Many times we know certain actions are ‘good’ for us, yet we can’t seem to build any momentum to change. We may indulge in overeating or drinking too much or may have a reactive way to acting when stressed. We may push ourselves too hard at all costs, or we may avoid situations that make us uncomfortable. This feeling of being stuck and unable to change is often due to samskara. Samskara is a sanskrit word that translates to activator. Samskaras are deeply ingrained in us, they become our habits and can be both good or bad. Our negative samskaras hinder us from personal growth.
Visualize water running down a bed of rocks. Eventually the water will wear away the rocks enough to create its own path that it will continually flow down. Trying to get the water to move in a different way is possible, but difficult. This is an analogy to how challenging it can be to shift the patterns of our thoughts, habits or behavior as repeating anything reinforces that action.
Practicing yoga helps to build awareness, usually beginning in our body as we practice the asanas (postures) on our mat. Noticing how we set up our foundation in poses, and where we can perhaps move deeper in our body or conversely where we need to back off is how building awareness begins. Over time this awareness spills over to our thoughts, and we can start to identify patterns in our thinking. We can then notice that moment, (which might have passed by unnoticed previously) when our thoughts or actions take us to a habit we are trying to move away from, and can redirect. It is helpful to set an (intention), known as sankalpa to help us align ourselves with where we are trying to go. Shifting samskara is a process, and the effort is ongoing, but the rewards are worth every effort.
