Manas: Difference between revisions

From Theosophy Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
No edit summary
Line 1: Line 1:
'''Manas''' (devanāgarī: मनस्) is the [[Sanskrit]] word for "mind", from the root ''man'', "to think". In [[Hinduism]] it is the recording faculty that receives impressions gathered by the sense from the outside world, coordinating sensory impressions before they are presented to the higher faculty of [[buddhi]] (the "intellect" in [[Hinduism]]). Manas is one of the four parts of the [[antahkarana]] (the "internal organ"), the other three parts being [[buddhi]] (the intellect), [[citta]] (the memory) and [[ahamkāra]] (the ego).
'''Manas''' (devanāgarī: मनस्) is the [[Sanskrit]] word for "mind", from the root ''man'', "to think". In [[Hinduism]] it is the recording faculty that receives impressions gathered by the sense from the outside world, coordinating sensory impressions before they are presented to the higher faculty of [[buddhi]] (the "intellect" in [[Hinduism]]). Manas is one of the four parts of the [[antahkarana]] (the "internal organ"), the other three parts being [[buddhi]] (the intellect), [[citta]] (the memory) and [[ahamkāra]] (the ego).


In [[Theosophy]] manas is the [[fifth principle]] in human beings. It was defined by [[H. P. Blavatsky]] as follows:
In [[Theosophy]] manas is the [[fifth principle]] in human beings. It is the intellectual faculty that allows humans to think, remember, plan, etc. It is also the origin of self-consciousness. During life, this principle is regarded to have a dual nature. On one hand, it is the [[Ego#Higher ego|Higher Ego]], that is, the [[Soul#Human soul|human soul]] that [[Reincarnation|reincarnates]] in a body life after life. But once it is incarnated, it gives origin to the [[Ego#Lower ego|lower or personal ego]], that is, the feeling of "I am Mr. Smith" without reference to its true origin as a lasting soul.


<blockquote>'''Manas''' (Sk.). Lit., “the mind”, the mental faculty which makes of man an intelligent and moral being, and distinguishes him from the mere animal; a synonym of Mahat. Esoterically, however, it means, when unqualified, the Higher EGO, or the sentient reincarnating Principle in man. When qualified it is called by Theosophists Buddhi-Manas or the Spiritual Soul in contradistinction to its human reflection—Kâma-Manas.<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''The Theosophical Glossary'' (Krotona, CA: Theosophical Publishing House, 1973), 202.</ref></blockquote>
== General description ==
 
Manas is regarded as a dual principle in different ways. One of them, as [[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky|Mme. Blavatsky]] pointed out, is that this is both a [[principle]] and an entity:
 
<blockquote>'''Manas''' (Sk.). Lit., “the mind”, the mental faculty which makes of man an intelligent and moral being, and distinguishes him from the mere animal; a synonym of [[Mahat]]. [[Esotericism|Esoterically]], however, it means, when unqualified, the [[Ego#Higher ego|Higher EGO]], or the sentient [[Reincarnation|reincarnating]] Principle in man. When qualified it is called by [[Theosophy|Theosophists]] Buddhi-Manas or the [[Soul#Spiritual soul|Spiritual Soul]] in contradistinction to its human reflection—Kâma-Manas.<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''The Theosophical Glossary'' (Krotona, CA: Theosophical Publishing House, 1973), 202.</ref></blockquote>


== General description ==
In its original nature, i. e., on its own plane, manas is a spiritual entity with omniscience (higher mind) and a spiritual sense of I-ness (higher ego). However, when the moment for [[reincarnation|incarnation]] comes, manas sends a "ray" from itself to operate through the body, which gives origin to the conditioned faculty of thinking (lower manas) and the selfish sense of "I" (lower ego).
 
Some synonyms for higher manas are Higher Ego (or simply the Ego), Reincarnating Ego, Inner Man,<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''The Theosophical Glossary'' (Krotona, CA: Theosophical Publishing House, 1973), 156.</ref> Causal body,<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''Key to Theosophy'', (London: Theosophical Publishing House, 1987), 174.</ref> Karana Sharira, Nous, or Inner Self.<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''Key to Theosophy'', Section 10, (London: Theosophical Publishing House, 1987), ???.</ref> The higher manas is frequently said to be working in conjunction with [[buddhi]] as ''buddhi-manas''.
 
