The Yoga Sutras by Patanjali
atha yoga anusasanam 1
atha = now, auspicious moment
yoga = union, result
anusasanam = direction
Now is an auspicious moment to reveal how one can prosper spiritually by following the path of yoga
yoga = union, result
anusasanam = direction
Now is an auspicious moment to reveal how one can prosper spiritually by following the path of yoga
yoga citta vrtti nirodhah
yoga = union, integration
citta = attention, awareness; consciousness that covers mind, intellect and ego
vrtti = tendency
nirodhah = restraint, cessation, control
Yoga is a method to gain control of the mind by restraining the tendency of thoughts to fluctuate and move
citta = attention, awareness; consciousness that covers mind, intellect and ego
vrtti = tendency
nirodhah = restraint, cessation, control
Yoga is a method to gain control of the mind by restraining the tendency of thoughts to fluctuate and move
The simple, technical definition of yoga is the union of body, mind and soul.
When you start to look at a deeper level, yoga is the tendency to control attention, perception of surroundings, future and past. The control of chitta gives rise the state of Samadhi where the mind is calm and undisturbed even in the most difficult circumstances.
When we become aware of noticing what our attention is on; breath; body; the senses; thoughts - then we are starting to be aware of where the attention comes from, we start to be aware of the source or consciousness.
The strength of attention is the strength of awareness.
Attention can wander.
Attention is the source of our energy.
When you put your attention on something, you will find a way to get it. How much energy you put in will determine your success. Whatever you believe you can do, you can do; whatever you put your attention on will come. Subconscious, the subtle brain waves are a part of it - the citta will help your goals manifest.
When we are practicing yoga we want to free our attention from the body, the breath, the senses, thoughts and emotions. We want the mind to be still - to free the citta.
There are 5 states of chitta -
Kshipta – This state is dominated by the “rajas” guna.
Chaotic or most fickle state of mind. If chitta is highly disturbed or free floating, it invites sickness. For example if you worry a lot you are inviting anxiety. In this mental state, a person alternates between extreme states – love and hate, like and dislike, pleasure and pain, enthusiasm and boredom. The mind is restless as it jumps from one thought to another. Yoga helps you to understand that you (the observer) are not your thoughts and emotions then you are able to watch your thoughts and not become identified with them - they are not you, they are just something you are thinking. By being a witness, you can manage and prioritize your attention only towards healthy, important and constructive thoughts patterns while letting go of the undesired ones.
Mudha – Dull or Lazy state of mind. Dominated by the ‘tamas’ guna.
Mudha state of mind is when you are not able to hear your inner voice and communicate to your true self. Symptoms are: Lack of energy and vitality, poor concentration, distorted connection with the inner self and depression /sadness. Reconnect to your inner world through Yoga and meditation so that you are able to find your ultimate true self which will stay with you in all situations of life.
Vikshipta – Partially focused mind. The Vikspita state where the mind is alternating between moments of clarity and distraction. We feel balanced, happy and clear in all spheres and life appears to be a beautiful flow. Then when a difficult and painful situation crops up, our mind gets distracted and we fall back into old patterns. Yoga helps you to understand that we can never change the external environment.
If chitta is mild or dormant, it is not a problem. It is just normal, but not in a state of awareness.
Ekagra – One-pointed mind. Inner noise is calm and the mind is peaceful, aware and can focus. A person can hold focus as long as a person wants to hold. What is perceived through five senses is impaired and incomplete perception, because of the imperfections of senses, mind, and ego. Through this state of mind, a single-pointed focus in life which will help filter your experiences, dissolve your ego, awaken your intuitiveness and sense things beyond the five senses. You will feel absolutely in control of your thoughts and actions.
Nirodhah – Fully absorbed mind. One is able to hold on to a single point of focus. 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. There is no reaction to life’s ever-changing situations. One can soar to even higher mental states in his Yogic journey from this point.
In the state of Nirodhah, the mind is now fully under the control of the yogi 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 the state of Nirodhah for long periods, the mind reaches a state of equilibrium which leads to liberation (Kaivalya - detachment and independence from relationships, egoism, attraction, aversion and the cycle of birth and death.)
