What is Mind?

The mind is a collection of thoughts. A single thought cannot be called a mind. A tree is not called a forest; it is called a forest when many trees come together. A drop of water is not called a river; it becomes a river when many drops come together. Similarly, when many thoughts come together, it is called mind.

That said, man is nothing but the mind, and the mind is nothing but thought-stuff and perceptions. In fact, Awareness or Conscience (Surat-ਸੁਰਤ) conditioned by an object becomes a thought and perception.

How do thoughts arise in the mind? Where do they come from?

Our thoughts come from two sources, (1) externally caused and (2) internally caused. External sources include thoughts given to us by our parents, other family members, neighbors, friends and associates, teachers, Pujaaree (clergy), leaders, books and other publications, social media, and so on. Internal sources are our inner being (Jot Saroop), inner silence, cosmic creation, nature, introspection, Simran or meditation, and so on.

That which separates man from his Original or True Nature (i.e. Jot Saroop) is his/her conditioned mind.

In short, the wall — also called veil, curtain, screen etc. in the Gurbani included in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS) — that stands between man in his Mool (Original Nature) is his/her own mind. Gurmat Giyan-Wisdom of the Gurbani in SGGS asks us to pull the wall down through the Guru’s Giyan-Wisdom and then one will come face to face his/her Mool.

The ocean at depth is calm and quiet. But at the surface, due to disturbance created by the wind, waves arise. Stronger the wind, stronger and higher the waves. If there is no wind, there will be no waves.

Similarly, the phantom of the instinctive mind is nothing but turbulent waves on the surface of the pool of the Pure Consciousness (Jot Saroop). The seed of the mind is Haumai or false-ego-sense (‘I’-ness or self-centeredness etc).

• ਮਾਇਆ ਮੁਈ ਨ ਮਨੁ ਮੁਆ ਸਰੁ ਲਹਰੀ ਮੈ ਮਤੁ ॥ : (Neither the mind’s love for) Maya has died, nor the mind has died (i.e, the mind has not turned away from the worldly desires); and the mind-ocean remains brimful with waves of ‘I, I’ (self-centeredness, etc). (sggs 992).
• ਇਹੁ ਤਨੁ ਲਹਰੀ ਗਡੁ ਥਿਆ ਸਚੇ ਤੇਰੀ ਆਸ ॥੧੨੫॥ : This body is caught in the waves (of desire-ਸੰਸਾਰ-ਰੂਪ ਸਾਗਰ ਦੀਆਂ ਵਿਕਾਰਾਂ ਰੂਪ ਲਹਰਾਂ). (To escape from these waves of desires) O my Creator, You are my only hope! ||125|| (sggs 1384).
• ਤੋਹੀ ਮੋਹੀ ਮੋਹੀ ਤੋਹੀ ਅੰਤਰੁ ਕੈਸਾ ॥ ਕਨਕ ਕਟਿਕ ਜਲ ਤਰੰਗ ਜੈਸਾ ॥੧॥ : You are me, and I am You—what is the difference between us? We are like gold and the bracelet, or water and the waves ||1|| (sggs 93).
• ਹਉਮੈ ਦੀਰਘ ਰੋਗੁ ਹੈ ਦਾਰੂ ਭੀ ਇਸੁ ਮਾਹਿ ॥ : Haumai (false ego-sense) is a chronic disease, but its remedy is also within it. (sggs 466).

The body is only a shadow of the mind. In other words, body is the mold prepared by the mind for its expression. When the mind is agitated, then this body also is agitated. In other words, when the mind is in control, the body (including all senses) also is in control.

• ਇਹੁ ਮਨੁ ਕਰਮਾ ਇਹੁ ਮਨੁ ਧਰਮਾ ॥ ਇਹੁ ਮਨੁ ਪੰਚ ਤਤੁ ਤੇ ਜਨਮਾ ॥ ਸਾਕਤੁ ਲੋਭੀ ਇਹੁ ਮਨੁ ਮੂੜਾ ॥ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਪੈ ਮਨੁ ਰੂੜਾ ॥੩॥ : This mind performs meaningless religious acts. (Because) it has arisen from the body of the five elements. A SAKAT MIND remains ignorant and greedy. While the mind of a Gurmukh (enlightened, Guru Shabad-Oriented) becomes beautiful (Spiritually elevated) by Realizing the Divine Naam (Guru’s Giyan-Wisdom / Virtues / Hukam…). ||3|| (sggs 415). (sggs 415).

