187. Dakṣiṇāmūrti and the knowledge beyond silence...

We have now completed Sutra 1.50 of the Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali, a profound teaching that introduces us to the transformative power of saṃskāras—the deeply embedded patterns of thought and behavior that influence our lives. Patañjali states:

"Tajjaḥ saṃskāro’nya-saṃskāra-pratibandhī" (Yoga Sūtra 1.50)
"The impressions produced by this state (samādhi) counteract all other impressions."

This sutra reveals that the deep impressions (saṃskāras) created during the experience of samādhi act as a counterforce, weakening and eventually overriding the preexisting mental patterns or tendencies (vṛttis).

The concept of saṃskāras can be likened to neural pathways carved deeply into our nervous system. Modern neuroscience tells us that the brain operates through repeated patterns of thought and action, reinforcing pathways that become helpful and unhelpful habits. The more we walk a specific mental path, the deeper the groove becomes. Similarly, saṃskāras are imprints on the mind that direct our behavior, reactions, and perceptions, often unconsciously. Just as a well-worn trail becomes easier to follow, our repeated habits and thoughts solidify over time.

To illustrate this, we can draw an analogy to beta-blocker medications. Just as beta blockers regulate the nervous system to reduce anxiety or calm the heart rate, the practices of yoga—most specifically samādhi—regulate and quiet the mind, offering us a way to move beyond habitual reactions. Yoga allows us to replace old patterns with new impressions, balancing the mind and breaking free from reactive cycles.

Swami Satchidānanda shares a beautiful example from Hindu mythology about Dakṣiṇāmūrti, the silent teacher. In this story, the most learned disciple—after all his knowledge, study, and discourse—could not realize the ultimate truth. It was only when he sat in silence, simply being in the presence of Dakṣiṇāmūrti, that the highest realization occurred. The story reminds us that some things cannot be spoken or intellectualized. True wisdom comes only from silence and direct experience. Words, no matter how profound, can only point toward the truth, but silence allows us to experience it fully.

Samādhi is the state through which this most profound realization unfolds. The mental impressions of clarity and peace are created through the direct, lived experience of concentration (dhyāna) and absorption (samādhi).

This brings us to a profound and simple question: What is the first step? As we stand at the beginning of this journey—whether it is a thousand miles long or just a single moment of introspection—how will we begin? It is easy to be overwhelmed by the grand scope of yoga or the vastness of life itself. Yet every journey, no matter how great, begins with a tiny, conscious step.

Samādhi is not reserved for a chosen few or distant sages. It is a state available to anyone willing to begin and commit to the practice. Whether we start by observing our breath, sitting in silence, or adopting simple mindfulness techniques, the first step matters most. Yoga reminds us that transformation is gradual but inevitable when we show up with sincerity and discipline.

So, today's invitation is to reflect on this: What small step will you take? Will you carve out a few moments of stillness? Will you commit to observing your thoughts, breathing more intensely, or releasing an unhelpful habit? Like saṃskāras, our first steps become imprints in the mind, carving new pathways and leading us closer to clarity, peace, and, ultimately, the realization of our true selves.

The journey of yoga is not about arriving quickly but about moving steadily—one step, one breath, one moment at a time.

"Tajjaḥ saṃskāro’nya-saṃskāra-pratibandhī" reminds us that we can create new, powerful impressions that counteract and transcend the old patterns. Through samādhi, we plant the seeds of wisdom, balance, and stillness that will bloom into lasting transformation.