UNFOLDING THE HUMAN MIND

STATES OF MIND

A person’s mental or emotional condition is the State of Mind. In other words, we can define State of Mind as “Mood”. A person’s mood and the effect that mood has on the person’s thinking and behavior is the State of Mind. Our lifestyle is the main impetus behind our States of Mind.

As we have discussed earlier, about the functions of mind; Here I would like to apprise you about the chitta, known as the warehouse of thoughts, is also the part where consciousness resides(conscious, sub-conscious and unconscious). Chitta is the individual consciousness.

Sage Vyasa, in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra has described Mind and its States, as:

Kshipta (Pronounced as Shipt): This is the lowest state of mind. Here, the state of mind is chaotic and anxious. It is considered the most fickle mind or monkey mind. Mind is restless; hopping from one thought to another. The person is confused and deficient at making decisions. Anxiety is the Kshipta state of mind.

Mudha: It is the dull and torpid state of mind, also known as donkey state of mind. Holding your mobile while finding it everywhere and asking, “have you seen my mobile?” is the Mudha state. Here, the person is lazy, lethargic and does not feel the energy to do any labour. Daily chores seems a heavy burden. The person feels sluggish and gloomy. Depression is the Mudha state of mind.

Vikshipta: There are some days where we wakeup and feel this dynamic and lively energy, as if everything’s under our control and we can procure anything and everything we have ever fancied for; we work hard and smart and everything’s perfect that day. Then, something happens or maybe nothing happens, we start feeling perturbed, out of dim. This shift from heaven to hell and light to darkness is the Vikshipta State of Mind. Here, the mind is befuddled, “should I do this or that?” Like a bumble bee, sometimes here, sometimes there.

Ekagra: Ekagra means one pointed, focused and aware. Ego is dead and buried. Inner tumult and chaos has subsided and now there is only peace and order. After brawling with the Vikshipta Mind, a person achieves and sets foot in this calm state of mind- Ekagra.

Nirrudha: After moving through Ekagra, a person sets his foot into Nirrudha State of Mind. This is the highest state of mind. A person has single pointed focus, stable mind and stillness of thoughts. No circumstances can change his state of mind. There is calmness inside and glint outside.

How to change the State of Mind from Kshipta or Mudha to Ekagra or Nirrudha? Answer: Start from Pranayama and then move to Meditation. Calming down a kshipta or mudha mind is hard, therefore we need pranayama as warmup exercise. Later, for the main workout, we need to do meditation to achieve Ekagra or Nirrudha State of Mind.