Picture the mind as a restless ocean—and the Yoga Sūtras call its choppy waves “vṛttis,” or mental fluctuations. Patanjali names five of them:

• Pramāṇa (valid cognition): direct perception, logical inference or trustworthy testimony. It’s like having a reliable GPS guiding each thought.
• Viparyaya (misconception): mistaking a rope for a snake in dim light. Jumping to conclusions fuels stress—think viral rumors spinning out of control on social feeds.
• Vikalpa (verbal delusion): empty chatter built on words alone, like daydreaming about a perfect vacation while scrolling through endless Instagram reels.
• Nidrā (deep sleep): not just the shut-eye that recharges the body, but the blank, dreamless state when the mind’s off duty.
• Smṛti (memory): stored impressions from past experiences—sometimes a comfort, sometimes an old bruise popping back into awareness.

By classifying these vṛttis, Patanjali offers a roadmap to spot when the “monkey mind” is swinging from branch to branch. The twist: each fluctuation can be klishta (painful) when rooted in ego, fear or attachment, or aklishta (non-painful) when flowing from clarity and open awareness (Sūtra 1.6).

Fast-forward to 2025—amid burnout culture and an endless news cycle, these teachings feel eerily fresh. Mental-health apps now pepper daily routines, yet Patanjali’s taxonomy reminds that true ease comes less from dashing between apps than from steadying those inner ripples. Less spinning plates, more anchored calm. A glance inward to catch which vṛtti has the spotlight can be more powerful than chasing the latest meditation trend.

Mindfulness isn’t about erasing thoughts, but recognizing their shapes—whether they’re reliable guides or tricksters in disguise. That’s where the real yoga begins.