Habits

Yesterday on Shabbat, our Rabbi gave an inspiring sermon on habits, recognizing that habits can be both beneficial and non beneficial for our wellbeing.

We are all creatures of habits, of conditioning. Some we know and are aware of and some may influence our lives, without us even understanding how programmed we are.

In a way we become prisoners of past experiences. The good news is that we have the key to unlock the prison’s door. The key is awareness.

When we embark on the path of Yoga, we are asked to examine our tendencies. To look at our automatic reactivity to things. Our likes and dislikes, our cravings, clinging attachments and aversions. These are all part of the mental imprints that habits are.

Once we come to know ourselves, once we sit in stillness to witness the mind, then we can start and realize and inquire into the origin of our habits.

We learn how our behavior and personal characteristics developed. What are related to our heredity, tradition, social requirements. When these roots are known,

we can re-examine our lifestyles and realize what is wholesome for our wellbeing and what is unwholesome. And of course, these may change as we grow and evolve.

Things that were helpful in the past can now be ones that no longer serve us. Then we can choose and let go of that which causes tension, stress and brings conflicts in our lives. Then we can choose to be with only that which allows us to be at peace, to live with authenticity, to live the lives that we are meant to live. To be who we are.