Habits, Habits, Oh, Habits
We are dealing with evolutionary phenomenon that is so much a part of our being at all levels, including the neurological. Therefore, our internal patterns have a long history that is not limited to a specific time, but comes into being from beginningless beginning.
Sojong Reminder for 15/8 from Anam Thubten
Dear Dharma Friends,
A large portion of our life is formed by our habits, mainly from the thoughts and emotions that we unconsciously repeat everyday. We often wake-up each morning and fall into the same state of mind - that is unless we begin the day by setting the intention to live consciously with awareness and mindfulness. The internal experiences we go through everyday are not superimposed upon us by life or the universe; they are a direct manifestation of accumulated karmic grooves. We feed them unknowingly. They are deep seated habits that can become part of our being, yet they are not the essence of who we are and they are changeable.
There is a phrase used in Buddhist liturgies, “all my ancient twisted karma”. Karma here refers to the three poisons (unhealthy desire or greed, hatred, and delusion) and their effect on our life. This concept indicates that all our habitual patterns didn’t form in our mind and body just a few months ago, but rather they have been developing beyond our mind’s grasp for a very long time.
Sometimes we can understand their source through analysis, but in reality our mind often cannot identify when they started because it feels like they have been with us all along. Never forget that our ancestors and parents have also transmitted their own habitual patterns to us without intending to do so. We are dealing with evolutionary phenomenon that is so much a part of our being at all levels, including the neurological. Therefore, our internal patterns have a long history that is not limited to a specific time, but comes into being from beginningless beginning.
Sojong has an aspect that is known as “shak pa” in the Tibetan tradition. The best way to translate it is to call it acknowledgment. Shak pa means to acknowledge that we are carrying all these old habits and they are causing much suffering in our lives and in the lives of those with whom we are in relationship. In some way or another, everyone close to us has already formed a relationship with us and they will be impacted by our thoughts and actions as that relationship continues. The truth is, we can bring a positive impact to their lives as we continue to practice Dharma. By acknowledging this on our path, we will experience the genuine feeling that we don’t want to live in the same state of consciousness anymore. We want to change and to lead an exemplary life. We want to live consciously.
During this Sojong, I invite all my dharma friends to practice shak pa and to hold the intention to bring more awareness to everyday life. I trust that everyone in this noble friendship is already leading a dharmic life, yet it is still good to hear such a reminder again and again.
With palms joined, Anam Thubten