Mind?