Vrittis: A 5000 year old precursor to brain waves?

When we hear the term yoga, the first image that springs to mind is usually that of an athletic, flexible woman pulling off impossible poses that make us feel extremely insecure about our own struggle to touch our toes. While this concept of yoga as a kind of mystic practice promising everything from a slender body to healthy kidneys is glorified in our media, many of us would be surprised to find out that yoga is much more than contorting our body into extremely inhuman shapes, it is a vast philosophical system in and of itself.

Yoga is one of the Shad Darshans established by Maharishi Patanjali. So what exactly are Darshanas and how does yoga fit into them? Darshanas are the schools of philosophies that in a gist try to give an explanation of reality. Each Darshana offers a unique perspective about the nature of the world, the Self, and the Absolute in their own different ways. The metaphysical explanations and nuances offered by the different Darshanas are truly fascinating and if this is something that interests you, I urge you to read further into it. For now, I will focus my writing on the Yoga Darshana and if it feels like I’m veering off-topic, bear with me. I promise I’ll get to the point.

 

The Samkhya-Yoga system explains the world through two core principles: Purusha (consciousness) and Prakriti (matter). Prakriti is the active, eternal source of the material world, while Purusha is the passive observer, representing consciousness. Samkhya’s Guna theory describes three natural tendencies—sattva (calm and constructive), rajas (restless and active), and tamas (lazy and chaotic)—which influence behavior and mental states based on their proportions in each individual.

Yoga builds on this idea, focusing on the mind (citta), which is shaped by buddhi (intelligence), ahamkara (ego), and manas (mood). Suffering arises from uncontrolled changes (Vrittis) in the mind. Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra defines Yoga as controlling these Vrittis, helping individuals achieve peace and self-awareness.

In yoga philosophy, Vrittis refers to the fluctuations or modifications of the mind, as described in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. They represent the mental activities that shape our perception and experience of reality. Patanjali categorizes Vrittis into five types:

1. Pramana (Right Knowledge): Accurate understanding or truth based on direct perception, inference, or testimony.
2. Viparyaya (Wrong Knowledge): Misconceptions or incorrect understanding of reality.
3. Vikalpa (Imagination): Abstract or imagined knowledge not rooted in reality.
4. Nidra (Sleep): A state of mental inactivity, though consciousness persists.
5. Smriti (Memory): Retained impressions of past experiences.

The goal of yoga is to quiet these Vrittis, achieving Chitta Vritti Nirodha (cessation of mental fluctuations) to attain clarity and self-realization.

While I was reading about Vrittis back in my second year, the night before my Transpersonal Psychology paper, I was simultaneously working on a draft for a conceptual paper on brain waves. And in my 4 am caffeine-induced trance state, I suddenly had an Eureka moment—the concept of Vrittis sounded a LOT like those brain waves I was reading about. At the time, it felt like this remarkable connection was stretching it a bit. And I was questioning whether this was a genuine, reasonable connection that I was making or if it was a result of internalizing one too many dubious WhatsApp forwards. But I decided to sleep on it. And the more I thought about it, the more it made sense. Stephen Hawking was initially dismissed when he proposed the idea of the Big Bang right- the same concept mentioned in the Rig Veda as the 'Hiranyagarbha'?  

So here goes my theory.

Brain waves are rhythmic electrical oscillations in the brain that are associated with different states of consciousness. They are classified based on their frequency (measured in Hertz, Hz) and the 5 types of brain waves are:

1. Delta Waves (0.5–4 Hz): Slow waves, dominant during deep sleep.
2. Theta Waves (4–8 Hz): Associated with relaxation, meditation, and creativity.
3. Alpha Waves (8–13 Hz): Present in calm, restful states.
4. Beta Waves (13–30 Hz): Linked to active thinking and focus.
5. Gamma Waves (30+ Hz): Fast waves tied to learning and cognitive function.

Do you see the similarities (kind of, at least)? First, they both categorize mental activity into distinct states. And apart from that, they share a distinct set of functionalities.

Pramana (Correct knowledge) → Beta/Gamma waves: Logical thinking and decision-making activate beta and gamma waves, linked to cognition and reasoning.

Viparyaya (Misconception) → Beta waves: Overanalyzing and misperceptions are associated with high-beta activity, often seen in anxiety.

Vikalpa (Imagination) → Alpha/Theta waves: Creative and imaginative thinking corresponds to alpha-theta waves, observed in daydreaming and visualization.

Nidra (Sleep) → Delta waves: Dreamless sleep, as described in Nidra Vritti, aligns with dominant delta waves, crucial for deep rest.

