The Five States of the Mind
A Raja Yoga Classification
Patanjali, the author of the Raja Yoga Sutras, classified the mind into five states. These five states denote different states of a student’s readiness for spiritual practice.
Kshipta – Disturbed Mind
Kshipta signifies a restless, wandering and troubled mind. An aspirant’s mind in this state is not prepared for spiritual practice at all as it is continually distracted, wandering in mental images, desires, worries and daydreams.
In a way, kshipta is the natural state of the mind that hasn’t yet been trained spiritually. The mind has by nature the tendency to go outward and lose itself in sense impressions, desires and worries.
Mudha – Dull Mind
Mudha signifies a dull, sluggish, lethargic mind. However, there is less restlessness than in kshipta.
A mind in mudha is still unprepared for spiritual training but not as disturbed as in the previous state. From mudha, one may work towards the next state, vikshipta.
Vikshipta – Distracted Mind
Vikshipta signifies a mind which is easily distracted. An aspirant in this state is able to achieve some degree of concentration of the mind but gets distracted all too easily and too often.
Vikshipta also means that the mind is mostly wandering, but steady on occasions, although this requires a lot of effort.
Ekagra – One-Pointed Mind
Ekagra signifies the mind that has achieved one-pointed concentration by virtue of prolonged and repeated spiritual practice. It is a peaceful, pleasant state of mind. An aspirant on this stage can concentrate easily and for extended periods of time. Here, concentration is not forced as in vikshipta but comes effortlessly and naturally.
Niruddha – Master Mind
Niruddha signifies a mind which is completely under control and functions without getting distracted or upset. It is really a state beyond the mind, a thoughtless state.
A person in niruddha will almost spontaneously be able to enter into deep meditation. Niruddha is the result of tireless, competent spiritual practice and the fruit and culmination of spiritual training.
Purpose of Classifying the Mind into Five States
The five states of the mind are not necessarily an important concept as such. They are rather a description of the various states of the mind according to its spiritual refinement. The five states of the mind also describe an aspirant’s preparedness for spiritual practice and meditation.
This classification may be helpful for teachers who need to assess their students’ readiness and find the adequate spiritual practices. It can also be helpful for the aspirants themselves who need to measure their own progress.
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