Intellect is the thinking equipment we have been gifted by nature. intellect gives you the power of choice, an ability to discriminate & decide, and the potential for growth, change, and transformation. A human being is different from all other creatures due to the presence of intellect. Using our intellect, a human being can become an enlightened master or can be destructive and be worse than an animal.
The confluence of mind and intellect helps us to develop tolerance, acceptance, kindness, love, gratitude, compassion, and forgiveness. The development of intellect is an essential prerequisite for living life with grace and grandeur.
Two provisions Nature has gifted all human beings:
-Time – 24 hours – equal for all
-Potential to make choices using your intellect
Three types of Choices:
-Choices made using the mind: person makes the choice influenced by their emotions, feelings, likes, and dislikes. The choice is based on what they like to do rather than what they ought to do.
-Choices made using the intellect: person makes the choices based on the clarity of their thinking. Such people don’t fall a victim to their impulses or likes and dislikes. Emotions don’t overpower them.
-Choices made using a combination of mind and intellect: the person makes the choice as a confluence of pure emotion and clearer thinking. Intellect is convinced with the choice and the mind likes the choice being made.
“Intellectual growth should commence at birth and cease only at death.” – Albert Einstein
Four types of people using the intellect:
-Person uses the intellect before the performance of action. Understanding and analysis are done by a sharp intellect and the choice made by a combination of a serene mind and clear intellect.
-Person uses the intellect while performing the action. The clarity in thinking is utilized during the action and intellect makes a proper choice.
-Person uses the intellect after the performance of action. Mind appears more agitated and intellect lacks clarity. Regrets are more and the mind never experiences peace and tranquility.
-Person doesn’t use the intellect even after the action. A person living in ignorance of the truths of life and with pronounced ego fails to use their intellect and goes through pain and suffering.
Intellect is considered as the adult and the mind of a child. The adult has the potential to maintain the home and it cannot be left under the control of a child. Similarly, our life must be under the supervision of the intellect and not merely the whims and fancies of the mind. Scriptures equate the mind to the flow of water in a river and the intellect to the banks supporting the river. If the banks of the river are strong, the water can be well utilized, and it benefits one and all. If the banks of the river are weak, the water overflows and inundates the fields and what was a blessing becomes a curse. Similarly, when the mind is powerful and the intellect is weak, choices go wrong and result in agitations and suffering. It leads to depression, addictions, and suicide.
Intellect is developed through the following practices:
-Right questions on life and living
-Nothing is taken for granted
-Aligning with higher values
-Guidance of Spiritual Masters & Scriptures
-Consistently following a disciplined life
Text by S A Sreedharan
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