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| Understanding and Managing the
Mind and Mental Existence from the Inside |
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The Mind, Mental
Existence
and Mental Faculties
Understanding, Managing and Developing Them from The Inside
Physical-Biological
Roots and Foundation
Considering the mind, mental existence and mental faculties, how to understand, develop
and manage them we need to distinguish and differentiate between different elements and
aspects of them. First, we need to distinguish and differentiate between the
physical-biological roots and foundation of the mind and mental existence, on the one
hand, and what takes place, what enters and what we do in the mind and mental existence,
on the other.
The brain, its neurological structure and processes are the physical-biological roots and
foundation of the mind and mental existence. They are the physical-biological foundation
of the experiences, perceptions, sensations and feelings, transmitted from the sense
organs and internal sensors, which enter the mind and awareness. Our mental faculties, our
natural mental powers and abilities are rooted in the neurological structure of the brain.
The brain and its neurological structure and processes also are the physical-biological
foundation of our memory. Moreover, the brain and its neurological processes translate
into overt physical behaviour and actions what takes place and what we do in the mind and
mental existence, the choices and decisions we make, the aims, goals and objectives we
define, and the behaviour and actions we consider and plan.
Within this context, we also need to distinguish and differentiate between
physical-biological-neurological and mental problems. Physical-biological problems are
illness, injury or malfunction of the physical-biological roots and foundation, the
neurological structure or processes behind the mind and mental existence, our experiences,
perceptions, sensations and feelings, our mental faculties and memory.
Mental problems, on the other hand, are problems and difficulties understanding and
managing the mind and mental existence, which are rooted in the intangible and elusive
nature of the mind and mental existence. We need to distinguish and differentiate here
between problems and difficulties understanding and managing the daily mental conditions,
demands and challenges we face and we have to deal with, and problematic or negative
results and consequences of failing or inadequately dealing with them. Moreover, we need
to distinguish and differentiate between more immediate, and chronic problematic or
negative results and consequences of failing or inadequately understanding and managing
the daily conditions, demands and challenges of the mind and mental existence. Chronic
problems, the result of failing or inadequately dealing with the daily conditions, demands
and challenges of the mind and mental existence over a long period of time, leading to
harmful, destructive and counterproductive mental behaviour, actions and practices,
routines and habits.
Physical-biological problems, illness, injury or malfunction of the neurological system
and processes of the brain may affect or limit what takes place, what enters and what we
do in the mind and mental existence, but they are not the roots or causes behind mental
problems. They may limit or diminish the experiences, perceptions, sensations and feelings
that enter the mind and awareness. They may limit or diminish our mental faculties, our
natural mental potential or our memory. They also may limit or diminish our ability to
translate into overt physical behaviour and actions what we do in the mind, our choices
and decisions, aims, plans, goals or objectives.
However, limits whether due to illness, injury or malfunction of the physical-biological
roots and foundation, the neurological system or processes behind the mind do not explain
or govern what we do in the mind and mental existence, the mental behaviour and actions in
which we engage, the mental work or effort we invest. They do not explain or govern what,
within the physical-biological limits, we do in the mind, whether we develop and exercise
our mental faculties, whatever their limits, how and for what purpose we use them. They do
not explain or govern the effort we make to develop, exercise and practice our mental
faculties, whatever their limits. What we do in the mind and mental existence, the mental
behaviour and actions in which we engage, the mental work and effort we invest are defined
and governed by us, by the choices and decisions we make.
Although the mind and mental existence are rooted in our physical-biological existence,
the neurological system and processes of the brain, understanding them is not to
understand the mind and mental existence. Understanding the brain, its neurological
system, structure and processes does not give us an understanding of what takes place,
what enters and what we do, what we must establish, develop and maintain in the mind and
mental existence. It does not give us an understanding of our role and responsibility in
the mind and mental existence. To understand the mind and mental existence, what takes
place, our role and responsibility in them, we need to understand the mind and mental
existence from the inside, as reflected in our experience.
Mind and Mental Existence
Considering and understanding the mind and mental existence, what takes place and what we
do, our role and responsibility in the mind and mental existence, we need to distinguish
and differentiate between the mind, mental existence, mental needs and mental faculties.
We need to distinguish and differentiate between what enters the mind, and what we do in
the mind and mental existence, between natural mental processes, and what individually we
do, our own mental behaviour and actions. We need to distinguish and differentiate between
the role of nature, which lies beyond our control, and the role and responsibility in the
mind and mental existence that by nature are individually ours to understand and manage.
