How well we understand the gift of Mind?
[Vinod Anand]

We have been created by the universe. How well do we know our creator, the universe? We have been gifted by the universe with a unique attribute, the mind. How well do we understand this gift?

The mind creates its own realities and a universe for itself. The mind created by the universe and universe created by always poses such questions.

Hence the mind generates knowledge and thereafter it creates realities, unfolds the secrets of its own creator, the universe, and structures a universe for itself that is constantly evolving.

Ecological Healing: Healing the mind translates into ecological healing, vital to save the living planet and humanity. Environmental pollution and ecological disruption are the consequences of a polluted mind. Henryk Skolimowski’s theory of the Participatory Mind unfolds the magical potency of mind.

The mind mends and heals itself provided it is nurtured by right philosophy. The mind does not only mend and heal itself; it could contribute to heal the tormented planet as well. Skolimowski says, “The healing of the world -- and of ourselves within it -- and a new understanding of the universe are complementary aspects of the same process.”

Thus, the quality or virtues of the world we dwell in, and vice-versa. There is a wonderful unity and integrity in the cosmos. But we tend to divide and disintegrate it. Environmental disruption leading to environmental catastrophe is a stark example of this.

Our ordinary mind is responsible for this division and disintegration. Yet the mind could remould the universe and give it a new shape and structure, restoring to it its infinite beauty. The mind which could give new and the real meaning to the universe is the wonderful creation of the universe itself.

The key to our reconstruction of the universe is the mind. When we grasp the meaning and place of the mind in the cosmos, we shall be astonished to discover that other things are falling into their places much more readily than we expected. The Participatory Mind: Skolimowskian Philosophy of the Participatory Mind helps us realize the central role of the mind in designing new cosmologies, ontologies, and in determining social behaviour.

Mind is central to everything, every process and phenomenon. This world is also a product of the mind for it shapes the world we live in the way it likes.

Human beings tend to shift from a boring mode of living to one which is more interesting and life-enhancing. Intense will showing affinity to spirituality is growing, for this mode of living factors in the integrity and enhancement of individual beings and of society.

Spirituality also takes us closer to nature and inspires us to be devoted to the healing of self and nature. A Holistic View: Science is beginning to take this kind of holistic view, in recognition of the interconnected nature of existence. Physicists seek the unified theory. Medical sciences advocate yoga and meditation. Psychology now regards an individual human as being more than a ‘social animal’.

A new mind appears to be evolving caressed by the universe. This mind will help create a universe with a new world blossoming with happiness and fullness of life.

Author's Bio: 

VINOD K.ANAND: A BRIEF PROFILE

Born in 1939, and holding Master’s Degree both in Mathematics (1959) and Economics (1961), and Doctorate Degree in Economics (1970), Dr. Vinod K.Anand has about forty five years of teaching, research, and project work experience in Economic Theory (both micro and macro), Quantitative Economics, Public Economics, New Political Economy, and Development Economics with a special focus on economic and social provisions revolving around poverty, inequality, and unemployment issues, and also on informal sector studies. His last assignment was at the National University of Lesotho (Southern Africa) from 2006 to 2008. Prior to that he was placed as Professor and Head of the Department of Economics at the University of North-West in the Republic of South Africa, and University of Allahabad in India, Professor at the National University of Lesotho, Associate Professor at the University of Botswana, Gaborone in Botswana, and at Gezira University in Wad Medani, Sudan, Head, Department of Arts and Social Sciences, Yola in Nigeria, Principal Lecturer in Economics at Maiduguri University in Nigeria, and as Lecturer at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in Nigeria. Professor Anand has by now published more than 80 research papers in standard academic journals, authored 11 books, supervised a number of doctoral theses, was examiner for more than twenty Ph.D. theses, and has wide consultancy experience both in India and abroad, essentially in the African continent. This includes holding the position of Primary Researcher, Principal Consultant etc. in a number of Research Projects sponsored and funded by Universities, Governments, and International Bodies like, USAID, IDRC, and AERC. His publications include a variety of themes revolving around Economic Theory, New Political Economy, Quantitative Economics, Development Economics, and Informal Sector Studies. His consultancy assignments in India, Nigeria, Sudan, Botswana, and the Republic of South Africa include Non-Directory Enterprises in Allahabad, India, Small Scale Enterprises in the Northern States of Nigeria, The Absolute Poverty Line in Sudan, The Small Scale Enterprises in Wad Medani, Sudan, Micro and Small Scale Enterprises in Botswana, The Place of Non-Formal Micro-Enterprises in Botswana, Resettlement of a Squatter Community in the Vryburg District of North West Province in the Republic of South Africa, Trade and Investment Development Programme for Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises: Support for NTSIKA in the Republic of South Africa, and Development of the Manufacturing Sector in the Republic of South Africa’s North West Province: An Approach Based on Firm Level Surveys. Professor Anand has also extensively participated in a number of conferences, offered many seminars, participated in a number of workshops, and delivered a variety of Refresher Lectures at different venues both in India and abroad. Dr. Anand was placed at the prestigious Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS), Shimla in the State Himachal Pradesh, India as a Fellow from 2001 to 2003, and had completed a theoretical and qualitative research project/monograph on the Employment Profile of Micro Enterprises in the State of Himachal Pradseh, India.