Inwardly witness every little movement, becoming aware of every change that takes place in the Mind. The Mind must be quiet and observant to do this. After a few months of practice, this witness awareness will grow. – Swami Sivananda
1. THE FOURFOLD ANTAHKARANA
When the Mind does Sankalpa-Vikalpa, it is called Mind.
When the Mind discriminates and decides it is called Buddhi or Intellect.
When the Mind self arrogates it is Ahamkara – Egoism.
When the Mind remembers and recollects – this is Chitta.
The Antahkarana charged with Raga, Dvesha, Anger and Jealousy is a blazing furnace. The goal is to have a cool, calm Antahkarana.
2. STRATA OF MIND
The Conscious Mind is the Objective mind. It thinks of objects.
The Subconscious Mind is Chitta. It is the storehouse of impressions.
The Superconscious Mind is the Cosmic mind.
3. THE THREE AVASTHAS
In the waking state (Jagrat) – the Mind experiences the external objects.
In dream, the Mind itself creates the dream creatures out of the material supplied by waking experiences.
In deep sleep the Mind rests in causal body or Avidya.
In Turiya-Avastha, the Mind is absorbed in Brahman or the Absolute. There is Nirvikalpa Samadhi or superconscious state.
4. THE THREE FORMS OF MIND
The Sattvic Mind is calm and harmonious. The Sattvic Mind intuits, meditates, renounces, inquires and moves towards the Atman.
The Rajasic Mind is passionate. The Rajasic Mind wants power, possessions and dominion. The Rajasic Mind wants to rule over others.
The Tamasic Mind is heedless. The Tamasic Mind sleeps. The Tamasic Mind is full of inertia and darkness.
When Yogis attain Samadhi they rise from the stream of the Gunas and the limitations of the body and Mind.
5. THE SATTVIC GUNA
When Sattva is increased a peculiar feeling of coolness, calmness, contentment and luminosity are experienced by the aspirant. When the Sattva Guna works in the mental sheath, there is a wonderful calmness. The tossing of the Mind stops and concentration develops.
When the Sattva Guna powerfully vibrates in the Vijnanamaya sheath of intellect, there is understanding of complex problems.
The three Gunas constitute your individuality. They cover your mental, moral, intellectual and spiritual life.