Where Is My Mind?

Where is my mind?

Such a great

Pixies tune.

But, wait. For real, where is my mind? Is it in my head?

Do you think your mind in your head?

Do you feel like it is?

Let's explore this intriguing concept of mind further. This should be fun!

First off, what is the definition of mind?

MIND

noun: (in a human or other conscious being) the element, part, substance, or process that reasons, thinks, feels, wills, perceives, judges, etc. the processes of the human mind.

Psychology: the totality of conscious and unconscious mental processes and activities.

verb: (used with object) to pay attention to; to heed or obey.

ORIGIN OF MIND:

before 900; (noun) Middle English, Old English; memory, remembrance, mind; mind, Greek manía madness.

Well, that's super interesting. I guess my mind isn't in my head after all. I know I have a brain in there, but that's a blob of twisted gray goo floating around inside my bone skull. We all have brains. But our minds are very different.

So, what is MIND?

We've read the definition, and yet it's hard to pin down what mind is exactly. It appears to have more of a metaphorical existence, opposed to a physical one.

When you die, your brain matter will decay. The cells that contain your most intimate thoughts will go through the process of entropy, along with the rest of your remains, and the energy they contain will be transformed; buried to become earth or oxidized by fire into air- however you prefer. I like the idea of settling down as a tree when it's time for me to go. (info on tree burial)

Either way, your form is gone. End game.

But, is it end game?

Is your mind gone too?

Again, we need to decide what mind is, before we can determine if it goes anyplace. Let's consider the definition as a noun, and pick it apart.

Mind: (noun) the element, part, substance, or process that reasons, thinks, feels, wills, perceives, judges, etc. the processes of the human mind.

The word "element" is used in science to describe energy particles that can't be broken down into smaller bits. Digging deeper into the core of what the definition of element is we find:

Element: (noun): A component or constituent of a whole or one of the parts into which a whole may be resolved by analysis.

Chemistry. one of a class of substances that cannot be separated into simpler substances by chemical means.

a natural habitat, sphere of activity, environment, etc.:to be in one's element; Water is the element of fish.

elements,

atmospheric agencies or forces; weather.
the rudimentary principles of an art, science, etc.

Any group of people singled out within a larger group by identifiable behavior patterns, common interests, ethnic similarities, etc.

One of the substances, usually earth, water, air, and fire, formerly regarded as constituting the material universe.

Mathematics

an infinitesimal part of a given quantity, similar in nature to it.
an entity that satisfies all the conditions of belonging to a given set.

Geometry. one of the points, lines, planes, or other geometrical forms, of which a figure is composed.

Astronomy. any of the data required to define the precise nature of an orbit and to determine the position of a planet in the orbit at any given time.

Electricity. an electric device with terminals for connection to other electrical devices.

Radio. one of the electrodes in a vacuum tube.

Astrology. any of the four triplicity groupings of signs: fire, earth, air, or water.

Optics. any of the lenses or other components constituting an optical system.

Grammar. any word, part of a word, or group of words that recurs in various contexts in a language with relatively constant meaning.

Digital Technology. the start and end tags in an electronic document or web page, along with the text or other content between these tags.

Oh, okay, wow. That's a lot of information.

Let's see if we can simplify this definition. What is the root of the word element?

ORIGIN OF ELEMENT

1250–1300; Middle English (< Anglo-French) < Latin elementum one of the four elements, letter of the alphabet, first principle, rudiment

Ah, it's rudimentary. So, an element is a first appearance or imperfect form of something- a beginning.

Is that in line with the various definitions listed for element?

Well, they all seem to point to an element being the smallest part of a whole, which contains the whole within itself.

And, it is true that every beginning is born with an end.

Alright. Now we're getting somewhere.

MIND is the element (or the smallest part of a whole, which contains the whole within itself) that thinks, feels, judges, etc.

Uh- okay. It seems like there's a lot more to mind than blobby gray proteins clumped together in a person's head.

But those blobby gray proteins are the truth in matter. There are brains in my head, your head, and every persons.

Wait. What is the definition of brain? Let's find out.

Brain: (noun)

Anatomy, Zoology. the part of the central nervous system enclosed in the cranium of humans and other vertebrates, consisting of a soft, convoluted mass of gray and white matter and serving to control and coordinate the mental and physical actions.

Zoology. (in many invertebrates) a part of the nervous system more or less corresponding to the brain of vertebrates. understanding; intellectual power; intelligence. the brain as the center of thought, understanding, etc.

To sum up, we've deduced that mind is a whole in a bit, which thinks and feels. A wave or frequency seems like the best way to wrap a description around it- you could call it a vibrational essence.

The brain is clearly a system designed to process information sent by this frequency of mind- sort of like a radio tuner.

We've learned that mind and brain have separate functions, but need each other to fulfill their purpose.

Which is what, you ask?

It would appear their purpose is to serve up sensational experiences, so we can learn through our unique perspectives- all in a bit; mind in a brain.

Just as the song you love listening to on spotify isn't your device, the data rippling through your mind isn't your brain.

My brain is definitely in my head, and it's playing good vibes.

But, where is my mind?

Where is yours?

Think about it.