It might sound same but deep down we all know that there is a significant difference between Brain and Mind. While science explores the intricacies of the brain, we uncover remarkable similarities with insights that yogis have understood for thousands of years. This blog post delves into the complex connection between the mind and the brain, utilizing insights that can steer us toward a more balanced and meaningful existence
Understand First About The Brain and Mind
Now, let’s talk about the basic question, What is the difference between the mind and the brain? The brain is the physical “grey matter”—a tangible, visible organ that can be observed and studied. Through sensitive instruments, we can record its subtle movements, agitations, and impulses. These impulses, triggered by external stimuli reaching our senses, are the very foundation of what we call thought.
brain? The brain is the physical “grey matter”—a tangible, visible organ that can be observed and studied. Through sensitive instruments, we can record its subtle movements, agitations, and impulses. These impulses, triggered by external stimuli reaching our senses, are the very foundation of what we call thought.
The mind, nonetheless, is the unseen power driving these bodily responses. It is the “something” that causes the impressions captured by the brain. A thought is merely a personal response to a stimulus in the brain. When ideas are combined, they create the mind. Although the brain is the machine, the mind is the operator. This difference clarifies why a thinker’s mind may be significantly more advanced than that of a non-thinker, despite having brains of comparable size
Thoughts, Emotions, and Character
The brain and mind both denotes the same location of the body but the significate difference lies when you start understanding deeper. I will give an example so that you can understand better. Imagine the mind as a cloth, with each strand representing a single thought. The emotions we feel give this cloth its color, and the habits we form through repetition provide it with strength and durability. The quality of our thoughts, whether coarse or fine, determines the overall texture of this fabric. Even we have discussed about the origin of thought, If you are interested then you can read here.
The brain acts as a tailor, shaping this cloth into the clothes of our character. Our likes and dislikes are the fashion choices that give our character its unique style and expression. By consciously refining our emotions and the quality of our thoughts, we can weave a finer, more resilient character. This isn’t just a metaphor; it’s a practical guide to self-improvement. Through disciplines like yoga and meditation, we can change our internal states, which in turn revalues our external world and reshapes our character for the better.
The Power of Connection: Affinity, Repulsion, and Indifference
The invisible nature of the mind is often the cause of misunderstanding and conflict. Since we cannot directly see or understand another’s mind, we rely on how we react to their presence. These reactions fall into three distinct categories: Note: Idea is taken from the Zen Yoga
- Affinity: This leads to connection, forming friendships, love, and community. It is the basis for collaboration and unity, from masterminds to global organizations like the United Nations.
- Repulsion: This is the root of conflict. It manifests as anger, egoism, and cruelty, leading to misunderstandings, crime, and even war. When our grey matter registers frustrated reactions, it fuels destructive behaviors.
- Indifference: A state of neutrality that can be dangerous. A mind that feels neither affinity nor repulsion tends to live in isolation. Without the push and pull of social interaction, it can become morbid and lead to psychological distress. An indifferent mind, if not checked, can eventually become repellant to others, showing early signs of mental unhappiness.
Path to Self-Awareness: Breaking Free from Drifts
Many of us live life on autopilot, playing back stored thought patterns accumulated since childhood. We are like tape recorders, reacting to external stimuli without conscious awareness or protest. These “drifts of the mind” keep us from truly engaging with our purpose.
The journey of a yogi is about breaking free from this cycle. It’s about moving beyond simply reacting and beginning to actively choose our thoughts and actions. The true purpose of life is not to drift, but to constantly ask, “Am I moving closer to my purpose?” Yoga and meditation provide the tools to analyze our thought patterns, examine our drifts, and replace old, unhelpful habits with new, purposeful ones.
The ancient wise ones could perceive and comprehend the mind due to their cultivated deep awareness that surpassed the physical senses. By engaging in practices that connect body and mind, they went beyond the visible to comprehend the unseen. The core of yoga lies in revealing the unseen, comprehending the mind, and leading a life filled with deliberate intention and tranquility
