On thoughts and actions

Q: How to distinguish the thoughts and actions of the mind, vital and physical? Are not the vital’s thoughts and actions derived from desire or ego?

Yes, from some vital movement. Vital thought expresses vital movements, the play of vital forces. It does not think freely and independently of them as the thinking mind can do. The true thinking mind can stand above the vital movements, watch and observe and judge them freely as it would observe and judge outside things. In most men however the thinking mind (reason) is invaded by the vital mind and not free.

Q: Does the thinking mind need some guidance in order to stand above the vital and watch and judge?

No. It can do it in its own right. It is its function to think, observe, discover and judge.

– Sri Aurobindo