Patanjali: mind traps

                           

Patanjali's 4th sutra: (or) there is identification with the modifications of chitta

We could liken the sutras to pearls on a thread, each following the other, and linked (via the thread) to the one before and after it.

Why would Patanjali say this? First he told us:

• now therefore, instructions concerning yoga
• the cessation of the mental fluctuations is yoga
• then the seer is established in his own true nature

And, then we learn that when we are not established in our own true nature, we are then identifying with the modifications of chitta. 

What is this identifying? It means that our thoughts and feelings are experienced as being oneself. We are our thoughts and feelings. As part of our human experience, this is what we each know, what we believe, and how we live. And this, actually, is fine. We should never, ever, berate ourselves for being human. For, this identification is part of our journey. We are not all going to delve into the mysteries of The Great Souls who have gone before us.

What are the modifications? They are due to:

• life's experiences
• what we carry in our DNA
• residual past life experience and tendencies
• our own Path in the present lifetime
• society's and religion's dictates

All of these, in whatever form they may take, make each of us individual, and unique. So, in one way, they are a blessing. We each have a unique blueprint in a lifetime, and indeed, in each and every lifetime, whilst still being part of the family of humankind. All of the causes of modifications create tendencies. We tend to:

• think in certain ways
• react in certain ways
• have certain emotions

And this is us. This is how we all are. Why would it not be so helpful to have these modifications that we are immersed in?

because there is freedom, peace and happiness in not being bound by our modifications

This is the bottom line. (And, we all do experience this anyway, at various times of our life) 

We are linked through time to one another, and our Souls are able to easier connect when life isn't all about oneself. We can make better decisions because we are not being bound to our modifications, we can feel better about ourselves.

                    

                                         

What is chitta?  Chitta is one of the aspects of our consciousness. We could compare it to chitter-chatter in the mind. Those thoughts swirling around in our head. Round and around. Where do they come from? They come from the above modifications. In particular our ideas of:

• right and wrong
• likes and dislikes
• our feelings

our feelings become thoughts

This, unfortunately seems to have been conveniently side stepped. As human beings, this is what happens, our feelings are an integral aspect of our human journey. They also let us know what is right and wrong, on a deeper level. So they are important. Emotions travel to our everyday mind as thoughts. These thoughts can cause us great distress. 

We can end up 'identifying' with these modifications of chitta. Sort of like getting lost in them. What can we do about all of this? Patanjali has lots of answers, but they are not the be-all and end-all. 

What else can we do aside from whatever Patnajaliji is suggesting? I have a couple of suggestions. We can do what our human-e tendencies provide:

• love can free us from the modifications of mind
• our feelings do communicate with us. Listen to them.