Nirodha is a term that is used in Yogic philosophy to describe the state of the mind that is in a collected state. It is when we are aware of the mind and its activities rather than letting it run on its own. The mind is the key to living well and manifesting a reality that aligns with truly who we are. Esoteric teachers speak of the power of the mind. To truly harness its power, it must be under your control, not the other way around.

The typical life of a human is about routines and cycles. Even karma comes in cycles. Things go round and round until that cycle is broken and space for a new cycle is created. We are very caught up in cycles out of habit or due to the comfort of familiarity. These very cycles can keep us stuck like a hamster on a wheel. Why? Because it is what we know and we are afraid to try something new.

An example of a cycle could be overindulging in something, knowing fully well its bad for you, but continue to do it anyways. There is a sense of bondage and consistent guilt that locks you into that cycle. Another cycle could be being stuck in a job you hate but your mind believes that you can not find another job so you have to stick it out. The mind is what allows these beliefs to be present and keep them rooted firmly in the psyche. The conditioning you received through school, home environment, media or social groups are the foundations of these very beliefs.

The mind consists of beliefs, preferences and views of the world that are based on your own life experiences and the influences you had. Cycles are created based on the mind because thoughts create reality. If the belief of unworthiness is present, life will be full of people who makes you feel unworthy. Thoughts are like rolls of yarn wool sent out to space with one end attached to you that brings situations based on those thoughts to your reality. This is the reason why you must be in control of the mind or it will control you.

Nirodha is about finding these detrimental patterns and doing something to change it and break them. Essentially, breaking the wheel or cycle. Gaining control of the mind is knowing the contents and patterns of the mind and changing it to suit your highest good. Just as a good spring cleaning session requires unnecessary things to be thrown out, mind can also use the Konmari method of seeing if ta certain pattern or way of doing things makes you truly happy. Introspection can show which areas in life can use a change or two. By recognizing and changing, the feeling of peace can come into the mind space.

By using will power, determination and focus you can break out of the cycles that are keeping you stuck. This changes the mind’s idea of how you view yourself from a lower light to a higher light by changing emotions from anguish or guilt to content or happy. The mind is no longer weak to give into addictions but strong enough to resist them. This is the journey of coming into the state of nirodha.

Followers of Yogic lifestyle and yogic principles begin at the stage of nirodha. Having control of the mind is the most essential to living a proper yogic and spiritual life. In fact, living life in general successfully requires being control of the mind as it projects the outer reality as a reflection of the inner reality. You are what you limit yourself to be.

Breaking the cycles that take your personal power away by making you feel strong and in control, is the road to moksha, in other words, spiritual liberation. TV and magazines show what is the ideal type of person to be or ideal things to have. Getting sucked into commercialism is one of the easiest ways to get caught in these cycles. Being in control, you have the option of checking with yourself if buying that item is because of ego or it will bring true happiness. The distractions that prevents paying attention to the inner self are removed through concentrating on the mind or self rather than external aspects.