Beauty, youth, strength, possessions, social status, titles, education, knowledge, family of birth, illusion of being more religious or Dharmic, high caste (Jaat Paat) etc make us arrogant and mentally blind.

Arrogance or ‘I’ thought (Haumai) is the base of thoughts. This idea of ‘I’ will bring in its train of thoughts (Phurnae-ਫੁਰਨੇ), the idea of time space and other potencies.

Hence, waves of the instinctive mind include waves of uncontrolled flow of desires, Vaasnaa, sensuousness, vices/Bikaar (i.e., lust, anger, greed etc.), senses chasing their respective sense-objects etc.

For example, when we see something, there arises desire in the mind. That creates disturbance or waves in the mind. Without seeing (or without desires or love for Maya), there will be no waves or disturbance in the mind. It’s similar to as if there is no wind, there will be no waves at the surface of ocean.

• ਮਨੁ ਮਾਇਆ ਮੈ ਫਧਿ ਰਹਿਓ ਬਿਸਰਿਓ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਨਾਮੁ ॥ :  The mind is entangled in Maya; it has forgotten the Divine Naam (i.e. forgotten to abide by Divine Giyan-Wisdom / Virtues / Hukam). (sggs 1428).

Because of many thoughts, the energy gets stuck in many thoughts and all of it gets lost. However, when we focus our mind on one point, we can generate that much energy. By concentrating the mind on a single focal point, we stop the leaks where our energy is lost and allow our mind to recharge. Just like making electricity from solar, we also have a sun inside us. Even when we feel we cannot concentrate, the sincere act of trying is like a patient taking medicine — it is the essential nourishment that sustains our life.

When in mother’s womb, our eyes are closed and don’t see anything. As a result, there are no waves of desires or disturbance. The Gurbani explains this to us beautifully.

• ਬਿਨੁ ਦੇਖੇ ਉਪਜੈ ਨਹੀ ਆਸਾ ॥: Without seeing something, the desire for it does not arise. (sggs 1167).

If the mind is moored to its Mool or Jot Saroop within then there will be no Waves of Maya or desires arising in us.

• ਇਉ ਕਹੈ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਮਨ ਤੂੰ ਜੋਤਿ ਸਰੂਪੁ ਹੈ ਅਪਣਾ ਮੂਲੁ ਪਛਾਣੁ ॥੫॥ : This is what Nanak says: O mind, you are the ‘Jot Saroop’ – light form of the Universal Energy-Creator, recognize your own true Origin (Mool) ||5|| (sggs 441).

But, on account of our love or hunger for Maya, there will be waves of desires arising in us. In a nutshell, that’s the mind. Hence, mind happens to us, we don’t happen to mind!

Therefore, to reach the mind’s divine state within (Jot Saroop), one’s has to transcend one’s thoughts and very source of these thoughts.

As taught by the Shabad Guru (SGGS), mere abandoning of family, world, or actions is not the solution. Moreover, man cannot stay away from actions or thoughts even for a moment.

• ਜਤਨ ਕਰੈ ਬਿੰਦੁ ਕਿਵੈ ਨ ਰਹਾਈ ॥ ਮਨੂਆ ਡੋਲੈ ਨਰਕੇ ਪਾਈ ॥ : (Sans of Divine Naam: abidance in Divine Giyan-Wisdom / Virtues / Hukam) No matter how much one tries, he cannot control his lust. His mind keeps wavering and he endures such agony of hellish existence. (sggs 905).

The solution therefore lies in regulating and directing one’s thought flow and its source. As counseled by the SGGS, this can be achieved with the help of all three equipment’s — the body, the mind, and the intellect. At the body or physical level, earning honest living or working selflessly and meeting responsibilities may be practiced in a spirit of dedication to a higher altar. At the mental level, Bhagti can be developed to gain Wisdom and understanding of the Divine Hukam (Cosmic System-Rule-Law of Nature). From the intellectual angle, one can cultivate discriminating intellect (Bibek Budh) which can discern what’s Real and what’s unreal, and constantly maintain the connection with the ONE Universal Energy pervading the pluralistic phenomena of the universe.

• 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).
• ਏ ਨੇਤ੍ਰਹੁ ਮੇਰਿਹੋ ਹਰਿ ਤੁਮ ਮਹਿ ਜੋਤਿ ਧਰੀ ਹਰਿ ਬਿਨੁ ਅਵਰੁ ਨ ਦੇਖਹੁ ਕੋਈ ॥: O my eyes, the ‘Har’ has infused (His) Light into you; therefore, without ‘Har’, you don’t see another (i.e., you see the entire world as the Har’s manifestation). (sggs 922).

