The mind speaks with words:
The mind is often associated with rational and logical thinking. Words are the tools the mind uses to structure thoughts, create ideas, and communicate with others. Mental thinking is dominated by language, and words play a central role in organizing and processing information. The mind analyzes, labels, and interprets experiences through a cognitive filter, so everything is "translated" into words and concepts.
For example, when you reflect on a situation, your mind may provide you with a narrative or internal dialogue about that experience. You may ask yourself questions, analyze your options, or think about a speech you need to give. In this case, words are what structure your reasoning and understanding of the situation.
Consciousness speaks with understanding, with senses:
Consciousness, on the other hand, refers to that state of "being present" and experiencing reality directly and unfiltered by the rational judgments of the mind. Consciousness doesn’t use words to understand the world; it relies on the senses and an intuitive or tacit understanding of what is. It is tied to immediate perception and the direct experience of the moment.
For instance, when you're in a forest, feeling the wind on your face, the scent of wet earth, and the sound of rustling leaves, these senses provide you with a direct, unmediated experience of reality, without needing to put it into words. Consciousness is the state that "feels" things before analyzing them rationally. You can understand the subtleties of a situation or a person’s state through an "inner sensing," rather than through a logical analysis.
The essential difference:
The mind, with the help of words, creates a distance between you and the surrounding world, turning every experience into a concept or mental interpretation. Consciousness, however, connects you directly with reality, without passing through the filter of linguistic interpretation. When we are "present," our consciousness opens up to our senses and a deeper, more intuitive understanding, which is not based on words but on direct perception.
Interaction between the mind and consciousness:
Although the mind and consciousness function differently, they are interdependent. Consciousness can influence mental thinking, providing an intuitive understanding for what the mind will analyze, while the mind can add clarity or structure to the direct experiences of consciousness. When the mind and consciousness are in harmony, there is a fluidity between thinking and feeling, between analysis and living, leading to a more complete understanding of reality.
For example, when someone meditates, the mind may quiet down, allowing consciousness to experience the world from a place of deep feeling. In this moment, understanding is no longer tied to words but to a state of authentic, present "being."
Conclusion:
The mind and consciousness are two fundamental aspects of human experience that interact in a subtle and profound way. The mind "speaks" with words, offering analyses and reasoning, while consciousness "speaks" with senses and intuitive understanding, being directly connected to the present reality. By becoming aware of this difference, we can learn to navigate between thinking and feeling, between analysis and living, creating a more balanced and authentic life.