A Voyeur of Vrittis

A Voyeur of Vrittis

Sometimes the mind is brimming with words which you simply want to put down to paper (or computer); sometimes the words just wouldn't come out. But one thing is for sure: the mind is never quiet--there's always movement and thought. When the supposedly right words wouldn't come out, it's because there are other words that are louder, reverberating in your head. If you'd just observe those words and capture them on paper, you'll have your blog entry for the day.

But not all thoughts are worth listening to. They are often repetitive, trite and petty. Let these thoughts rise and let them subside. Let them work out their restlessness. If you'd leave them alone, they will all go away.

The yogis call the activities of the mind citta vrittis. Literally, it means "whirlpools" of the mind, or "mind-waves". The mind is always vibrating with vrittis. As one subsides, another arises. When one impression hits the mind, it stirs up a host of other vrittis. Once in motion, it is very difficult for the mind to stop. Even in sleep, these vrittis are still at work as dreams.

The calm and meditative person is aware of his vrittis and can hold them in check. Those who fail to control them, end up being their slaves. When these vrittis are unchecked for a long time, they grow in strength and become even more difficult to control.

Hence you see the behaviour of most people are often very predictable. The same set of stimulus brings about the same set of responses. As the pattern gets repeated over and over again, they reinforce themselves. Mental habits are thus formed.

That is why it is so difficult for us to change. We never control these vrittis when they are small. And when they have cut deep channels in your brain, your behaviour becomes automatic.

Even when we attempt to suppresss our citta vrittis, they never die away--they merely sink back into their dormant form. The energy is still there, and they are ever-ready to pounce up again, once the right sets of conditions are in place.

Sometimes you see married couples argue about the same things over and over again. One vritti arises in one party, rousing a similar pattern of vrittis in the other. There's mutual reinforcement of mind-waves, and the oscillations become very strong. One small ripple, and the whole tidal wave comes crashing in.

Only when we analyze our vrittis and resolve them to their causal states, can we finally put them to rest. In the words of the yogis, only when you "fry the seeds' of these vrittis, will they cease to sprout again.

To resolve the vrittis to their causal states, we must observe them quietly and understand their behaviour. Why did they arise? Your mind is your instrument and your laboratory. Find out the root causes of their agitation. Be a voyeur of your own mind. Only then, will you be a master of your own destiny.