Mind and Consciousness

Mind and consciousness appears to act as inseparable entities. Daily functions   are taken for granted, not given much thought how everyday habitual patterns work. Television programming, selection of music, newspapers, magazines, people we choose to communicate with and the invitation of outside influences has an overall impact on our conscious minds, eventually. Environments, situations and circumstances seem to be  automatic, these conditions arrived without any conscious effort.  All external factors  entering into minds is in the process of becoming a part of the consciousness, but almost always temporarily. Understanding differences between consciousness and mind is crucial to understanding the environment we are living in, and our daily behavior.

Many people say, they would never select to live in the conditions they live, or are associate with their friends, or select other situations they are currently in. This is where the consciousness is separate from the mind. The mind or brain would not accept these predicaments, but the consciousness selected these situations. People valuing their freedom to go out dancing in nightclubs, or go chase their kids or dog in the park chooses to stay in the middle, maybe lower financial income. Millionaires have to keep up a certain image, because someone is always watching. Running with a dog in the park is not considered sophisticated behavior of an outstanding citizen. The consciousness chooses financial status, friends, environments depending on beliefs.

It has often been said by many motivational speakers, “you are what you think.” Over time, repeated thoughts automatically reoccurring become part of the consciousness. People start behaving like the actors they see on television without realizing they changed, or they pick up an accent. Once the consciousness accepted the outside messages, these beliefs become a part of the person, or who the person actually is. The difference between the mind and consciousness is the mind changes, but the consciousness is permanent or takes a long time or repeated programming for a temporary change.

“Consciousness (pure awareness) is who you are, and does not have a physical origin” (Morose, 2004).  Consciousness is much more permanent than the mind. The mind brings us into different environments through jobs, relocations, leaving old friends, meeting new people. Through external changes, we keep our same beliefs, values, feelings; our consciousness. When we leave a place physically, our internal, invisible consciousness goes with us.

“Using the example, Alzheimer’s disease, the brain or mind functions do become partially or totally inaccessible, but consciousness never alters” (Morese). Although the physical body changes, the mind does not. The mind and brain are physical external objects. The conscious mind is the actual soul or internal intentions of the person. Outside appearances are usually an accurate reflection of who they are on the inside.

The mind is a fascinating mystery. Scientists conduct numerous studies and research trying to find out more about the minds and consciousness. Naturally, diagnosing physical problems, such as Alzheimer’s, and several forms of brain damage are much easier than unraveling the real mysteries of the mind. Scientists and doctors can see a brain. They cannot see the mind. Much of the conclusions of exactly how the mind works is left up to beliefs, opinions, and study’s of similar patterns.

Even when external influences alters personality, it is only for brief periods. For example, a well behaved teen getting mixed up with the wrong crowd intentions will become obvious through any type of discipline or counseling resulting from temporarily choosing the wrong path. The conscious mind is permanent, the mind is changeable. Once external conditions change, the consciousness reveals itself.

Source:

Morose, (2004) The Separation of Mind and Consciousness; retrieved 13 December 2007

Buzzle.com http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/8-9-2004-57639.asp