Intrinsically, we are creatures of habit. Repeatedly, we fall into the same mental and physical patterns over and over again. Some of these deeply rooted patterns make our lives easier. We have been conditioned to value cleanliness and personal hygiene, therefore without thought we wash our hands and brush our teeth. This is a trivial albeit overt example of a positive habit, imposed upon our malleable minds when we were young. However, the more noticable habits, the ones we seek to change, are often the negative ones. Mindlessly watching TV or scrolling through social media: a form of pseudo-relaxation and escapism as a result of being conditioned to suppress rather than address our mental exhaustion. Self-criticism: an unconscious result of being unable to live up to unreasonably high familial and societal expectations when we were younger.
In yogic philosophy, the Sanskrit word samskara refers to the impression or groove which is left on the mind as a result of a vritti, or thought wave. This thought surfaces and then travels deep into the unconscious mind, where it manifests as a samskara. Collectively, our samskaras make up our conditioning and patterns, both positive and negative. The more we allow ourselves to fall into habits that reinforce these grooves and impressions, the harder they become to resist.
What we call our personality is nothing more than the sum of our samskaras, the collection of our patterns of thinking. We are what our samskaras are; we see everything in life through our samskaras.
Essence of the Upanishads: A Key to Indian Spirituality By Eknath Easwaran
If we exist merely as passive creatures of habit then both our lives and our destiny will be defined by whatever combination of good and bad samskaras exist within our minds. However, yogic philosophy doesn’t just present us with the idea of samskaras, it also gives us the tools to discover these samskaras within ourselves. Present awareness and attention give us the power of choice. By slowing down and consciously observing our thoughts and actions we can start to notice our daily habits. Once a habit is uncovered, we can then introspectively trace it back to the source, bringing light to the samskara itself. In this way, our habits exist as an external indicator and tangible representation of the samskaras rooted in our unconscious mind. Only when awareness lifts the samskara to the level of the conscious mind do you have the power of choice: the power to choose a new path, or to follow an old one. Over time, this allows you to follow only the patterns that best suit your body, mind, and practice in the present moment.
If we commit ourselves to inertia and make no effort to discover an alternative, then these subtle impressions of our past deeds will have the force of destiny.
What Are Samskaras and How Do They Affect Us? By Pandit Rajmani Tigunait on Yoga International
Notice that the intention is not to immediately release or break free from negative samskaras, but to start by simply bringing attention to all samskaras both positive and negative. Changing mental and physical patterns that have been slowly conditioned into your mind since youth is no easy task, and it also may not be necessary. Use all elements of your yoga practice to first find awareness and understanding, and often that act in and of itself is enough.
Bringing Your Intention to the Mat
- Look for new patterns and ways to move.
- Modify, add, or skip the classics like Sun Salutations and Chaturangas.
- Play with gaze and find opportunities to close the eyes.
- Sequence the entire class in a different order than normal.
- Focus on awareness through sensations and feedback in the body.
- Slow down and allow extra time for meditation and reflection.
Disclaimer: I am not a yoga or yoga philosophy expert and the ideas above are purely based upon my own experiences, opinions, and personal research.