MIND MYSTERIES & CONTROL - 13. SUBCONSCIOUS MIND & MEMORY - Sri Swami Sivananda - The Mind: Its Mysteries & Control

THE MIND: ITS MYSTERIES & CONTROL - 13. CHITTA, THE SUBCONSCIOUS MIND, AND MEMORY - Sri Swami Sivananda - The Mind: Its Mysteries & Control - HQ Full Book.

What Is Chitta?
Chitta, a term from Rajayogic philosophy and extensively used in sacred texts such as the *Bhagavad Gita* and the works of Maharshi Patanjali, is described as the mind-stuff or mental substance. It forms the foundational layer of the mind, often likened to a ground floor from which emanate the three thought waves: mind (*Manas*), intellect (*Buddhi*), and ego (*Ahamkara*). In Vedantic literature, Chitta represents the subconscious mind, a vast repository of submerged experiences and recoverable memories.
Chitta is symbolically compared to a serene lake, with thoughts represented as waves rippling on its surface. Each wave rises with an associated name and form, reflecting the interplay of mental activities. These waves cannot manifest without such associations, illustrating the intrinsic connection between thought, name, and form.
The primary functions of Chitta are memory, concentration, attention, and inquiry. For instance, during meditative practices such as mantra repetition or the remembrance of God’s name, it is Chitta that sustains the remembrance. It performs these functions with remarkable efficiency, often surpassing the capabilities of the conscious mind or intellect.

The Field of Subconscious Mentation
The scope of mental activity extends far beyond the field of conscious awareness. A significant portion of mental processes occurs within the subconscious realm, accounting for 90% of mental activities, while the conscious mind handles only a fraction. Messages and solutions from the subconscious often emerge suddenly, like flashes of insight, through a metaphorical "trapdoor."
Consider the example of problem-solving. When conscious efforts fail to yield results, the subconscious continues to work silently, sorting, analyzing, and synthesizing information. This unseen activity might deliver an answer spontaneously after a period of apparent inactivity. For instance, an unresolved question posed before sleep might find its answer upon waking. Such occurrences demonstrate the tireless workings of the subconscious, even during rest.
Another example of subconscious efficiency is its ability to act on predetermined instructions. If you resolve before sleeping to wake at a specific time, the subconscious will unfailingly rouse you at the appointed hour. This unwavering reliability highlights the subconscious as a constant companion and a faithful ally.
The subconscious also plays a pivotal role in personal transformation. Through sustained efforts, one can harness its power to overcome undesirable traits by cultivating positive qualities. For instance, fear can be mitigated by affirming courage and focusing on its development, following the principle of "opposite thought cultivation." Similarly, one can establish new habits, tastes, and ideals by replacing old patterns within the subconscious.

Memory: A Function of the Subconscious
Memory, an integral function of Chitta, operates in two distinct senses. First, it refers to the mind’s capacity to store past experiences. Second, it denotes the act of recalling those experiences. Memory does not produce new knowledge; instead, it reproduces or brings forth previously acquired impressions.

How Memory Arises
Memory can arise from various causes:
1. **Association by Cause:** Using an object or receiving a gift may evoke memories of the giver.
2. **Similarity:** Observing a person who resembles someone you know can trigger related memories.
3. **Dissimilarity:** A stark contrast, such as seeing a towering structure after witnessing a modest hut, may evoke related associations.
4. **Cause and Effect:** Observing an effect, like a fallen tree, may remind you of its cause, such as a storm.