Patanjali has given five mental planes Kshipta, Niruddha.

Kshipta is where the mind wanders among the sensual objects filled with Rajas. The Moodha Plane is in a state of sleep and impotence due to Tamas. Vikshipta is where in the mind oscillates between meditation and objectivity. When in satva it will be cheeraful and one pointed. Ekagra is one pointed. There is deep Moodha, Vikshipta, Ekagra and

meditation. Sattva is free from Rajas & Tanas. Niruddha plane is the mind under perfect control. When all the Vrittis are correct the mind is in a balanced state (samapatti). Diseases, doubt,

laziness, carelessness instability etc. are some of the obstacles to concentration. According to Patanjali ignorance, egoism, desire and aversion or likes and dislikes, clinging to mundane life are the main five obstacles that unsteady the mind. These can be removed through yogic practices but they remain hidden and whenever there is an unfavourable

surrounding they spring up but the samadhi (Absolute experience) destroy even the seed of these obstacles. We must separate the soul from sense and thoughts. The Sun and Moon currents bring energy to all the parts of the body. The mind functions in various phases

depending upon the body in which it operates. It

goes from sub-conscious to simple consciousness gradually evolving to self - consciousness until it reaches the universal consciousness. The sub-conscious mind of development (seat of instinct) is also common with lower animals. It is a habit mind. This mind does things automatically that we have learned through the intellect. In the sub-conscious mind lie all the knowledge and impressions received from various sources from this life as well as from previous lives like a storehouse. In Vedanta this mind is called Chitta. The sub conscious mind manifests various

degrees of consciousness. Self-consciousness comes to man with the unfolding of the intellect. Cosmic or universal consciousness comes with the unfolding of the intuitional mind or higher mind. This gradual growth of consciousness is a most interesting and important branch of yoga

philosophy. Yogis control the lower mind and move to the higher mind. As we progress in the spiritual path, the higher mind will obtain mastery over the lower mind through patience,

perseverance, faith and devotion. Shankaracharya says in verse 335 of the Vivekachudamani Bahye, nirudhhe, manasah prasannata manah-prasade paramatma-darsanam tasmin sudrste bhavabandha nasah bahir nirodhah padavi vimukteh When the external world is shut out, the mind is cheerful and the cheerfulness of the mind brings on the vision of Paramatman. When it is perfectly realised, the chain of birth and death is broken. Hence the shutting out of the external world is the stepping-stone to liberation.