The mind

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"A scientist seeks to understand the universe through

reason based on the knowledge derived from the

sense-organs. But the powers of the senses are limited.

Therefore he utilizes the aid of various instruments. With

the help of the telescope he brings a very distant object

within the range of his vision; with the help of the

microscope he immensely magnifies a minute object. The

technicians of science are busy, day and night, inventing

new instruments by means of which to strengthen and

intensify the powers of the senses. But there exist minute

things in the world that cannot be detected even by the

most powerful electronic microscope. The final secrets of

the universe will for ever remain unrevealed to physical

scientists; for intellect, aided by the senses, is the only

means employed by them in their quest for understanding.

The rishis, on the other hand, did not entirely depend upon

reason, as this word is usually understood. They developed

another faculty of understanding, which is called bodhi, or

deeper consciousness. The seeker of Bramavidya wakened the

subtle power of the mind and senses by means of

concentration and self-control. By withdrawing the senses

from outer objects, he made the scattered mind one-pointed.

This practice of concentration presently endowed it with

keenness, depth, and a new intensity, and as the power of

concentration increased, the seeker became aware of deeper

phases of existence. Instinct, reason, and intuition, or

higher consciousness - the three instruments of knowledge -

are all differing states of the same mind. Hence a lower

state can be developed into a higher. The means to this

end, however, are not external instruments but appropriate

disciplines directed within."

 

General Introduction of The Upanishads, pg. 21-22,

translation by Swami Nikhilananda

 

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