Walk With Me

Author(s): Chandanaji Acharya, Vastupal Parikh
Publisher: Veerayatan

Page 79

Ch. 7: Sadhana
“Exactly," I said. "Our conscience is indirectly influenced by the external objects (dravya), which directly affect our mind causing neurochemical changes in the brain. This is where the subjective material changes, i.e. mental or thought activities are evolved. The soul also affects mental activity, but only indirectly through bhava. Thus, the consciousness, or Self is the direct, intrinsic cause (upadan karan) of its own modifications, generating bhava karma (pure or impure, wholesome or unwholesome), but not the direct, intrinsic cause of any modifications of the mind or the neuro-chemical processes of the brain."
"If the soul and mind are two different entities, how do they influence one another?" Ganadhar Prabhas was still curious.
I replied, "Like a vast ocean, our soul generates endless bhavawaves. These waves excite our mind, and the vibrations thus generated impact our senses. Thus, the center of all this is our soul. The mind is only an active messenger, it reacts to every wave.
Sometimes the mind responds to the external events without consulting the bhava center (chitta), or the Soul, and sometimes it sends and receives signals from the chitta. Sometimes it calls upon its own accumulated experiences before responding, while at other, its response is spontaneous. Mind is able to influence the entire internal system, as well as be influenced by it. This fickle mind is so unstable and quick that it is almost impossible to keep it steady and disciplined."
Ajja Chandana was listening carefully and appeared somewhat disturbed. She wanted to ask a question, but Prabhas jumped in wanting
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Jain Education Intemational