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There are several definitions and interpretations for the word Samskara. Samskara translates literally as "same as action" from sam + root kri = to act. What does this mean? Samskara is our behavioral action - or non-action - that defines a habit.
When we are the "same as our action" it means we have taken our consciousness from the present moment and let it slide into a habitual groove of thought or emotion that we have had before. The resulting behavior now manifests through our action. The behavior carries all sorts of self-supporting assumptions that we layer on. This, of course, creates a world of maya or illusion. In a state of samskara we frequently react to faulty perceptions based on judgements or opinions that have nothing to do with reality at the current time. The mistaking of the unreal for the real is ignorance (avidya) and it usually causes suffering.
Another assumption that we make is that Samskara is always bad. This is because habits are usually associated with patterns we want to stop doing smoking, drinking, over-eating. But patterns can also be good. Say you always like to sing in the shower. It makes you feel good. A habit may be a daily ritual that inspires or heals. Going to yoga class. As conscious beings we want to be able to acknowledge our patterns and habits regardless of whether we want to change or repeat them.
One nice analogy of a Samskara comes from India. Elephants would be tied up with a straw rope. The strong elephant could easily snap the rope and be on its way. But, after much training, the elephant remains in place believing that it is totally bound.
Our mental patterns are like the straw rope. We give significant power to our habits with the history and the repetition in one (or more) lifetimes. But they are merely the repetition of thought manifesting as unconscious behavior. So, the first step in shifting a pattern or habit is to move it into consciousness. Thoughts are neither solid nor continuous. They come and go like clouds. Here is a teaching from the Yoga Sutras 3.9 that may give some meaning to the ways we can work with Samskaras. The transformation of unconscious identification with constant (habitual) motion into stillness occurs as a new impression of stillness (awareness itself) prevents the further manifestation of habitual action.
