Chitta Vrittis - the Activity of Mind

 

What Does Citta Vritti Mean?

Citta vritti is a term that refers to the thoughts that clutter the mind. The name comes from the Sanskrit, citta, meaning “consciousness” or “memory,” and vritti, meaning “waves.” It can be translated in English to mean “mind chatter,” and is sometimes called “monkey mind.”

One of the goals of yoga is to take control of citta vritti by quieting the mind, thereby reducing stress and increasing Self-awareness.

In "The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali," yoga citta vritti nirodha is the second sutra. It roughly translates to “yoga stops, or stills, the mind's fluctuations.” Those fluctuations, or citta vritti, are limiting, habituated thought patterns – misconceptions that prevent one from seeing the truth about the world and the Self.

According to Patanjali, there are five types of vritti:

• Pramana (correct knowledge)
• Viparyaya (misconception)
• Vikalpa (conceptualization)
• Nidra (sleep)
• Smriti (memory)

The vritti can be painful (klishta) or non-painful (aklishta), but they always affect one's ability to find truth. Joyful thoughts can prevent the individual from reaching a true sense of self just as much as fearful thoughts can.

Yogic training in concentration, attention, breathing exercises and meditation can quiet citta vritti to help the yoga practitioner reach a more peaceful awareness and truer sense of Self.

THE 5 STATES OF MIND

The five states of mind represent the mind's journey from restlessness to complete stillness and clarity through yoga.

KSIPTA (The Agitated Mind)

In this lowest state of mind, the individual is highly agitated and unable to think, listen, or keep still. It’s like a monkey jumping up and down, as Desikachar describes. Imagine tossing a diamond to a monkey—it doesn’t recognize its value. Similarly, in the ksipta state, the mind jumps from one thought to another without understanding or clarity. This state is dominated by rajas, the active principle, leading to complete restlessness.

Symptoms:

- Restlessness and inability to focus

- Agitation and constant distraction

Yoga's Role:

The practice of yoga helps in calming this restless state, allowing the mind to become more focused and steady.

Mudha (The Dull Mind)

Mudha represents a state of dullness, where no information seems to reach the brain. The mind becomes listless and heavy, similar to being in a fog. In this state, a person might be holding their keys and still ask, “Where are my keys?” This state is dominated by tamas, the inert principle, making it difficult to be productive.

Symptoms:

- Lethargy and lack of alertness

- Sluggishness and forgetfulness

Yoga's Role:

Yoga and meditation help to dispel this dullness, bringing clarity and energy back to the mind.

Viksipta (The Confused Mind)

In the viksipta state, the mind receives information but struggles to process it effectively. The mind oscillates in confusion, with inner chatter like “I want to do everything, but I can’t do everything. Should I do this or that?” This state, while more balanced than the previous ones, is still unsettled.

Symptoms:

• Confusion and indecisiveness
• Inner conflict and scattered thoughts

Yoga’s Role:

Through consistent practice, yoga helps in organizing thoughts, bringing the mind to a state of clarity and focus.

Ekagra (The Focused Mind)

In the ekagra state, the mind is relaxed yet alert, ready to focus and pay attention. This state is essential for meditation, where distractions fade, and the mind can concentrate on a single point. A good yoga session can often bring the mind into this state of relaxed attention.

Symptoms:

• Improved focus and awareness
• Clarity and intuition

Yoga’s Role:

Ekagra is where the true practice of yoga begins, leading to deeper meditation and connection with the self.

Nirodha (The Absorbed Mind)

Nirodha is the highest state of mind where it is not distracted by random thoughts but is fully absorbed in the object of focus. This can occur during meditation or when one is fully engaged in any activity. Sustaining this state leads to complete mental stillness, ultimately bringing liberation or samadhi.

Symptoms:

• Complete focus and stability
• Inner peace and calmness

Yoga's Role:

The ultimate goal of yoga is to sustain the nirodha state, reconnecting with the eternal peace that lies within.

Understanding these five states of mind offers a roadmap for our inner journey. Through the consistent practice of yoga, we can navigate from the restless states of ksipta and mudha to the focused states of ekagra and nirodha, achieving a balanced and peaceful mind. As Desikachar emphasizes, the entire practice of yoga-spanning asana, pranayama, meditation, and ethical conduct-guides us to spend more time in the more desirable states of mind.

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