Vrtti

Etymology:

Sanskrit Word: Vrtti

English Translation: Turning, fluctuations

References to vrittis:

Yoga Sutras I.5-12

I.5 There are 5 mind states or vrittis that can be beneficial or detrimental to the practice of yoga.

I.6 The 5 vrittis are right knowledge, error, imagination, sleep, and memory.

I.7 Right knowledge consists of sense perception, logic, and verbal testimony.

I.8 Error is false knowledge that comes from misunderstanding.

I.9 Imagination is the usage of words that are not connected to an object in reality.

I.10 Sleep is a mind state in the absence of conscious thought.

I.11 Memory is the retention of the senses during previous experiences.

I.12 The vrittis are stilled by practice and non-attachment.