Difference Between Spirit & Mind

Spirit vs Mind

The distinction between the mind and spirit is a topic of confusion for many people, as these two words are often mistaken as having the same meaning. However, this is not the case. The term “spirit” is used to describe the strength of the mind, while “mind” refers to an individual’s psyche or intellect. Although these meanings are different, they are interconnected and can be better understood through further explanation.

Understanding Spirit

The mind possesses strength, which can be referred to as mental strength. The spirit is about this strength of the mind and can thus be considered a subset of the mind. A person must have a sufficient amount of mental strength to have spirit. For example, consider the following sentences:

His spirit took him the distance.
Look at his spirit.

In both of these examples, the word “spirit” is used to signify the strength of the mind. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, spirit is defined as “the quality of courage, energy, and determination.” This definition helps clarify the meaning of strength of mind, which is a combination of courage, energy, and determination. The adjective form of the word spirit is “spirited.”

Understanding Mind

The term “mind” refers to an individual’s psyche or intellect. Consider the following sentences:

His mind is calm and quiet.
Her mind is perturbed by the incident.

In both instances, the word “mind” is used to represent the psyche or intellect. The Oxford English Dictionary defines a mind as “the element of a person that enables them to be aware of the world and their experiences, to think, and to feel; the faculty of consciousness and thought.” The adjective form of the word mind is “mental.”

Key Takeaways

• Spirit refers to the strength of the mind, while mind refers to an individual’s psyche or intellect.
• Spirit is a subset of the mind, as it requires mental strength to have spirit.
• Spirit is a combination of courage, energy, and determination, while the mind is the element that enables a person to be aware, think, and feel.