To put it otherwise, the Gurbani teaches us that if we only live a Mayaic lifestyle, then there will be uncontrolled waves of Maya in the mind just as there waves on the surface of the ocean. But if we live at the level of the Mool or Jot Saroop, then waves of Maya will subside in the mind.

• ਮਾਇਆ ਡੋਲੈ ਬਹੁ ਬਿਧੀ ਮਨੁ ਲਪਟਿਓ ਤਿਹ ਸੰਗ ॥: Maya wavers many ways, the mind clings to this (Maya, also wavers many ways). (sggs 258).

In short, mind is a dual power.

• ਬੀਉ ਬੀਜਿ ਪਤਿ ਲੈ ਗਏ ਅਬ ਕਿਉ ਉਗਵੈ ਦਾਲਿ ॥ ਜੇ ਇਕੁ ਹੋਇ ਤ ਉਗਵੈ ਰੁਤੀ ਹੂ ਰੁਤਿ ਹੋਇ ॥ : Those who planted the seed (of Divine Naam) within have departed with honor; (but) those whose mind is split in duality (fragmented-ਦਾਲ ਵਾਂਗ ਦੋ-ਫਾੜ), how can the seed (of Naam: Wisdom /Virtues / Hukam) sprout in their mind? As the seed sprouts only if the seed is whole (undivided, Saabat…) and if the season is right, similarly the seed of Naam will sprout only if the mind is not split in duality (i.e, mind must remain Unfragmented, Whole, Saabat…). (sggs 468).

For the sake of discussion (‘ਕਹਨ ਸੁਨਨ ਕਉ’), if we must put it in words, this dual-power mind can be represented as follows.

One aspect of mind connected to Maya remains ‘external’ or ‘outside’ (‘ਬਾਹਰਿ’) — ever changing, slumbering, disturbed, agitated, worried, anxious and restless (‘ਲਹਰੀ ਵਿਚਿ’), Haumai-laden (false ego-sense), disconnected from its Mool or Divine Hukam, connected with Maya, ridden by doubts, laden with vices/Bikaar, conditioned etc. Thus this instinctive mind is NOT only made daily, but every moment. This aspect of the mind binds the man and is the cause of his sorrows.

• ਭੂਲਿਓ ਮਨੁ ਮਾਇਆ ਉਰਝਾਇਓ ॥ : The mind that has forgotten (right way of life) remains entangled in the attachment of Maya.  (sggs 702).
• ਜਾਗ ਲੇਹੁ ਰੇ ਮਨਾ ਜਾਗ ਲੇਹੁ ਕਹਾ ਗਾਫਲ ਸੋਇਆ ॥: Wake up, O mind! Wake up! Why are you sleeping unaware? (sggs 726).

The other aspect of the mind is Awake, untainted by Maya (‘ਅੰਤਰਿ ਬਸੇ’), connected with Truth (ਸੱਚ…), connected to the Divine Hukam, Unconditioned Conscience, discerning intellect (Bibek Budhi), Joti Saroop, Inner Voice, Sachiara (ਸਚਿਆਰਾ), stable (‘ਅਡੋਲੁ’), Gurmukh, Shabad-based state of the mind etc. This aspect of the mind does not cause any problems to us. In fact it aids our life.

• ਇਸੁ ਗ੍ਰਿਹ ਮਹਿ ਕੋਈ ਜਾਗਤੁ ਰਹੈ ॥ ਸਾਬਤੁ ਵਸਤੁ ਓਹੁ ਅਪਨੀ ਲਹੈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ : A rare person remains Awake (Aware, Alert, Conscious) in his/her own house (i.e. mind –Nij Ghar) of the onslaught of Maya (vices/Bikaar, worldly attractions and their corrupting influences – Bhav Saagar). That person keeps his/her spiritual life Intact, (Whole, Undivided, Complete – Saabat…). ||1||Pause|| (sggs 182).
• ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਬੁਢੇ ਕਦੇ ਨਾਹੀ ਜਿਨੑਾ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਸੁਰਤਿ ਗਿਆਨੁ ॥ ਸਦਾ ਸਦਾ ਹਰਿ ਗੁਣ ਰਵਹਿ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਸਹਜ ਧਿਆਨੁ ॥ ਓਇ ਸਦਾ ਅਨੰਦਿ ਬਿਬੇਕ ਰਹਹਿ ਦੁਖਿ ਸੁਖਿ ਏਕ ਸਮਾਨਿ ॥ ਤਿਨਾ ਨਦਰੀ ਇਕੋ ਆਇਆ ਸਭੁ ਆਤਮ ਰਾਮੁ ਪਛਾਨੁ ॥੪੪॥ : The Gurumukh (Enlightened ones who have Internalized the spiritual Message of the Shabad) never age for their Consciousness is ever immersed in divine Giyan-Wisdom. They forever live life of divine Virtues, focusing only on that alone. They always remain in the Bliss and Bibek (discriminating intellect) and they are always steadfast in sorrow and happiness. They see only ONE Omnipresent everywhere (Universal Energy). ||44|| (sggs 1418).

