Exploring My Mind Through Yoga -Understanding Chitta, Manas and Buddhi for Greater Mental Clarity
Unveiling the layers of mind with yogic wisdom for a more balanced life
In my own yoga practice, understanding the mind has been pivotal to moving beyond my habitual patterns and deepening my self-awareness. Terms like chitta, manas and buddhi have become not just abstract concepts, but tools I use to understand how I think, feel and respond. These ancient ideas, rooted in the Yoga Sutra of Patañjali, guide me toward greater clarity and freedom, and I’ve found them to be just as relevant today as they were thousands of years ago.
The three faces of my mind - Chitta, Manas and Buddhi
To make sense of my internal world, yoga has provided me a framework that breaks the mind into three primary layers - chitta, manas and buddhi. Each has a distinct role in shaping my thoughts, emotions, and actions, and understanding them has allowed me to navigate life with greater ease.
Chitta: My Pool of Consciousness and Memory
Patañjali’s second sutra, “Yogaś citta-vṛtti-nirodhaḥ,” has been a guiding light in my practice. Yoga is the quieting of the fluctuations of chitta. Chitta represents the pool of my consciousness, the repository of all my memories, emotions and deep-seated patterns. When my mind is unsettled, these fluctuations or vṛttis, obscure my clarity and cloud my judgment.
In my everyday life, I see Chitta as the constant background chatter - the memories that color my present, the worries that pull me away from the now. It’s my subconscious mind, playing out old patterns until I bring them into the light of awareness.
Types of Chitta:-
Mūḍha - My confused, dull or lethargic mind.
Kṣipta - My restless, agitated and easily distracted mind.
Vikṣipta - My mind that wavers, sometimes focused, sometimes not.
Ekāgra - Those rare moments when my mind is one-pointed and concentrated.
Niruddha - The state I strive for - complete stillness, where the mind is serene.
In my practice, I often find myself fluctuating between Kṣipta and Vikṣipta. Occasionally, I taste moments of Ekāgra, when I’m fully absorbed, but my goal is to cultivate a steady mind that rests in Niruddha i.e free from inner turbulence.
Manas: My Mind of Sensory Perception
Manas is the layer of my mind that deals with sensory perception. It’s the part that collects data from my environment, sorting and filtering through the input from my senses. I think of Manas as the initial gatekeeper, determining what information gets through.
Living in a world that bombards my senses constantly - notifications, bright screens, loud environments - I often feel Manas become overwhelmed. This sensory overload makes it challenging to find stillness. Recognising how Manas operates has encouraged me to step back from the noise and create intentional spaces of calm.
Buddhi: My Source of Discernment and Wisdom
Buddhi is the discerning part of my mind - the aspect that guides me toward truth, clarity and conscious decision-making. It’s the force that allows me to separate what’s real from what’s illusion, what’s beneficial from what’s harmful.
In my journey, Buddhi has become a compass. It’s not about collecting intellectual knowledge but about cultivating wisdom through reflection and experience. In a world that values quick fixes, Buddhi reminds me to slow down and go deeper, seeking understanding rather than surface-level answers.
How chitta, manas and buddhi interact in my daily life
These three layers of my mind are in constant dialogue, shaping how I engage with the world. If I walk into a social setting, for example, manas immediately gathers sensory impressions like the sounds, the sights, the faces around me. Then, Chitta kicks in, bringing memories or judgments that influence my perception of the situation. Finally, Buddhi steps in, helping me discern how to act - whether to engage, withdraw or simply observe.
In my daily life, it’s easy to get lost in the conditioned responses of chitta or the distractions of manas. But by observing this interplay, I can use buddhi to make more intentional choices, responding thoughtfully rather than reacting out of habit.
