The Mind
The dimensions of the mind
Para-Vaasudeva/Vyuha-Vaasudeva
The scriptures speak of the recurring presence of Chaturvyuha, that is, the four forms of Vaasudeva, which are Aniruddha, Pradyumna, Sankarshana and Vaasudeva. They represent all quadruple principles in the universe, from the four aspects of the mind to the four states of consciousness to the four cardinal directions to the four forces that produced the Big Bang.
The four aspects of the mind are Manassu, Buddhi, Chitta, Ahankaara. Antahkarana is the internal sense one possesses and is the connection between the four aspects of the mind.
Manassu or manas is a broad term loosely used for the mind and our thoughts that keep flitting continuously, not allowing us to focus; earning it its moniker, ‘Monkey mind’. It is powerful and requires constant effort to harness it. Manassu, the scriptures say, is part of the mind that controls gnaanedriyas and karmendriyas. It provides the jeeva sensory inputs. Hari, present in every jeeva’s mind goes by the same name, “manassu”. Indra and Kaama reside in manassu.
Pradyumna is present in intellect and is known as “buddhi”. Buddhi is the attentiveness of the mind. It is the ability to observe and discern. Performance of yogaasanas with the mind centred in the spine calms the mind, as buddhi is in the ascendant. When the buddhi is in control over the manassu, one is in the present moment or now. Mindfulness stills the manassu.
Shiva is present in the ahankaara. Ahankaara is the identification of the self with all of its thoughts and the interpretation of all inputs. It judges, enjoys, agonises, opiniates, boasts, berates, laments, suffers, manipulates...When the buddhi is in control over ahankaara, it takes away(or at least reduces) likes/dislikes, preferences, judgements that are characteristic of ahankaara.
Chitta is the seat of memories and impressions of the mind. It is influenced by the three gunas of the jeeva. Since chitta shuddhi (the purification of chitta essential for spiritual progress and for awareness of God) is the path to strive for, one must understand the five states of chitta, which are:
Mudha, Kshipta, Vikshipta, Ekaagra and Niruddha, that is, the chitta can be dull, agitated, distracted, or controlled. The chitta is affected by five types of vrittis or wave-like patterns that prevent it from achieving shuddi.
The five chitta vrittis are: knowledge, misconception, conceptualisation, sleep and memories. Whether these mental patterns are positive or negative/joyful or miserable in nature, they prevent the jeeva from self-realisation. Proven practices to reduce chitta vrittis are mindfulness, meditation, breathing with awareness, and specific and guided yogaasanas.
“Siddhi” is the name of Sankarshana, who is present in cosmic intelligence. The abhimani devathes of thought (chitta) and consciousness (chethana) are Garuda and Shesha. Mukhyapraana devaru generates su-gnaana* in the chitta enabling the jeeva to perform satkarma**.