Mind
The mind is where we consciously exist and act. It is where we experience, become aware
and must consider the conditions of existence, our own mental and physical existence and
development and the world around us, and how to deal with them. The mind is where by
nature we are individually in charge and in control, where we must actively be engaged and
take responsibility for what takes place and what we do. It is where we make choices and
decisions, where we define aims, goals and objectives, and where we must consider, plan,
organize and manage our behaviour and actions. What takes place and what we do in the mind
defines and governs how we understand and manage existence and development. It defines and
governs how we understand, manage and conduct ourselves individually, how we relate,
connect, communicate and interact with each other, and how we relate and interact with the
world around us, with nature and the natural environment. The mind is where problems and
difficulties, limits and shortcomings, errors and mistakes, in understanding, choices and
decisions, behaviour and actions, in what we do and we engage in have their roots and
beginnings, and where answers and solutions must start.
Mental Existence
Mental existence consists of what takes place and what we do in the mind. The experiences,
perceptions, sensations and feelings, thoughts, ideas, notions and recollections that
enter the mind and awareness, and how we deal with them. The images, pictures and
conceptual structures we create in the mind. How we meet our mental needs, and how we
develop and use our mental faculties.
Experience, Perceptions, Sensations and Feelings
We experience and become aware of the conditions of existence, our own mental and physical
existence and the world around us, through the perceptions, sensations and feelings that
enter the mind and awareness via our sense organs and the nervous system. Perceptions,
sensations and feelings entering the mind and awareness are natural mental processes that
lie beyond our control. How we deal with, respond and adjust to them, the sense we make of
them, it is what we do. It is our role and responsibility to consider and make sense of
what enters the mind and our awareness. Consider and make sense of the perceptions,
sensations and feelings, thoughts, ideas, notions and recollections that enter the mind
and awareness, the conditions that lie behind them, and how to deal with them.
In considering and discussing experiences that enter the mind and awareness we need to
distinguish and differentiate between perceptions of the world around us, sensations of
the conditions of our own physical existence, and feelings about mental conditions, the
conditions of our mental existence and the state of our mind. We also need to distinguish
and differentiate between perceptions, sensations and feelings per se, and their changing
contents. What changes are their contents, not perceptions, sensations and feelings
entering the mind and awareness.
We need to distinguish and differentiate here between what enters the mind and awareness,
perceptions, sensations and feelings, thoughts, ideas, notions and recollections, and how
we deal with them. The sense we make of them, the conditions that lie behind them, and how
to deal with them. The mental images, pictures and conceptual structures we establish in
the mind about them.
The perceptions, sensations and feelings that enter our mind do not impress themselves
fully in all their details on our awareness. They also do not order and arrange themselves
in meaningful or constructive ways in the mind and awareness. They do not form clear and
detailed images or pictures in the mind about the conditions that lie behind them and how
to deal with them. It is our role and responsibility to be aware of the details and
specifics of our experiences, the perceptions, sensations and feelings that enter the
mind, requiring individual mental work and effort. It is our role and responsibility to
make sense of them, order and arrange them, consider and make sense of them, the
conditions that lie behind them and how to deal with them, and form clear images and
pictures in the mind about them.
Within this context, we also need to distinguish and differentiate between accounts of
others, the mental pictures and conceptual structures they form about their experience of
the conditions of their existence, and our own experiences, the perceptions, sensations
and feelings of the conditions of our existence that enter our mind and awareness. The
interpretation of others of their experience, of the conditions of their existence, is not
an interpretation or understanding of our experiences, of the conditions of our existence,
our mental and physical existence and the world around us, or how to deal with them. We
can use the interpretation and understanding of others of the conditions of their
existence as a guide to make sense of our own experiences, the conditions of our existence
that lie behind them, and how to deal with them. We also can compare and contrast our own
experiences, perceptions, sensations and feelings, our interpretations and understanding
of them with those of others. Identify common ground and points of difference, and
consider the reasons and causes behind differences.
However, we cannot take the interpretation and understanding of others, of their
experience, as an understanding of the conditions, demands and challenges we face in our
own existence. Although as human beings we share the same fundamental natural conditions,
demands and challenges of existence, individually we experience them at different times,
under different circumstances, posing different demands and challenges. It requires, not
general or collective, but individual understanding and responses, considering and making
sense of our own individual experiences, the conditions that lie behind them, and how to
deal with them.
Primary and Secondary Experiences
In addition, we need to distinguish and differentiate between primary and secondary
experiences. Perceptions about the world around us, sensations about our own physical
existence, and feelings about the conditions of our mental existence are primary
experiences. How we feel about them, our first impressions and instant reactions are
secondary experiences. Primary experiences are information about the conditions of
existence, our own mental and physical existence and the world around us. Secondary
experiences are our instant response, first impressions, instant thoughts, ideas and
reactions regarding the demand primary experiences make on us mentally, the challenge or
threat they pose to the established order and stability of our mind and mental existence.
