The Mind-A Tool, Not A Master.

Your mind is not you—it is simply the tool you wield to navigate the world.

A common misconception is that we are our minds. In truth, the mind is merely a tool, a vehicle through which we navigate the world. When we identify ourselves with our thoughts, we lose sight of our true essence. Recognizing the mind as a tool allows us to regain control over it and use it wisely.

How the mind works: The five vrittis (mental fluctuations) that distort reality and rob us of inner peace.
Patanjali identifies five primary vrittis or mental fluctuations that cause confusion and suffering:

1. Pramada (carelessness) - Mental laziness or lack of awareness.

2. Vikshepa (distraction) - The tendency for the mind to scatter in all directions.

3. Raga (attachment) - Clinging to pleasurable experiences and outcomes.

4. Dvesha (aversion) - Rejecting unpleasant experiences.

5. Abhinivesha (fear of death) - The deepest fear, the fear of non-existence.

These fluctuations distort our perceptions of reality and hinder our ability to experience peace and clarity.

The inner battlefield: Abhyasa (consistent practice) vs. Vairagya (detachment)—is the ultimate dance between effort and surrender.
The battle between abhyasa (consistent practice) and vairagya (detachment) is crucial in our pursuit of self-mastery. Abhyasa is the sustained effort to train the mind, while vairagya is the practice of detachment from outcomes. The balance between effort and surrender is where true mastery lies (we will get more into this later).

The first step to mastery: Knowing that you can control your mind, and how to begin the practice of stilling it.
The first step in self-mastery is realizing that you can control your mind. This realization empowers you to begin the practice of chitta-vritti-nirodhah, stilling the fluctuations of the mind. The practice begins with mindfulness—observing your thoughts without judgment.