In short, mind that gives up hunger for Maya realizes its Mool, within. Similarly, if we live only at Mayaic level, we are likely to practice falsehood. But If we listen at the level of the Truth, then we are likely to live Truth.

• ਹਉਮੈ ਮੇਰਾ ਜਾਤਿ ਹੈ ਅਤਿ ਕ੍ਰੋਧੁ ਅਭਿਮਾਨੁ ॥ ਸਬਦਿ ਮਰੈ ਤਾ ਜਾਤਿ ਜਾਇ ਜੋਤੀ ਜੋਤਿ ਮਿਲੈ ਭਗਵਾਨੁ ॥੨॥: Haumai, self-centeredness (ਮੈਂ ਮੈਂ, ਮੇਰੀ ਮੇਰੀ) and ‘Jaati’ (pride of being superior, separate, different…), (gives rise to) too much anger and pride (i.e., all vices/Bikaar). (If) died through the Shabad (i.e., becoming absorbed in Naam — abidance in Divine Giyan-Wisdom / Virtues / Hukam), then ‘Jaati‘ (pride of being superior, separate, different…) goes away, (and then one’s) light merges into the (Supreme) Light and (he) Realizes the Creator within). ||2|| (sggs 429).
• ਏ ਸ੍ਰਵਣਹੁ ਮੇਰਿਹੋ ਸਾਚੈ ਸੁਨਣੈ ਨੋ ਪਠਾਏ ॥: (O my ears!) You are sent to listen to the Truth. (sggs 922).

Mind creates havoc through its power of imagination, wandering, etc. Imaginary fear of many sorts, exaggeration, concoction, mental dramatization, building castle in the air are due to this power of imagination or fancy. It broods over the perceived objects, creating feelings of likes, dislikes, desires (Trishanaa) etc. For example, once a desire arises, man finds no peace till it is fulfilled. All this because man feels that he gains happiness from objects. Therefore, the gain and loss of objects become a source of joy and sorrow.

a wandering mind is like a goat’s mind. For example, a goat grazes for a few seconds in patch of green grass and immediately jump to another patch, even though there is plenty of grass to eat in the first patch. Similarly, a wavering or wandering mind jumps from one so called Teerath (place of pilgrimage) to another Teerath, from one Deraa to another Deraa, from one Guru to another Guru, from one sant to another, and so on.

The aim of the Gurmat Giyan-Wisdom of the SGGS is to freeze this wandering mind — bring about cessation of its wild imaginations or fancies, and help it trace its steps back to its Original or True Nature (Jot Saroop), here and now — shift it from Bhav Saagar to Sukh Saagar.

Love of Maya is a big poisonous tree. This tree of Mayaic delusion is watered by baser desires. The Guru Shabad (Upadesh, Wisdom…) is the death knoll for the Mayaic waves, and the end of Maya’s waves result in the end of mind’s waves.

• ਮਾਇਆ ਅਗਨਿ ਜਲੈ ਸੰਸਾਰੇ ॥ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਨਿਵਾਰੈ ਸਬਦਿ ਵੀਚਾਰੇ ॥: The world is burning in the fire of Maya (hunger or love of Maya…). The one who has become the Gurmukh removes (this fire of Maya from within) by reflecting on the Shabad (Upadesh, Giaan or Wisdom of the Guru). (sggs 1049).
• ਬਿਨੁ ਸਬਦੈ ਭਰਮੁ ਨ ਚੂਕਈ ਨਾ ਵਿਚਹੁ ਹਉਮੈ ਜਾਇ ॥੬॥: Without the Shabad, doubt is not dispelled, and egotism is not eliminated from within. ||6|| (sggs 67).

