How We Benefit from Concentrating the Citta

In our desire to "heal" ourselves or make progress in Yoga we are frequently referred to the idea of the "citta".

The citta also sometimes spelt "chitta" is defined by Mr. B.K.S. Iyengar as being a "psycho - mental substance comprising mind, intellect and ego"(1)

In the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Chapter 1, Sutra 2, we find Yoga as being defined in Sanskrit as "Yogas citta vrtti nirodhah". Yoga is stilling the modifications of the mind.

The whole idea of the citta, its current state and refining it to a higher and purer state is the central theme and idea behind the practice of Yoga.

We frequently hear the word "concentrate" or the phrase "concentrating the citta" in our practice of Yoga.

The idea behind this concentration process is that we can change how our mind functions and operates, making it more focused and calm.

In this process, we get rid of those things in its current state that cause us confusion and sadness.

Confusion and sadness are states of mind that can be made up of many other thoughts, and feelings. These include things like anxiety, worry, depression, anger, attachment, aversion, critical and condemning attitudes and impatience.

It is easy to see that if we experience things such as this, regardless of whether we can justify or excuse them or not, we will not be calm and joyful or able to focus on our thoughts, feelings, experiences and tasks at the moment.

The main benefit that we get when we have made some effort and progress in concentrating the citta is that we are in the moment in a calm, mindful and wise manner.

We perform our tasks, whether at work or at home in a more efficient manner.

We have more energy and are more focused, because those unwholesome and unskillful states of citta that we experienced in its unconcentrated and fluctuating state have been weakened and changed to something constructive and focused.

The whole process is brought about through the practice of meditation plus attention to our other approaches to life and how we interact with other people.

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali tells us that there are a number of ways that we can bring about this change in our citta.

One is a through meditation on God and surrender to him (1:23)

Another is through the use of the mantra "aum" (1:28)

Another is through the cultivation of

friendliness/loving kindness, compassion, joy in another's joy and equanimity (1:33)

Another is through the contemplation of an object that makes the mind and consciousness steady (1:35)

In looking at any of these ways to steady the fluctuating consciousness, we can see that they all have a contemplative aspect to them.

They are all different ways of meditating and acting to other people, in ways that most of us have not been formally taught in our lives.

Many of us come to or are directed to Yoga because we strive for something better in our life experience.

Many of us do want to heal ourselves or at least better understand ourselves through our practice of Yoga.

In practicing any form of Yoga or any of the teachings and practices of Yoga, we are trying to refine this

 functioning of the citta, so that its operation is not a source of confusion of suffering to us, where it is hindrance

 to more skilful living, but instead it is a balanced and focused tool that makes our life and the life of those that

 we have contact with a more joyful one.

(1) Iyengar, B.K.S. The Tree of Yoga New Delhi, India:

Harper Collins Publishers India. 1995, Page 160

2005 John C. Kimbrough (February 25th, 2005)