Difference between revisions of "The three levels of consciousness"
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It is difficult to understand [[rebirth]] or [[reincarnation]] if you don’t understand the nature of [[mind]] or [[consciousness]]. The [[mind]], according to [[Buddhism]], has three levels: | It is difficult to understand [[rebirth]] or [[reincarnation]] if you don’t understand the nature of [[mind]] or [[consciousness]]. The [[mind]], according to [[Buddhism]], has three levels: | ||
| − | gross, | + | #gross, |
| − | subtle | + | #subtle |
| − | very subtle | + | #very subtle |
| − | |||
| − | The [[ | + | The [[gross mind]] relies on the [[body]]’s functions. When something goes wrong with the [[body]], that dysfunction may affect the mind (e.g. {{Wiki|strokes}} or {{Wiki|brain}} injuries). When the [[body]] stops, the [[gross mind]] stops. |
| − | It has nothing to do with body functions. However, it remains inactive during our lives, its latent potential activated at [[death]]. When the functions of the [[gross mind]] stop because the | + | The [[subtle mind]]’s existence is only partly tied to the functions of the [[body]]. The [[subtle mind]] continues from [[life]] to [[life]], but does not carry all the [[information]] necessary. The [[subtle mind]] is not considered an entirely safe container or "Swiss bank" for all the information that travels from [[life]] to [[life]]. The [[subtle mind]] can be influenced by external factors. The very [[subtle mind]] is the "clear light of [[mind]]." |
| + | |||
| + | It has [[nothing]] to do with [[body]] functions. However, it remains inactive during our lives, its latent potential activated at [[death]]. When the functions of the [[gross mind]] stop because the [[body]]’s functions have stopped, at the last stage of [[physical]] [[death]] (near black attainment), the [[clear light]] of [[mind]] activates. The very [[subtle mind]] cannot be affected by external factors. It safely carries [[information]] from the past to the present and from the present to the future. | ||
</poem> | </poem> | ||
{{R}} | {{R}} | ||
[http://www.scdharma.org/portal/teachings/showstory11.htm www.scdharma.org] | [http://www.scdharma.org/portal/teachings/showstory11.htm www.scdharma.org] | ||
[[Category:Mind]] | [[Category:Mind]] | ||
Revision as of 08:30, 6 August 2013
It is difficult to understand rebirth or reincarnation if you don’t understand the nature of mind or consciousness. The mind, according to Buddhism, has three levels:
- gross,
- subtle
- very subtle
The gross mind relies on the body’s functions. When something goes wrong with the body, that dysfunction may affect the mind (e.g. strokes or brain injuries). When the body stops, the gross mind stops.
The subtle mind’s existence is only partly tied to the functions of the body. The subtle mind continues from life to life, but does not carry all the information necessary. The subtle mind is not considered an entirely safe container or "Swiss bank" for all the information that travels from life to life. The subtle mind can be influenced by external factors. The very subtle mind is the "clear light of mind."
It has nothing to do with body functions. However, it remains inactive during our lives, its latent potential activated at death. When the functions of the gross mind stop because the body’s functions have stopped, at the last stage of physical death (near black attainment), the clear light of mind activates. The very subtle mind cannot be affected by external factors. It safely carries information from the past to the present and from the present to the future. </poem>