== The Principle of mind ==
 
=== Higher manas ===
 
=== Lower manas ===


=== Self-Consciousness ===
== Self-Consciousness ==


While [[Ātman|atman]] has been defined as "conscious non-consciousness"<ref>Michael Gomes (transcriber), ''The Secret Doctrine Commentaries'' (The Hague: I.S.I.S. foundation, 2010), 609-10.</ref> and [[Buddhi|buddhi]] as "universal consciousness"<ref>Michael Gomes (transcriber), ''The Secret Doctrine Commentaries'' (The Hague: I.S.I.S. foundation, 2010), 610.</ref>, manas is "the principle of self-consciousness, the 'I-am-I'".<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''Collected Writings'' vol. X (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1988), 249.</ref>
While [[Ātman|atman]] has been defined as "conscious non-consciousness"<ref>Michael Gomes (transcriber), ''The Secret Doctrine Commentaries'' (The Hague: I.S.I.S. foundation, 2010), 609-10.</ref> and [[Buddhi|buddhi]] as "universal consciousness"<ref>Michael Gomes (transcriber), ''The Secret Doctrine Commentaries'' (The Hague: I.S.I.S. foundation, 2010), 610.</ref>, manas is "the principle of self-consciousness, the 'I-am-I'".<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''Collected Writings'' vol. X (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1988), 249.</ref>
Line 14: Line 26:


<blockquote>Ego (Lat.) "I"; the consciousness in man of the "I am I," or the feeling of I-am-ship. [[Esoteric Philosophy|Esoteric philosophy]] teaches the existence of two Egos in man, the mortal or personal, and the higher, the divine or impersonal, calling the former [[Principle#Individuality and personality|"personality"]], and the latter [[Principle#Individuality and personality|"individuality"]].<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''The Theosophical Glossary'' (Krotona, CA: Theosophical Publishing House, 1973), 6.</ref></blockquote>
<blockquote>Ego (Lat.) "I"; the consciousness in man of the "I am I," or the feeling of I-am-ship. [[Esoteric Philosophy|Esoteric philosophy]] teaches the existence of two Egos in man, the mortal or personal, and the higher, the divine or impersonal, calling the former [[Principle#Individuality and personality|"personality"]], and the latter [[Principle#Individuality and personality|"individuality"]].<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''The Theosophical Glossary'' (Krotona, CA: Theosophical Publishing House, 1973), 6.</ref></blockquote>
=== Higher ego ===


The meaning of the word "ego" in [[Theosophy]] is not restricted to the one modern psychology gives. It is used to refer to the sense of "I-ness", which can be expressed in a personal and selfish way (in the lower manas), as well as in a spiritual and impersonal form (in the higher manas). In connection to the later, [[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky|Mme. Blavatsky]] wrote:
The meaning of the word "ego" in [[Theosophy]] is not restricted to the one modern psychology gives. It is used to refer to the sense of "I-ness", which can be expressed in a personal and selfish way (in the lower manas), as well as in a spiritual and impersonal form (in the higher manas). In connection to the later, [[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky|Mme. Blavatsky]] wrote:
Line 19: Line 33:
<blockquote>The human Ego is neither Ātma nor Buddhi, but the higher Manas: the intellectual fruition and the efflorescence of the intellectual self-conscious Egotism—in the higher spiritual sense.<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''The Secret Doctrine'' vol. II, (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), 79.</ref></blockquote>
<blockquote>The human Ego is neither Ātma nor Buddhi, but the higher Manas: the intellectual fruition and the efflorescence of the intellectual self-conscious Egotism—in the higher spiritual sense.<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''The Secret Doctrine'' vol. II, (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), 79.</ref></blockquote>


=== The "fifth principle" in The Mahatma Letters ===  
=== Lower ego ===
 
== The "fifth principle" in The Mahatma Letters ==


In [[The Mahatma Letters to A. P. Sinnett (book)|''The Mahatma Letters to A. P. Sinnett'']], especially those before the publication of the [[Esoteric Buddhism (book)|''Esoteric Buddhism'']], the phrase "fifth principle" often refers to the lower portion of manas rather than to the whole principle. This is because the [[Mahatmas]] were following [[Allan Octavian Hume]]'s classification published in the the October 1881 issue of [[The Theosophist (periodical)|''The Theosophist'']], where the author defines the fifth principle as "the animal or physical intelligence".
In [[The Mahatma Letters to A. P. Sinnett (book)|''The Mahatma Letters to A. P. Sinnett'']], especially those before the publication of the [[Esoteric Buddhism (book)|''Esoteric Buddhism'']], the phrase "fifth principle" often refers to the lower portion of manas rather than to the whole principle. This is because the [[Mahatmas]] were following [[Allan Octavian Hume]]'s classification published in the the October 1881 issue of [[The Theosophist (periodical)|''The Theosophist'']], where the author defines the fifth principle as "the animal or physical intelligence".
== Higher manas ==
Also called Higher Ego (or simply the Ego), Reincarnating Ego, Inner Man,<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''The Theosophical Glossary'' (Krotona, CA: Theosophical Publishing House, 1973), 156.</ref> Causal body,<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''Key to Theosophy'', (London: Theosophical Publishing House, 1987), 174.</ref> Karana Sharira, Nous, or Inner Self;<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''Key to Theosophy'', Section 10, (London: Theosophical Publishing House, 1987), ???.</ref> it is frequently said to be working in conjuction with [[Buddhi]] as ''buddhi-manas''.
== Lower manas ==


== Notes ==
== Notes ==

Revision as of 19:27, 21 October 2013

Manas (devanāgarī: मनस्) is the Sanskrit word for "mind", from the root man, "to think". In Hinduism it is the recording faculty that receives impressions gathered by the sense from the outside world, coordinating sensory impressions before they are presented to the higher faculty of buddhi (the "intellect" in Hinduism). Manas is one of the four parts of the antahkarana (the "internal organ"), the other three parts being buddhi (the intellect), citta (the memory) and ahamkāra (the ego).

