Vrittis & The Chakras
Vritti means whirlpool. Vrittis are waves of thought, like when a pebble is thrown into a clear lake, it causes ripples. When those ripples start to spin out of control they can become whirlpools of thoughts and emotions. Vrittis are caused by attachments and desires. An active vritti disturbs the natural peace, calm and emptiness of mind. Vrittis can be neutralized by the practices of yoga to become still within the chakras.
The mind is a vibration of energy which is an expression of the dynamic flow of the cosmos. In order to express this flow the mind adopts vrittis, or methods of expression (mental tendencies). On an energy level the vrittis are associated with the different chakras. The chakras are depicted as lotuses with a specific number of petals, with one vritti per petal.
There are 50 vrittis in the human being. These are the various mental thoughts and emotions that human beings experience and express. The samskaras of an individual will be expressed as a particular configuration of vrittis. With 50 vrittis, expressed through 10 indriyas in both an internal and external manor, there are 1000 expressions.
Indiya is the term for the senses or faculties of a person's direct perception. There are two kinds, motor and sensory. The motor faculties are those of speaking, grasping, walking, ejaculating, and evacuating. The sensory faculties or senses are hearing, touching, seeing, tasting and smelling. Both sets of faculties are correlated with the five elements, ether, wind, fire, water, and earth. Simultaneously separate impressions of the senses are co-ordinated in the mind which is often called the 11th faculty.
The mind is a vibration of energy which is an expression of the dynamic flow of the cosmos. In order to express this flow the mind adopts vrittis, or methods of expression (mental tendencies). On an energy level the vrittis are associated with the different chakras. The chakras are depicted as lotuses with a specific number of petals, with one vritti per petal.
There are 50 vrittis in the human being. These are the various mental thoughts and emotions that human beings experience and express. The samskaras of an individual will be expressed as a particular configuration of vrittis. With 50 vrittis, expressed through 10 indriyas in both an internal and external manor, there are 1000 expressions.
Indiya is the term for the senses or faculties of a person's direct perception. There are two kinds, motor and sensory. The motor faculties are those of speaking, grasping, walking, ejaculating, and evacuating. The sensory faculties or senses are hearing, touching, seeing, tasting and smelling. Both sets of faculties are correlated with the five elements, ether, wind, fire, water, and earth. Simultaneously separate impressions of the senses are co-ordinated in the mind which is often called the 11th faculty.
Muladhara
Manipura
Vishuddha
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Svadhisthana
Anahata
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When travelling upon the inner path there is a bridge that must be crossed, it is called the antahkarana, the bridge that connects the lower mind with the higher mind (mind of the soul). This rainbow bridge that realizes the soul’s profound love and wisdom does not exist naturally within the human psyche. Instead it must be built over time. Vritti is a wave of thought that arises in the Antahkarana.
Vrittis are modifications of the mind. They are the effect of Avidya. Avidya is veiling or ignorance of our own nature. Avidya is a misconception of our true reality and is described as our lack of awareness of our true nature which then disconnects us from truth or not knowing the way things really are. It is attachment to our personality or ego which we mistake for our true identity.
When Avidya is destroyed by Jnana - spiritual knowledge or wisdom, one obtains the knowing that the Self is inseparable from the Divine, and experiences an inward awareness that one is free from worldly and mental burdens and is inseparable from absolute reality.
Vrittis get absorbed in Brahman (Laya). Laya means dissolve, like water thrown in a heated pan is absorbed in the pan. Laya yoga leads to the state of samadhi, which is the highest unification with the Divine. It leads the mind from the state of manifestation and dissolution to moola prakriti, meaning "original state."
Vrittis are modifications of the mind. They are the effect of Avidya. Avidya is veiling or ignorance of our own nature. Avidya is a misconception of our true reality and is described as our lack of awareness of our true nature which then disconnects us from truth or not knowing the way things really are. It is attachment to our personality or ego which we mistake for our true identity.
When Avidya is destroyed by Jnana - spiritual knowledge or wisdom, one obtains the knowing that the Self is inseparable from the Divine, and experiences an inward awareness that one is free from worldly and mental burdens and is inseparable from absolute reality.
Vrittis get absorbed in Brahman (Laya). Laya means dissolve, like water thrown in a heated pan is absorbed in the pan. Laya yoga leads to the state of samadhi, which is the highest unification with the Divine. It leads the mind from the state of manifestation and dissolution to moola prakriti, meaning "original state."
