Philosophy of the Mind

Philosophy of the Mind

Sri Swami Sivananda

“Bhoomir-apo analo vayuh kham mano buddhirevacha, Ahamkara itiyam me bhinna prakritirashtadha.” According to Sankhya cosmology, mind is the fourth principle that has emanated from the self-asserting principle Ahamkara or egoism or Asmita. Prakriti or Avyaktam (matter in an unmanifested state) is styled as ‘Ashtangi’ or eightfold Prakriti (Prakritirashtadha). Mind is one of the eight limbs or Ashtanga. Mind is itself a word whose meaning is extremely vague, one incapable of being clearly defined except in terms of some questionable and speculative hypothesis. No one can point to a mind and say: “That is what I mean the word mind shall denote.” Mind consists of a bundle of faculties, as the faculties of cognition or perception, volition or will, imagination, judgment, reason, understanding, memory, etc. Character concerns the affective or conative organism of the mind. Knowledge concerns the cognitive organism. There are different channels of communication through which the cognitive and conative faculties are directed. There is only one mind which has diverse names according to the plane on which it functions, viz., the subjective mind, the objective mind, the universal mind (cosmic consciousness), or the superconscious mind, the subconscious mind, the instinctive mind, the spiritual mind. The Vishaya or function of the mind is cognition (Sankalpa-Vikalpa or will, thought, doubt).

The ‘doubting mind’ is collective aggregate of all Jnana-Indriyas ororgans of sensation or perception.Mind is below Will and above Prana or energy ormatter. Mind isa relative manifestation of the Absolute. Mind is positive to Energy and Matter, but negative to Will, which is again positive to mind, but negative to Atman. Mind when purified becomes your real Guru. You will hear the voice of silence. You will getanswers for your unsolvable problems. A pure mind is no longer subtle matter but the Brahman itself. The original home for the mind is Omkara in the Sahasrara or thousand-petalled lotus. Mind has become impure by your own desires. How the pureBrahman has become the impure Jivais a life problem that has baffled all human efforts for a clear, correct and satisfactory solution. This is a quest which has no answer. This is the mystic side of nature. You cannot solve celestial, divine problems, thatbelong to supramental planes, with the finite intellect of the physical plane. Develop intuition. Acquire transcendental wisdom. Look within through cosmic consciousness. Then you willget a real, solution.

Through the searchlight of the concentrated mind, you will have to behold the treasures of the soul or Atman. Just as rays permeate solid bones or blocks of wood, the concentrated mental rays of a focussed mind will pass through the different forms of matter and reveal their real nature.

During cosmic consciousness, you are aware of the oneness of life. You will find that there is no such thing as dead matter, but that all is alive, vibrating and intelligent. You will see the universe as all-Atman, which is the essence or background of this sense universe, of this world of Dvandvas or opposites, of this world of mere conceptions or ideas, of this world of names and forms.

In Svarga or paradise or heaven, you are in the ‘thought world’. You feel or experience no pain. Why? Because you get whatever you think or imagine. Your desires are immediately gratified. Your thought matter instantaneously materialises, crystallises and precipitates before you. You are satisfied. But this is not real.

The science of Raja Yoga or mental Yoga deals with the methods of controlling the ever oscillating mind under the command of the will, which is in the centre of. Atman. Manoyama (control of the mind) is superior to Pranayama (control of the breath); but the Adhikaris or qualified persons for practice of Manoyama should be very intelligent with bold understanding and tremendous will. Sit on Padma or Siddha Asana facing east or north. Make Trataka or Dharana (concentration) on Trikuti, the space between the two eyebrows with closed eyes. Control the force of thought by meditation on Pranava or Om and its meaning. Practise regularly from 1/2 to 2 or 3 hours daily. You will become a Yogi and an Atma Jnani soon.

