The five mental modifications (vritti) that distort perception and create cognitive bias, foundational to understanding how the mind generates false patterns.
In Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, vritti refers to the fluctuations and modifications of the mind that color our perception of reality. These five mental patterns—correct knowledge, misperception, imagination, sleep, and memory—are the root mechanisms through which cognitive biases emerge. By recognizing that bias isn't merely a logical error but a fundamental modification of consciousness itself, we understand why biases persist despite our intelligence. Patanjali's framework suggests that biases aren't personal failures but natural mental processes requiring systematic observation and training. This perspective transforms bias recognition from shame-based self-criticism into compassionate awareness of universal mental tendencies. The Yoga Sutras teach that mastering these vritti through focused attention (dharana) is essential for accurate perception and wise decision-making in all life domains.
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