Mind

WHAT IS THE MIND?

Mind is said to be a thing enclosed within our brain inside our head. We think it is easy to define something but if we look at them deeper, they have a totally different meaning than our imagination. To define anything, we use our mind. Yet, we do not know how to define the mind itself. Now, of course you might go to the internet and search the definition of mind. Our mind is often defined as the part of the body that thinks, reasons, feels or understand certain stuff. So is mind really a thing? Can you touch mind?

DEFINITION OF MIND

Mind is thought to be as a noun, in the English sense. But if we define mind as something like this: "Mind is an embodied and relational process that regulates the flow of energy and information" then it's point of view changes. The definition I have given you here is correct but we can not understand it completely. So to understand what is mind, we need to understand it's definition correctly. Anything in science has a definition, we know that we can't talk about things just like that. Therefore mind also has a definition. In this definition, I have told you that our mind regulates the flow of energy and information. What is regulation? Controlling something, right? In this case, our mind controls the "flow" of energy and information. It's like a dam which controls a river. But with this, we get to know that energy and information are liquid like substances that flow and are being regulated by what's called our mind. Are energy and information really liquid? We can't say so. But we assume them to be liquidy because they fit perfectly with the psychological aspects of mind and defining mind. The mind regulates how we use energy, what comes in and goes out etc. In raw terms, it decides what we eat and drink, what exercise and activities we pursue. The mind also has the capacity to gather, to store and to control the way we use information. Think of it this way: energy and information are two different liquids that are flowing inside our brain from here to there. Our mind is like the head master which is controlling their flow and routes. Does that mean our mind is a thing? A stuff? Well, let's move to the other part of the definition.

The mind has the potential to change everything, literally. On the other hand, I said that our mind is embodied. What does that mean? The mind exists in a manner that is intimately connected to our physical body. While it is concentrated in the brain, it is widely accepted that the mind is not confined to just the brain. In fact, it even extends beyond the nervous system generally and is to be found actively functional in all parts of the body.

Now final chunk to the definition of mind was that I told you that the mind is a relational process! It exists within the context of relationships. All that we do depends upon our relationships. They can be anything. Either our environment or other living things and ourselves. Because we have a relationship with our self, we look after it. Often, depending upon the quality of our relationships, we look after our body better or worse. Not many people self harm by cutting their bodies, no, although some may do. But they actuality is, many self harm by eating bad or not exercising. Many trash the environment and treat other people badly because they have a poor relationship with them. Their mind also works according to your actions. The brain changes its structure according to your mind and your thinking. So that's why mind is a process that is affected by relationships.

But wait, one thing I didn't tell you is that, is mind a noun or a verb? (Forgetting the English sense) As we've defined mind as a process, what does process itself mean? In the Oxford dictionary, process is defined as a continuous and regular action or succession of actions occurring to be performed in a definite manner. Take a moment and you'll realize that the mind being defined as a process means that it is an active "doing" and not a stationary object! Thus it is a verb! It is a process! It is happening, to you, right now!

THE MIND SCIENCE

What we were talking about all this while was definitely a science. A mind science. You train your mind. Now don't think this is gonna be a mind training course and stuff. What I want to tell you through this article is that mind is not exactly what people think. There is something more, a lot more interesting. Many books and articles on the internet make you go through a 'mental gym' where you train your mind, enjoy it becoming fitter, more capable, get the best out of your mind and its potential. Now there are many classifications of the mind. One being the conscious mind and the other, the unconscious mind. Now I know there is one more classification known as the "subconscious mind" and a lot more, but for now, let's just stick to two other aspects of the mind. Yes, our mind has 2 aspects. It has the 'thinking mind' and the 'nature of mind'.

The thinking mind first. The thinking mind is the aspect we are most familiar with and it is this aspect that contains the conscious and the unconscious minds. It is the thinking mind that has to do with everyday functioning. It is changing all the time as thoughts come and go. It is this aspect of mind we train and can use for great benefit.

Now, the nature of mind. The nature of mind is a term used to describe that more profound aspect of our mind that is stable and enduring. This aspect of our mind is capable of being aware of our thoughts and is at the core of our being. It is constant; a source of inner strength and confidence, and it is the aspect of mind we come to experience in the deeper stillness or silence of meditation.

So, if you think about it, closely, our mind is something that enlightens us. The Enlightened Wisdom you get from your surroundings is comprehended by your mind. Mind, as we know, is not a physical thing. As you might have heard of things like "Mind games" and all, you know that having your mind controlled is the best thing you can do. Mind changes the shape of the brain according to your thinking. Mind is all it is.

Thank you for reading.