The yogic understanding of the human psyche can help us to fine-tune our capacity to see life’s realities intelligently and with clarified precision. As the basis for our understanding, let us realize that we function on two levels of awareness according to the yogic tradition: the “citta mind” and the “buddhi mind.” The term “citta” refers to our subjective awareness, which includes our feelings, desires, beliefs, preferences and unconscious drives. We need the citta mind to function in the world, but by itself it contains no real wisdom or living intelligence. By contrast, the “buddhi” mind functions on a much deeper level. The buddhi mind is able to see self, others, and the world with what Carl Jung referred to as “unprejudiced objectivity.” The buddhi mind is free from spin and prejudice; it only wants the truth and nothing but the truth. It does not think with feelings, but employs observation, deduction, logic, and reason. Still further, the buddhi mind allows us to comprehend both wisdom and transcendental truth. If we are not living a virtuous life, seeking the highest truth, and guided by love, the buddhi mind cannot function. Sri Yukteswar clearly stated, “The active expression of virtue gives rise to the keenest intelligence.” Prayer, meditation, and devotion to the guru empowers us to transcend the limitations of the citta mind and to see reality with absolute clarity. Paradoxically, the development of the buddhi mind does not turn us into emotionless robots, but lays the foundation for a life rich in peace, joy, and love.
Beloved God,
Thank you
For all the understanding
I am capable of holding.
