The Physical Mind and the Power of Doubt

The physical mind, which responds to the exte
al objects of the senses and the impact of those exte
al objects, has strict limits within which it can either perceive or understand what it is perceiving. The reality of our existence, however, reaches far beyond the boundaries of response that bracket the action of the physical mind. Due to its nature and limitations, the physical mind responds with doubt and skepticism to anything that falls outside its range. Doubt is the recognition of the physical mind operating in a field of ignorance seeking for knowledge, rather than a state of knowledge which is self evident.

When confronted with anything that purports to represent powers, beings, actions or forces that arise outside its range, the physical mind throws up its doubts. This is to some degree a protective measure to ensure that it does not simply grasp for and accept any notion that arises, no matter whether grounded in reality or not.

The power of doubt, however, can also be an obstacle to growth of consciousness and any transformative change to human nature. At some point, the spiritual aspirant is confronted with the resistance put up by the physical mind in the form of doubt and, at that point, needs to find a way to bring the physical mind along on the path. This physical mind is not amenable to pressure or persuasion about things outside its realm. At some point, it needs to be able to conclude that other powers of consciousness are capable of understanding these things and find a way to accept their guidance. The main issue for the spiritual aspirant is to not become enmeshed in the doubts thrown up by the physical mind.

The Mother writes: “One of the chief functions of the physical mind is to doubt. If you listen to it, it will always find a thousand reasons for doubting. But you must know that the physical mind is working in ignorance and full of falsehoods.”

Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, Our Many Selves: Practical Yogic Psychology, Chapter 2, Planes and Parts of the Being, pg. 48