Vritti's Vritti's Vritti's

It's been a while since my last post.  Italy launched me into the ultimate dream retreat.  Re immersion back into life was at first subtle and sweet then soon became difficult as my blissful state slowly subsided.  I went from such an amazing grace to almost outright anger at everything.  Confusion and more anger set in.  Don't get me wrong, I kept up the illusion that everything was great but inside the dross in me was burning.  It was an out of control Vritti-fest.  My mind was whirling in this muck, loving the opportunity at my weakened state.  This went on for a week or two.  Luckily, the little Buddha in me kept it all real.  I compartmentalized both my mind and my emotions and sometimes watched with laughter at the ridiculousness of this all.  The duality of life.  Thank God for girlfriends too!  They listened to my endless bitching and joined the pity party..  Then, it was gone.  The anger.  I was back to my old self again.  Not too blissed out but overall very happy from the inside out.  It reminds me of one of the many lessons learned from my latest favorite book "The Tibetan Book of The Living and Dying".  A student says to his master after much work in meditation that he cant find peace and that nothing but shit is coming out of his mind.  He felt unworthy of his seeking enlightenment.  The master confidently assured him that work was in progress, better to have stirred the pot than it sit there stagnating and rotting.  After this counsel the student in fact found peace and realized that in order to be able to get clear he had to process and move through his own vicious mind.  There is a yoga sutra for this as well:

Sutra 1.6  Pramana viparyaya vikalpa nidra smrtayah
 The 5 types of Vrittis are:
     Pramana - Valid Proof, experienced knowledge.
     Viparyaya- Confused knowledge
     Vikalpa - Imagination
     Nidra - Sleep
     Smritayaha - Memories

These fivefold fluctuations or modification (Vrittis) of consciousness are based on real perception, or correct knowledge based on fact and proof; unreal or perverse perception or illusion; fanciful or imaginary knowledge; knowledge based on sleep and memory..  "Light on the Yoga Sutras"

In a nutshell, when these vritti's take off, they take our minds with them.  Because we are so attached to the mind, we can not escape.  Through the practice of yoga, pranayama, and meditation we are able to witness these vritti's rather than be a part of them.  It is then that they have no host and move on.  Which Vritti's have gotten you today?

Peace and Love,

Marie