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Perhaps the mind is as vast as space, perhaps more so. Let us explore and shine some light on just what the mind may
be. Come journey with me into this seemingly uncharted place we call mind. To begin with we need a definition of mind. Let us say that mind is NOT the brain, nor is it contained within the brain. Having
said that we can also say the mind is a nonphysical entity. If the mind is non-physical then we can further our definition by saying the mind is independent of a physical system. If the mind is independent of a physical
system then for all that we can know, it is eternal. And if mind contains our identity then the implication is that we too are eternal. Because we are saying that the mind and brain are separate, before we
go any further lets describe the brain. The brain is an information processor. It processes input from the senses about the external world, that which is "out there". For instance, the eyes receive
electromagnetic waves, or vibrations, which we commonly call light. The eyes pass these information signals to the brain, where they are processed into a pattern which is meaningful to the observer of this pattern, the
observer being in part that which we know as "us". In a similar fashion, the other body organs used as sensors of our objective reality add their input to the brain, and all the information is eventually
processed into a complete pattern of objective reality. All that the observer knows of physical reality is what is delivered to, processed and finally assembled by the brain into a pattern for viewing by the observer.
This holds true if, and only if, the observer restricts his or her focus of attention only to the patterns presented by the brain for viewing. This is exactly the case in what is referred to as normal waking
consciousness, but this does not have to be so. In actuality, the observer is free to focus, to pay attention, to other patterns, not only of this reality but of others which are not normally viewed. Those
of you who have tried various meditation techniques are likely very familiar with how subjective time is altered with altered states of consciousness. People who use certain drugs have experienced this also, for
obviously some drugs alter the state of consciousness. You don't have to be a meditation master or use a drug to experience for yourself this altered perception of time. Instead you can use a simple experiment which I
am going to describe in the next paragraph. I'm relating this because it makes a point about subjective and objective reality, and about the observer of it. Now for our simple experiment. Find a nice quiet
place and a clock with a second hand or even a digital watch with a second counter which is large enough to see easily when placed in front of you. Sitting at a table and placing the timepiece your're using in front of
you, preferably at eye level, will be the easiest and most comfortable way to proceed with this experiment of ours. Now close you eyes and relax. You can use any method to relax that you choose. One easy and common
method of relaxation is to simply think about each part of your body, beginning with your feet, and just telling them to relax. Do it easily and don't rush. Work you way up to your head and face. Remeber to relax your
brain also. When you've relaxed, use your imagination to go to your favorite place, see the place, a beach, park, forest or whatever, as completely as you can. Now begin to notice details of the place, feel and smell
the air, the texture of the ground beneath your feet, listen to the sounds around you; in short don't just think about it, be there. Take your time, this is not a timed experiment. Now the good part. When your're happy
and comfortable being in your favorite place for a little while, slowly open your eyes part way and just glance at the clock. Remain calm and uncaring about your "real" surroundings. Depending on how much
you've altered your normal state of consciousness you will notice the second hand of the clock appears either stopped or slowed down! Whatever you do, don't think to yourself; Oh wow, this cannot be. As soon as you
begin rationalizing about your objective reality, you will present yourself with a view of reality more in line with what you believe it to be, and the clock will immediately appear "normal" again. Beliefs are
a powerful force, but thats a subject for another "time". Now, presuming you've been diligent and successfull with our little experiment, let's consider what it means. First, did the clock really
slow down or stop? Probably not. What happened was that your body and brain, which have their own kind of consciousness, continued processing the data normally while you, the observer had focused your mind somewhere
else. When you returned your focus to observe the image pattern that your brain was processing at its usual speed, you the observer were not yet in synch with it because you had been observing directly with your mind,
instead of observing the patterns presented to you by your brain. The mind, being non-physical, operates at near infinite speed, which by the way would imply that it is a wave like pattern, which means it is everywhere
at once. Or put another way, there is no "space" and so no "time" is needed for your mind to focus somewhere. Your mind is literally embedded within the ultimate reality of Creation. It is already
everywhere within that wave. Time is just a psychological construct for measuring action. At infinite velocity, it has no meaning. Your sense of time is produced by your brain. This should give you a hint as to what's
happening when your're asleep. Your body consciousness keeps right on functioning, keeping itself alive, while your're out doing other things. I'm sure you've noticed how you can observe a whole sequence of events while
dreaming in almost no "time". Now that you've read a bit about an alternative view of what the mind is, try the experiment suggested above. You never know what insights it may lead you too. As in
all journeys, self discovery begins with the first step. I wish you a pleasant journey no matter where you choose to focus your observations. |
