When we talk about consciousness, we are also indirectly including three other aspects of mental functioning - the mind, the intellect, and the ego. Why? Because these three play out within the canvas of our individual consciousness, and consciousness only evolves when these functions of mind, intellect, and ego evolve. Mind evolves from thinking to feeling, intellect evolves from instinct to wisdom, ego evolves from identifying with our individual self to identifying with the universal being, using the qualities of wonder and humility.
The idea of "intellect" is not explored much in faith traditions. A lot more emphasis is given to love, devotion, faith, and surrender. Many who are moved by faith and devotion seem to lead a life of irrationality and emotional excess, devoid of much self-awareness. They do not seem to take self-responsibility seriously. This leads the skeptics and the rational to deny the existence of mystery, esoterism, and the magical.
When we observe the universe, we wonder at some phenomena, and we doubt others. Doubt is a poison, even for intellectual reasoning. Wonder is the best way to approach the things we don't know about. There is so much that is majestic all around us. A healthy dose of skepticism, along with wonder, keeps the mind's door open and observant for non-judgmental learning.
This is more important when we take up a self-transformational journey through yoga, meditation, and spirituality.
Spirituality is an art and science of exploring our true connection with nature, and our inner reality and ultimate potential. This is a process of transforming the self from who we are to who we can be. In this process, we transform from inside out. We start from the center of our being, and the transformation eventually appears at the circumference. This naturally influences the environment and the community we live in.
This story is from the February 2023 edition of Heartfulness eMagazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the February 2023 edition of Heartfulness eMagazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
A Flower from THE HEAVENS
November 14 is Children's Day. This year, SARA BUBBER brings to you a world of forests, magical flowers, festivals, and some animals you may have never seen.
Meeting Phenomenal Women
The author, CHITRA BANERJEE DIVAKARUNI, is interviewed here by TARA KHANDELWAL and MICHELLE D'COSTA about her books on mythology, like The Palace of Illusions, which is a retelling of the Mahabharata from Draupadi's point of view, and The Forest of Enchantments, which is a retelling of the Ramayana, from the eyes of Sita. And there's The Last Queen, which is about Rani Jindan's life.
HERBAL TOOTH POWDERS: Rediscovering Ayurveda's Natural Secrets
SRAVAN BANDA presents a natural herbal tooth powder, offering a holistic approach to oral hygiene, harnessing the power of medicinal herbs.
The Dance of Light and Shadow Lessons from the Dolomites
ALAIN DESVIGNE explores the Dolomites, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009.
FINDING OUR WAY
A Polynesian Explorer's Journey of Discovery
The First Imprint: Understanding PTSD
CHRISTIANNA DEICHMANN is the Director of Education at the Association for Pre and Perinatal Psychology and Health (APPPAH), where she educates both professionals and parents on fostering the most nurturing environments for welcoming new life into the world.
The Tipping Point
In this final conversation of the series, J. FREDERICK ARMENT continues to talk with CHRISTINE JONES about promoting peace in the world.
UNLOCK YOUR POTENTIAL
Take The Brighter Minds Path To Cognitive Development
The Intrinsic Goodness of the Heart
DAAJI shares some thoughts on heartfelt acceptance and all it has to offer. He says, \"It is the heart's intrinsic goodness that allows us to accept everything as part of us.
How Does Fear Affect Our Roles as Mothers? - Neelam Shivhare explores some of the great ancient texts of India on motherhood, compares the behavior of Kaikayi and Yashoda
Neelam Shivhare explores some of the great ancient texts of India on motherhood, compares the behavior of Kaikayi and Yashoda, and realizes the importance of removing fear from our hearts in order to nurture our children.For young women like myself, who are future mothers, I trust we are on the path of becoming selfaware and brutally honest with ourselves. We are creative beings, never forgetting the gifts with which we have been bestowed— the love and tenderness, natural instincts, and intuition to feel the right path. It all lies in the mysterious meanderings of the heart. Are we really listening to our hearts, or confusing the bombarding information on social media with reality?
