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ANTARKARANA: FOUR FUNCTIONS OF A

YOGI’S MIND
By Timothy Burgin (https://www.yogabasics.com/author/yogitim/) | September 12th, 2015

P H OTO BY YO G I C P H OTO S
( H T T P S : // W W W. F L I C K R .CO M / P H OTO S / YO G I C P H OTO S /170 8 8 4 4 3 8 7 8 / )

With our modern emphasis on the physical practice of asana

(https://www.yogabasics.com/practice/yoga-postures/) it’s hard to
believe that for thousands of years yoga was a completely mental
practice. The ancient yogis explored the inner workings of the mind
(not the body!) in their quest to understand the nature of reality and
how to attain enlightenment. In doing so, they identified what they
believed to be the source of unhappiness and blocks to
achieving samadhi (https://www.yogabasics.com/connect/yoga-
blog/the-yoga-sutras-demystifying-samadhi/). They believed
through properly utilizing antarkarana, or the four functions of a yogi’s
mind—manas, chitta, ahamkara and buddhi—a yogi’s quest
for enlightenment could be realized.

Manas is the lowest aspect of our mind that oversees and manages
the constant flood of sensory information entering the body. Manas
directs our attention to specific sensory organs and it also measures,
tests and questions the validity of the information it receives.

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Chitta’s mental function is to store and organize all of the experiences

of manas into samskaras
(https://www.yogabasics.com/connect/yoga-blog/samskaras-
unraveling-the-conditioned-self/) – memories, impressions and
emotional patterns. Chitta constantly accesses our samskara
database to provide context, depth and understanding to our current
experience of the world. Strong samskaras shape our overall character
and behavioral traits and can color (klishta) or distort manas to create
psychological projections and false perceptions.

Ahamkara is the “I-maker” function of the mind which creates our

identity and sense of self. A healthy and balanced ahamkara allows us
to skillfully meet all of our needs to survive and grow. Ahamkara is
best utilized as a source of willpower, commitment and determination
for achieving goals and attaining success in our worldly pursuits.
Unfortunately, our I-maker can become unhealthy and distorted by
thought patterns and false beliefs that lead to feelings of separation,
pain and suffering.

Buddhi is the highest aspect of our mind, and is the pathway to inner
wisdom, spiritual discernment, and eventually leads one to
enlightenment. In most of us, the buddhi function is weak and hidden
by the activity of manas, chitta and ahamkara. When purified and
strengthened, the buddhi provides a
clear reflection of consciousness,
improved discrimination and a deep
source of wisdom and knowledge.

Swami Sivananda encouraged his

students to “Understand the mind;
study the mind; and know this
machinery well, and know also how
to manage it.” Thus the goal of a yogi
is to steadfastly observe these four functions of mind as well as to un-
color (aklishta), purify and refine antarkarana through concentration
(dharana), meditation (dhyana
(https://www.yogabasics.com/connect/yoga-blog/from-dharana-
into-dhyana/)), selflessness (karma yoga) and non-attachment
(vairagya). The careful examination of the mind through the lens of
antarkarana allows one to gain understanding and mastery over the
mind. Once mastered, the mind can then be utilized as a tool for
creating contentment, inner-peace, happiness and enlightenment.

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About Timothy Burgin

(https://www.yogabasics.com/author/yogitim/)
(https://www.yogabasics.com/author/yogitim/)
Timothy Burgin is a Kripalu & Pranakriya trained yoga instructor living and
teaching in Asheville, NC. Timothy has studied and taught many styles of
yoga and has completed a 500-hour Advanced Pranakriya Yoga training.
Timothy has been serving as the Executive Director of YogaBasics.com
since 2000. He has authored two yoga books and has written over 500
articles on the practice and philosophy of yoga. Timothy is also the creator
of Japa Mala Beads (https://japamalabeads.com) and has been designing
and importing mala beads since 2004.
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