BRAIN vs. MIND vs. SOUL, as per Rosicrucian Thought

THE BRAIN IS TO THE PHYSICAL BODY,
AS THE MIND IS TO THE PSYCHIC BODY,
WITH THE SOUL AS THE ETERNAL MASTER


In the second chapter of the Book of Genesis, there occurs the statement that God "breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." The beauty of wording in the familiar scriptures often causes us to forget that here is a statement of fundamental law. It is a statement of basic metaphysical ontology! Our consideration of certain esoteric principles and meditation brings us back once more to its contemplation perhaps with deeper appreciation of its real meaning.

Throughout the spiritual writing of antiquity, we find the idea of soul expressed by a word whose meaning was also breath. In all languages of ancient times, especially those related to the Sanskrit, the psychic or spiritual part of man is associated with breath and breathing. Furthermore, it becomes increasingly plain to the student that the philosophers, teachers, and inspired writers of those times when dealing with the vital force in the breath did not have in mind air or oxygen. They had in mind that intangible vitality or, essential something, later called consciousness.

This vital breath in every cell of every part of our bodies is akin to the psychic consciousness. Keeping in mind this kinship, we shall better understand how this psychic or Cosmic Consciousness pervades our very being, making its presence felt in every part of our physical bodies. Remembering, too, that this consciousness with its vitality and wisdom comes into our bodies with the first breath and leaves with the last one, we shall see that the psychic part of us is something distinct, not something created and born inside our physical bodies.

The brain consciousness, however, does grow with the body, beginning with the first few minutes after birth. At the moment of birth, the brain does not have any knowledge, wisdom or understanding. It is as free of knowledge as the pages of a book upon which nothing has been printed. Gradually and steadily through the experiences of living the brain acquires its knowledge. When in the moment of transition, the consciousness withdraws from the body, the brain like every other part of the physical body becomes useless and its acquired and stored-up knowledge is lost.

Cosmic Consciousness is of a different nature. It is part of the universal wisdom and universal vitality. It is immortal and whatever wisdom or knowledge is registered in its storehouse is never lost.

This Cosmic Consciousness brings with it into the body both a
vast amount of eternal wisdom and whatever wisdom it has acquired in its previous incarnations. From the first hour of birth it begins to exert an influence within us, directing and Controlling the inner activities of the body, prompting us at all times as to what we should and should not do.

By cultivating and encouraging the influences and ministrations of this inner consciousness, we add to its strength and thereby enlarge its opportunity to make its wisdom ours. As we daily add to the knowledge of our temporary helper, the brain, we likewise increase the knowledge in the storehouse of our inner consciousness; thus continually building up a dual reserve-the wisdom and knowledge of a temporary nature which is lodged in the brain, and that which is to be a permanent part of our evolving consciousness.

It is the Cosmic Consciousness in us that we are encouraging to manifest because through it we may experience our attunement and connection with the Cosmic, Universal mind and with the mind of God. It is this Cosmic Consciousness in us that will project to distant places if we proceed properly and permit it to extend itself. Although it is never completely separated from the Universal, all-prevading Cosmic Consciousness at any time, unless we establish a sort of Spiritual arrangement, we are never aware of what is going on.
First our outer consciousness or brain consciousness must become attuned with our inner psychic consciousness in order that that inner psychic consciousness may reveal to the brain or outer consciousness some of the things it has learned in the past as well as that which it is learning day by day from its attunement with the Cosmic mind. In this way the psychic part of ourselves becomes a link between the outer mind and the Cosmic or the Cosmic Consciousness.
You must not think of yourself merely as a physical man or woman. You are a dual being, dual in all your conceptions of your existence. You must emphasize in your thinking this fact that there is an outer self and an inner self. You must be aware that this outer self has its weaknesses, frailties, and even its inevitable submission to mortality. You must as well be aware that the inner self is limitless in its contacts, immortal in its existence, and omnipotent in its power and wisdom. Although we have a greater right to depend upon the inner self for guidance, since childhood we have allowed the outer self or brain to dictate. First, it was our parents, then our teachers. In our adulthood it was the outer consciousness and brain of dynamic speakers, writers, editors, or radio or TV orators or Preachers or Masters who influenced us.
The people appealing to our brain and outer consciousness cause us to obey the ideas and opinions they create. We forget that in our inner consciousness we have a far more reliable guide. The Inner Self makes no mistakes, has no misconceptions, is never biased or prejudiced, and knows all things. For this reason, you should give as much time as you can to its cultivation. It is not something that requires much labor and real work. You should, however, not permit the presence of doubt, or a condition of stress.

It is not a matter of fanatical or extreme ritualism. Sitting down, relaxing and meditating, or concentrating is something that all of the world's greatest artists, musicians, writers, and thinkers do now as they have done in the past. Even the busiest of businessmen often close their doors and allow no one to disturb them for about fifteen minutes. During that time, they open the inner heart and consciousness to the Cosmic, who is The Father, or Nameless Anami Purush. It is at such times that some of their most inspiring and revealing ideas come to them.
Every movement of the physical body, even that of the hands and fingers, uses a great deal of the body's vitality. Every thought and mental activity of the brain likewise uses some energy. In fact, it is only when the physical body and mind are at rest through relaxation that the physical and mental vitality of the body is not being used to its fullest extent.
The moment you sit down to meditate and relax, you stop un-necessary expenditure of energy and vitality in the physical body and brain. You thus allow this energy to be used by the psychic part of your body for the upbuilding, rebuilding and regeneration of the cells of the body. These re-create themselves, produce new ones and revitalize worn and tired ones. Each period of concentration and relaxation, therefore, is a period of regeneration for the physical and mental bodies. If during this relaxation the inner or psychic self is attuned with the Cosmic, there is a great benefit. The inner self is able to draw upon the Cosmic energy, and this energy may be used for repairing those parts of the body injured, worn out or broken down through everyday activities. When the mind of the psychic body becomes completely motionless, and relaxed, then………..the SOUL, that Eternal Drop of The Ocean of Anami Purush, or The Father, pays a visit to Its Eternal Home!

Summary
• The statement that God "breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul" is a statement of fundamental law which can perhaps be considered now with greater understanding than formerly.
· The idea of soul or the psychic or spiritual part of man is associated with breath or breathing in all languages and writing of antiquity. This association was with the intangible vital force in the breath later called consciousness.
· Cosmic Consciousness is immortal, a part of the universal wisdom and vitality, and whatever is registered in its storehouse is never lost; whereas the brain consciousness grows with the body but at transition its stored-up knowledge is lost.
· By adding to the knowledge of the brain consciousness we likewise increase the knowledge in the storehouse of our inner consciousness, thus adding to that which is to be a permanent part of the evolving consciousness.
· The outer consciousness must become attuned with the inner psychic consciousness in order to establish a link between the outer mind and the Cosmic.
· Such attunement may be accomplished only by relaxation, meditation and concentration, which halt the unnecessary expenditure of energy and vitality in the physical body and brain, allowing this energy to be used by the psychic part of the body for re-creat­ing new cells and revitalizing old ones, as well as permitting inspiring and helpful impressions to reach the inner consciousness.
· The Soul is freed up from the mind as soon as the mind is quieted enough to become motionless, and is therefore, paying a visit to Its Eternal Home!