Samskaras are our habits. They are ingrained thought patterns that compel us to behave in certain ways. The thought patterns can be positive or negative, self-serving or self-defeating. They are formed by our intentions, when we consider the outcomes of your actions and eventually become behaviours without conscious thought.
A samskara is like a goat track through the field, a way of thinking and reacting that is repeated, forming a pathway in our subconscious mind. When we are born, our minds are like a fertile field scattered with seeds. The field is cultivated, and the seeds germinate. If positive seeds are nurtured positive thought patterns develop but if the seeds are planted in a negative environment, the mind forms unfavourable habits that can lead to addictions.
The word samskara comes from sam, which means “well thought out.” and kara, which means “the action undertaken.” Samskaras are formed by every thought, intention, and action experienced by an individual.
It is possible to change thought patterns, samskaras, or the neural pathways in your mind, thus changing the path of your life. By changing negative thoughts and behaviour you can change your karma and your fate. It is not easy to recognize and change old habits, it takes will power, dedication and perseverance.
In yoga, it is called Tapas and Svadhyaya, the burning devotion to spiritual study to improve oneself. Tapas can burn up the bad seeds, reducing a bad habit to ashes, and we will no longer be driven to behave in a certain way.
To transform samskaras, first you need to recognize them and notice if they are helpful or hindering. Cultivate the positive patterns and work on replace the negative ones. Notice when you react in the same way in similar situations and arrest the reaction.
If you have a repetitive negative thought, you don’t have to think that thought! You can consciously change it. Have a positive thought ready, when you notice the negative thought pop up again, change it by thinking about the thought you have at the ready.
- Don’t judge your thoughts, let them flow through your mind and away.
- Practice mindfulness, awareness of your thoughts.
- In meditation you can explore deeper thought pattens.
- Form a Sankalpa, a clear, positive intention from your heart for deep transformation.
- Be aware of your actions.
- Cultivate compassion, kindness, gratitude and wisdom.
- Work at healing past traumas that can be at the root of negative samskaras.
- Avoid situations and people that act as triggers to negative samskaras.
When negative samskaras are burnt up, we become happier and more content within.
