Consciousness & mind

Consciousness and mind denote, from our point of view, the interplay of several inner forces: of the step-by-step working intellect, of the pictorially grasping intuition, of the deeply anchored instincts, as well as of the possibility of working, through targeted work with thoughts – such as mental training or positive thinking – on one’s own inner attitude. This entry bundles five terms that explain one another, and describes them from a spiritual-psychological perspective. It is a matter here of ways of exercise for self-perception and self-guidance, not of medicine: the following accounts are no diagnoses and no promises of healing.

What distinguishes intellect and intuition?

Intellect and intuition are, from our point of view, two different, complementary ways of thinking. While the intellect proceeds rationally and step by step, intuition grasps connections rather pictorially and as a whole.

Intellect

The intellect stands for rational, step-by-step thinking. From our point of view it works above all with what it already knows: it orders, compares and concludes logically. This strength is at the same time its limit – what is known can be well processed, what is really new eludes the purely intellectual grasp at first. A strongly intellect-emphasising attitude therefore tends rather towards the preserving of the familiar.

Intuition

Intuition (from Latin intueri, “to behold”) means, from our point of view, a complex, holistic thinking: the pictorial grasping of connections, often faster than the step-by-step intellect. It is traditionally described as “inspiration” – an immediate recognition that cannot be broken down into individual steps of thought. In practice, intellect and intuition complement one another: the one examines and orders, the other senses directions in advance.

What role do instincts and instinctive reactions play?

Below intellect and intuition lie, from our point of view, the instincts – the oldest, reflex-like reactions to outer stimuli. One speaks of instinct when a living being responds immediately and without reflection to a particular stimulus.

Such reactions differ from species to species. The flight reaction of a hen looks different from that of a dog: hens flutter in danger in all directions in confusion and thus confuse the attacker, while dogs as a pack first try resistance and, if necessary, flee together in one direction. Both increase the chance of survival in their respective way.

Among the fundamental instincts count, in this view, self-preservation (defence, flight, eating, drinking), reproduction, the protection of offspring, the drive to learn (experimenting and exploring), as well as sleep and recovery. From our point of view, a lasting, strong suppression of such basic needs can burden the inner balance – a hint to regard one’s own shaping of life mindfully. This is a spiritual-psychological consideration, not a medical statement.

What is mental training or psycho-cybernetics?

By psycho-cybernetics we denote a form of mental training that builds on autogenic training. From our point of view it is a matter of the conscious observation, planning and influencing of mental processes such as feelings and moods – so to speak an inner exchange with one’s own subconscious.

In its aim, psycho-cybernetics largely overlaps with positive thinking: both want to shape the inner attitude more consciously. Psycho-cybernetics is thereby a practice of exercise for self-perception – no medical procedure, no therapy and no promise of healing. More on the ways of exercise is found in the entry mental training as well as under meditation.

How does positive thinking work – and where are the limits?

Positive thinking is, from our point of view, a method of bringing, through attention and the guiding of thoughts, a clear and constructive line into one’s own life and action. It starts from the assumption that one’s own inner attitude helps to shape how life is experienced and which decisions we make.

What matters to us is the honest placement of the limits: positive thinking directs attention and attitude, but it replaces no medical or therapeutic treatment and cannot simply “think away” real burdens. From our point of view it unfolds its value as a down-to-earth practice of exercise – not as a promise that every situation could be dissolved by thoughts alone. Practical spirituality here means: to practise in a grounded way, to stay honest, to promise nothing that thoughts cannot achieve.

Cross-references

• Meditation – silent ways of exercise for inner gathering
• Mental training – practice of exercise around thoughts and moods

Autor: D. Harald Alke