Mind stream impulses

The mind-brain complex is very complicated and can be described in many different ways. One description which is very useful in handling mind in everyday situations for normal individuals is the one about electrical impulses. This basic model says that electrical impulses are generated at the lower part of the spine in all individuals all life. These impulses travel up to the brain, and on their way they can be given a content. The content is thoughts and feelings. This model is found in traditional Indian texts. The impulses move through channels along the spine. They are called ida, pingala and sushumna. Other names are also used as India has many languages. In the same way as our heart beats all the time we live, the electrical impulses of the mind are generated automatically all life. Every impulse is new and pure. But on its way to the brain it gets a content fast enough. These impulses might seem insignificant, but they decide about everything in our life. The first thing we notice about this model is that mind is self-active. We do not have to urge it to work. It goes on independent of our will. The second thing we see is that the content can be controlled by us. If we do not control it, it goes on spontaneously. To control mind is difficult as we have to control every single impulse. As every impulse is new they tend to slip away and absorb any content. If we have no mind discipline, it will usually roam between a group of familiar subjects like sex, money, status, health and glamour. The controlling capacity is something we learn. When we are intensely interested in something, like learning to play an instrument, the controlling capacity is there spontaneously. In other situations we might have to make an effort. If we accept this model we do not have to be frustrated when we notice that our mind wander. It is made that way. We just have to direct it back to the subject we have chosen. On their way to the brain the impulses are exposed to many temptations about distractions, pet ideas and physical factors like backache, sex, hunger and others. If we know how mind works we can dismiss all these temptations. We know that we lose nothing by doing so, because we can deal with the issues later. According to this model, the content in mind is given to mind. It does not come from mind in the first place. The impulses as such are pure, empty of content. If we try to read them looking for something (for example God) we will find nothing except ideas put into the impulses by ourselves. Meaning is not coming from mind, but meaning is the name of awareness of great and important aspects of reality. If we see reality as created by God, then mind will see this as meaningful. If we have another idea about reality, it will be meaningful. The model with electrical impulses shows that mind is free. Every impulse is new and it can be filled with new content. The content can change from the worst to the best in less than a second. But the content is extremely easy influenced by our mind habits. Our own inner mind environment decides if we can use the freedom of mind, or if we will be stuck in established patterns.