Four Layers of Body & Mind - Part 2

Listen to the Podcast on all 3 parts

Watch the video summary of all 3 parts

Part 2 of my 3 part series

Additional to cellular intelligence, we have another layer of intelligence based in our brains that governs the entire organism. That intelligence has been observed and classified by science. For our convenience, we can consider a 3-layer structure of the mind:

• memory, where incoming information as well as ideas about how to process that information are saved;
• intellect, which processes the stored information using the processing algorithms also stored in the memory; 
• ego, which defines the character and behaviour of the person. 

These 3 layers reside in the brain.

For those who hold that this earthly life is all there is, those 3 layers of the mind are sufficient. For those who feel there is something more, another layer is speculated, undetected by current science but, arguably, corroborated by some unexplained phenomena. I’m not setting out to prove the existence of this layer but am simply presenting it as part of the system as I understand it.

Vedic scriptures call this layer chitta. In other cultures, this layer is called spirit, soul, ruh etc. I submit that this layer is composed of GENERGY and is in communication with other GENERGY fields.

Additional to the layering of mind, Vedic scriptures have identified 4 layers of personal identity – two of them well established and two more needing acceptance. Body and mind are the two known ones. But there is a huge difference between a live being and one that is not independently alive. Science has indicated that a foetus is indeed alive and has an active brain which can receive and save inputs. But the foetus cannot survive without sustenance from the mother.

Upon birth, the newborn baby needs to draw its first breath and continue to breathe independently. Only then is it independently alive. This first in-draw of breath is believed to be an in-draw of life energy that has been given different names in different cultures - prana, chi, nafs etc. This life energy is presumably from within the realm of this Spacetime and is not expected to connect with GENERGY. It is purely a manifestation of energy that we call life. This is the third layer of personal identity. When this layer leaves upon the final breath, the body dies. The brain dies as well and that brings to an end the three layers of mind that reside in the brain.

The fourth layer of personal identity is the chitta which is resident in the mind – it governs and guides both body and mind. This is the layer that connects with other nodes of GENERGY and provides the guidance that balances the harmony seen in the interaction of all other objects in Spacetime.

All creatures are governed by this layer. That is the harmony we see around us throughout the planet. Those creatures with greater brain function have some capability to override this internal guidance. Humans, driven by ego, have the highest ability to act contrary to this guidance, consequently bringing ruin upon themselves and all around them.

Part 3