The three minds

There are three types of minds: the carrying mind, universal mind and joyful mind. The carrying mind operates within time and space in the world. It has everything in it, including our samskaras. It is always heavy and plays havoc with our bodies, is conflict-ridden and full of anxieties. It is an aspiring mind that constantly strives to become this or that.

The universal mind is beyond duality, time and space. It represents oneness. Advaitic in spirit, it is devoid of all that is associated with the carrying mind. Subtle and filled with compassion, the universal mind symbolises peace and unending joy.

A joyful mind is derived from the universal mind. Where there is a universal mind, there is joyful mind. When we are filled with compassion, we are in a joyous state. It is a blissful state one experiences as one begins to constantly live in the universal mind. The universal mind and joyful mind are inverse and obverse of the same coin. They are not two unidentical entities.


The problem is with our carrying mind. We cannot live without it; we need it for survival and material progress. However, we can strive towards realising the universal mind, which is filled with compassion, to maintain ecological balance and attain inner peace and happiness. A moment-to-moment comprehension of the carrying mind and transcending it to achieve peace and harmony are imperative to gaining the joyous mind.