MIND : ITS MYSTERIES AND CONTROL : 20-2.

20. PROOF FOR THE EXISTENCE OF MIND-2.



The soul is a constant factor. Between the Atman and the organs of senses, a connecting  is necessary.

We have to acknowledge the existence of an internal organ (Mind), through whose attention and non-attention, perception takes place.

If we do not admit the internal organ, there would result either perpetual perception or perpetual non-perception—the former when there is a conjunction of Atman, the sense (Indriya) and the object (Vishaya), the three constituting the instruments of perception.

If, on the conjunction of these three causes, the effect did not follow, there would take place perpetual non-perception.

But, neither is the case.

We have, therefore, to acknowledge the existence of an internal organ on whose attention (Avadhana) and non-attention (Anavadhana) perception and non-perception take place.

This is the argument for the existence of Antahkarana or mind.



The other proof is the capacity for judgment which we possess.

Somebody whom wecannot see touches us; and, we infer the person.

Now, mere touch cannot make us aware of this fact.

The faculty by which we make such an inference is Manas.



Next : 21. SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE THAT DIFFERENTIATES MAN FROM ANIMAL


Swami Sivananda

To be continued  ...