संस्कारसाक्षात्करणात्पूर्वजातिज्ञानम् ॥

saṃskāra-sākṣāt-karaṇāt-pūrva-jāti-jñānam

Through samyama of closely examining (sākṣātkaraṇāt) one’s conditioning and patterns (saṃskāra), one acquires deep knowledge (jñānam) of the past (pūrva) and past lives (jāti).

PRACTICAL LIVING     Thoughts, beliefs and behavior are learned often without awareness from the moment we are conceived (and brought from previous lives). Later in adult life, when we have the cognitive ability to respond to the world, we largely respond based from cognitive memory and deeper imprints. We have imprints from previous lives in addition to imprints from this life that we are not aware of. Those imprints have an effect on how we think, perceive ourselves and others, and how our nervous systems are wired.

Have you ever questioned why you feel something repeatedly or behave in certain ways? Do you ever feel stuck in cycles without knowing why? If you don’t have an answer to this question such as “I remember my father saying this every night”, then this sutra suggests that it may be an imprint that we cannot remember having an experience of. This may be because: (i) it happened before the age that we could form and understand words (conception to age two), (ii) the situation was too painful and we dissociated, or (iii) it happened in a previous lifetime.

When we don’t have the origin of a thought pattern, behavior or belief, it is difficult to be free from it. Sometimes we can simply behave in a different way and that old behavior is replaced with a new one. But other times, that doesn’t work.

When one deeply reflects on their thought patterns, feelings and belief systems, the origin of those can be revealed and provide insight into why one is the way they are. An example of this is experiencing a déjà vu – a moment when we feel that we’ve lived something before. A feeling that we have been to a place that we have not actually been to in this lifetime. Or meeting a person where the instant connection feels much older than the stranger in front of us.

Personally, in moments of dedicated yoga and meditation practice, insights from the past and past lives have showed up. These have given me immense relief, like finding an answer to an old story. Other practices have also provided me with this gift. There are many paths to receiving these answers. Patanjali provides us with his many practices in chapter II.

IN THE YOGA WORLD     I have met many people who talk about past lives. From yogis in caves in the Himalayas to modern-day witches, I have been listening to people express their beliefs and knowing of past lives for decades. However, for many years I was neither a believer nor a disbeliever. The concept made sense intelectually, but I had not had a personal experience of past lives until the past few years. I mostly believe in what I personally experience. So when I had several scenes, feelings and images start to come up, there was no way I could be a disbeliever anymore. Devoted yogis, witches and wizards – folx who spend a lot of their time meditating, know past lives are part of our existence. Those of us who are less devoted but still are seekers and yogis and witches deep down, do have the opportunity to experience this. If I have, anyone else can.

INSPIRATIONAL PERSON     Raw, wise, hilarious, grounded and a modern-day witch, these are just a few wonderful words that describe Katie. I have met this powerful woman maybe three or four times, but our connection feels like one of those ancient ones I talked about above. We instantly connected talking about topics that are usually considered taboo, but with the comfort of two intimate friends. A beautiful walk along the beach was the last time we met, where she told me stories that include the courage I aspire to experience more of. I recently asked the universe to gift me with more witches in my life. Katie arrived. I feel very blessed to be living so close to you, you powerful and loving witch!

Enjoy and next time we will be exploring how to understand others!