The Reflection Theory

Based on teachings in volume three of the Shankara Source Book (on the Soul)

The reflection theory is an account of human nature for those who are seeking the highest wisdom. It shows how this wisdom is essentially present in every human being, and how the mind can be progressively adjusted so that what is highest in us will manifest in our experience. The theory focuses on three principles, their reality status, and their inter-relationship. The first of these principles is:

the mind and its thoughts

For clarity, we will avoid further analysis or subdivision, and take it that the mind is the manufacturer of all expressions of thought— all mental movement, whether it involves our present activities or is stored at a deeper level of our consciousness.