Mental Needs
The mental needs, which we must meet in the mind through individual mental work and
effort, include the need for a sense of self, the individual human self, a sense of mental
order and stability, clarity of mind and understanding, a sense of certainty, security and
confidence. In addition, we have a mental need for recognition and relevance, as well as a
need to interact, connect, communicate and cooperate mentally and physically with other
each other.
We have a need for a sense of self, of the individual human self, to establish a sense of
who and what we are. To distinguish and differentiate ourselves individually from others
and the world around us, to understand the role and responsibility in our existence and
development that are individually ours to understand and manage, and what lies beyond our
control. We need a sense of self to recognize and understand our strength and weakness.
Understand the level or degree of development, limits and shortcomings in our conceptual
and mental development and growth, the development, limits and shortcomings of the
necessary conceptual foundation and mental capacity. The conceptual foundation and
framework of understanding about the fundamentals and essentials, the natural conditions,
demands and challenges of existence, our own mental and physical existence and the world
around us, within which to consider and understand what we face and have to deal with,
what we do and need to do. Understand the level of development, limits and shortcomings in
our mental faculties, our natural mental potential, natural mental powers and abilities,
necessary mental skills and practices, and required mental work and effort.
We exist in and as part of a constantly unfolding, changing and transforming world.
Everything within and around us changes constantly. The conditions, demands and
challenges, our experiences, perceptions, sensations and feelings constantly change.
Moreover, our experiences fragment an integrated, connected and interacting world. We
experience the conditions of existence and the world around us through distinct, separate
and disconnected perceptions, sensations and feelings, which do not on their own form
clear and detailed images or pictures in the mind. It is not possible to make informed and
considered choices and decisions, decide necessary and appropriate aims, goals and
objectives, consider, plan, organize and manage the required behaviour and actions within
constant mental disorder and instability, doubt and confusion, uncertainty and insecurity.
Understanding, managing and sustaining our existence in a constantly changing world
requires establishing a sense of mental order and stability, as well as clarity of mind
and understanding about the conditions of existence, the world around us, and how to deal
with them. In addition, it requires establishing a sense of certainty, security and
confidence about our ability to deal with the conditions, demands and challenges, change
and changing conditions of existence and the world around us, without knowing beforehand
what they will be.
We have a need for recognition, to be recognized by others and confirm for us our
understanding of ourselves, who and what we are, and that we are a member of a species of
human beings, and we do not exist alone by ourselves. We also have a need to be relevant,
to play a role and contribute to the life of others to give meaning to our existence
beyond just managing our own existence and development. Moreover, we need to connect,
communicate and interact mentally with others, because by nature we depend and must
interact with each other to meet some of our basic needs, such as for example the need for
recognition and relevance.
Mental Faculties
In considering our mental faculties, we need to distinguish and differentiate between
mental powers and abilities, mental skills and practices, mental behaviour and actions,
mental work and effort. Mental powers and abilities are our natural mental potential,
which we must develop in order to use them. They are the mental powers and abilities we
require to understand and deal with the conditions of existence, our own mental and
physical existence and the world around us. The natural mental powers and abilities we
need to translate into necessary and appropriate mental skills and practices. The mental
skills and practices necessary to understand and manage our role and responsibility in the
mind and mental existence. Mental behaviour and actions are how we respond and deal with
what enters and takes place in the mind and mental existence, the steps we take. Mental
work and effort are the energy and time we invest to understand and manage the mind and
mental existence, to deal with, consider, respond and adjust to what enters and takes
place in the mind.
Mental Powers and Abilities
Our natural mental potential, our natural mental powers and abilities include the power
and ability to be mentally alert, active and engaged. Paying attention, being aware and
considering what takes place and what we do in the mind. Being mentally alert, active and
engaged contrasts with being absent minded and mentally passive, not paying attention or
ignoring what takes place, what enters and what we do in the mind and awareness. Being
preoccupied with doubt, confusion, uncertainty and insecurity, abstractions, fantasies,
idle speculation and wishful thinking.
The mental power and ability to direct, focus and concentrate the mind and attention, on
what enters and what we do in the mind, experiences, perceptions, sensations and feelings,
thoughts, ideas, notions and recollections, the conditions that lie behind them and how to
deal with, respond and adjust to them. The choices and decisions we make, and how we make
them, the aims, goals and objectives we pursue, and how we define them, the behaviour and
actions in which we engage, and how we consider, plan, organize and manage them.
Directing, focusing and concentrating the mind and attention differs from not paying
attention, aimlessly drifting through the mind, pursuing whatever comes to mind, losing
focus and direction. Jumping from issue to issue, from experience to experience, from
thought to thought, getting ahead of oneself, the clarity of one's mind and understanding
and jumping to conclusions.
