Where is the mind?

Question

You might say "it's in my head." That is common for people to assume this.

But really, how do you know that is true?

Although the brain itself is within the skull, that does not mean that the mind is. The mind is impalpable.

So, where is it? Is there an actual physical location of the mind itself?

If you think that the mind is within your physical head, that is an acceptable response. But please elaborate on your reasoning behind that assumption.

Answer 1

To say that your mind resides only within your head seems... not quite right to me. If what you describe as your mind is something that is separate, yet somehow connected to your physical body, then perhaps it resides in your entirety. But of course, that doesn't make it exclusive to your body internally.

Perhaps it is just in your head by your brain... kind of plugged in.

Answer 2

If the mind arises as a result of biological function only then it would be reasonable to conclude that it is located within the head and therein self contained but if there are as of yet undetermined factors that lend to the creation of the mind, like for instance a soul, then one must also incorporate this into the formula, also the mind exist outside physical reality in the realm of thought the mind can be said to reside here also but if thought is simply a manifestation of biological processes then it would not be unreasonable to say that the mind is located within the head of the body that lives.
The mind exists within itself, you must have a mind in order to contemplate where or what it might be.

Answer 3

Indians say the mind is in the heart, Westerners say the mind is in the head. Consciousness can be seen as an attribute of the soul, which is said to reside in the heart, so maybe the Indians are right. However the chakra that relates to thought is in the third eye, which is in the head, so maybe the westerners are right.
Maybe the apparent contradiction is because of the terminology being used. Maybe they're both right. Thought can be in the mind and the spirit can be in the heart.

Answer 4

Well, actually, it all depends what we call "mind" out thoughts, emotions, etc all stem from the brain and are nothing more than a series of electrical reactions. Even feeling is not felt by the hands it is "felt" by the brain and signals are sent to the hands or hand that is in contact with something. We think the feeling comes from our hand ( or whatever body part ) but realistically, its nothing more than signals to and from the brain. If you numb the brain, you numb the pain, etc.

The Spirt though is also refered to as the "Mind" (moreso by people who do not believe in the Spirit) and that is more probable to be a collective energy field. Shockras help us see energy levels in various places through out the body. Or the Spirit is possible far outside the body, but connected to it through a certain unique frequency. We download the info much like a TV antenna.

Answer 5

I do like your question it is a very good one.
I think that the mind is within your head. When I sit on the beach in solitude my thoughts flow from with in me and go out. I write some down on paper.But the environment that we are in has an outside influence on our thoughts, which could be seen as thoughts coming in.Simple answer very good question

Answer 6

Inside you but not in any particular physical location. A rose has it's own aroma. It was part of the flower but it also surrounds it. It is invisible and intangible to the naked eye. The mind exists similarly like that to the body.

Answer 7

No metaphysical problem is more vigorously
discussed by the present day psychologists than
that of mind and body. Most of us assume that all
thinking takes place in the brain. It is only
since a few decades that psychologists are
treating body and mind as one unit called
psycho-somatic system. This led to the development
of new subjects like Psycho-biology and
Psycho-neuro-immunology. Modern medicine has
recognized the brain-spine system as one unit, but
it does not assign thinking functions to any part
of the spine. It is now known that even when a
considerable amount of brain is removed through
surgery, a person can still have reasonable mental
abilities and can lead a near normal life. Modern
research found that one region in brain can
perform several tasks and so can compensate for
the loss of damage of another region. On the
contrary, surgical removal of some 'safe' parts
from womb of women is known to cause problems of
mind like dementia. Then, what are the components
of mind and where are they located?

Indians put their hand on the chest when they say
"I am saying this from the depths of my Manas".
Manas (rational mind) is a common word used in
India, and no one shows his head when he uses that
word. The Europeans have an esoteric tradition
that mind exists independently of the physical
brain, and thoughts become known to a person
through the brain [1]. During the 1970s,
neurologists became increasingly dissatisfied with
the epiphenomenalism [2] theories of mind and
brain. More scientists came to suspect that mind
and brain were different in a kind and could
interact.

Carl Jung distinguished persons according to four
primary functions of mind - thinking, feeling,
sensation, and intuition - one or more of which
predominated in any given person. According to
ancient Hindu scriptures, the various components
(or faculties) of mind are [3,4]:

Ahamkaara (Self-sense): The need that "I have to
survive" originates here. The sense of smell is
connected with this center. It has the lowest
vibration of energy among the components of mind.
Some of the traits of this center are similar to
the influences of planet Saturn according to
astrology. This center works dominantly on
Saturday.

