The Mind

His Holiness Pope Shenouda discusses the nature of the human mind: he affirms that man is a rational creature but this mind is not uniform or infallible — it varies in capacities and is affected by many external and internal factors.

Types and components of the mind

The Pope requests differentiation between types of mind (very intelligent, average, weak) and between its elements: understanding, inference, memory (its kinds: accumulative, rote, organized, photographic), and levels of thinking (superficial/deep).

External and internal influences

He explains that the mind is affected by ignorance, doubt, news and rumors, the media, and by group environments, and by “brainwashing” that gradually changes thinking. Family and social influences also intervene in directing thought.

Emotions, temperament, and habits versus the mind

He shows that emotion, temperament or habit may lead the mind: fear paralyzes thinking, lusts and revenge constrain the mind, and habit can take away mental decision-making if the mind is not used to escape it.

Role of conscience, spirit and faith

He emphasizes that a sound mind is one guided spiritually — by virtue, the work of the Holy Spirit, and a good conscience; the mind independent of God may err despite its scientific intelligence.

Mind in practical life

He warns about the need to control the nerves and be vigilant so that emotion does not seize judgment, and about the value of slowing down thought and being cautious with news, and the importance of seeking wisdom from the wise rather than accepting statements without scrutiny.

The ideal mind

He presents the ideal mind: a balanced understanding (fast or slow), combining intelligence, spirituality and insight; it governs the passions rather than being governed by them, and accepts miracles as a level that may surpass understanding rather than contradict it.

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