DAILY SLICES OF LIFE

 Understanding the Power of the Human Mind

 “There is no limit to the power of the human mind. The more concentrated it is, the more power is brought to bear on one point.”

          This powerful statement is generally attributed to the very well- respected 19^th century Indian born, Hindu mystic, Swami Vivekananda (Narendanath Datta), who is credited with introducing the fundamental philosophies of Hinduism to the Western world, and with raising better interfaith awareness between the Christian and the Eastern religions.

           In saying this, he was drawing attention to the fact that the human mind is a storehouse of incredible potential with which human beings have been able derive great benefits and advancements. He explained that in the same way that a small seed when correctly planted, possessed the potential to grow into a great oak tree, so too, the mind, when used correctly, has the potential to achieve great things for anyone willing to expend the effort required to do so. He stressed however, that this opportunity was available only to those whose mind was free of any inhibitions, and willing to make the effort to harness this wonderful potential. He often compared the power of the mind to that of the sun, insisting that whenever we succeed in channeling our hopes and dreams in the right direction, we were all capable of reaping unlimited rewards for our effort:

 “The powers of the mind are like the rays of the sun.

When they are concentrated, they illuminate.”

          The mind is an extraordinary complex medium that is designed in such a way to make full use of the information it receives. But like an empty plot of land, it will only reproduce what has been planted in it; the better the quality of input it receives, the better it will provide returns. There is no limit to how much the human mind can be used to achieve levels of performance that at times may seem to be almost unreachable in optimum conditions when the prevailing circumstances are right. But equally, on those occasions when we waste these special opportunities by giving in to feelings of inadequacy, uncertainty and fear, and fail to make full use of this great treasure within us, its performance could become dismal and disappointing.

          Its function is quite often likened to the software in a computer system within the brain. It essentially serves the vital functions of gathering, storing, reproducing and managing the information received from all the sources, relying completely on an efficiently working nervous system. It is made up of two distinct, but closely linked components:

The Conscious mind, which is continually receiving sensory messages, ideas, experiences and multiple stimulations from internal and external sources and then modifying and converting them into meaningful forms which are then transferred to,

 The Subconscious mind, which will process them, and store some for further reference, while converting the others into immediate thoughts and actions.

 Without any question, the normal mind will not automatically generate anything that has not been given to it, and serves only to interpret the input received into usable energy. (This is quite unlike the confabulations of the abnormal mind, in which any information received is often the result of short-circuiting in the brain)

          Although the mind is not a tangible object that can be measured or visualized in any objective manner, its power is unquestionably the strongest and most efficient force available to any living being. For that matter, many consider it to be a far more powerful force than anything else in the universe. Even more so, when this power is combined with other subjective human activities, such as imagination, emotion, and past memory, the mind is able to achieve absolute control, and dictate direction of behavior, either by creating opportunities, or by producing destructive obstacles in the quality of life.

         The mind is the key that creates reality, and serves as the vehicle of interpretation for all the stimulations received from the outside. But despite all the knowledge we have acquired relating to the effect of the mind on human behavior, no one has been able to truly demonstrate its existence other than by reference. An endless number of theories have been offered by philosophers, psychologists and religious experts, but they are all based either on conjecture and on suppositions. Of all these, perhaps the greatest mystery of all is the State of Consciousness it creates. Volumes have been written relating to its presence, its effects and the several forms it can present, but as yet no one has explained how these take place. And no less confusing is the mind’s ability to produce Memory and Intelligence. Together, these three components are the major sources of the power of the mind. They play critical roles in determining the degree of success or failure in the mind’s efforts to control life. And when they are working together, they constitute the fundamental difference between success and failure.

          In addition, contrary to the generally accepted understanding that the mind functions independently from the body, in fact, the body plays an integral role in almost everything the mind does. There is a subtle mind/body relationship related to the perception of self-identity, without which the mind cannot operate. This combination is in fact, essential in everything the mind does, including thinking, making decisions, and initiating actions. They are inescapably co-dependent, for without the appropriate body stimulations, the mind will not function efficiently or appropriately. Anthropologists believe that this  connection clearly differentiates mankind from all other animals which do not possess any such ability, since it is responsible for the critical, abstract thinking that facilitates decision making and planning for the future.  In those situations, where this connection is challenged or absent, such as during illness, trauma or emotional stress, the mind suffers a disassociation and loses control which often results in abnormal thinking and behavior.  This has led the highly successful inspirational speaker, Norman Vincent Peale to confidently declare: 

“Only a peaceful mind generates power.”

         Without any doubt, it is this wonderful gift of mind power that allows a person to create and to live the life they choose to have. But to do so, requires a conscious and intentional decision to discover how to correctly utilize its limitless creative power in ways that harmonize with the person’s own visions, hopes, dreams and desires. There are no limits to achievement, except those that he himself chooses to place directly or indirectly on himself. Unfortunately, however the great majority of people tend to waste this opportunity by allowing others to dictate their life experiences, and then spend their lives sadly convinced that they are “powerless.” This is precisely what the last of the great Roman Emperors, and leading Stoic philosopher, Marcus Aurelius, more than 2000 years ago, was alluding when he said:

,“It is you who has the power of your mind, not any outside event. Realize this, and you will find strength.”

 -This indeed is the message from all the forces of nature. We have all been granted a unique opportunity to make full use of all its special bounties. But these benefits can only be received when we exercise the right control. For the limitless power of our minds will only fully serve us, when we are free from the constraints of all external forces.

 

 

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