Buddhism: Nature of the Mind

Modern discoveries are confirming what the Buddha had realized twenty-five centuries ago: that the mind is not a thing or an entity with a separate existence but that, which arises dependent on conditions.

It is an energetic intelligent force, which arises in an individual and which can be cultivated to develop positive values such as kindness, sympathy, compassion, and love. These values can be utilized to serve the world.

A powerful mind, fully developed, like that of a Buddha’s can even purify the atmosphere.

On the other hand, when abused by developing negative qualities like hatred, greed, jealousy, and ill will, it can become a potent destructive force. A mind like Hitler’s, Idi Amin’s, or Pol Pot’s can be a source of great misery and suffering to living beings.

On a smaller scale, individual humans can also create sufferings to those around them. A mind, which is not properly guarded and trained, can become a dangerous force.

In modern times, great minds are being exerted to discover many truths about the workings of the universe through science.

But if these discoveries are allowed to be used by untrained minds, great havoc can result. We only have to consider how the discovery of nuclear fission led to the creation of the most horrible weapons of destruction in our own time.

The human mind is capable of great achievements that benefit all human beings, but conversely, it can also be the source of untold sufferings.

In trying to explain the tremendous power of the mind, Einstein had said, “Science may have split the atom but it cannot control the mind.” What he meant was that mental energy was far more powerful than atomic energy.

The only way this tremendous energy can be harnessed and controlled, is by adopting the age-old mind controlling techniques developed by the ancient sages of the past, like the Buddha.

In his teachings, the Buddha analyzed the workings of the human mind, its function and its development. He then showed how, given proper spiritual guidance, the mind can be directed to work for the benefit of all living things.

Source: Food for the Thinking Mind by K Sri Dhammananda