Between the Stimulus and the Response: the four functions of the Mind

“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” Victor E Frankl
Schematic of an idealized analytical instrument. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
In today’s post I will be drawing heavily from the spiritual traditions of India (Yoga etc), and interested readers are redirected to these excellent sources for more information about the same.
As per the spiritual tradition of India, Mind (or Antahkaran) is made up of four functions or parts. These are Manas, Chitta, Ahamkar and Buddhi. These are typically translated as sensory-motor mind, memory bank, ego and intellect respectively. As an interesting aside, Buddha derives from the common root of Buddhi (budh- to know) and stands for the enlightened one.
Here is a brief description of the four functions:
Manas is ordinary, indeterminate thinking — just being aware that something is there and automatically registers the facts which the senses perceive.

The subconscious action, memory, etc., is caused by chitta. The function of chitta is chinta (contemplation), the faculty whereby the Mind in its widest sense raises for itself the subject of its thought and dwells thereon.

Buddhi determines, decides and logically comes to a conclusion that something is such-and-such a thing. That is another aspect of the operation of the psyche — buddhi or intellect. buddhi, on attending to such registration, discriminat...

Source: The Mouse Trap - October 22, 2016 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: sandygautam Tags: behaviorism cognition consciousness Buddhism Hinduism Mind self Self-determination theory Source Type: podcasts