Vrittis arise from the Chitta or mind. It is Svabhava of Antahkarana. It arises because vritti is the is the essential nature or essence between the of two levels of mind: the buddhi (the mind of intellect and knowledge), and the manas, (the mind that perceives). Vijñānamayakośa - related to buddhi is the energy body related to consciousness, knowledge, intuition and experience. Manomayakośa - related to manas - the part of mind related to five senses, and also craving for new and pleasant sensations and emotions.
Antaḥkaraṇa is the link between the middle and higher mind. Just as rays emanate from the sun, so also these mental rays (modification of vrittis) emanate from the mind-sun. Just as the sun merges itself in the horizon at sunset by collecting all its rays, so also you will have to merge in that Sun of suns, Absolute Consciousness, Eternal Peace by collecting all the dissipated mental rays and dissolving the mind itself."
Swami Sivananda
Vrittis cause (Avarana-Bhanga,) the removal of the veil of (Sthula Avidya) the 5 koshas that cover the atman that envelops the object. It helps the evolution of a man till he attains perfection (Jivanmukti). It is vritti that opens the Kundalini in the Ajna Chakra and joins it in Sahasrara.
There is Vritti-vyapti and there is Phala-vyapti also in the perception of an object. You want a Vritti and intelligence (Chaitanya) associated with the Vritti.
When the outgoing tendencies of the mind are arrested, when the mind is retained within the heart, when all its attention is turned on itself alone, that condition is Antarmukha Vritti. The Antarmukha Vritti is the indrawing energy of the mind owing to increase in Sattva.
"Mind gains great strength when the Vrittis are destroyed. It is not easy to destroy Vrittis (thought-waves) because they are innumerable. They should be taken up one by one and dealt with separately. Some Vrittis are very strong. They demand strong efforts for their destruction. Most of the Vrittis are very weak. Weak Vrittis melt away like rent clouds. Strong thoughts remain and frequently recur daily in the morning as soon as you rise from your bed."
Enter silence. Silence is Atman. Silence is the heart-cave. When the mind is controlled fully, Vrittis cease. Close your eyes, by drawing the Indriyas (senses), by stilling the mind, by silencing the thoughts, by sharpening the intellect, by purifying the Chitta, by meditating on Om, by chanting om. When all the Vrittis die, Samskaras and the frame of the mind remain. Samskaras can only be fried up by Nirbija-Samadhi.
Antaḥkaraṇa is the link between the middle and higher mind. Just as rays emanate from the sun, so also these mental rays (modification of vrittis) emanate from the mind-sun. Just as the sun merges itself in the horizon at sunset by collecting all its rays, so also you will have to merge in that Sun of suns, Absolute Consciousness, Eternal Peace by collecting all the dissipated mental rays and dissolving the mind itself."
Swami Sivananda
Vrittis cause (Avarana-Bhanga,) the removal of the veil of (Sthula Avidya) the 5 koshas that cover the atman that envelops the object. It helps the evolution of a man till he attains perfection (Jivanmukti). It is vritti that opens the Kundalini in the Ajna Chakra and joins it in Sahasrara.
There is Vritti-vyapti and there is Phala-vyapti also in the perception of an object. You want a Vritti and intelligence (Chaitanya) associated with the Vritti.
When the outgoing tendencies of the mind are arrested, when the mind is retained within the heart, when all its attention is turned on itself alone, that condition is Antarmukha Vritti. The Antarmukha Vritti is the indrawing energy of the mind owing to increase in Sattva.
"Mind gains great strength when the Vrittis are destroyed. It is not easy to destroy Vrittis (thought-waves) because they are innumerable. They should be taken up one by one and dealt with separately. Some Vrittis are very strong. They demand strong efforts for their destruction. Most of the Vrittis are very weak. Weak Vrittis melt away like rent clouds. Strong thoughts remain and frequently recur daily in the morning as soon as you rise from your bed."
Enter silence. Silence is Atman. Silence is the heart-cave. When the mind is controlled fully, Vrittis cease. Close your eyes, by drawing the Indriyas (senses), by stilling the mind, by silencing the thoughts, by sharpening the intellect, by purifying the Chitta, by meditating on Om, by chanting om. When all the Vrittis die, Samskaras and the frame of the mind remain. Samskaras can only be fried up by Nirbija-Samadhi.
http://sivanandaonline.org/public_html/?cmd=displaysection§ion_id=868
https://meader.org/2013/03/antahkarana-the-bridge-to-the-sacred/
https://meader.org/2013/03/antahkarana-the-bridge-to-the-sacred/
The Individual Vrttis
- Muladhara (first) chakra. There are four vrttis associated with the muladhara.
- kama: desire for physical pleasure. There are four basic physical desires, or instincts: for life (fear), for sex, for food, and for sleep. These give rise to attachment and emotions. The desires of the blind are altered by a lack of visual experience of the object of desire.
