The mind exists at the junction between the body and the soul, as such the mind is affected by both. Spirituality acts especially on the part of the mind that links with the soul — it purges the mind of the deep-rooted impurities that are the fundamental causes of mental dysfunction.  

The part of the mind that links with the body can be affected by bodily damage, especially brain damage. In concept, the mind and the brain can be clearly differentiated: the mind is a part of the subtle interface between the soul and the body, whereas the brain is an organ in the physical body. In functioning however, the difference between the two can be difficult to discern. Thus, chemical imbalance in the brain or physical injury to it may cause changes in perception or behavior that are often diagnosed as mental health problems. 

Just as we wouldn’t expect our spiritual practices to fix a fracture or to cure indigestion, we needn’t expect those practices to repair the brain’s structure or restore its chemical balance. After all, the mind is a distinct material element, as are other elements that comprise the body (Bhagavad-gita 07.04). Therefore, we may need to address such mental health problems by appropriate psychiatric medication.

Having said that, most of us will frequently find that spiritual practices do calm the mind. But in those specific situations when some of us seem to be facing serious mental health problems, we needn’t put spirituality and mental health care in an unnecessary and counterproductive competition. Understanding that both the body and the mind are vital instruments for the soul to do anything, including practice spirituality, we can do the needful to make those instruments as soundly functional as possible. 

One-sentence summary:

Fundamentally, spiritual growth cleanses the mind of its root causes of dysfunction; functionally, appropriate mental health care may be needed to ensure that the mind acts as a competent instrument for spiritual growth.

Think it over:

  • How does spiritual growth address mental health? 
  • Why can’t we expect spiritual practices to cure all mental health problems?
  • When may spiritual practitioners need mental health care?

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07.04: Earth, water, fire, air, ether, mind, intelligence and false ego – all together these eight constitute My separated material energies.

To know more about this verse, please click on the image