Sri Swami Sivananda gave profound spiritual teachings on the nature, power, and transformation of the human mind. His wisdom regarding the Philosophy of the Mind continues to guide seekers toward self-realisation, inner peace, and divine consciousness. According to Sri Swami Sivananda, the mind is both the cause of bondage and the means to liberation. The teachings of Philosophy of the Mind explain that when the mind is controlled, purified, and directed toward God, it becomes a powerful instrument for spiritual awakening. Devotional India preserves and spreads these timeless teachings for the upliftment of humanity.

The spiritual science of Philosophy of the Mind teaches that the mind is constantly influenced by thoughts, desires, emotions, habits, and impressions gathered through experience. An uncontrolled mind creates suffering, fear, attachment, anger, greed, jealousy, and restlessness. However, through meditation, devotion, self-discipline, and right thinking, the mind can be purified and transformed. Sri Swami Sivananda repeatedly explained that Philosophy of the Mind is essential for understanding human nature and achieving spiritual growth. Devotional India inspires seekers to practise Yoga, meditation, prayer, and selfless service for purification of the mind and soul.

According to the teachings of Philosophy of the Mind, thoughts possess tremendous power. Positive thoughts create peace, joy, courage, and spiritual strength, while negative thoughts create confusion, weakness, and sorrow. The mind shapes human character, actions, destiny, and spiritual evolution. Through the practice of concentration and meditation, seekers gradually gain mastery over the mind. The wisdom of Philosophy of the Mind explains that a calm and disciplined mind becomes fit for divine knowledge and self-realisation. Devotional India teaches humanity the value of pure thoughts, noble conduct, and spiritual awareness.

The teachings of Philosophy of the Mind also explain that the mind is deeply influenced by desires and attachments. When the mind constantly runs after worldly pleasures, it becomes weak and restless. Through renunciation, self-control, devotion, and discrimination, the seeker learns to withdraw the mind from distractions and direct it toward God. Sri Swami Sivananda taught that Philosophy of the Mind is not merely intellectual understanding but a practical spiritual discipline. Devotional India continues to spread the sacred values of simplicity, truth, purity, compassion, and divine living.

In modern society, stress, anxiety, fear, and mental disturbances have increased greatly. Therefore, the teachings of Philosophy of the Mind are more important than ever before. Humanity needs inner peace, mental clarity, emotional balance, and spiritual wisdom to overcome suffering and confusion. The spiritual knowledge contained in Philosophy of the Mind helps seekers understand the root causes of restlessness and discover the path to peace. Through meditation, prayer, chanting, and selfless service, the mind becomes calm and spiritually awakened. Devotional India inspires seekers to cultivate discipline, devotion, and divine consciousness in daily life.

Sri Swami Sivananda explained that the ultimate goal of Philosophy of the Mind is mastery over thoughts and union with the Divine. When the mind becomes pure and free from ego, attachment, and ignorance, the individual experiences spiritual bliss and higher consciousness. The wisdom of Philosophy of the Mind teaches that the mind should become a servant of the soul and not a slave to worldly desires. Through sincere practice, seekers can transform the mind into a channel of divine wisdom, peace, and compassion. Devotional India preserves these sacred teachings to inspire humanity toward self-realisation and inner awakening.

The spiritual path described in Philosophy of the Mind includes self-analysis, meditation, devotion, right conduct, and control of the senses. A disciplined mind develops virtues such as patience, humility, kindness, forgiveness, and universal love. The teachings of Philosophy of the Mind encourage seekers to remain positive, fearless, and spiritually aware even amidst the difficulties of life. Through constant remembrance of God and sincere spiritual effort, the mind becomes peaceful and radiant with divine light. Devotional India continues to guide seekers toward spiritual growth, divine wisdom, and righteous living.

Ultimately, the wisdom of Philosophy of the Mind reveals that true freedom comes through mastery of the mind and realisation of the Divine Self. Sri Swami Sivananda’s teachings continue to illuminate the path of meditation, Yoga, devotion, and self-discipline for seekers across the world. The eternal message of Philosophy of the Mind inspires humanity to overcome ignorance and attain peace, wisdom, and self-realisation. Through the sacred guidance of Devotional India, countless seekers continue the spiritual journey toward divine consciousness and eternal truth.

-Brush Yoga