Bliss is the state of pure joyousness, when you are so full of happiness it overflows and makes everyone around you happy.
It is ok to have ups and downs, but the longer we exist in a state of bliss, the stronger it becomes, then the downs don't last as long and aren't as strong. Think of life as being on an upward incline, moving towards happiness and bliss at the top. There are troughs and peaks on the way but always steadily climb to the goal of happiness.
After Bliss is Asmita or am-ness, when one is a complete being with no ego. In Asmita everything registers in your complete consciousness - it is just being.
Then is samadhi when the mind is completely still and absorbed in the state of oneness with consciousness.
Yoga if the control of the attention.
Your world depends on how you perceive it.
If attention is on problems then problems will be attracted. If attention if on solutions, then solutions will come.
What your put your attention on determines how you perceive yourself. You might put your attention on teaching and perceive yourself as a teacher, you might put your attention on accounting and perceive yourself as an accountant, you might put your attention on painting and perceive yourself as an artist. If your attention is on the beautiful things in the world then you will be beautiful and have a beautiful nature. Some people only perceive the negative and ugly things in life, unfortunately they can never be beautiful people.
Some people live in the world with their attention on fear or money or fun or work or laziness and that becomes their tendency. A tendency is something that you do.
Identification is how you perceive yourself, what you identify as your personality - your identity. You can identify with things, like your favorite chair or colour or food. Resentment and not liking things is also identification. Chronic pain in your body is identification with what happened or caused the pain. Often when you let go of the psychological identification the pain will go away. Somatic yoga is a great help in achieving this.
The best sort of change comes from inspiration not from identification. Inspiration will take your life on a journey of self discovery, inspiration comes from within, not from identification. Non-identification is living with authenticity. If you can nirodhah (control) the vrtti - (tendencies) and citta - (attention), you will find acceptance and even amazement with whatever the universe brings into your life. Challenges are just that - situations that will force you to grow into a better, stronger person. Good times are to be treasured and enjoyed and provide contrast when times aren't so good. When you have control over your mind, situations will not affect you positively or negatively, because you will understand that they are just a set of external circumstances.
Yoga wants us to become our essence, our true self, to be authentic. You can't identify with your true self because it isn't really there, you can't imagine it, because it is who you truly are without all the thoughts and identification and tendencies that are layered over the top. It is just you, without all the stuff.
When you start to look at a deeper level, yoga is the tendency to control attention, perception of surroundings, future and past. The control of chitta gives rise the state of Samadhi where the mind is calm and undisturbed even in the most difficult circumstances.
When we become aware of noticing what our attention is on; breath; body; the senses; thoughts - then we are starting to be aware of where the attention comes from, we start to be aware of the source or consciousness.
The strength of attention is the strength of awareness.
Attention can wander.
Attention is the source of our energy.
When you put your attention on something, you will find a way to get it. How much energy you put in will determine your success. Whatever you believe you can do, you can do; whatever you put your attention on will come. Subconscious, the subtle brain waves are a part of it - the citta will help your goals manifest.
When we are practicing yoga we want to free our attention from the body, the breath, the senses, thoughts and emotions. We want the mind to be still - to free the citta.
There are 5 states of chitta -
Kshipta – This state is dominated by the “rajas” guna.
Chaotic or most fickle state of mind. If chitta is highly disturbed or free floating, it invites sickness. For example if you worry a lot you are inviting anxiety. In this mental state, a person alternates between extreme states – love and hate, like and dislike, pleasure and pain, enthusiasm and boredom. The mind is restless as it jumps from one thought to another. Yoga helps you to understand that you (the observer) are not your thoughts and emotions then you are able to watch your thoughts and not become identified with them - they are not you, they are just something you are thinking. By being a witness, you can manage and prioritize your attention only towards healthy, important and constructive thoughts patterns while letting go of the undesired ones.
Mudha – Dull or Lazy state of mind. Dominated by the ‘tamas’ guna.
