Meditation in Yoga

Question 1

What are the five subdomains of the human body?

Answer 1

1. Chemicals
2. Molecules
3. Cells
4. Tissues
5. Organs

Question 2

How does Pantajali Yoga Sutra (PYS) define “meditation”?

Answer 2

Uninterrupted stream of that one point of focus is called absorption in Meditation (Dhyana)

Question 3

Define vritti and how many are there?

Answer 3

Vrittis are disturbances of the mind that must be controlled by citta (the mind). There are five types.

Question 4

What are the five types of vritti?

Answer 4

1. Pramana (right knowledge) - A state in which the mind reflects reality
2. Viparyaya (misconception) - A state when the mind makes a wrong judgement, which, in time, is replaced by right knowledge
3. Vikalpa (imagination or feeling) - Refers to understanding the real situation, though words do not directly relate to the situation
4. Nidra (deep sleep) - The state of mind that exists when one sleeps
5. Smriti (memory) - That which is stored in the mind