The mind-matter dichotomy is centuries old. Mind matters, and matter matters due to the mind
First, this story of two philosophers discussing mind and matter. One philosopher asked the other, “What is mind?” The other retorted, “No matter.” As a sequel he asks again, “What is matter?” “Never mind,” is the impromptu reply.
The humour in this exchange notwithstanding, the mind-matter dichotomy is much deliberated in philosophy. However, the critical issue in all those discussions that seldom gets resolved is the fact that the mind is the matter. Yes, mind matters. It is the mind that guides us to the pursuit of matter. Matter matters because of the mind.
Buddha had said that we are the result of our thought. What we think, we become. Quoting from the Dhammapada: “All that we are is the result of what we think. All that we are is founded on our thoughts and formed of our thoughts. If a man speaks or acts with an evil thought, pain pursues him as the wheel of the wagon follows the ox that draws it. If a man speaks or acts with a pure thought, happiness pursues him like his own shadow and never leaves him.”
Thus, it is the mind that must be controlled. All our problems are result of cognitive appraisal, our perception, our world view. This is what is called maya in Shankara’s philosophy, which is the result of ignorance or avidya. And as we cling to the products of maya, we get entrapped with the predicament of being like a fly caught in a cobweb. The more it tries to come out, the more it gets entangled.
If the mind can be controlled, our wisdom gets awakened and we achieve the mental state of the wise one who has been called ‘Sthita Pragyan’ by Lord Krishna in Bhagwad Gita. A mind thus controlled does not cling to anything and is there free from any feeling of gain or loss. As Buddha had said, we only lose what we cling on to. Mind is our guide, mind is our motivation.
If the mind is kept under control, all our woes will disappear. This is the reason why the Indian philosophical thoughts give so much importance to the mind. It is now also realised by the modern medical sciences that sound mental health is a necessary condition for sound physical health. Recent advances in emerging sciences like psycho-neuroimmunology suggest that our resistance towards diseases is related to our stress level, which is a result of the absence of mental peace. The power of mind has been recognised by eminent authorities of medical sciences. In his famous book, Quantum Healing, noted spiritualist and medical doctor Deepak Chopra has quoted many instances of the power of mind in recovery of patients.
The question that then arises is how to control the mind? The way out is to find time for solitude and quietude. While solitude is to find a quiet place for sitting peacefully, quietude is achieving tranquility in thought. But for many this seems impossible. And rightly so. Khalil Gibran said that solitude is the ally of sorrow as well as companion of spiritual exaltation.
It is you who has to choose. Thus, the frame of mind is the critical factor.
The writer is a professor, Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad (Jharkhand). He can be reached at ppathak.ism@gmail.com