The mind is dual power.
If we want to put it in words (for the discussion purposes): the lower mind and the Higher Mind. In other words, a part of the mind is the lower mind and the other part is the Higher Mind.
- ਮਨ ਤੇ ਮਨੁ ਮਾਨਿਆ ਚੂਕੀ ਅਹੰ ਭ੍ਰਮਣੀ ॥: The (lower) mind is reconciliated with the (Higher) Mind, and the ego’s wandering ways come to an end (sggs 227).
Again, if we want to continue putting it in words, the lower mind is the sense of individuality in each one of us (Haumai, false ego-sense); it is attached to Maya (“ਮਨੁ ਮਾਇਆ ਮੈ ਫਧਿ ਰਹਿਓ”), wayward, external (our outer or false nature), ego-driven, Adharmee (ਅਧਰਮੀ), impure (Ashudh-ਅਸੁੱਧ), selfish (ਸਵਾਰਥੀ), Manmukhi (self-willed, ਅਪਣੇ ਭਾਣੇ ਵਿਚ ਚਲਣ ਵਾਲਾ), false (ਝੂਠਾ), deluded, conditioned, ignorant, perplexed, agitated, changeful, Bikaar-ridden (lust, anger, greed, etc.), Mayadhaaree, Saakat, and so on. Entangled in Maya, this wayward mind is the sufferer, for it is so restless and ignorant (the state of delirium, or perpetual slumber…) that it will foolishly stick its hand in fire or the mouth of the snake.
- ਚੰਚਲ ਮਤਿ ਬਾਰਿਕ ਬਪੁਰੇ ਕੀ ਸਰਪ ਅਗਨਿ ਕਰ ਮੇਲੈ ॥: sggs 1266)!
On the other hand, the Higher Mind can be said to be our Inner Nature (or True Nature, Jot Saroop, Mool…); it is transcendent or detached from Maya, Dharmee (ਧਰਮੀ or Dharmraj-ਧਰਮਰਾਜ), True (ਸੱਚਾ-ਸੁੱਚਾ), ਸੱਤ-ਸਰੂਪ (embodiment of Truth), Pure (Shudh-ਸੁੱਧ), Unselfish, ਪਰਮਾਰਥੀ, All-Good, All-Giaan (Knowledge), Unconditioned, Changeless, the Gurmukh, Amrit, Awake, and so on.
The outer mind pulls out into the illusory world of the gross objects-emotions-thoughts, and the Inner Mind (Dharmnraj…) pulls inwards – Mool (the Source, Jot…). Whenever the outer mind overrules the Inner Mind, then the Inner Mind (ਧਰਮੀ or ਧਰਮਰਾਜ) automatically and spontaneously records – ਲੇਖਾ, whether its becoming more ignorant (filthier, etc.) or wiser (pure, etc.), etc. (ਲਿਖਿ ਨਾਵੈ ਧਰਮੁ ਬਹਾਲਿਆ ॥੨॥ sggs 463).
Whenever there is the reference of conquering, controlling, or annihilating the mind, it pertains to the lower (external (lower, Haumai…) mind only. Now perhaps we can appreciate the fact that we cannot “kill” the entire mind – because, as discussed above, the half of the mind is Dharma, or Jot Saroop, etc., which can only be Experienced or Realized but not killed. The Gurbani wants us to move towards the Inner Mind with the help of the outer mind.
- ਨਾਨਕ ਮਨ ਹੀ ਤੇ ਮਨੁ ਮਾਨਿਆ ਨਾ ਕਿਛੁ ਮਰੈ ਨ ਜਾਇ ॥: O Nanak, through the (Higher) Mind, the (lower) mind is satisfied, and then, nothing comes or goes (sggs 514).
- ਇਸੁ ਮਨ ਕਉ ਨਹੀ ਆਵਨ ਜਾਨਾ ॥ ਜਿਸ ਕਾ ਭਰਮੁ ਗਇਆ ਤਿਨਿ ਸਾਚੁ ਪਛਾਨਾ ॥੬॥: This mind does not come and go. (One) whose doubt is dispelled, knows the Truth. ||6|| (sggs 330).
In other words, the Goal is to make the two pieces ONE again. If the lower mind keeps improving and thus keeps moving Upwards to it’s Higher Status, both pieces link – duality or ਦੂਜਾ ਭਾਵ ends – and become the ONE (Whole, Saabat Soorat, Pooran-Brahm, etc.).
Since the Gurbani is a mirror of the mind, the Gurmat Giaan or Wisdom of the SGGS channelized our minds to Enlightenment!
- ਇਹੁ ਮਨੁ ਸਕਤੀ ਇਹੁ ਮਨੁ ਸੀਉ ॥ ਇਹੁ ਮਨੁ ਪੰਚ ਤਤ ਕੋ ਜੀਉ ॥ ਇਹੁ ਮਨੁ ਲੇ ਜਉ ਉਨਮਨਿ ਰਹੈ ॥ ਤਉ ਤੀਨਿ ਲੋਕ ਕੀ ਬਾਤੈ ਕਹੈ ॥੩੩॥: (Attaching itself to Maya) this mind becomes Mayaic (engrossed in vices or Bikaar – lust, anger, greed, attachment, pride; and their countless variations), and when it’s united with the Divine within this mind becomes Divine (Bliss-Nature, Virtues…). (By identifying with) the physical body made of the five-elements, this mind becomes like the physical body (i.e. forgets its Original Nature as Jot Saroop, wanders gratifying senses etc.). When this mind is controlled and remains in the Higher State of Wisdom (i.e. Enlightenment, Bliss, Sahaj etc.), then the mind reflects on the Omnipresent or All-pervading Creator. ||33|| (sggs 342).
In nutshell, the mind can only be reconciled with the mind. Thus, the mind can only be removed with the mind, or the mind can only be instructed with the mind.
- ਹਉਮੈ ਦੀਰਘ ਰੋਗੁ ਹੈ ਦਾਰੂ ਭੀ ਇਸੁ ਮਾਹਿ ॥: Ego is a chronic disease, but it contains its own cure as well (sggs 466).
- ਮਨ ਹੀ ਤੇ ਮਨੁ ਮਿਲਿਆ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਮਨ ਹੀ ਮੰਨੁ ਸਮਾਇਆ ॥: From the mind, the mind merges into its Mool (Suaamee), thus the mind gets absorbed into the Mind, within (sggs 1259).