Own Your Narrative; Understanding Vritti
- Allthingsrooted
- Jul 29, 2024
- 3 min read
Do racing thoughts keep you up at night or hinder your ability to focus? You’re not alone. The human mind is a complex landscape, filled with endless trails of thought. These mental fluctuations, known as vrittis in Sanskrit, can be both a source of creativity and a barrier to inner peace.
“Everything begins in the mind, if you want to see clearly, you need clear vision.” ~ Sri Swami Satchidananda
It’s time to take control of your mental world. It is time to own your narrative.
Thoughts are powerful in that our perceptions become the basis of our core belief systems, and belief systems, regardless of how subtle and sophisticated, are like filters that allow certain bits of info to pass through while blocking out others. For example, If you see the world as scary, you will always be in fear. If you see the world as an Eden, joy will always surround you.
Simply out, YOU choose your life. Yes, you hold that power.
So, how do we master our mind’s enough to be able to control the filter and choose the world we live in?
Vritti: The Mind’s Fluctuations
Vritti is a Sanskrit term that translates to “movements of thought” or “streams of consciousness.” It is literally to whirl, turn, revolve, to go on. An incessant, dizzying movement.
In the context of yoga and meditation, it refers to the fluctuations of the mind, the constant stream of thoughts, emotions, and perceptions that arise in our consciousness.
I want you to view Vritti as the stories we tell ourselves…the long trails our mind goes down, often spinning out of control.
Generally we can consider the vrittis as types of thoughts – but they are broader than that. There are five main fluctuations that affect our outer consciousness:
5 Types of Vritti:
Pramana: Correct knowledge or perception.
Viparyaya: Incorrect knowledge or misconception.
Vikalpa: Imagination or fantasy.
Nidra: Sleep.
Smriti: Memory.
We all are subject to these five turnings in our minds, and they are not necessarily bad. Correct knowledge can help us do the right thing at the right time. But we can also do the right thing for the wrong reason; even incorrect knowledge can be helpful at times.
The truth is, these fluctuations can be good or bad. Even right knowledge can be used in a harmful way. We have often seen things done with the best of intentions turn out drastically wrong. It not that these vrittis are good or bad that makes them worthy of study, it is their effect upon the state of our mind that is of interest.
These turnings of the mind obscure the view of our real self and need to be calmed. Like the surface of a mountain lake on a clear moonlit night (our mind) when still, reflects perfectly the full moon (reality). But with even a small ripple, caused by a vritti, the moon’s appearance is distorted.
So, why are the Vritti’s important? They Build our SELF IDENTITY!
Understanding vrittis is paramount to reclaiming control over your life. Vrittis often operate unconsciously, steering your thoughts, emotions, and actions. By gaining insight into these mental patterns, you begin to recognize their impact on your decisions, relationships, and overall well-being. This self-awareness is the cornerstone of personal growth and transformation.
When you master the art of observing your vrittis without judgment, you empower yourself to choose your thoughts rather than being controlled by them. This conscious awareness allows you to break free from limiting beliefs, negative thought cycles, and emotional reactivity.
By taking charge of your mental landscape, you create space for clarity, focus, and intentionality, paving the way for a more fulfilling and purposeful existence.
Comments