BUDDHI
We learnt in the previous post on the 4
functions very briefly, as under:-
4
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"I-maker,"
egoity
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3
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knows,
decides, judges, and discriminates
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2
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storage
of impressions
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1
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sensory,
processing mind
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While Manas or Mind is the processing
unit, for easier understanding, it is to be visualized/ imagined that ahamkara
or Ego and chitta or Storage of impressions are like the workers or foremen at a lower
grade in a factory and Buddhi is the GM of the factory.
When any thoughts arise (inputs to be
processed by the mind), the 2 helpers, ahamkara and chitta, try to influence
the mind and they tell the mind, “Don’t approach the GM of the factory. He
does not know anything. We have practical experience and you just process the material based on our inputs and our advise and let the GM be totally
unaware of what we are advising you”
It is for the manas or the mind to think
logically that the owner of the factory (God) would not have hired the GM (Discriminating Buddhi) and kept him at such a high position and hence, we must use his expertise and always consult him (Buddhi) before taking any material (thoughts) for processing (thoughts to be
processed to be transformed into action).
The GM (buddhi) may not be as active as the workers (ahamkara and chitta) but when any important
material is to be processed by the machine (manas), the GM is the one who can
just give a right command, right decision about how the material is to be
processed because, he (the Buddhi) is at a equi poised level where he can decide in the over all interest of the factory ( the over all spiritual growth of the individual) instead of short lived, immediate well being of limited persons( the immediate satisfaction of the foreman, Ahamkara and chiita)!
Buddhi is higher mind: Buddhi is the
higher aspect of mind, the door-way to inner wisdom. The word Buddhi itself
comes from the root budh, which means one who has awakened.
Buddhi has the capacity to decide, judge, and make
cognitive discriminations and differentiations. It can determine the wiser
of two courses of action, if it functions clearly and if Manas
will accept its guidance.
The higher or sattvic buddhi has the following characteristics.
1
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The power of discrimination is developed;
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2
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The buddhi that has learned to discriminate
between the Self and the non-self.
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3
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Such a buddhi has one-pointedness and
inwardness;
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4
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It has attained calmness, quietness, and
steadiness; it remains serene, undisturbed, and undissipated;
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5
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It is free from the desire for sense
gratification;
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6
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It helps one to decide right from wrong and
to act in a timely manner;
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7
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It makes one selfless and giving, without
any expectations;
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8
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It helps one to remain tranquil and even in
all conditions;
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9
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It helps one to remain a witness;
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10
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It leads one to spiritual heights.
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As a human being you have inherited a
vast treasure of knowledge. You can have access to that treasure only if the
mind is made one-pointed and inward. Beyond manas is the intellect. The power
of intellect guides the functions of the mind.
There
are two different states of buddhi: lower buddhi and higher buddhi. The lower
buddhi gives diverse instructions one after another, but with its pure reason
the higher buddhi gives firm instruction for the benefit of the whole being. It
is aware of the source of consciousness within and at the same time has
discriminatory knowledge of the external world.
As we
saw in the factory example above, in real life, when we are in a situation
where we have to decide on a thing, there is always a conflict between our
lower and higher Buddhi. The lower Buddhi always tries to dominate and make us
decide with our instincts, influenced either by Ahamkara or Chitta. In all
those times, we are expected to use our higher Buddhi and decide what our
conscience tells us as correct.
We
will learn more on the discrimination part of Buddhi in the next post.
Love.
Jay Sai Ram
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