Different states of our mind

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Have you noticed you are not in the same state of mind every single day? How we wish we could always be focused and attentive; but the mind has many different states.

Patanjali describes yoga as:
                                              “Yoga Chitta Vritti Nirodha”

According to Patanjali’s Yogasutra which is the Bible of Yoga the mind has following states:


1)   Kshipta - Disturbed

I remember this day when we had just flown back from California on a grueling 16 hour flight and had to head back to work the next day. My head was in a state of absolute chaos. I could neither focus nor work on the tasks that needed to be done.I was severely jet-lagged, confused and irritated in all my meetings. And when someone asked for help I would get triggered and frustrated. I even felt teary when people asked me for simple reports!

 Finally, I had to take the day off as my tumultuous state of mind was driving me to the edge insanity.

My mind was in the state of Kshipta, the absolutely chaotic state of mind.


2)  Muda - Dull

Muda is a state of mind where we are simply not interested in doing anything. 
     On days when I have had little to no sleep, I feel tired, lethargic and demotivated throughout the day. I keep forgetting where the keys are, if the heater is switched off , or if I had an important deadline at work.
I dread such days because usually I end up feeling horribly guilty the next day. 


3) Vikshipta - Distracted


This is the state of mind we are in most of the times. 
A state of wanting to accomplish everything but ending up doing nothing. How many times have we  sat down to get some work done only to find ourselves checking the news, emails, chat messages and so on. Before we know it we have forgotten why we logged in to our laptop in the first place.


 
4) Ekagra - Focused
  

We all want to be in this state of mind where we are focused on the task at hand. Although this is temporary and short lived. 
I have noticed on days when I have had the right kind of food, a good night’s rest and prepped for the day ahead, I will be focused and not easily distracted. 

5) Nirodha - Completely focused


This is an ideal state where the mind is absolutely focused on the task in hand.
On the days when I have eaten right, slept well, prepped for the day and practiced my yoga asanas; I feel supremely confident throughout the day. I have single pointed focus on each task that I do. As if I have completely lived every moment of the day to my full potential. 

It is this state of Nirodha that Patanjali promises through the practice of Yoga.


Mind is the most powerful tool that we humans have. By practicing yoga, befriending the mind and not letting it control us is what determines our success in life. 



“ A mind free from all disturbances is Yoga ”
                       ―  Patanjali, The Yoga Sutras



 Thank you for reading :-)


Linked below:

Swami Vivekananda about the powers of mind:
 https://www.speakingtree.in/blog/swami-vivekananda-on-powers-of-the-mind



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