What Causes the Mind to Distract More and More, and How Can Ashtanga Yoga of Patanjali Help?

Our mind is often described as an unbridled monkey, always on the move and prone to distractions. According to Yoga Sutras, the practice of pranayama can help control the mind through consistent practice.

The Impact of Overstimulation

Our senses are constantly bombarded with information that can lead to increased distractions. For instance, excessive talking, watching unnecessary content, or listening to information that is not meaningful or beneficial to us can overload our minds, resulting in a feeling of restlessness. Yoga helps develop rules and practices that stabilize your mind and body, which is crucial for managing these distractions effectively.

The Role of Yoga Practices in Mind Control

The Yoga Sutras provide us with the framework of Yamas, Niyamas, Asanas, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi, which collectively aim to control the mind and bring it into a state of tranquility.

Yamas and Niyamas: Self-Rules for Inner Peace

Yamas and Niyamas are the principles of self-discipline and ethical living. These guidelines help stabilize your nerves and correct your posture, promoting a sense of balance and inner peace.

Asana and Pranayama: Body and Breath Control

Asanas (postures) and pranayamas (breath control exercises) are essential for stabilizing your breath and bringing awareness to your body. Together, they help you interiorize your mind and senses, leading to a state of mental calming known as pratyahara.

Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi: Shifting Focus and Achieving Tranquility

With pratyahara, you can cut off mental distractions and focus your attention inward. This is followed by dharana, which involves concentrating your mind on a single object or thought. Over time, this leads to dhyana (meditation) and eventually samadhi (superconscious state) where your mind becomes one with the object of your focus.

The Universal Nature and Distractions

The concept of the mind’s distractions can be attributed to the Universal Nature, which represents the ignorance and darkness around us. All thoughts are generated by this universal nature, and we often misconstrue them as our own. When you observe your surroundings during a crowd and then in a quiet corner, you realize that the mind’s movements are not entirely under your control.

Left Alone, You Realize the Mind's True Nature

When you begin meditation or follow any Yoga method, you are essentially trying to distance yourself from the universal nature and its actions. This allows you to see your previous habits and thoughts more clearly. You emerge as an observer of these distractions, which have been present all along, but now you are aware of them. This initial stage involves transforming your awareness from being a passive participant to an active observer.

The Journey to Discernment

Chitta Vritti refers to the fluctuating thoughts and emotions in the mind. These thoughts belong to our desire soul and are not solely controlled by the mind. It is essential to train the mind to rule over these Vrittis rather than the other way around. This is why figures like Hanumanji, a devotee of Lord Rama, worked on purifying his Vrittis through Bhakti (devotion) to become a sattwik (harmonious) mind.

The process of discernment and discrimination (Viveka) is essential in Yoga. As you become an observer (Sakshi), you can begin to understand the functions of the mind and prana (vital energy). Over time, you learn to permit thoughts that align with a higher purpose and reject those that do not. This process is known as Nirodha, and it involves being a Anumanta (giver of consent) to your thoughts.

The Journey to Samadhi

One of the most challenging aspects of this journey is the control of the Kantha Chakra, which represents the continuous flow of mechanical thoughts and habits. This is the stage where even after achieving Nirvana, one must still maintain control over these thought patterns. The path to salvation is not always easy, as it requires consistent effort and dedication.

For us, mortals, this journey can take several decades, but the rewards are immense. We are called to embark on this path, and only a few may achieve the full realization of the ultimate goal. As we move forward, we must remember that the path is difficult, but the destination is worth every step we take.

Many are called, few are chosen, and the path is difficult, but the journey is rewarding.