> Dear All,
>
> Is the mind pure and stainless and does our mind remain unaffected
> by food and
> outside impulses ? ( Though a lot of discussion has already taken
> place on 'mind
> and food', this topic is a bit different.)
>
> Or is purity of mind is actually a state which is the aim/ the ideal
> state to be achieved? Not an existing reality.
>
> I know the Soul ( Atma) is always pure and stainless, but mind ?


dear Yashendra

it would be helpful in the interest of intelligent debate to make
sure your quotes are accurate, so that misunderstandings don't occur
and are not tirelessly perpetuated

as per your question:

> Is the mind pure and stainless and does our mind remain unaffected
> by food and
> outside impulses ?

my original statement was:

> "the true mind is pure, unstainless, and beyond the
> limitations of body - this mind is sattva"

as you can see, what you neglected to add in your post is the word
"true" mind, not just "the" mind, which hopefully you will allow are
two separate things

mind is chitta, from the root "chit" to be aware, and represents the
total field of consciousness, comprised of buddhi (higher intellect),
ahamkara (self-identification)

all intelligence/wisdom arises from buddhi, but what we understand or
ascertain by buddhi is conditioned by ahamkara, which confuses object
(i.e. corporeal reality) with subject (purusha) - as a result, manas
or "lower mind" is formed, which coordinates an awareness that is
derived from our sensate interaction with corporeal phenomena

whether it is ashtanga yoga or buddhism or another path, a common
thread to liberation/moksha/nirvana involves restraint of the senses
(to control manas), non-attachment (to control ahamkara), and the
development of absolute equinamity (to foster buddhi)

as per patanjali

"smrtiparishuddha svarupashunyevarthamatranirbhasa nirvitrka" (1:43)
when the mind is focused on the object of meditation, the ideas and
memories of the past (the conditioned existence of ahamkara)
gradually fade, leaving nothing but pure perception

"tasyapi nirodhe sarvanirodhannairbijah samadhih" (1:51)
in this state, the mind is free of any impression - open, clear and
transparent (stainless)

Todd Caldecott
todd (AT) toddcaldecott (DOT) com
www.toddcaldecott.com