Vritti refers to the fluctuations and modifications of the mind that create distorted perceptions; recognizing them is the first step to transformation.
In Patanjali's framework, vritti—the ripples and whirlpools of mental activity—are the root of cognitive distortion. The Yoga Sutras teach that these mental modifications arise automatically, coloring our perception of reality with fear, desire, and misunderstanding. By developing witness consciousness, you learn to observe these vritti without identification, creating space between stimulus and response. This practice directly addresses cognitive distortions by helping you recognize thought patterns as temporary mental events rather than absolute truths. When you see anger, anxiety, or self-doubt as vritti flowing through awareness, their grip loosens. Patanjali's system offers a precise vocabulary and methodology for naming and observing the exact mechanism by which distortions form and persist in consciousness.
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