about the relationship of consciousness to the mind

 

Consciousness is aware of the mind: 

The activities of the mind are always known by consciousness.

That mind is the object of knowledge and perception by the pure consciousness. 

Mind appears to have its own life solely because 

of the pure consciousnes which permeates it. 

The activities of the mind are always known by the pure consciousness,

 because that consciousness is superior to, 

support of, and master over the mind.

Mind is not self illuming because it is made of stuff

 (thoughts, emotions, memories etc.)

just like the photos are made of ink.

Mind is not, in itself, consciousness.

Rather, consciousness operates through the mind.

When the consciousness operates through the mind, 

it is also witness of the mind.

When consciousness is witnessing the mind, 

the mind is the object being witnessed. 

This is a key point here, so that this is not mere philosophy, 

but a practical part of the subtlest meditation processes. 

At some point, the mind itself is seen as an object of observation

 to be set aside with non-attachment, 

just like the many surface level thought patterns

 of daily life are set aside in other stages of meditation.

 Now, the instrument of thinking itself 

is being seen and transcended.

~ summerized from the

  Yoga Sutras of Patanjali 

as presented by

Swami Jnaneshvara Bharati

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