Patanjali's Yoga Sutras

Grammatical Curiosity: The word vikalpa comes from the Sanskrit root vi- (separation, division) and kalpa (idea, possibility). This combination suggests that imagination, in itself, is not negative but represents a detachment from objective reality. In yoga philosophy, recognizing the nature of our mental constructions is an essential step towards understanding and liberation from conditioning. Knowing and observing these fluctuations helps us stay anchored in the present, avoiding falling into the trap of mental illusions.

Modern Applications – Vikalpa and Psychological Stress: In the modern context, one of the ways vikalpa manifests is when the mind drifts into the past or projects into the future, creating hypothetical scenarios without any real foundation. This type of thinking fuels many forms of anxiety and stress. For example, thinking about the past by constantly ruminating with thoughts like “if I had said… if I had done…” or projecting into the future, feeding desires or worries such as: “I’ll be happy only when I have that job, that salary, I’ll live in that place…”

To better understand how these vikalpa can impact our lives, let’s remember our nervous system, which processes external and internal stimuli and reacts accordingly. A part of the nervous system is called the Autonomic Nervous System, the involuntary system, over which we have no direct control. This is divided into:

● Sympathetic Nervous System
It activates the “fight or flight” response in situations of immediate stress or danger.
It increases heart rate, blood pressure, and pupil dilation.
It mobilizes the body’s energy resources, preparing the organism to face an immediate threat.
It inhibits non-essential functions during stress, such as digestion.

● Parasympathetic Nervous System
It promotes “rest and digest,” aiding recovery and relaxation.
It reduces heart rate and blood pressure.
It stimulates digestion and other vital functions for the body’s recovery.
It helps conserve energy and restore balance after a stress episode.

If we think of an animal in danger, for example, a zebra spotting a lion in the savannah, the stress will activate the zebra’s sympathetic nervous system, focusing all resources on the imminent danger (it’s certainly not the time for a nap or a snack), enabling the zebra to run faster to escape the lion. Once it has managed to get to safety and the lion is no longer a threat, the parasympathetic system will take over, regulating the body to enter a phase of calm and serenity.

Humans are the only animals capable of creating abstract sources of chronic stress, such as a 30-year mortgage, a future commitment that the mind interprets as a constant threat. It’s as if the zebra were to live for 30 years, always fleeing from the lion. This leads many people to live in a state of chronic stress, with physical and mental consequences, such as chronic illnesses. This scientific approach finds an interesting parallel in the philosophical and meditative practices of yoga, which for millennia have suggested methods for dissolving vikalpa and promoting mental well-being.

If you’re interested in exploring the connection between chronic stress and its influence on our body, I recommend reading the book Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers by neuroscientist Prof. Robert Sapolsky. In this book, Sapolsky clearly and accessibly explains how stress affects our nervous system and the human body, providing enlightening examples and tips for better managing daily pressure (…yes, I didn’t choose the zebra example by chance 😉).

Liberation from Vikalpa to Reduce Stress
Patañjali teaches that dissolving vikalpa through yoga and meditation helps bring the mind to a state of clarity and calm. Similarly, Sapolsky highlights that relaxation techniques can interrupt the cycle of chronic stress, reducing the constant activation of the sympathetic nervous system.

The Union of Philosophy and Science
The parallel between vikalpa and modern stress illustrates how ancient insights are confirmed by science: the mind plays a key role in determining our well-being. Training mindfulness and living in the present, as suggested in the Yoga Sutras, provides effective tools to break the cycle of anxiety and chronic stress, promoting integrated health. In this way, tradition and modernity come together, offering a concrete path towards a more peaceful and mindful life.