Chitta (Emotion): It deals with the particular.
Subconscious instincts like "I am hungry", "I am
thirsty", and "I have to sleep" originate here.
This center is connected with emotional thoughts
like fantasies, artistic inspiration, and
biological needs. The sense of taste is connected
with this center. It has higher vibration of
energy than Ahamkaara. Some of the traits of this
center are similar to the influences of planet
Venus according to astrology. This center works
dominantly on Friday.

Manas (Reason): It deals with the general. Manas
is connected with rational thinking, and mental
interaction with others. Conscious thoughts of
will-power like "I have to do this", "I do not
want to do this", "I can not tolerate this"
originate here. We know that a person always shows
his chest, and never shows his head, when he
utters such expressions. This center is connected
with traditions and social needs. Manas lists out
the applicable pros and cons of the subject under
consideration, and suggests the practicable
possibilities. The sense of touch is connected
with this center. It has higher vibration of
energy than Chitta center. Some of the traits of
this center are similar to the influences of
planet Mercury according to astrology. This center
works dominantly on Wednesday.

Buddhi (Intellect): It deals with deliberation of
the pros and cons using discrimination to
determine on a subject [5,6]. This center gives
out the judgment after considering what is
emotional and what is rational. Buddhi deals with
a person's normal abilities . Thoughts like "I do
not have enough resources (or energy) to handle
this situation", " This is something not known to
me before, but I can manage it", and "I can do it,
but I have to think again whether I should do it"
originate here. This center has the ability to
balance and control other parts of mind. The sense
of seeing is connected with this center. It has
higher vibration of energy than Manas center. The
traits of this center are similar to the
influences of planet Jupiter according to
astrology. This center works dominantly on
Thursday.

Jnaata (Knowing): It deals with a person's
extra-ordinary abilities. Instability and
restlessness are its characteristics. Commands for
doing physical actions are given by this center.
The sense of hearing is connected with this
center. It has higher vibration of energy than
Buddhi center. The traits of this center are
similar to the influences of planet Mars according
to astrology. This center works dominantly on
Tuesday. It is known to many that more quarrels
are likely to take place on Tuesday than any other
day of the week.

Jnana (Knowledge): Modern medicine knows that
direct stimulation of the surface of the brain
(the cortex), while the patient is conscious on
the operating table during surgery, has the effect
of bringing long forgotten experiences back to
awareness. Removal of specific parts of the brain
abolishes the retention of specific experiences in
memory. The pineal gland in the brain is the seat
of Jnaana center which controls memory and
knowledge. It is the seat of personality with
which a person is born. Stability and peace are
its characteristics. The sixth sense is connected
with this center. It has higher vibration of
energy than Jnaata center. The traits of this
center are similar to the influences of planet
Moon according to astrology. Jnaana center works
dominantly on Monday. This center is connected
with beginnings. Most cultures consider that the
beginning day for a week long work is Monday. It
is a fact that most cultures named days of the
week after the same planets. When the memory and
knowledge stored at this center is searched during
information processing, the common man assumes
that the thinking process is taking place in the
brain.

The centers of these parts of the mind are located
on the spine. The Ahamkaara center is located at
the base of the spine. The Chitta center is
located behind the private organ. The Manas center
is located behind the thymus gland. The Buddhi
center is located behind the navel. One writer
located Buddhic plane [2] in the fourth chakra.
The Jnaata center is located behind the throat. In
the study of army veterans with spinal-cord
injuries, researchers found that they can become
emotional but they do not feel it - they do not
have the bodily heat that they used to have before
the injuries.

[1] The Hutchinson Encyclopedia, The topic on
"mind", Computer CD Version, 2002.

[2] Donald Watson, A Dictionary of Mind and
Spirit, Andre Deutsch Ltd., London, 1991.

[3] P. Sesha Chalam, Parama Pada Margamu,
N.V.Gopal & co., Madras, 1982, p. 21.

[4] Mallaadi Venkata Daasu, Sri Rama Guru
Boedhaamruta Sara, N.V.Gopal & co., Madras, 1981,
p. 26.

[5] Swami Harshananda, A Dictionary of Advaita
Vedanta, Ramakrishna Math, Bangalore, 2000, p. 32.

[6] Swami Nikhilananda, Vedanta Sara of Sadananda,
Advaita Ashrama, Kolkota, 2002, p. 46.

Answer 8

For some people it is definitely in their head, for some people it is between their legs (like my husband) but then there are the "OTHERS" and god only knows where theirs is if it exists at all.

Answer 9

Everyones mind, is where their minds think they are.

My mind thinks that it is thoughts in my brain. It thinks it's bourne of thoughts, not of matter.

It needs the brains matter to produce the thoughts - but that the thoughts themselves, are the mind.

Answer 10

the mind is where the heart is, ponder this awhile