In Theosophy manas is the fifth principle in human beings. It is the intellectual faculty that allows humans to think, remember, plan, etc. It is also the origin of self-consciousness. During life, this principle is regarded to have a dual nature. On one hand, it is the Higher Ego, that is, the human soul that reincarnates in a body life after life. But once it is incarnated, it gives origin to the lower or personal ego, that is, the feeling of "I am Mr. Smith" without reference to its true origin as a lasting soul.

General description

Manas is regarded as a dual principle in different ways. One of them, as Mme. Blavatsky pointed out, is that this is both a principle and an entity:

Manas (Sk.). Lit., “the mind”, the mental faculty which makes of man an intelligent and moral being, and distinguishes him from the mere animal; a synonym of Mahat. Esoterically, however, it means, when unqualified, the Higher EGO, or the sentient reincarnating Principle in man. When qualified it is called by Theosophists Buddhi-Manas or the Spiritual Soul in contradistinction to its human reflection—Kâma-Manas.[1]

In its original nature, i. e., on its own plane, manas is a spiritual entity with omniscience (higher mind) and a spiritual sense of I-ness (higher ego). However, when the moment for incarnation comes, manas sends a "ray" from itself to operate through the body, which gives origin to the conditioned faculty of thinking (lower manas) and the selfish sense of "I" (lower ego).

Some synonyms for higher manas are Higher Ego (or simply the Ego), Reincarnating Ego, Inner Man,[2] Causal body,[3] Karana Sharira, Nous, or Inner Self.[4] The higher manas is frequently said to be working in conjunction with buddhi as buddhi-manas.

The Principle of mind

Higher manas

Lower manas

Self-Consciousness

While atman has been defined as "conscious non-consciousness"[5] and buddhi as "universal consciousness"[6], manas is "the principle of self-consciousness, the 'I-am-I'".[7]

Because this principle is the origin of the sense of "I-ness", it is called the "Ego":

Ego (Lat.) "I"; the consciousness in man of the "I am I," or the feeling of I-am-ship. Esoteric philosophy teaches the existence of two Egos in man, the mortal or personal, and the higher, the divine or impersonal, calling the former "personality", and the latter "individuality".[8]

Higher ego

The meaning of the word "ego" in Theosophy is not restricted to the one modern psychology gives. It is used to refer to the sense of "I-ness", which can be expressed in a personal and selfish way (in the lower manas), as well as in a spiritual and impersonal form (in the higher manas). In connection to the later, Mme. Blavatsky wrote:

The human Ego is neither Ātma nor Buddhi, but the higher Manas: the intellectual fruition and the efflorescence of the intellectual self-conscious Egotism—in the higher spiritual sense.[9]

Lower ego

The "fifth principle" in The Mahatma Letters

In The Mahatma Letters to A. P. Sinnett, especially those before the publication of the Esoteric Buddhism, the phrase "fifth principle" often refers to the lower portion of manas rather than to the whole principle. This is because the Mahatmas were following Allan Octavian Hume's classification published in the the October 1881 issue of The Theosophist, where the author defines the fifth principle as "the animal or physical intelligence".

Notes

  1. ↑ Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, The Theosophical Glossary (Krotona, CA: Theosophical Publishing House, 1973), 202.
  2. ↑ Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, The Theosophical Glossary (Krotona, CA: Theosophical Publishing House, 1973), 156.
  3. ↑ Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, Key to Theosophy, (London: Theosophical Publishing House, 1987), 174.
  4. ↑ Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, Key to Theosophy, Section 10, (London: Theosophical Publishing House, 1987), ???.
  5. ↑ Michael Gomes (transcriber), The Secret Doctrine Commentaries (The Hague: I.S.I.S. foundation, 2010), 609-10.
  6. ↑ Michael Gomes (transcriber), The Secret Doctrine Commentaries (The Hague: I.S.I.S. foundation, 2010), 610.
  7. ↑ Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, Collected Writings vol. X (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1988), 249.
  8. ↑ Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, The Theosophical Glossary (Krotona, CA: Theosophical Publishing House, 1973), 6.
  9. ↑ Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, The Secret Doctrine vol. II, (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), 79.

Online resources

Articles

Audio

Video

Retrieved from "https://theosophy.wiki/w-en/index.php?title=Manas&oldid=8210"