The word consciousness derives from the Latin: cum (together with) and scire (to know). This means: To know with, in the sense of to know-together with. The original meaning of the word involves a subject and an object. However, the definitions provided in modern dictionaries typically overlook the possibility of knowing together with a non-physical (perhaps spiritual) essence, or one that transcends space and time. In the Western dictionaries, the word mind has multiple meanings that are sometimes confusing. Various definitions associate mind with intellect, thought, perception, emotion, will, and imagination. A classical Latin expression is: Mens sana in corpore sano. In this sense the word mens relates to the way of thinking. For example, if your thinking is correct, your body will be healthyand conversely, if you indulge in fear and depression, your body will be unhealthy. This is true, but again it relates only to worldly personal emotions. The important point is that the word mind refers only to something related to the mechanical aspect of the functional brain. It is the output of a machine and ignores the very important and more general concept of mind. The dictionaries say that intelligence is the ability to learn or understand or to deal with new or trying situations; the act of understanding; the skilled use of reason. In Latin, the word intelligo comes from inter and ligo, meaning I bind together, I tie together. Intelligence is the ability not only to capture the elements of a situation, but also to act in appropriate ways. Here again, in order to manifest intelligence we need a subject and an object, which is fine in the visible world, but these definitions do not recognize the possibility of a transcendent intelligence that does not relate to any physical object. In general, dictionaries refer to the awareness of particular issues related to worldly aspects of the use of human intelligence, mental capacity, and concrete attention/opinions in daily life. Western thinking currently regards consciousness as relational-consciousness. The field of thinking is inevitably limited to a subject-object or observer-observed or menot me dualistic relationship. The possibility of a transcendent use of these words and concepts is not taken into account. This is precisely the important point on which this study is basedthat much of Western culture has lost the relationship with the transcendent meaning that ancient cultures attributed to the words consciousness, mind, and intelligence. CONSCIOUSNESS, MIND, AND INTELLIGENCE IN ANCIENT TRADITIONS Some research of ancient traditions will help us achieve a deeper understanding of the broad meanings that these three words traditionally expressed. The Tradition of Vedanta (The Upanishads as interpreted by Sri Aurobindo and presented by Judith Tyberg, Ph.D.1) First: The Absolute: In Vedanta we find the classic expression: SAT CHIT ANANDA, which translates as: SAT:Essence, Existence, Reality. CHIT:Conceptive Knowledge/Executive Force. Chit, consciousness; a self aware force of existence. From verb-root chit = to think, to be aware. The divine counterpart of lower mind. Chit-Shakti, consciousness-force; the divine power of active consciousness and formative activity. From the verb-root: shak = to be able. ANANDA:Love, Joy, Perfection.