by Harnaak Singh       (170322)

Gur Sikh Jio. Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh.

MIND – MIND AND TRAITS

We have learned about the six faculties of the MIND and delved into the interaction of the faculties in Part 13.  Part 14 looked further into the faculty of intuition.  The faculty of intuition being the seed of innovation is very important and without which we might still be living in caves.

Intuition is a very important faculty.  We have noted that when the REASONING faculty has failed to provide a solution to a task, INTUITION may provide a solution.  INTUITION can be developed and it is to our advantage to develop this faculty.  

INTUITION and SHARDA are synonymous.  One must have SHARDA in the HIGHER CONSCIOUSNESS only then will the intuitive power flow.  The consequence of the scenario if we are void of both SHARDA and INTUITION is reflected in the next paragraph.

WE WILL BECOME SPIRITUALLY LAME AS WELL AS INTUITIVELY BLIND. Innovation by our children will be a THING OF THE PAST. They will become like ROBOTS operating solely in control of LOGIC/ REASONING and CRITICAL THINKING.

We will stop here for the moment on INTUITION and look at TRAITS.  We will revert to INTUITION as we progress.

Why do we need to study TRAITS?  The word TRAIT means “distinguishing quality or characteristic of a person”.  Our personality is made up of TRAITS.  TRAITS are our actions, our attitudes and the behaviours we possess.  Essentially our RELATIONSHIP and INTERACTION with the CREATION is determined by our TRAITS and hence our success/failure as a part of the CREATION.  Further, this INTERACTION, which is dependent on the workings of our faculties, is executed by the MIND. Within ourselves the MIND also impacts our state of wellbeing and happiness.  So, in a way, TRAITS do impact our wellbeing and happiness.  These are the reasons why it is important to get a grasp of TRAITS.

Though it is possible to come up with a very long list of TRAITS, we will just consider some.  Examples of TRAITS are honesty, patience, politeness, courage, conscientious, fair, fearless, dependable, sensitive, warmth, focused… .  These are generally the POSITIVE TRAITS.  Examples of NEGATIVE TRAITS are dishonesty, lazy, sarcastic, arrogant, rude, quarrelsome, self-centered …. .   

The root cause of our TRAITS can be classed into the 10 core groups as follows:

Truth ਸਤ, Contentment ਸੰਤੋਖ, Compassion ਦਯਾ, Righteousness ਧਰਮ, patience ਧੀਰਜ, Lust ਕਾਮ, Anger ਕਰੋਧ, Greed ਲੋਭ, Attachment ਮੋਹ, Ego ਹੰਕਾਰ.  It is pointed out that these groups are as espoused by the Sikh Gurus.  Note that TRAITS may be grouped differently depending on the perspective (e.g. faith, science, psychology etc) the traits are viewed from.  Whatever the grouping or the perspective, the core message, pertaining to our TRAITS is the same. 

As an example consider one who practices truth.  This person will not be dishonest or lie or end up, combined with anger, quarrelling.  As another example one who is greedy is self-centered and will lie and be dishonest to satisfy the greed.

Further it can be taken that the latter five traits or characteristics (Lust ਕਾਮ, Anger ਕਰੋਧ, Greed ਲੋਭ, Attachment ਮੋਹ, Ego ਹੰਕਾਰ) are instinctive, meaning that we naturally and easily succumb to these (though this is debatable we shall take it to mean so, for the purposes of this learning quest: Reference: How hardwired is human behaviour, Harvard Business Review July 1998).  These instinctive traits are by far the most powerful and can wipe out any other traits.  We must be constantly aware of the power of these instinctive traits, which can cause massive destruction if not checked.

The other five (Truth ਸਤ, Contentment ਸੰਤੋਖ, Compassion ਦਯਾ, Righteousness ਧਰਮ, patience ਧੀਰਜ) are acquired through our learning.

Thank You for listening and reading.  ਗਲਤੀਆਂ ਦੀ ਖਿਮਾ.

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh.

170322 Logic Resasoning Gurbani Part 15