Yoga is commonly understood to mean ‘Union’. The union is referred to the union of Jeevatma (Individual Self) and the Parmatma (Universal Self). Yoga is an applied science, a systemised discipline to achieve an intended goal.
Maharishi Patanjali in yoga sutra 1:2 gave a sanskrit phase to clearly define it- “Yogas Chitta Vritti Nirodha” which is commonly translated as ‘yoga is the stilling or controlling of the modifications or fluctuations of the mind’.
Word translation is described as –
- Yogas – To join or to unite.
- Chitta – Mind / Consciousness.
- Vritti – Modifications / Fluctuations.
- Nirodha – Controlling / Quieting of.
CHITTA
Chitta is formed from the sanskrit roots ‘chiti sanjayane’ and ‘chiti smrityam’ which when suffixed with ‘kta’ in the root word chiti, it becomes ‘Chitta’. It means the features of mind having knowledge and repeatedly remembering the objects/ subjects, also works as a means to determine the nature of other objects.
According to Maharishi Vyasa, mind is an object which is made from the atoms of qualities of illumination – Defines as the three Gunas –
- Sattva – ‘Illumination’ – Knower of the exact nature of objects.
- Rajas – ‘Activity’ – Action oriented aspect.
- Tamas – ‘Inactive’ – Laziness, mental dullness & greed.
TRIGUNA ACCORDING TO VYASA
- Prakhyah – Sattva guna of chitta or wisdom.
- Pravritti – Rajas aspect of chitta or action.
- Sthtih – Tamsic nature of chitta or inertness.
The state of samyavastha where the proportion of Sattva, Rajas and Tamas Gunas are just perfect, neither less nor more of the gunas is called ‘Prakrati’
FOUR PARTS OF ANTAHKARNA ‘MIND’ ACCORDING TO UPANISHADS
- Chitta – The storehouse of Samskara.
- Buddhi – The decision making faculty.
- Ahamkar – The ego.
- Manas – The synthesisingfaculty.
VRITTI
Vritti means a whirl-pool. It is a wave of thought that arises in the Antahkarana. Vrittis are modifications of the mind. They are the effect of Avidya. It includes emotions, memories and imaginations spinning around the mind especially when we try to sit for the meditation.
When vritti arise, they create a kind of ripple effect throughout the body and nervous system. When these ripples become patterns, they form ‘Samskara’ (impressions left by past experience). They form on the basis of future reactions, habits and mental fluctuations, which bind us to Karma.
There are 5 types of Vrittis –
1. Pramana (Right Knowledge) – Something we know based on fact or observation. State where mind reflects reality.
2. Viparaya (Misconception) – Misconception that leads to false conclusion.
3. Vikalpa (Imagination) – Fanciful or vague impressions.
4. Nidra (Deep Sleep) – Absence of conscious thoughts.
5. Smriti (Memory) – Recalling the past thought or event stored in our mind.
CHITTA BHOOMI ‘5 STATES OF MIND’
Chitta Bhoomi means the different stages of Chitta. It originates from the Patanjali Yoga Sutras.
Kshipta – ‘The Monkey Mind’
“Pleasure and pain, like and dislike, love and hate – The monkey mind is always alternating between extreme states.” Kshipta means ‘scattered’, it is the lowest and most common state of mind which manifests during working hours. This state is dominated by ‘Rajas Guna’ because most of the time is involved in working hours with some physical or mental activity. The mind is totally restless and it is always jumping from one thought to another. There is a lack of clarity in vision and you might feel anxious, confused and lack of decision making ability.
Muddha – ‘The Donkey Mind’
“Lust, anger, greed, infatuation – this is what makes a donkey mind situation”.
Mudha means ‘dull’ state of mind which is dominated by ‘Tamas Guna’ in which the mind is sluggish, sleepy and lacking vitality. Due to sluggish nature, a lack of energy is observed in this state to deal with subtle and deep issues of life. The dull mind due to lack of concentration, find excuses and entraps us into the feeling of dissatisfaction. In this case, Tamas guna can drive us into the state of sadness or depression. We generally oscillate between the Kshipta and Mudha in our working hours.
Vikshipta – ‘The Butterfly Mind’
“One moment on ground (clarity) and other moment on sky (confusion) on unstable butterfly mind is always on fly”. Vikshipta states where the mind is alternating between the moments of clarity and distraction. You are not fully in control of your thoughts. There are moments in life where Sattva guna starts to dominate and the mind can focus with concentration. We feel balanced, happy and clear in all spheres where life appears to be a beautiful flow. Then, as some difficult and painful situations crop up, our mind gets distracted and we fall back into old patterns. The mind is pulled away from Sattva back to Rajas or Tamas.
Ekagra – ‘One Pointed Mind’
“With single-pointed focus, sharp intuitiveness, dissolved ego and an awakened soul, an ekagra mind feels happy and whole.” All inner noise has calmed down and the mind is now peaceful, aware and ready to focus. In ekagra state of mind, one can bring their complete attention at one point, without affecting by any external agencies as long as person wants to hold. It results in dies down of all confusions and anxiety of the person. In yogic sense, what you perceive of an object is the state of Samadhi when there is only ‘direct perception’. Whatever is perceived through five senses is impaired and incomplete perception.
Niruddha – ‘Fully Focussed Mind’
“With absolute control over body, mind and senses in every phase, a niruddha mind glides through life and divine grace.” After passing through the state of Ekagra, one is able to hold on a single point. Here, the attention is fully arrested and concentration on one point. At this stage, no old or new impressions can distract the mind from point of focus and complete stillness is reached. One is able to glide through life with utmost grace. Mind is now fully under control and all the fluctuations come under the direct control of intellect (Sattvic Buddhi) as opposed to being controlled by ego. When the yogi sustains in this state of Niruddha for a long periods, the mind reaches the state of equilibrium of trigunas which leads to liberation (Kaivalya).