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by Jayaram V
Chitta is one of the four aspects of the human mind, the other three
being buddhi
(intelligence), manas (conscious mind) and ahamkara (ego
principle). The word "chinta" (thinking or worrying) is
derived from the word "chitta" only.
Chitta is the mind-stuff or a vast data warehouse where all past memories, images, thoughts, feelings,
desires, emotions, samskaras and other
forms of impressions of an individual remain stored. These
memories and impressions may belong to the current life of an individual
or even his or her previous lives. It is from here one picks ones
core thoughts and desires (vasanas), the sum of ones life and actions,
and carry them forward to ones next birth.
In the context of modern psychology
chitta is the subconscious mind. The collective consciousness of Jung which
contain archetypal and racial memories may be considered as part of
chitta only. Chitta plays an important role in the creation and
recollection of dream states as the dream experiences of the sleeping
state are also stored in the chitta.
One of the principal aims of yoga is quieting the mind, an integral
aspect of which consists of quieting the chitta also. During some forms of meditation we can witness how
thoughts and memories arise from the depths of our chitta and then
subside into it. This understanding would help us gain control over our
thought process and attain inner calm.
Suggested Further Reading
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