Mudha state of mind is when you are not able to hear your inner voice and communicate to your true self. Symptoms are: Lack of energy and vitality, poor concentration, distorted connection with the inner self and depression /sadness. Reconnect to your inner world through Yoga and meditation so that you are able to find your ultimate true self which will stay with you in all situations of life.
Vikshipta – Partially focused mind. The Vikspita state where the mind is alternating between moments of clarity and distraction. We feel balanced, happy and clear in all spheres and life appears to be a beautiful flow. Then when a difficult and painful situation crops up, our mind gets distracted and we fall back into old patterns. Yoga helps you to understand that we can never change the external environment.
If chitta is mild or dormant, it is not a problem. It is just normal, but not in a state of awareness.
Ekagra – One-pointed mind. Inner noise is calm and the mind is peaceful, aware and can focus. A person can hold focus as long as a person wants to hold. What is perceived through five senses is impaired and incomplete perception, because of the imperfections of senses, mind, and ego. Through this state of mind, a single-pointed focus in life which will help filter your experiences, dissolve your ego, awaken your intuitiveness and sense things beyond the five senses. You will feel absolutely in control of your thoughts and actions.
Nirodhah – Fully absorbed mind. One is able to hold on to a single point of focus. 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. There is no reaction to life’s ever-changing situations. One can soar to even higher mental states in his Yogic journey from this point.
In the state of Nirodhah, the mind is now fully under the control of the yogi 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 the state of Nirodhah for long periods, the mind reaches a state of equilibrium which leads to liberation (Kaivalya - detachment and independence from relationships, egoism, attraction, aversion and the cycle of birth and death.)
Bliss is the state of pure joyousness, when you are so full of happiness it overflows and makes everyone around you happy.
It is ok to have ups and downs, but the longer we exist in a state of bliss, the stronger it becomes, then the downs don't last as long and aren't as strong. Think of life as being on an upward incline, moving towards happiness and bliss at the top. There are troughs and peaks on the way but always steadily climb to the goal of happiness.
After Bliss is Asmita or am-ness, when one is a complete being with no ego. In Asmita everything registers in your complete consciousness - it is just being.
Then is samadhi when the mind is completely still and absorbed in the state of oneness with consciousness.
Yoga if the control of the attention.
Your world depends on how you perceive it.
If attention is on problems then problems will be attracted. If attention if on solutions, then solutions will come.
What your put your attention on determines how you perceive yourself. You might put your attention on teaching and perceive yourself as a teacher, you might put your attention on accounting and perceive yourself as an accountant, you might put your attention on painting and perceive yourself as an artist. If your attention is on the beautiful things in the world then you will be beautiful and have a beautiful nature. Some people only perceive the negative and ugly things in life, unfortunately they can never be beautiful people.
Some people live in the world with their attention on fear or money or fun or work or laziness and that becomes their tendency. A tendency is something that you do.
Identification is how you perceive yourself, what you identify as your personality - your identity. You can identify with things, like your favorite chair or colour or food. Resentment and not liking things is also identification. Chronic pain in your body is identification with what happened or caused the pain. Often when you let go of the psychological identification the pain will go away. Somatic yoga is a great help in achieving this.
The best sort of change comes from inspiration not from identification. Inspiration will take your life on a journey of self discovery, inspiration comes from within, not from identification. Non-identification is living with authenticity. If you can nirodhah (control) the vrtti - (tendencies) and citta - (attention), you will find acceptance and even amazement with whatever the universe brings into your life. Challenges are just that - situations that will force you to grow into a better, stronger person. Good times are to be treasured and enjoyed and provide contrast when times aren't so good. When you have control over your mind, situations will not affect you positively or negatively, because you will understand that they are just a set of external circumstances.
Yoga wants us to become our essence, our true self, to be authentic. You can't identify with your true self because it isn't really there, you can't imagine it, because it is who you truly are without all the thoughts and identification and tendencies that are layered over the top. It is just you, without all the stuff.
Reference https://fitsri.com/yoga/5-states-mind