Western psychology gives us models built from research and theories. Eastern traditions like Vedic psychology focus on direct observation, looking inward instead of outward.

Two Approaches to the Mind

1. Western Psychology: Outside Looking In

Western psychology evolved through analysis and observation. Psychologists like Freud listened to people’s words to infer their inner states. This method tries to understand the mind by studying groups of people and identifying patterns that apply on average.

That’s great for research, but less useful for you as an individual. Your thoughts, emotions, and reactions are unique - not an average of a hundred others.

2. Eastern Psychology: Inside Looking Out

Vedic thinkers took a different route. They sat quietly, closed their eyes, and watched their own thoughts. The truest understanding of the mind comes from direct observation. You are the only one who can see what truly happens in your mind.

Through thousands of years of meditative study, they identified a simple model of how the mind works.

The Five Parts of the Mind

In the Vedic view, the mind isn’t one big lump of thoughts and feelings. It has five interacting parts, each with its own purpose.

1. Manas: The Emotional Mind

This is where emotions live. The manas reacts instantly - it’s the voice that says “I love this!” or “I hate that!” when you try a new dish or watch a scary movie. It’s fast, reflexive, and emotional.

You hear a sudden loud sound and flinch immediately. That’s your manas reacting before logic even kicks in.

2. Buddhi: The Intellect

The buddhi is your inner analyst. It reasons, learns, and helps you think things through. It’s the part that can calm your emotions or help you see things clearly after the initial reaction.

After being startled by that loud sound, your buddhi says, “Oh, that’s just fireworks.” You relax - your intellect has processed the emotion.

3. Ahamkara: The Sense of “I” (Ego)

Ahamkara is your identity - the feeling of I am this. It can be healthy (“I’m capable”) or defensive (“I’m right, and they’re wrong”). When hurt or embarrassed, this part steps in to protect your self-image.

A colleague corrects you in a meeting, and your mind snaps, “What do they know?” That’s your ahamkara defending itself by lifting you up and putting them down.

4. Samskara: Imprints or Unprocessed Feelings

Samskaras are emotional leftovers - unprocessed experiences that sit quietly in your subconscious until something triggers them again.

You once tripped while giving a speech. Years later, just standing at a podium makes you nervous. That’s a samskara resurfacing.

5. Chitta: The Mind’s Sky

Chitta is the backdrop of it all - the quiet awareness where everything else plays out. Just like the sky holds clouds, sun, and moon, your chitta holds your emotions, thoughts, and memories. It’s not empty but rather the space in which your mental activity appears.

How They Work Together

You’re driving and someone cuts you off.

Your manas reacts: “How dare they!?” Your ahamkara adds: “People like that are so rude. I’m a careful driver - I’d never do that.” Your buddhi might intervene: “Relax. Maybe they’re rushing to the hospital.” If unprocessed, this moment may leave a samskara - tension that resurfaces the next time someone drives too close. All of this unfolds within your chitta, the mental space that keeps everything running.

The Inner Conflict

Sometimes your logic and your ego seem to fight. When someone challenges you, your ahamkara resists, while your buddhi tries to reason. The stronger your buddhi, the better you become at handling emotions and feedback without being overwhelmed.

Growing emotionally isn’t about stopping feelings - it’s about strengthening your intellect so it can digest them. Therapy, meditation, or journaling help your buddhi process emotions and prevent samskaras from forming.

Seeing It in Yourself

When you feel strong emotion, pause. Notice your manas reacting - the immediate feeling. Watch how your ahamkara may jump in to defend or compare. Let your buddhi step forward - reason, reflect, and respond.

This observation itself is healing. Watching your mind clearly - without judgment - begins to dissolve old samskaras and quiet your ahamkara.

The Takeaway

Understanding these five parts of your mind gives you a map:

  • Manas: Emotion
  • Buddhi: Intellect
  • Ahamkara: Ego/Identity
  • Samskara: Unprocessed impressions
  • Chitta: The mental backdrop

Mastering your mind doesn’t require years of study. It starts with awareness - sitting still for a few moments and watching what’s happening inside. When you can see the mechanics of your mind, change stops being mysterious.