In yoga philosophy, the mind is not something to “stop” or silence. It is something to understand. The ancient texts describe five natural movements of the mind, called vrittis. These movements shape how we interpret our experiences, how we react and how we feel throughout the day.
Learning about the vrittis doesn’t require spiritual background. In fact, most people recognize these patterns immediately because they play out in everyday life. Once you can see them clearly, it becomes much easier to work with your mind instead of feeling pushed around by it.
Here is a simple explanation of each one.
1. Pramāṇa — Clear, Accurate Understanding
This is the mind when it sees reality as it is.
It comes from:
- direct experience
- logical understanding
- wisdom you’ve learned and tested
A simple example: touching a hot surface teaches you it burns. Listening to your breath teaches you it calms you. This is reliable, grounded knowledge.
Meditation strengthens this vritti because it reduces noise and makes truth easier to see.
2. Viparyaya — Misunderstanding or Misperception
This happens when we see something incorrectly. It often comes from fears, assumptions or old stories that get projected onto the present moment.
Examples:
- believing someone is upset with you when they’re simply busy
- assuming a situation is dangerous when it isn’t
- taking things personally that had nothing to do with you
Everyone experiences this. It’s the mind trying to protect you, but using the wrong information.
Meditation helps by giving you space before reacting, allowing room for clarity instead of projection.
3. Vikalpa — Imagination, Fantasy and “What If” Thinking
Vikalpa is the mind creating images and stories that aren’t tied to reality—both the pleasant kind and the stressful kind.
Examples:
- daydreaming about a perfect future
- imagining worst-case scenarios
- spiraling into “what if” thinking at night
Imagination can be beautiful, creative and useful. It can also pull you into unnecessary fear. The key is knowing when it’s happening.
A consistent meditation practice helps you recognize when your mind has wandered into fantasy so you can gently return to the present.
4. Nidra — Sleep or the State of Mind at Rest
This doesn’t just mean physical sleep. Nidra refers to the mind when it is not holding any specific content. It’s quiet, blank and resting.
This includes:
- deep sleep
- the few seconds before waking
- those moments of pure stillness before thoughts start up again
Rest is essential for mental clarity. The calmer your nervous system, the easier it is for the mind to access this restful state.
Many people notice this quietness more often once they begin meditating regularly.
5. Smriti — Memory and Stored Impressions
Smriti is the collection of memories, habits and emotional imprints that shape how you respond to life.
Examples:
- childhood experiences that still influence you
- habits you repeat without thinking
- emotional triggers that resurface
- meaningful moments you recall with ease
Smriti is neither good nor bad. It’s the mind’s archive. But when memories or past impressions become too strong, they can cloud your ability to see the present clearly.
Meditation helps soften old impressions so you’re not living through the lens of the past.
The Key Insight: The Mind Doesn’t Need to Be “Fixed”
The five vrittis show that the mind is always moving. Thoughts, memories, fears, insights and dreams are all natural. There is nothing wrong with them.
The goal isn’t to shut them down.
The goal is to understand them.
In yogic teaching, each vritti can be either:
- klishta (painful, reactive)
- aklishta (helpful, grounded, clear)
Meditation helps shift them toward the supportive version. You learn to return again and again to the deeper awareness beneath all the mental movement—what the texts call “the seer,” your true stable center.
Why This Matters for Daily Life
Once you understand the vrittis, you can:
- recognize when your mind is projecting
- catch yourself before spiraling into fear
- identify when memory is coloring the present
- use imagination with intention instead of being swept by it
- appreciate moments of clarity and rest
Meditation becomes easier too, because you’re no longer fighting your mind. You’re simply watching its patterns with more understanding.
A dedicated meditation space—like the simple setups people create with Shalva kits—makes this even more accessible. The physical space becomes a cue for the mind to settle, creating the conditions where the vrittis naturally soften and clarity emerges.