The Flow of Power: From Soul to Body — The Mystery of Mind, Intellect, and Consciousness
1. Does What is in the Mind Perish with Death?
When we view death only as the end of the body, the question naturally arises:
“Does everything in the mind—thoughts, emotions, experiences—cease to exist with death?”
The common perspective says: Yes, because the body and brain stop functioning. But the truth is deeper.
The mind (*Manas*) and the intellect (*Buddhi*) do not end with the body, because they are not the tools of the body, but rather the instruments of consciousness. The human body is gross (physical), but the mind and intellect are subtle (non-physical).
When the body falls, only the gross instrument breaks. However, the mind and intellect remain with the soul, like the memory of a flame remaining in the sky after the lamp is extinguished.
2. Mind and Intellect — Two Separate Levels of Existence
The mind and intellect are often treated as one, but they are not the same.
- 🔹 The Mind (*Manas*): The function of the mind is to resolve, contemplate, desire, and doubt. It is always in motion. The mind reacts by receiving information from the senses: This is good, this is bad, this is mine, this is not mine. Thus, the mind is the field of emotions and desires.
- 🔹 The Intellect (*Buddhi*): The core characteristic of the intellect is discernment (Vivek). It makes decisions: "What is right? What is wrong?" While the mind is entangled in emotions, the intellect is the stable light pointing toward the truth.
Therefore, it is said: "Manah Shatru Manah Mitram"—if the mind is subject to the intellect, it is a friend; if it is subject to the senses, it is an enemy.
3. The Mystery of Mind and Intellect After Death
When death occurs, the body ceases, but the subtle body (mind, intellect, *chitta*, ego) travels with the soul.
The mind carries its emotional impressions (*Sanskāras*), and the intellect carries the imprint of its wisdom or ignorance. These accumulated impressions of both shape the foundation of the new consciousness in the next life.
Thus, "what is in the mind" does not perish; rather, it transforms and flows into the continuum of consciousness.
5. The Order of Existence: From Body to the Supreme Self (Paramatma)
When we look at the physical world, every entity is dependent on another. If we look inward, the same order manifests within:
The senses depend on the body, the mind depends on the senses, the intellect depends on the mind, the soul depends on the intellect, and the Supreme Self depends on the soul.
This is the upward flow of existence—from the external to the internal, from the gross to the subtle, and finally, from the soul to the Supreme Self.
6. The Hierarchy of Consciousness
This governing chain of consciousness establishes the role of each entity:
- The Soul (*Ātman*) — The Root Source of Existence: It is self-illuminated and inspires everything.
- The Intellect (*Buddhi*) — The Soul's Representative: It is the executive organ. It makes decisions and sets the body's direction.
- The Mind (*Manas*) — The Intellect's Advisor: It brings signals from the senses and presents them to the intellect.
- The Senses — Instruments Subject to the Mind: They bring information from the external world.
This entire governing chain is: Soul → Intellect → Mind → Senses → Body
This is the governance of consciousness—authority from above, action from below.
8. When the Senses are Attracted
When an object or experience appeals to the senses, the mind becomes active and says, "Obtain it." In that moment, the consciousness of the intellect becomes clouded, as it is overshadowed by the waves of the mind.
The Gita's indication: "Dhumenāvriyate vahniryathādarśo malena cha..." (Just as smoke covers fire, desire covers the intellect). The intellect temporarily loses its power of decision.
9. After the Experience — The Mind's Regret
When the action is complete and the result is painful, the thought arises in the mind: "I shouldn't have done that; why did I do it?" In reality, the mind is then asking for forgiveness from the intellect. This is not a moral guilt, but a self-realization awakening within consciousness.
The intellect then says: "Now you have learned—happiness is not outside, but within." This is the moment when the soul, through the intellect, educates the mind.
11. The Final Sutra of Power and Consciousness
- When the mind is swept away by the senses, the intellect remains silent.
- When the mind returns from suffering, the intellect speaks.
- And when the mind bows before the intellect, the soul manifests.
This is the self-correction cycle of consciousness—from ignorance to experience, from experience to discernment, and from discernment to liberation.
🌕 Core Thesis
The Soul is the source of power.
The Intellect is its representative.
The Mind is its medium.
The Senses are its instruments.
The Body is its mechanism.
When power flows outward, the world is created; when it returns inward, the Supreme Self is revealed.