Transcending the Lower Mind

This week we are exploring the sutras which reveal the 5 states of mind. It isn't very exciting , but it is fundamental to understanding how our minds work and perceive the qualities of the manifested universe. .In sutra 5 of Pada (Chapter) One, we learn that the first classification of the thought waves are based upon their predominant quality:

I.5. Vrttayyah pancatayyah kilshtasklishtah. The mental modifications are five-fold; painful and not-painful.

Any feelings we have are considered as painful, not painful or neutral. This is important when we go deeper into the philosophy in Chapter Two and study the obstacles to attaining Truth. In the next sutra the 5 states of mind are revealed:

I.6. Pramani viparyaya vikalpa nidra smrtayah. Right knowledge or valid proof, wrong knowledge, imagination, sleep, and memory.

Taimni states that these are the classifications of the lower mind or grosser aspects of the yogic mind which are collectively known as chitta. Why is this mentioned so early in the book? We need structure in order to begin our study in a very real way. It is easier to identify something we are looking for if we have a context for it. Are these the only states of mind? No. Higher states of mind are available when comprehension transcends the lower mind during Samadhi.