'We often say: My mind, my mind. But if someone were to ask us: What is your mind? We would have no correct answer. This is because we do not understand the nature and function of the mind correctly.' - Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche. How to Understand the Mind offers us deep insight into our mind. It shows us how an understanding of our mind's nature and functions can be used to improve our lives practically, in our everyday experience. It begins by guiding us to develop and maintain a light, positive mind. It then explains how to recognize and abandon mental states that harm us, and shows us in how to replace them with peaceful beneficial states. The book goes on to describe different types of mind in detail, revealing the depth and profundity of the Buddhist understanding of the mind. The book concludes with a detailed explanation of meditation, which we use for controlling and transforming our mind until we attain a lasting state of joy, independent of external conditions.