Information AboutSanskara |
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In Hinduism sanskaras or '''samskaras''' ( Sanskrit : impression; under the impulse of previous impressions) are the imprints left on the subconscious mind by experience (from this or previous lives), which then color all of life, one's nature, responses, states of mind, etc. The Hinduism Dictionary on Samskara In Buddhism , samskaras are considered to be the product of ignorance and conditioned consciousness ( Vijnana ). See Pratitya Samutpada . In early Buddhism the Pāli term '' Sankhara '' is used, denoting a complex causal structure involved in Kamma and Dependent Arising . OVERVIEW Sanskaras are impressions derived from past experiences that form desires that influence future responses and behavior ( Meher Baba writes: There are two aspects of human experience—the subjective and objective. On the one hand there are mental processes which constitute essential ingredients of human experience, and on the other hand there are things and objects to which they refer. The mental processes are partly dependent upon the immediately given objective situation, and partly dependent upon the functioning of accumulated sanskaras or impressions of previous experience... From the psychogenetic point of view, human actions are based upon the operation of the impressions stored in the mind through previous experience. Sanskaras, once acquired and accumulated, form a sort of multi-layered lens through which the percept of our experience emerges by way of the process of Apperception . Thus when we ''perceive'' (either internal thoughts or external things) we are actually ''apperceiving'' through the lens of the past -- in the form of accumulated sanskaras (impressions left from the past). Herein lies the genesis of the emphasis on "living in the present" inherent in all eastern religions and philosophies. Sanskaras are useful in that they create a bridge to consciousness, but then serve no further purpose -- but are actually a hindrance once full consciousness (including self-awareness) is achieved in the human form. The goal for the human being then is to be rid of them by "unwinding" them or through "shakings" caused by progressive life experiences over many lives, thereby eventually unveiling and revealing the true nature of reality and the true identity of the self. According to Meher Baba the ridding of sanskaras can also be expedited by the help or guidance of a perfected master or perfect Guru . ''Discourses'', Volume I Page 70, Meher Baba, 1967 The idea of the sanskara holds promising implications for Metaphysics , Psychology , and Process Philosophy by offering a verb-like or dynamic way to interpret experience rather than a noun-like, substance, or entity-based model as in Atomism and Materialism that have dominated the west for so long. In this view the 'what' of the object of perception is the result of the 'how' of the act of perception, rather than the other way around. SEE ALSO
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