pramāṇa-viparyaya-vikalpa-nidrā-smṛtayaḥ
The five mental states are (1) correct understanding of what is, (2) false understanding of what is, (3) conceptualization, (4) deep sleep and (5) memory.
Yoga Sutra 1.6
Human psychology shows that our take on events is shaped by many factors, especially our state of mind. Take a festival, for example—some see it as fun with music and good food, while others view it as noise and waste. Same scene, different views. These differences don’t always come from who we are but from what’s happening around us. Someone who loves parties might feel down if they get bad news. The event doesn’t change; it’s our perception that does, affecting our choices and future experiences. Our thoughts mirror our state of mind, too. Knowing this helps us step back and see things clearly, without biases.
Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra 1.6 identifies five types of mental twists:
- Pramana: Knowledge backed by evidence or proof.
- Viparyaya: Incorrect knowledge derived from misunderstandings or misperceptions.
- Vikalpa: Imaginative thoughts such as daydreams, fears, anxieties, and hallucinations.
- Nidra: The state of sleep – a realm where we experience various visions, dreams, and sensations.
- Smriti: Memory, replaying past events, conversations, and emotions.
Some might argue their mental state doesn’t fit these categories neatly, but getting hung up on that isn’t helpful. Our minds shift shapes, but we can rise above them. Watching these mental twists helps us move past them. But getting too caught up in sorting and judging them just keeps us stuck.
Om Hari Om 🙏
Apurva - Yoga with Jenn 