Skip to content
  • Paths
    • Find Your Way
    • All Yogas
    • Bhakti Yoga
    • Karma Yoga
    • Jnana Yoga
    • Raja Yoga
    • Mantra Yoga
  • Videos
    • First Steps
    • Stories
    • Yoga Perspectives
    • Essential Life Skills
    • Spiritual Development
    • Devotional Yoga
    • Yoga in Daily Life
  • Talks
    • Classes in Higher Yogas
    • Yoga Basics
    • Bhakti Yoga Talks
    • Sri Ramakrishna Talks
    • Go Farther with Meditation
    • Theme of the Month
    • Devotional Chants
  • Writings
    • Yoga as a Spiritual Path
    • Discover the Miracle of Prayer
    • Keys to Higher Consciousness
    • Growing on the Path
    • Relating to Spirit
    • Spiritual Living
    • Interviews
  • Explore
    • Lifelines
    • Online Retreats
    • Topics
    • Recent Additions
  • Courses
    • Introducing Courses
    • Online Seminars
    • Online Retreats
    • Initial Mysteries
  • About
    • Ramakrishna Ananda
    • Why Are We Doing This Now?
    • Our Ideals
    • Our Team
    • Donate
    • Get Updates
    • Contact Us
    • Terms and Privacy
  • Paths
    • Find Your Way
    • All Yogas
    • Bhakti Yoga
    • Karma Yoga
    • Jnana Yoga
    • Raja Yoga
    • Mantra Yoga
  • Videos
    • First Steps
    • Stories
    • Yoga Perspectives
    • Essential Life Skills
    • Spiritual Development
    • Devotional Yoga
    • Yoga in Daily Life
  • Talks
    • Classes in Higher Yogas
    • Yoga Basics
    • Bhakti Yoga Talks
    • Sri Ramakrishna Talks
    • Go Farther with Meditation
    • Theme of the Month
    • Devotional Chants
  • Writings
    • Yoga as a Spiritual Path
    • Discover the Miracle of Prayer
    • Keys to Higher Consciousness
    • Growing on the Path
    • Relating to Spirit
    • Spiritual Living
    • Interviews
  • Explore
    • Lifelines
    • Online Retreats
    • Topics
    • Recent Additions
  • Courses
    • Introducing Courses
    • Online Seminars
    • Online Retreats
    • Initial Mysteries
  • About
    • Ramakrishna Ananda
    • Why Are We Doing This Now?
    • Our Ideals
    • Our Team
    • Donate
    • Get Updates
    • Contact Us
    • Terms and Privacy
  • Share
RAMAKRISHNA ANANDA

What is Your State of Mind?

Is your mind your enemy or your ally?

The mind can be your greatest friend or your worst enemy. Yogis say there are five states of mind which we all experience — ranging from distraught to one-pointed and clear. There are yoga practices which can help you progress through the states of mind until the clear mind, the place of love, light, joy and wisdom, is reached. Learn how to go beyond the bondage of negative mental states and experience the fulfillment which comes when your mind is truly your ally.

All Yogas

Your Ideal Mind

Your mind is meant to be your ally and give inspiration and encouragement. If you have a mind that knows no peace or bliss, you do not yet have your ideal mind. Your mind can be your greatest asset, but can also be your greatest misery producer. Thousands of years ago, yogis identified these five states of mind and showed how to transcend them.

  • Distraught mind:  the mind is stuck in negative emotions such as worry, anger or fear and is often depressed, unhappy or suspicious
  • Stupefied mind:  seeks happiness and pleasure in the world while being numb to the subtleties of Spirit, bliss, joy and light
  • Restless mind:  sometimes filled with happy, positive emotions and sometimes overcome with unhappy, negative ones
  • One-pointed mind:  able to focus on a desired object without the intrusion of any other thoughts
  • Clear mind:  the mind is so subtle that it merges in the soul, the source of peace, bliss and ananda, ever-new joy
  • Yoga practice can help you progress through the states of mind until you live in the freedom of the soul

Watch Next

8:24
How do we satisfy the five drives which propel us?
8:00
What is the easiest path in yoga?
20:15
Are you aware of God’s presence every day?
What is the secret power of yoga?
1. A stronger body
1. A stronger body
Try Again
2. Tamas guna
2. Tamas guna
Try Again
3. Sattvas guna
3. Sattvas guna
Correct
Hear more about how to live in sattvas guna and let the light of your soul transform you.
4. Rajas guna
4. Rajas guna
Try Again

New This Week

Uncover the secret to finding your nature — 11 videos
Ready to awaken to the Essence within you? — 14 videos
Show More
Home > Paths > All Yogas > What is Your State of Mind?
Next
  • Home
  • Paths
  • Videos
  • Talks
  • Writings
  • Courses
  • Explore
  • About
  • Search
  • Home
  • Paths
  • Videos
  • Talks
  • Writings
  • Courses
  • Explore
  • About
  • Search

© Copyright 2025 Yoga World Fellowship

  • Terms and Privacy
  • Sitemap

How to Succeed

As you may know, we do not charge for our courses. All Yoga World content is free and available to you with our blessings. However, we do have a simple, but important request that’s key to the transformations necessary to succeed on the path.

We ask you to commit two hours a week to selfless service. This service can be anything you choose ranging from helping a family member or neighbor to volunteering at a nonprofit organization.

I Commit to Serve

This commitment is solely between you and your inner self.

Why the Commitment?

Share with a Friend

NOTE:  We will not share your information with third parties.