According to Western Psychology, the mind is considered a processing system which enables a person to interact with his/her environment.
Although psychologists cannot directly observe the mind, no more than scientists can directly observe electrons and quarks, like scientists, they make deductions and form conclusions about the mind by observing behaviour. In other words, if you want to find out about your mind, you should observe your behaviour. It will give you clues to how you’re thinking and why.
The mind is often differentiated into 'conscious' and 'unconscious' or 'subconscious' states. It is said that the conscious mind or mind-state accounts for only about 5% of your mind while the subconscious accounts for the remaining 95%.
Conscious states have a quality of 'real-time' awareness about them. For instance, as you drink your coffee, you are aware that you are drinking your coffee and of all the different sensations, thoughts and emotions you are experiencing as your drink your coffee.
Unconscious or subconscious states correspond to states in which you lack awareness. Thus sleeping and dreaming while you're asleep, or while you are under general anesthetic are often considered states in which the unconscious or subconscious states prevail.
According to Eastern Psychology, primarily Buddhist Psychology, the mind is described as having certain qualities. For instance, the mind is said to be luminous and radiant, non-physical and limitless. The mind is also said to be of two kinds – the conceptual mind by which a person interacts with his/her environment but which has a mistaken sense of reality and the non-conceptual mind which is capable of penetrating the nature of reality, of knowing ultimate truth.
You might ask how Buddhism claims to know these things about the mind. Well, the practice of meditation, which is the practice of awareness, appears to reveal these qualities of the mind.
Have you ever thought about the nature of your mind and what it is capable of?
No comments:
Post a Comment