Hence, the SGGS asks us to conquer, or annihilate/kill the conditioned or Mayaic mind. Because, as affirmed by the Gurbani, without killing it neither one can transcend Maya nor realize Mool or ‘Bhagti‘:

• ਨਾ ਮਨੁ ਮਰੈ ਨ ਮਾਇਆ ਮਰੈ ॥: Maya can not be conquered without annihilation of the mind (sggs 1342).
• ਬਿਨੁ ਮਨ ਮੂਏ ਭਗਤਿ ਨ ਹੋਇ ॥: Without subduing the mind, Bhagti cannot be practiced (sggs 1277).
• ਬਿਨੁ ਮਨ ਮੂਏ ਕੈਸੇ ਹਰਿ ਪਾਇ ॥: Without annihilating (conquering) the mind, how can ‘Hari’ (Mool, Source, Creator…) be realized? (sggs 665).

Ending

The greater challenge, is to look genuinely within and rise above the endless river of thought. An agitated mind is not a sign of failure; it is a natural state revealing our need for practice. Therefore, no need to be discouraged by it.

The mind may appear to be an obstacle, but it is really a tool awaiting refinement. Through consistent practice, Gurmat (Guru’s Giyan-Wisdom) can Guide the mind inward toward its Jot Saroop, our deepest self and the boundless source of bliss within. However, to expect the mind to be calm before consistent practice would be like trying to fold the sky and fit it under an armpit!

• ਮਨੁ ਮਾਇਆ ਮਨੁ ਧਾਇਆ ਮਨੁ ਪੰਖੀ ਆਕਾਸਿ ॥ ਤਸਕਰ ਸਬਦਿ ਨਿਵਾਰਿਆ ਨਗਰੁ ਵੁਠਾ ਸਾਬਾਸਿ ॥ : (Devoid of Naam or Gurmat) the mind longs for Maya, keeps running after it, and chases after it like a bird flying in the sky. But, by reflecting on the Guru’s Shabad, the mind becomes inhabited with Divine Virtues that drive thieves (vices/Bikaar) out of it, then it becomes excellent (Sachiaar). (sggs 1330).

Some Related Posts:

• Pujaaree’s Sikhi vs. Guru Nanak’s Unique Sikhi
• What is Killing the Mind
• Mind Happens to Us, We don’t Happen to Mind
• Conquer the Mind, Conquer the World!
• Human Mind Acting Like Animals
• Camel-Mind
• Crazy Mind
• Crow-Mind
• Deer-Mind!
• Dog-Mind
• Elephant-Mind
• Frog-Mind
• Monkey-Mind
• Sandalwood Mind
• Frozen Mind!
• Gurbani Asks Burn Mind’s Bikaar
• Dance of the Mind Attached to Maya
• Mind Clinging to Maya can’t be Trusted
• What is Maya?
• Dandout Bandan – Come with Mind Straight as a Stick
• Debugging Mind
• Gurbani is the Mirror of the Mind
• Gurbani Requires Mind to Focus on the Message
• Jot Saroop – Mind’s Original Nature
• False Ego-Sense Kills Mind’s Original Nature
• Gurbani Says Investigate the Mind
• It’s the Mind that Needs to Become a Sikh
• Mind Knowingly Commits Demerits
• Mind Must Bathe in the Pool of Wisdom/Virtues
• Mind Must Remain in its Khorr – True Home
• Nij Ghar
• Mind Reconciles Mind
• Mind That Gives up Hunger for Maya Realizes its Mool
• Nature of Mayaic Delusion: Part 1
• Slumbering Mind – Spiritual Sleep Paralysis
• Non-Gurmukh Mindset – Manmukh, Saakat, Mayadhaaree.
• The Gurmukh Never Grows Old!
• O Wandering Mind! Come Home
• Pride Rots the Mind
• Oily Rag and the Human Mind
• Rebel Mind-King and its Formidable Fortress
• Stubborn Mindedness – a Mental Disease
• Two Minds
• We all Act in Accordance with the Nature of our Mind
• We are Neither the Body nor the Mind
• Who Am I?
• We Try Purchasing Satguru Instead of Selling Our Mind
• Whatever is in the Mind Comes Forth
• Belly Stuffed and Empty Mind
• Bridge that Links Human Mind to God Within!
• Guru Nanak’s concept of ‘God’
• Realize Enlightening Message Embedded within Shabad
• Become Sachiara – ਸਚਿਆਰਾ
• Wresling Arena and Theater of Life
• Purpose of Human Birth