Chitta
The chitta is the unconscious storehouse of past thoughts and experiences—the bed of memory. It accumulates impressions and blends them with current mental imagery to give understanding and richness to experience. Stored impressions are propelled back onto manas in the form of habitual behaviors or desires.
“Chitta” (चित्त) is a Sanskrit and Pali term with multiple meanings, primarily related to the mind and consciousness, especially within Buddhist and Hindu philosophical contexts. It can be broadly translated as “mind,” but also encompasses concepts like “mind-stuff,” “feeling,” or the subconscious mind.
In Buddhism:
Mind in general: Chitta is one of three overlapping terms (along with manas and viññāṇa) used to refer to the mind in the Nikayas, often in a generic sense.
Mental states: Chitta can also refer to specific mental states or moments of consciousness.
Not self: In Buddhist philosophy, chitta is not considered a permanent, self-existent entity, but rather a constantly changing flow of mental events.
Object of awareness: Chitta is seen as both an object of awareness and an aggregate, meaning it can be known and observed by consciousness.
In Yoga:
Mind-stuff: In yoga philosophy, chitta is often translated as “mind-stuff” or the lower mind.
Feelings: Some interpretations of chitta in yoga emphasize its connection to feeling, including both lower and higher aspects of consciousness.
States of Chitta: Yoga also describes different states of chitta, such as mudha (dull), kshipta (restless), vikshipta (distracted), ekagra (one-pointed), and niruddha (controlled).