- artha: desire for intellectual pleasure.
- dharma: desire for God, psycho-spiritual longing.
- moksa: pure spiritual yearning, desire for absolute liberation.
- Svadhisthana (second) chakra.
- avajina: disdain.
- murccha: fainting, swoon, stupor.
- prashraya: over-indulgence.
- avishvasa: distrust.
- sarvanasha: fear of annihilation.
- krurata: pitilessness, mercilessness.
- Manipura (third) chakra.
- lajja: shame, bashfulness.
- pishunata: backbiting, slandering.
- iirsya: jealousy, envy.
- susupti: laziness, lethargy.
- visada: sadness, melancholy.
- kasaya: cruelty.
- trsna: thirst.
- moha: attachment to objects.
- ghrna: hatred, aversion.
- bhhaya: fear.
- Anahata (forth) chakra.
- asha: hope.
- cinta: thoughtfulness, anxiety.
- cesta: effort.
- mamta: possessiveness, fondness.
- dhamba: arrogance, vanity.
- viveka: discrimination.
- vikalata: Languor.
- ahamkara: conceit, egoism, pride.
- lolata: covetousness, avarice.
- kapatata: duplicity, hypocrisy.
- vitarka: indecision, argumentativeness.
- anutapa: regret, burning misery.
- Vishudha (fifth) chakra.
- sadaja: (peacock)
- rsabha: (bull)
- gandharva: (goat)
- madhyama: (horse)
- paincama: (cuckoo)
- dhaevata: (ass)
- nisada: (elephant)
- om:
- hum:
- phat:
- vaosatha:
- vasatha:
- svahah:
- namah:
- visa:
- amrta:
- Ajina (sixth) chakra.
- apara: secular knowledge, directing the lower vrittis towards mundane enjoyments.This is on the right side and is associated with the pingala nadi. When the right nostril is dominant so is this vritti.
- para: spiritual knowledge, elevating the lower vrittis towards spiritual enjoyments. This is on the left side and is associated with the ida nadi. When the left nostril is dominant so is this vritti and the mind is in a more elevated state.
- Sahasrara (seventh) chakra. Contains the seeds of all the vrittis, and all their means of expression. With 50 vrittis, expressed through 10 indriyas in both an internal and external manor, there are 1000 expressions. Thus there are 1000 petals in the lotus for this chakra.
New Age application of the Vrittis and Chakras
The modern, rainbow coloured chakra system comes from neo-tantra, new age religion and western occultism. It is founded in the radical new belief system that originated from the Theosophical society in 1885 to 1920.
If we can learn to navigate our (destructive) emotions, we will be able to achieve calmness and inner-peace. The antidote to a destructive emotion is a constructive emotion.
To fight anger, hatred, and fear, we must develop compassion, love, and patience. Destructive emotions are impulsive — they are based on misconceptions and illogical reasons. Constructive emotions are realistic — they are grounded in valid observation and reasoning.
Each chakra is associated with an endocrine gland. When the endocrine glands and chakras are out of balance then some vrittis will be over or under expressed, and the person is out of balance emotionally and mentally.
The Individual Vrittis
The mental images, desires, samskaras etc. waiting expression via the vrittis and the senses, organs and the body creates disturbances in the mind and body. This is reflected as imbalances and disturbances of the hormone secreting glands. These imbalances in turn are felt in the mind.
Yoga and the Vrittis
Asanas, or yoga postures, are designed to apply pressure on the various endocrine glands in order to balance the secretion of their hormones, optimizing the expression of the vrittis. It is possible to bring balance to the physical and mental bodies, bringing the vrittis under control and calming the mind for deeper meditation.
To fight anger, hatred, and fear, we must develop compassion, love, and patience. Destructive emotions are impulsive — they are based on misconceptions and illogical reasons. Constructive emotions are realistic — they are grounded in valid observation and reasoning.
Each chakra is associated with an endocrine gland. When the endocrine glands and chakras are out of balance then some vrittis will be over or under expressed, and the person is out of balance emotionally and mentally.
The Individual Vrittis
The mental images, desires, samskaras etc. waiting expression via the vrittis and the senses, organs and the body creates disturbances in the mind and body. This is reflected as imbalances and disturbances of the hormone secreting glands. These imbalances in turn are felt in the mind.
Yoga and the Vrittis
Asanas, or yoga postures, are designed to apply pressure on the various endocrine glands in order to balance the secretion of their hormones, optimizing the expression of the vrittis. It is possible to bring balance to the physical and mental bodies, bringing the vrittis under control and calming the mind for deeper meditation.