The liberation of intellect

Apr 25, 2010, 12.00am IST

Shri Shri Anandamurti.

Every living being, every entity, wants liberation. Unless and until an entity attains liberation -- whether in the physical sphere or in the subtle sphere -- its natural development does not take place.

Without such development we cannot obtain detailed knowledge about that entity, and for that reason we cannot achieve maximum utilisation of that object.

A valued human attribute is intellect. You may say that intuition is more valuable than intellect and perhaps you’re right. But the fact is that intuition is generally of the spiritual world, whereas the domain of intellect is both of the physical as well as subtle worlds. In the spiritual world also, inspiration from intellect is an important factor. That is why we cannot ignore the contribution of intellect. If we ignore intellect, we will have to deny the difference between human beings and others.

What is intellect? In the process of evolution, when the aham ́ tattva or ego, the subtler form of the citta or elementary mind, has a greater area than that of the citta, then, the enlarged area of aham ́ tattva is called Buddhi or intellect. Bodhi or intuition is different. When the existential “I” feeling or mahattattva becomes larger in area than the aham ́ tattva, then the enlarged area of existential “I” feeling is called Bodhi or intuition. Intuition establishes the link between the physical and subtle worlds. And as a result of a closer link being established between the subtle and spiritual worlds and its close acquaintance with the sweetness of the spiritual world, intuition guides us along the path of spirituality. And in those who have both intellect and intuition, since intuition is more colourful and is sweeter, intellect becomes somewhat lustreless.

This is probably why some view those of the spiritual world as being `less’ intelligent. To them the intellect, as compared to intuition, is less colourful. That is why they do not make full utilisation of their intellect. They remain always preoccupied with intuition. How to liberate intellect? Intuition is an inborn faculty of human beings. Thus no effort is necessary for the liberation of intuition. The liberation of intuition comes automatically, without any effort. But with intellect it is different. Different kinds of blows start raining from all sides on the human intellect. Due to these constant blows, the spontaneous development of intellect becomes thwarted, and consequently it starts degenerating.

Human beings have got to be saved, in various ways, from degeneration of the human spirit. If we do not protect the human intellect from undesirable onslaughts from various directions, then the future of the human race is surely enveloped in darkness. To avert slipping into that darkness is the duty of every individual.

Now a question arises: what is the real nature of intellect? When individual beings develop some kind of “I” feeling after coming in contact with matter, then that initial stage of undeveloped mind is termed the citta. And when there arises a subtler “I” feeling in the citta which does something more than merely establish a link with matter, that is, which acquires the capacity to direct matter according to its own desire, it is termed buddhi or intellect. So this is the special nature of intellect. With intellect, people have made hundreds of scientific discoveries; with intellect, people have learnt much from the practical world. In the future also, they will learn much more and they will do much more with their intellect.

Excerpt taken from writer’s `The Neo-Humanism.’