022. Crashing thought waves.

In Patanjali's teachings, the fluctuations of the mind are likened to waves, referred to as vrittis. Patanjali's approach is characterized by clarity and organization, as he delineates these modifications as either painful or not painful, selfish or selfless, as interpreted by Satchidananda.

We constantly engage in the modification of our thoughts, shaping them into either painful or non-painful constructs. For some, like Jeff, alcohol served as a coping mechanism. However, if reliance on such substances leads to dependency, it becomes evident that the perceived solution is, in fact, a painful modification.

As Shakespeare famously remarked, "There is nothing good or bad, but thinking makes it so." This insight invites us to question the nature of our thoughts and their impact on our perception of reality - just like Patanjali. Amidst the ebb and flow of mental activity, the question arises: how do we channelize the mind-stuff, steering it towards the truth of our inner joy? 

Stay tuned for our next discussion, where we'll delve deeper into the intriguing concepts of 'klista' and 'aklista.' We'll explore their profound implications for our journey of self-discovery and inner transformation.