Awakening Chit: Discovering Conscious Awareness Through Yoga Practice
Nov 11, 2024n yoga, we often explore divine attributes, or qualities of being, that allow us to connect to a more profound understanding of our true nature. This week, we focus on the attribute known as Chit (CIT) — the Sanskrit term for conscious awareness or pure consciousness. Chit represents the part of us that is aware and awake, the foundation from which all other experiences arise. In the yogic journey, Chit is central to knowing ourselves beyond the surface level, to realizing and expanding our presence within every moment, both on and off the mat.
To fully understand Chit, we consider three primary attributes: Sat (truth), Chit (consciousness), and Ananda (bliss). Together, they represent yoga’s great promise — a state of being deeply connected to truth, consciousness, and joy. Chit, the middle aspect, encourages us to recognize the essence of our awareness and to live mindfully, with a heightened understanding of our internal world.
In modern life, much of our behavior operates from a subconscious level. Psychologically, these subconscious patterns can be seen as habitual responses shaped by past experiences, often stored as Vasana (imprints) and Samskara (mental impressions or grooves). These impressions can subtly influence our actions, thoughts, and reactions, creating a sort of "default setting" that may disconnect us from living fully in the present. In yoga philosophy, the practice is about clearing these habitual grooves and patterns, allowing us to embody Chit by becoming more present, less driven by past beliefs and emotional echoes.
In yoga practice, we cultivate Chit through intentional movements and postures, which enhance proprioception (the awareness of where our body is in space) and interoception (the awareness of what’s happening internally). These physical and sensory connections help us reclaim and sharpen our conscious awareness, creating a stronger connection to the body and a clearer, more grounded sense of being. Whether we’re in a challenging asana or a moment of quiet stillness, Chit calls us to deepen our awareness and live consciously, rather than reactively.
Anusara Yoga's focus on alignment directly supports Chit by allowing us to feel stable and expansive in our bodies. By aligning from our toes to our spine, we create a steady, open space to explore awareness from the inside out. As we practice, we engage in a conversation with our own consciousness, tuning in to the signals from within — the heart’s beating, the breath’s rhythm, the sensations within our muscles. This intentional focus not only increases our sensitivity to the body’s messages but also enhances our ability to self-regulate and understand our emotional and mental responses.
Bringing this awareness into everyday life, we’re empowered to approach situations with clarity and compassion. Chit invites us to hold a steady space within ourselves, one where we’re aware of our responses without being led by them. This mindful consciousness is how we bring greater ease, grace, and joy into our lives — by learning to be present with what is, rather than being shaped by the past.
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