In our anatomy
physiology class that is part of our therapy training program, Dr. Prasad was
talking about changing neural pathways - moving from unconscious incompetent to
conscious incompetent to conscious competent to unconscious competent. How
wonderful I thought! This is how yoga practice helps us replace old unhealthy
habit patterns (Samskara) with new healthy ones. Every neural pathway is
essentially a habit, and the more our prang flows through a specific path, the
more it deepens the groove, until we get trapped in it, sometimes for eternity!
And each one of us develop our own unique combination of such patterns that
defines who we are.
For us to change
our conditioning - the unwholesome, bothersome habit patterns, we have to go
through this process of consciously engaging the energy into a direction that
is positive and healthy. Initially, we experience incompetence in sticking to
the new pattern (of thought/action/behaviour) and may even slacken and fall
back into the old groove. But as we continue to practice this new path, the
pram begins to flow more effortlessly and a new groove is created that is tar
more efficient and wholesome. Then again, this can become unconscious. When we
later recognize a need for change, again the work begins, afresh! This is the
story of our life, in all dimensions of our existence!
And, in this process of conscious change, weds
have concerns at each stage.
Firstly, what Is that I want to
change? What is giving me constant pain? What about my present reality is
causing me discomfort?
Identify these
unwholesome patterns and list them out:
Underline the
most dominant and bothersome ones in red.
How do these
habits affect you in your daily life?
How do you treat
yourself or others when this dominates?
How do you treat
the world in general?
Am l willing to change?
Time to consider if you are ready to change
this. Let go of the old, well trodden path and explore a new one...
Ask yourself, Am
I really ready to let go of this pattern?
You will be
surprised to know that very often we are not ready to let go, so this step is
important.
Explore the existing path
Before
attempting to change the pattern, we try to understand the nature of this old
pattern, how it has evolved and what is holding it in place. This understanding
can stabilize your mind and help you find strength and clarity to take on the new
direction.
Let us say, I am
getting disturbed by one particular person - triggered just by the presence of
this person. Sometimes all it takes is hearing their name or seeing somebody
who resembles that person, causing much tension and unrest. The uncanny ability
for the mind to be drawn to specific sensory inputs in the presence of many
stimuli, how some people bother us more than others all the time, how we choose
to be drawn to or repelled by them more than others in a group?
What is the
process of these thoughts? What is the pathway they are taking? What are the
past memories - in relation to that person - that are being picked up as the thoughts
gather strength and momentum? What are the other judgements, beliefs and past
hurts that are being activated in this process? You see how it works? It
becomes impossible to isolate the single present experience (of what somebody
said or did) from this torrential outburst of reactions. We feel helpless and
trapped. It is as if the other person has control over our happiness and peace
of mind.
By awareness we
are able to observe the whole process. Also being aware of the tendency to get
caught up... and learn to step back carefully so as to not disturb the
equilibrium of the mind. With practice, this can be done very efficiently.
Insightful understanding
Once we are able
to stabilize the mind, it can offer a deeper insight into the nature of the
existing pattern. Through this insight, a conscious competent pattern can be
created. We may choose to drop the trigger, not react or learn to hold our judgements
lightly. And with some consistent effort and discernment, this new pattern can
become our second nature - unconscious competent!
One path serves all
And since it is
not humanly possible for us to identify all our negative patterns and replace
them, Pataniali says, cultivate just one pattern - nirodha samskara (YS 3.9), a
state of mind that is stable and equanimous that is capable of pure
non-judgemental awareness. When such stability is established and strengthened,
it binds down all the unwholesome patterns and renders them ineffective. This
is the purpose of daily meditation.
"You should sit in meditation
for twenty minutes everyday - unless you are too busy, then you should sit for
an hour." - Old Zen Adage
Best wishes,
Saras
