In life, the mind is talking to us all the time. Through thoughts, it is creating noise and because of this noise, we are not able to make a choice. We have an intellect that is the tool of discrimination, but when we are constantly bombarded by thoughts, the power of the intellect becomes weak and ineffective. Unless we tame the monkey mind and make it a monk, or even kill the rascal mind, the intellect cannot take charge.
What is the difference between the mind and the intellect? The mind can be imagined to be something like a thought factory. It is constantly popping thoughts. These thoughts become feelings and these feelings become action. Finally, our actions become habits that decide our character and our destiny. If we want to take charge of our destiny, then we have to take charge of our actions, which means we have to discriminate thoughts. Man is the only creature blessed with an intellect. The butterfly or the tree, the dog or the frog, do not have an intellect. Some of them may have an instinct, but only man is capable of discrimination through an intellect. Man needs to use his intellect to permit thoughts to germinate into feelings and then actions. If man fails to use his intellect, then he becomes a slave to his thoughts, his mind. This will lead him to a destiny which is not his choice. It is important for man to discover his intellectual power and put it to use every time there is a thought.
Haven't you heard people say, 'Go by your head, not by your heart?' What does this mean? It means we should not be carried away by our thoughts, our feelings or our emotions. We should use the power of our head, or our intellect to discriminate and then act. Those who use the intellect, they don't follow the herd. They fly like a bird. They explore various possibilities before making a choice. They use their power of discrimination.
What does the intellect do? The intellect discriminates the myth from the truth. It stops us from blindly believing the lies about life as it makes us realize the truth by opening our real eyes. The intellect refuses to believe anything or anybody. It puts every thought to the test. Even though it may be blasphemous, it questions religion. Even though it seems disrespectful, it questions teachers and elders because what matters to the intellect is the realization of the truth. The intellect seeks Enlightenment and seeks to overcome ignorance. Unfortunately, while all of us have an intellect, very few amongst us use this power of discrimination and stop unnecessary thoughts from germinating and taking us down the wrong path. Ultimately it is a choice, whether we will blindly follow the mind or we will stop, use our intellect, discriminate, and make the right choice.
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