ANTAHKARANA: PRACTICAL

Antahkarana and its four functions of mind

Another word for antahkarana is the mind, the totality of mind, to know how it works you will
first have to know its parts. What is manas? What is buddhi? What is ahamkara? And what
is chitta? These are the four function of mind and together we call them antahkarana, inner
instrument. By observing the four functions of mind separately you will be able to see how they
work together, and how they can be coordinated, regulated, and integrated; which is a big part
of nirodhah (Yogash chitta vritti nirodhah, the second sutra of the Yoga sutras). When all the
vrittis (movements in the mind-field) have gone nirodhahthe result will be Yoga; the Seer resting
in its own nature. Nirodhah can be translated into many different words, as there is not really one
word that captures nirodhah in its totality. To regulate the vrittis is one aspect, to coordinate, and
integrate are two others, but also mastering, controlling, stilling, and setting aside are translations
of nirodhah. All these words together offer a glimpse of understanding which will expand when
direct experiences in daily live and practice will be attained.

The more you observe the four functions of mind, the 10 senses, 5 elements, and vayus in daily
life, and your understanding about them grows, the more antahkarana will be understood in its
totality. You can observe its functioning in both the waking state of consciousness and the
dreaming state of consciousness. And what happens to antahkarana when you are in deep sleep?
Here it is all in seed form, so the totality of mind in brought back to its potential form.
Eventually we go beyond all the three states and merge into the formless non-dual
Consciousness, where there is no duality, therefore no mind, no antahkarana. Our true nature is
beyond waking, dreaming, and deep sleep, yet we also want to know how antahkarana operates
in these three level of Consciousness, so that it becomes a magnificent tool to play with in these
three levels.

MORE ON ANTAHKARANA
Antahkarana as a wheel
The four functions of mind are described in the Upanishads as being like a wheel with four
spokes. The center of the hub never moves, which is the Self, on which the wheel of the mind
seems to rotate, therefore the Self seems to operate in the apparent manifestation through the four
functions of mind. When I was young, I once rode a bike where the spokes where not of equal
length, so the hub appeared not to be in the center. When I would ride it there was the experience
as if I was riding over little hills, while the service was flat. This is a nice way to look at the way
the four functions of mind need to work together, need to be equally important, otherwise I
would experience the world as a bumpy road!