The mental power and ability to exercise mental discipline and mental flexibility, the
mental discipline to keep the mind and attention, focus and concentration on what we do
and what we are engaged in. The mental flexibility to change focus and concentration on
demand, when necessary and required, to different issues, experiences, jobs, tasks, plans
or projects. Mental discipline and mental flexibility contrast with not being able to keep
the mind and attention, focus and concentration on a given issue for any length of time,
not being able to redirect the mind and attention, focus and concentration when necessary
and required. Quickly loosing focus, direction and concentration, getting lost in the
mind, heading off on unrelated tangents and jumping to conclusions.
We possess the mental power and ability to visualize, or see, and to form clear and detail
images, pictures and conceptual structures in the mind. Visualize, see, and form images
and pictures in the mind about what enters the mind and awareness, the conditions that lie
behind them, and how to deal with them. Putting together and connecting the elements,
details and specifics of our experiences, perceptions, sensations and feelings, what we
deduce and conclude from them about the conditions that lie behind them, and form clear
and detailed images and pictures in the mind about them. In addition, integrate mental
images and pictures to form a larger conceptual structure in the mind about the
fundamentals and essentials of conditions of existence and the world around us.
Visualizing, seeing, and creating images, pictures and conceptual structures in the mind
differ from considering information details and specifics that enter the mind and
awareness only in a disconnected way. It differs from focusing and concentrating on
information details and specifics, and language constructs, expecting them to engage us
and create images and pictures for us in the mind.
We possess the mental power and ability to consider and to reason. Consider and examine
issues and experiences at length, in depth and detail, systematically and consistently,
step-by-step, with each step arising from the preceding step and leading to the next step.
Consider them in ways to always, at each point be able to trace back the steps to the
beginning. Deduce and conclude from the given, the self-evident and obvious to uncover the
hidden, the less obvious, without loosing connection with the given. To consider and
reason contrast with jumping from issue to issue, from experience to experience,
connecting and relating elements, details and specifics in random and arbitrary ways, with
little concern for details and specifics, connections and relations between them.
We also possess the mental power and ability to recall and recollect from memory, to bring
back into the mind and awareness what is stored in memory. Everything that takes place,
that enters and we do in the mind and mental existence is stored in memory. It is a
natural mental process, which lies beyond our control. We have the mental power and
ability to recall, recollect and bring back into the mind and awareness what is store in
memory. The degree and the ease with which we are able to recall and recollect what is
stored in memory depends on the extent to which we have mentally processed what takes
place, what enters and what we do in the mind before it disappears into memory. If we
consider what takes place in the mind at some length, in depth and detail, form clear
mental pictures and integrate them into a larger conceptual structure before they
disappear into memory, it will be easy to recall, recollect and bring them back into the
mind and awareness. If we fail to pay attention and consider what takes place in the mind,
if we allow it to slip unprocessed into memory, it will be more difficult to recall it
from memory.
Mental Skills and Practices
Our natural mental powers and abilities we need to translate into the necessary and
appropriate mental skills and practices. The mental skills and practices we must develop
include the skill and practice to establish and maintain the necessary internal mental
conditions, in everything we do and we engage in, before acting, before engaging and
dealing with external conditions, others and the world around us. Consider and make sense
of the experiences, perceptions, sensations and feelings, thoughts, ideas and
recollections that enter the mind and awareness, the conditions that lie behind them, and
form clear and detailed mental images, picture and conceptual structure about them, and
how to deal with them. The mental skill and practice to establish a sense of self, mental
order and stability, clarity of mind and understanding and a sense of certainty, security
and confidence. Deal with mental disorder and instability, doubt, confusion, uncertainty
and insecurity, feelings of fear, stress, anxiety, frustration and depression, through
addressing the conditions that lie behind them. The mental skill and practice to make
informed and considered choices and decisions, define necessary aims, goals and
objectives, and consider, plan, organize and manage required behaviour and actions. Deal
with, respond and adjust to change, changing experiences, conditions, demands and
challenges, in our own mental and physical existence and development and in the world
around us, when only a minimum in mental work, effort and adjustment are required, and
before they develop into larger problems, difficulties or crises. The mental skill and
practice to meet our non-material mental needs in the mind through individual mental work
and effort.
We need to develop the mental skill and practice to engage in a process of continuous
conceptual and mental self-development and growth. Constantly reconsider, update, correct,
expand and improve, in light of change and changing conditions, the understanding, the
mental powers and abilities, mental skills and practices, mental work and effort we
develop, on which we rely, how we develop and use them. Reconsider, update, correct,
expand and improve the choices and decisions we make, and how we make them, the aims,
goals and objectives we pursue, and how we define them, the behaviour and actions in which
we engage, and how we plan, organize and manage them.
Mental Behaviour and Actions, Work and Effort
Mental behaviour and actions are how we respond and deal with what enters and what takes
place in the mind and mental existence. Mental work and effort are the steps we take, and
the time and energy we invest.
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