10 practical ways I integrate the yogic view of the mind into my life
Mindful meditation to understand my chitta
I spend time each day in grounding practice (often mistaken for meditation), observing the fluctuations of my mind. By watching thoughts arise and dissolve, I bring unconscious patterns into awareness. Over time, I’ve noticed a gradual shift from reactivity to presence.Practising pratyāhāra to quiet my senses
Pratyāhāra, or sensory withdrawal, is essential for my well-being. I start with small steps, like unplugging from digital devices an hour before bed or enjoying meals in silence. These moments of sensory rest recharge my mind.Daily self-reflection for a sharper buddhi
Every evening, I take a few minutes to reflect on the day. I notice when my mind was reactive and what triggered those moments. This practice strengthens my buddhi, helping me discern the source of my reactions and align my choices with my values.Using breath awareness as an anchor
When I feel overwhelmed, I turn to my breath. Slow, deliberate breathing calms the fluctuations of Chitta and helps ground my senses. It’s my way of coming back to the present when my mind starts to drift.Journaling to observe my chitta’s patterns
I find that journaling is a powerful tool for understanding my mind. It allows me to see recurring thoughts, dreams or emotions that might otherwise go unnoticed. Putting pen to paper gives me clarity on what my subconscious holds.Limiting sensory overload to protect my manas
I’ve learned to be selective about what I expose myself to. Whether it’s reducing time on social media or creating quiet time each morning, I find that limiting unnecessary input helps me maintain mental clarity.Engaging in svādhyāya (self-study) to nourish my buddhi
Reading and reflecting on sacred texts, like the Yoga Sutras and the Bhagavad Gītā, has become a cornerstone of my practice. These teachings offer a mirror to my mind, guiding my decisions with wisdom rather than impulse.Practising āsana with mindful awareness
I use my yogāsana practice as a way to observe my mind’s tendencies. Is it distracted or focused? Anxious or calm? Staying present with each movement and breath helps me connect with my body and settle my wandering mind.Choosing a sattvic lifestyle for mental clarity
I’ve discovered that a sattvic lifestyle i.e one that emphasises clarity and balance has a profound effect on my mind. Eating wholesome foods, maintaining a consistent sleep schedule and surrounding myself with a positive environment all contribute to a clearer mental state.Spending time in silence to understand my inner world
I make it a point to embrace silence regularly. Whether it’s a walk in nature or a quiet meditation at home, silence allows the mind to settle. It’s in these moments that I often gain the most clarity and insight into my inner world.
My journey of self-discovery through yoga
Exploring the layers of my mind - Chitta, Manas and Buddhi has been a journey of self-discovery. In a world that encourages outward focus, yoga has invited me to turn inward, facing the complexities of my thoughts and emotions with patience and courage. This process isn’t linear or easy. It requires honesty and a willingness to witness my inner world, even when it’s uncomfortable.
By becoming aware of these subtle aspects of my mind, I’ve found that I’m not at the mercy of old habits or external circumstances. Instead, I’m more equipped to respond with intention, finding a sense of freedom amidst the noise of everyday life. This journey has shown me that true yoga isn’t just about physical postures. It’s about cultivating awareness, compassion and a deeper connection with myself and the world.
A heartfelt thank you for supporting my journey
As I continue to unravel the layers of my mind, I’m constantly reminded of the power of this practice. It’s an ongoing exploration and I’m immensely grateful to share it with a community of like-minded seekers. I want to express my deepest gratitude to each one of you - my readers and subscribers - for supporting this journey. Your engagement, encouragement and insights make this exploration of yogic wisdom possible.
A special thank you to my paid subscribers, who make it possible to offer these teachings more widely. If you’re interested in diving deeper into yoga’s transformative potential, I invite you to explore what we have at The Yoga Nerds and check out the wonderful courses with myself on Yoga with Kassandra. Together, let’s continue to learn, grow, and connect through the timeless wisdom of yoga.
Namaste!
Madhura x
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I appreciate your post and admirable interpretation of the Patañjali’s second sutra, 'Yogaś citta-vṛtti-nirodhaḥ'.
But the practical points suggested in the post may have only temporary effects, if any. In 16 active hours a day, how a few minutes, say moments, can result in so called 'citta-vṛtti-nirodhaḥ'? Most of us practice Yogasanas, Pranayam and meditation. But our mind is still fluctuating.
Until Yamas and Niyamas aren't considerably observed and Svādhyāya is undertaken regularly, it will almost impossible to materialize 'citta-vṛtti-nirodhaḥ. For example, Svādhyāya feeds mind positive thoughts without any object, which in turn create wisdom. Wisdom as such will create auto-suggestion. It's auto-suggestion that will lead to 'citta-vṛtti-nirodhaḥ.