28/08/2026
Arunima Dutta
Research Scholar, Gauhati University
Guwahati, Assam
[Published in Bliss][©Bliss Network]
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बन्धुरात्मात्मनस्तस्य येनात्मैवात्मनाजितः।
अनात्मनस्तु शत्रुत्वे वर्तेतात्मैवशत्रुवत्॥
-Srimad Bhagavad Gita, 6:6.
The world is surrounded by mysteries of human existence but can something be as elusive as our own minds? If one asks what this mind is, perhaps it’s some sort of intricate software intertwined with hardware called the brain ǃ
In simple terms, and in scientific language, the mind is usually said to be the set of cognitive, emotional and conscious processes arising from the activity of the brain and the nervous system.[1] [Published in Bliss][©Bliss Network]
Not tangible, but an entity powerful enough to dictate the whole course of human life. Whatever you call it – mind, manas, chitta, man – we all have it. We are channelised by our minds. Humans are naturally cerebrocentric, as we place the brain at the absolute centre of human consciousness and identity.[2] [Published in Bliss][©Bliss Network]
As the aforementioned shloka says, for one who has conquered the mind, the mind is a friend. But for one who has failed to do so, that very mind acts as an enemy.
The mind, the most powerful dimension of human existence, also appears to be the most vulnerable. But why is this so?
As the Buddha said, “The mind is everything. What you think, you become.”[3]
The mind is extraordinarily powerful, and the brain, with approximately 86 billion neurons and the capacity to form thousands of connections, i.e., the synapses by each neuron, makes it an extremely precise creation of nature. The very qualities of the mind that grant it its extraordinary power, i.e., its capability of imagination, memory, and self-reflection, can also create fear, doubt, anxiety, conflict and dilemma. It is just like the two sides of the moon. With this greatness, comes the vulnerability and cost of maintenance. As Stan Lee writes, “With great power comes great responsibility”. [Published in Bliss][©Bliss Network]
However, we often feel that the vulnerability of the mind is pronounced in this modern century of human evolution. Humanity achieved remarkable milestones in every field of creation. Yet, what is still growing more than anything is mental vulnerability.
We have enough of information, options, opinions, and luxuries; yet, it appears that our mind is constantly empty. One of the defining characteristics is that one feels uncomfortable with silence and solitude. Solitude is often equated with being lonely. But it is not so. A moment of silence that makes the mind self-reflect is often feared in this age of constant attention, where the tendency is to immediately fill the gap with screens, digital presence or anything stimulating. The human brain is beautifully reflected and shaped in the way we work continuously. [Published in Bliss][©Bliss Network]
As we create a pattern, our mind constantly behaves that way. As attention fragments, so does concentration. For example, reading and reflective thoughts decrease. We are familiar with terms like doomscrolling and acronyms like FOMO, JOMO, etc. We also hear about people being diagnosed with ADHD, Bipolar Disorder, Chronic Depression, etc. And amidst everything, we know that it is the mind that is trapped and suffers. [Published in Bliss][©Bliss Network]
The mind inhabits a unique paradox. It has the highest amount of information and technical capabilities. Yet, it experiences inner restlessness, emptiness and a lack of understanding of values and one’s emotions. It is not about IQ anymore, but about EQ. It’s the darkness of disconnection from oneself. In his book, Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ, Daniel Goleman writes that emotional intelligence includes self-control, zeal and persistence and the ability to motivate oneself. [Published in Bliss][©Bliss Network]
अज्ञानतिमिरान्धस्य ज्ञानाञ्जनशलाकया।
चक्षुरुन्मीलितं येन तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नमः॥
Ignorance is not just the lack of information but also a lack of self-awareness. One might be well-informed about world affairs, yet remain unfamiliar with their own fear, motivations, impulses, and life decisions. From the ancient times it is said that the mind is bound by Shadaripu and Ashtapash (six enemies and eight-fold bindings)[4], the vriti and pravritis. [Published in Bliss][©Bliss Network]
As a part of our daily prayers, we recite the above given verse from Guru-Vandana, “Salutations unto the revered Guru, who has opened the eyes of one blinded by the darkness of ignorance with the collyrium-stick of knowledge.” [Published in Bliss][©Bliss Network]
We have our Guru, the Living Ideal. In the era of human evolution and in the darkness of our self-cultivated mind, we are blessed that we have our anchor for life. We recite in our daily rituals the words of the Satyanusaran, “First of all, we must wage war on the weakness.” These are not just mere words. If one looks closely, it is the auto-suggestion that we give ourselves before the very break of morning. [Published in Bliss][©Bliss Network]
The world now lacks the fundamentals of human values and self-awareness. In contrast to these issues, our daily ritualistic prayers are not just about devotion but a practical act of self-awareness. Woven into it is the unconditional faith we have towards our Living Ideal, unto whom we surrender. [Published in Bliss][©Bliss Network]
We often hear how Supremely Ven. Acharyadev and Ven. Abin Da believe that children should be protected from excessive exposure to mobile phones and digital devices. Even science now proves that the modern upbringing of children with the excessive use of such devices can be detrimental to mental development. Early childhood lays the foundation for the rest of life. Devices designed to capture and retain attention can gradually reduce opportunities for reading, contemplation, meaningful conversation, and creative thought. Dada’s advice of avoiding over-exposure to such devices, therefore, is a blessing that will protect the innocence of childhood and create an environment for children to be self-reflective, attached and more aware, preventing them from the twenty-first-century adversities. [Published in Bliss][©Bliss Network]
Our lives are woven in the mantra of Being and Becoming. We are blessed with immense possibilities ofof being and becoming. Being is the act of existing in the present with all our instincts, and Becoming refers to sustaining our existence and evolving, with all our aspirations, purposes and righteous acts.
The twenty-first century brain doesn’t lack the ability to advance technically, but it lacks connection with itself and with the Supreme. The challenge in front of us is existential, not technical. And the greatest need is to reconnect, to give the mind the room to self-reflect by changing habits or rather transforming the habits to our own existential growth. In a world struggling with so much of fatalities and fragility, creating suitable and stable conditions where the mind can breathe in strength, is the act of becoming. [Published in Bliss][©Bliss Network]
As I was going through Alochana Prasange, I came across these words of Sree Sree Thakur: “সবই সচ্চিদানন্দ বিগ্রহ, তবে প্রত্যেক রূপেরই বৈশিষ্ট্য আছে, ….”[5]. It made me pause and wonder: if we are, as HE, the Supreme, says, Satchidananda Vigrah (the embodiment of existence, consciousness and bliss) then all we need to do is to work in our respective paths holding unto Him throughout our lives, realising us and loving Him.
“Be. Live in Love.”[6]
References:
1) Kandel E. The new science of mind and the future of knowledge. Neuron. 2013 Oct 30;80(3):546-60.
2) Pollan M. A World Appears. New York: Penguin Press; 2026. p. 32
3) Anandajoti Bhikkhu, editor and translator. Dhammapada: Dhamma Verses. 2nd ed. Singapore: Dhamma Publishers; 2017. p. 17.
4) Alochana Prasange—IV, page no- 2
5) Alochana Prasange-III, page no- 105
6) Hauserman R. Being and Becoming: A Story of Devotion. Virginia Beach (VA): Satsang; 2008. p. 176
This article has been published in the June-July 2026 Combined issue of Bliss. To read our recent issues, follow the links given below.
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