Page 5 - THE ORACLE MAGAZINE SUMMER'23 EDITION

Questioning everything you meet in life
Not taking anything for granted, only accepting
that which admits to logic or reason.
Self-reflection
A profound feature of the intellect is that, with sufficient
effort, you can grow your intellect, which will help you
win the everyday battles between the mind and the
intellect. This can be achieved by:
1.
2.
3.
To apply this advice in daily life, you can try to actively
seek out different perspectives and opinions, engage in
critical thinking, and continually challenge your
assumptions and beliefs. For instance, you can make a
habit of questioning the source and accuracy of the
information you come across, analyzing arguments and
evidence presented to you, and considering alternative
explanations. Self-reflection or introspection is highly
valued in Indian philosophies. By reflecting on one's
thoughts, actions, and motivations, individuals can gain
greater insight into their own nature and develop a
deeper understanding of themselves and the world
around them. Just like physical exercise strengthens an
individual's body, the constant practice of thinking and
reasoning will strengthen your intellect.
But how can this knowledge be utilized, so that you can
live a more happy and fulfilling life? Well let's look at
what happens when the mind is not governed by the
intellect: the mind is constituted of likes and dislikes and
because of this people tend to avoid what they dislike, as
a result of this people chase instant gratification only for
their lives to end in bitterness. If you only enjoy the
weekends, you end up living 70% of your life frustrated.
Furthermore, if it were up to the mind it would spend all
of its time in constant flux between the past and the
future, worries and anxiety. Ultimately if the mind is not
governed by the intellect, life turns sour and miserable
quickly.
Now let's look at what happens when the intellect is
stronger than the mind. In 1993, Aron Ralston was hiking
alone in a remote canyon in Utah when a boulder fell and
pinned his right hand against the canyon wall, trapping
him for five days without food or water. He eventually
realized that the only way he could free himself was by
amputating his arm with a dull multi-tool knife.
Despite the excruciating pain and his physical
limitations, Ralston relied on his intellect to survive. He
maintained a positive attitude throughout his ordeal,
refusing to give up or dwell on self-pity. After he finally
freed himself and hiked back to civilization, Ralston's
experience transformed him, giving him a new
appreciation for life and a sense of purpose.
He became an advocate for outdoor safety and a
motivational speaker, sharing his story with others and
inspiring them to overcome their own challenges with
courage and resilience.
Ralston's story is a testament to the power of the human
intellect to triumph over adversity. Even in the most dire
circumstances, we can think and reason, make tough
decisions, and take action to save ourselves and others.
And by doing so, we can discover our strength and
courage to live a more meaningful and fulfilling life.
This showcases how the power of reason can help us
make difficult decisions and stay true to our principles,
even during tough times.
In conclusion, understanding the difference between the
mind and the intellect can have a profound impact on our
daily lives. By using our intellect to guide our actions, we
can make better choices that align with our values and
goals, even in the face of instant gratification. It is
essential to exercise and strengthen our intellect
through critical thinking, questioning everything, and
self-reflection. When we allow our intellect to govern our
minds, we can live a more fulfilling and purposeful life. As
demonstrated by Aron Ralston's story, the power of
reason can help us overcome even the most difficult
circumstances and inspire us to be our best selves. So let
us strive to nurture our intellect so that we can live a
happier, more meaningful life and reach our ultimate
desired destination.
“Do not lose the treasure of your Self
for the pleasure of the senses
”
- A. Parthasarathy
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THE ORACLE MAGAZINE