Smriti (Memory) → Alpha/Beta waves: Recollection and learning involve alpha and beta activity, reflecting memory retrieval and integration.

Apart from this, the most incriminating evidence stems from the fact that it has been proven through scientific research that yoga and meditation influence brain wave activity in ways that align with the principles of vrittis described in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. 

1. Reduction of Mental Fluctuations (Vritti Nirodha) and Brain Wave Regulation

Patanjali defines yoga as chitta vritti nirodha—the cessation of mental fluctuations. Neuroscientific research confirms that meditation and yoga lead to a reduction in excessive beta-wave activity, which is often linked to overthinking, anxiety, and cognitive overload (Cahn & Polich, 2006).

• A study by Lagopoulos et al. (2009) found that experienced meditators showed significantly increased alpha and theta activity, correlating with reduced mental chatter and enhanced inner calm.
• Similarly, Travis & Shear (2010) demonstrated that deep meditation stabilizes brain wave patterns, reducing excessive high-frequency beta oscillations that contribute to cognitive disturbances.

This aligns with the yogic principle that controlling vrittis leads to mental stillness, reinforcing the idea that brain waves are the neurophysiological counterparts of vrittis.

2. Pramana (Correct Knowledge) and Gamma/Beta Waves

The vritti of pramana (correct knowledge) involves logical reasoning and clear perception. Research indicates that high-frequency gamma waves (30–100 Hz) are associated with heightened cognition and complex information processing (Lutz et al., 2004).

• Studies on long-term meditators have shown increased gamma activity, particularly in Tibetan monks practicing focused attention meditation (Brefczynski-Lewis et al., 2007).

This suggests that disciplined mental training, as emphasized in yoga, enhances cognitive clarity, reinforcing the connection between pramana vritti and heightened gamma/beta wave activity.

3. Viparyaya (Misconception) and Overactive Beta Waves

Mental misperceptions (viparyaya) often lead to stress and anxiety, closely linked to heightened beta wave activity (13–30 Hz).

• Neuroscientific research confirms that individuals with excessive beta wave activity are more prone to cognitive distortions and anxiety disorders (Davidson, 2004).
• Meditation and yoga have been shown to reduce these overactive beta waves, thereby aligning with yoga’s goal of diminishing viparyaya through mindful awareness and self-discipline (Aftanas & Golocheikine, 2001).

This supports the idea that managing vrittis can regulate brain waves, leading to a calmer, more balanced state of mind.

4. Nidra (Sleep) and Delta Waves

The vritti of Nidra refers to a deep, dreamless sleep. Research has established that deep sleep is characterized by dominant delta waves (0.5–4 Hz), which are crucial for restorative rest (Steriade et al., 1993).

• Studies indicate that yoga-based relaxation techniques enhance delta activity, promoting deeper and more restful sleep (Khalsa, 2004).
• Meditation practitioners often experience improved sleep patterns, aligning with the yogic understanding that regulating mental fluctuations (vrittis) leads to enhanced sleep quality.

This provides strong evidence that nidra vritti is directly reflected in the dominance of delta waves during deep sleep states.

5. Smriti (Memory) and Alpha Waves

The vritti of smriti (memory) plays a role in recollection and cognitive processing. Alpha wave activity (8–13 Hz) has been consistently linked to memory consolidation and relaxed mental states (Klimesch, 1999).

• Studies show that meditative practices enhance alpha wave activity, facilitating improved memory retention and recall (Travis, Tecce, & Arenander, 2002).

This suggests that cultivating mindfulness through yoga strengthens smriti vritti by optimizing alpha wave function.

Fascinating right? What started as a late-night, caffeine-fueled realization has only grown stronger with time. The more I explored, the more it made sense—Patanjali’s vrittis weren’t just abstract philosophical concepts; they mapped onto real, measurable patterns in the brain. Science and ancient wisdom weren’t at odds but rather two sides of the same truth, describing the mind through different languages. I've always felt like there is a treasure trove of knowledge rooted within the Indian Philosophical Systems and when it comes to subjects like psychology and unrooting the mysteries of the ever-elusive nature of the mind, why not look back at the ocean of knowledge just waiting for us to explore. Modern science may have its cutting-edge tools, but perhaps the answers we’ve been breaking our heads over have been hiding in plain sight all along—woven into the very fabric of philosophies that understood the nature of consciousness long before neuroscience gave it a name. Maybe, just maybe, the key to understanding the mind isn’t just about looking forward—but also looking back.