How can LIFE be defined? Can we say - LIFE is the time between the birth and death of a BEING? If so then the existence of a BEING is TIME-bound.

The BEING comes into existence inside a mother’s womb, where it is developed and groomed. The first to be developed is the BODY. A seed is sown and it develops into a BODY. The brain being the most vital part, governs all the required functions within the BODY. At this stage the baby is not aware of it’s own existence. There is no thought process going on, which is the only activity of the MIND. This means, in this phase the MIND is inactive. Even in the absence of MIND, the BODY functions normally.

At a later stage the MIND becomes active and takes over the functioning of the BODY or rather the BODY and MIND work in coordinated way. But the fact that the BODY can function in the absence of MIND suggests that the BODY is independent of the MIND’s activity. In a state where the BEING is in Coma or in Deep Sleep, the MIND is inactive. The thought process comes to a standstill, yet the BEING is alive. So the MIND is not responsible for LIFE.

As for the BODY, there are cases where the BEING survives even when the major part of the BODY is damaged or cut off. So the BODY comprising of the various parts, is not a necessity for LIFE. A Being can survive in the absence of one or two BODY parts. In case of a normal death, most functions of the BODY work normally to an extent they are used on another living being. Which suggests that the BODY survives for some time even after the BEING is Dead. Hence the BODY too does not constitute LIFE.

If the MIND and the BODY individually or together do not represent LIFE then what is LIFE? Is LIFE an element that exists beyond the dimensions of the BODY-MIND construct? If LIFE is not the BODY-MIND construct then, is it justifiable to refer the BODY-MIND construct as a Living being?

If we assume the creation, existence and destruction of the BODY-MIND construct as LIFE, we create a concept that a BEING can be born and can die. The BODY-MIND construct undergoes creation, existence and destruction and hence has a beginning and an end.

We cannot deny that the birth and death happens to the BODY-MIND construct, which in any way, do not represent LIFE. So the birth of a BEING doesn’t mean the beginning of LIFE and the death of the BEING doesn’t mean the end of LIFE.

The beginning and the ending constitute a span in between the two, which is referred to as TIME. But TIME is merely an imaginary concept. Like the latitudes and longitudes on the planet earth, TIME was devised for the better understanding by the MIND. It doesn’t have any existence in reality. There is no day, month or year happening in reality. The sun rises and set in succession and that is the only reality.

The creation and destruction of a BODY-MIND element called BEING is merely a happening within the realm of LIFE. LIFE then is beyond the framework of the BODY-MIND construct. And since TIME is a MIND-woven concept, LIFE is beyond TIME. Which means, LIFE that makes the BODY-MIND construct come alive is beginning-less. And what doesn’t have a beginning cannot possibly have an ending.


LIFE is independent of the BODY-MIND construct. It unites with the BODY-MIND construct to form a BEING. For it to unite with the BODY-MIND construct it needs to exist before the BODY-MIND construct comes into existence. Which means it is beyond the existence of the BODY-MIND construct. What is beyond MIND is beyond the comprehension of the MIND and hence inconceivable.

As long as we identify ourselves with the BODY-MIND construct, we will believe in the concept of Life and Death. And if we identify ourselves with the LIFE, we were never born and hence can never die. More importantly, we realize we are not separate BEINGS but one whole existence that alone there is.

- www.ilimow.com

Time is an illusion. There is only eternal Presence.

Individuality and ego are illusions too. There is only one radiant Self.

LIFE understood as a process is conceived of in time. Most people do not identify with LIFE but with Self, though more often than not they misidentify with ego, personality, and temporality.

why is it that so many people discuss life via mind? most living organisms on this planet do not have a mind. the largest proportion of living organisms comprise the bacteria, that have no mind. fungi, plants, protozoa and algae have no mind. many animals have no mind. (nervous system does not equal mind).

life and mind are different, and with current evidence, the former does not need the latter, but the latter does need the former.

The same could be said for human brains so that proves nothing. Can you prove you are conscious? So we must assume that intelligent behavior implies consciousness. We must assume that animals that act to avoid pain can feel pain. Feeling pain is not mindlessness.

A good book on minds which I have read is entitled "Kinds of minds" and is by Daniel C. Dennett.
Not so much providing answers, it does provide many thought provoking questions which make one realise the complexity of the issue.

I saw the movie but didn't read the book. With the existence of mind question, it's quality, not quantity that counts. Worms may not have "a lot" of smarts, but they sure don't like being impaled on fish hooks. If you are unable to empathize with worms then there is no way to convince you they are conscious. I believe they are intuitively.

Plants are not conscious, but they make decisions, so they have a kind of intelligence. They are following programming built into their DNA, just like we do, but without what we call mind.