In a recent discussion on the mind and our deeper intelligence, it was mentioned that the mind doesn’t know everything, but our deeper intelligence does. And I couldn’t agree more. But when I asked him, “What, according to you, is our deeper intelligence?”
He responded: “The Self (Atman).”
Before I could respond, he continued: “Our deeper intelligence is the higher mind, the illumined mind, intuition, overmind, supermind, satchitananda.”
He didn’t stop there.
He said, “The physical and vital bodies also have their own intelligence as well and appear to be in constant contact with faster-than-light stellar information, all of which is ultimately supported by the Self.”
Now if this sounds confusing, you’re right.
When I was studying philosophy at the Vedanta Academy, Swamiji would say that once you’ve studied this subject and completed the course, you will know where other writers and speakers are going wrong. 1
Not out of ego or arrogance, you’ll just know.
In Vedanta, the ancient philosophy of India, found in the end portion of the Vedas, the Atman isn’t a higher or more refined version of the mind. It is the Self, the underlying pure Consciousness that illumines it. It is the enlivening factor that enables the mind and intellect to function, like electricity in a bulb.
An electrical bulb has light because of electricity. Without electricity, there is no light. Similarly, the Self enlivens us, but without the Self, there is no life.
The Missing Link
People talk about transcending the mind and accessing higher consciousness, yet they overlook the very faculty needed to distinguish these concepts and to understand what they mean.
That faculty is the Buddhi (intellect).
You cannot understand the Self or discover a deeper intelligence by abandoning the intellect.
In many contemporary discussions about spirituality and consciousness, the conversation is blurred because this vital factor is overlooked. Even when people hear it, they dismiss it because of semantics and preconceived ideas.
The intellect isn’t the stuffy ivory-tower kind, but the faculty we need to master the mind and end all suffering.
The Mind is Not The Intellect
The mind, or Manas in Sanskrit, is not the intellect (Buddhi).
The mind (Manas) receives stimuli and information from the world. It generates thoughts, desires, preferences, feelings and emotions. It is indecisive and constantly preoccupied with its own preconceived notions, doubts, and indecision.
The mind is reactive, like a two-year-old child. It jumps from one thought to another, like a monkey jumping from branch to branch.
The intellect (Buddhi) is like an adult or loving parent. It pays attention, discerns, reasons and decides. The intellect examines the information the mind presents and evaluates it to reach a clear, rational conclusion.
For example, someone criticises you.
The mind immediately reacts. Along with its friend, the ego, it’s easily offended and defensive. The intellect, on the other hand, examines the situation objectively, draws a logical conclusion, and responds calmly and with dignity.
The Two Qualities of Intellect
There are two types of intellect: discerning and subtle. Tikshna and Sukshma Buddhi.
Tikshna Buddhi refers to the discerning intellect, which is our capacity to think, reason, investigate, and reach a precise conclusion. It doesn’t accept ideas merely because they sound appealing or because someone presents them with authority.
Sukshma Buddhi refers to the subtle intellect, which goes beyond the mind and this world to determine what is real and unreal, eternal and ephemeral, transitory and transcendental.
When your intellect, perplexed by what has been heard, shall stand immovable and steady in meditation, then you will attain yoga (Self-realisation). — Bhagavad Gita 2:53
Conclusion
When we talk about deeper intelligence, higher consciousness, or transcending the mind, there are a few basics we need to understand.
Firstly, the Self is not a higher mind; it is the pure Consciousness that illumines the body, mind and intellect — and this entire world.
Secondly, the intellect is not to be bypassed. It is an essential faculty through which we investigate and ultimately realise the Self.
Thirdly, we don’t master the mind by suppressing it; we master it by strengthening the intellect. The intellect is like a muscle; it needs regular exercise — just as we lift weights to develop our physical muscles, we need to lift spiritual dumbbells daily.
We need to keep up the training until our intellect is so strong that the mind no longer has the power to disturb us.
Thank you for reading.
Till next time, Be Well, Meredith ∞ The Elder Sage
Very well explained. Sharpen the intellect, make it strong like a muscle so that it can control the restless mind, which in turn, controls the senses.