WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT STATES OF MIND?

Many commentators on the yoga sutra of patanjali, talk about five states of human mind. They are Ksipta, Mudha, Viksipta, Ekagra and Nirodha. Ksipta, is a very agitated and disturbed state of mind . Mudha is a state of mind that is comparable to that of a fool. Viksipta is when the mind is in a disturbed state, but is able to think. Ekagra is a state where one is able to focus in one direction. This state is closer to the Nirodha state.

Nirodha state: Nirodha is a state where the mind is completely absorbed only one direction for length of time

WHAT IS MIND

Mind can be understood by what it does. patanjali categorizes the different activities of the mind into five. (1) prarnana, (2) viparyaya, (3)vikalpa, (4) nidra, (5) smrtayah
Pramana is correct perception. This is possible either through direction perception, or inference, or through a reference Vipayaya is wrong perception. This Occurs when the mind perceives something, which is not consistence with the reality. Either it is partial perception or wrong reception.
Vikalpa is imagination. Imagination can be, based on fancy. So often we imagine about different thing, which probably we never have seen also.
Nidra is deep sleep, absence of mental activities, because of inertia.
Smrti is memory. This is perhaps the most powerful activity of the mind. We are able to retain, what we have experienced. Patajali assert that memory is never lost.

IS MIND ACRUEL MASTER OR FATHFUL SERVANT?

Patanjali in his Yoga sutra describes the different characteristics of the mind – its strengths, its weaknesses and its apparently ever – changing nature. When disciplined, it functions as a faithful servant. Otherwise it becomes a cruel, master – the cause for much of human suffering. In his sutras, patanjali declares that human mind, which is the cause for much of the suffering we undergo, can also be disciplined in a way that it becomes a tool to get rid of suffering. However the path towards happiness is not easy. There will be a lot of obstacles.

WHAT ARE THE OBSTACLES?

Patanjali in his sutras lists nine obstacles that one faces in the persute of discipline the human mind.
Vyadhi or disease is the first obstacle. In his commentary on the yoga sutra, Vyasa has defined vyadhi as the imbalance of the dhatu, rasa and krana. Dhatus are the building materials of the human body – e.g. Bone, skin flesh etc. Rasa is the fluid in the body like blood, water etc. karana are the senses, Styana is heaviness or laziness, which prevents us from acting. Samasya or doubt is the third obstacle. When we are in doubt we do not know which way to follow. This is the state of confusion. Pramada or haste is the next one. Often our action is hasty. In many cases, we first act and then only think. This is our big obstacle. Alasya is lack of enthusiasm. We start off with lot of enthusiasm, but slowly it weans away. This is another obstacle to progress. Avirati is lack of discipline. We are tempted by objects of the senses. Bhrantidarsana is illusions. We often live in illusions far from reality when confronted with reality, it is too much for us to handle or accept. Alabdhumikatva is lack of progression. We proceed with a plan, and we do not progress in it. We get disappointed because of this. Anavastitattva, is our regression. We sometimes progress, but sometimes we fall back. Our inability to accept this is also an obstacle to progress. Ayurveda person with any of these obstacles is considered a disturbed or a sick person.