The Yamas and Niyamas – an ethical practice
The Yamas and Niyamas are ethical and spiritual principles outlined in the ancient Indian philosophy of Yoga, specifically in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. These guidelines provide a moral and ethical framework for individuals aspiring to live a meaningful and purposeful life. The Yamas and Niyamas are the first 2 limbs of Patanjali’s 8-limbed path and a really nice place to start to get deeper into yoga and meditation.
We have tons of “styles” of yoga to choose from today, but did you know that the physical part of yoga was added in the 20th century? Asana actually means ‘seat.’ As in, can we sit in padmasana or sukhasana and meditate, for as long as needed, to uncover our truest self. The physical part of yoga was designed to facilitate the real practice of yoga – that is to say, complete mastery over the mind. The great thing about the physical practice of yoga that came about last century is that you can practice so much awareness within it, which translates into daily life. And that part is amazing!
The Yoga Sutras
The Sutras were written a really, really long time ago and technically we don’t know by whom but we give the credit to Patanjali. The Sutras are not some deeply philosophical text that you must decipher encrypted code to gain understanding, but a quite pleasant journey of self-discovery leading you to meditation. It depends on you and your dedication. The Raja path of yoga, (one of four paths: Raja, Bhakti, Jnana, Karma) is the path to self-realization through meditation. And man can it be challenging to meditate in today’s overstimulated world. Many give up because it’s too difficult to quiet the mind. Patanjali’s 8-limb path lights the way.
There are 195/6 Yoga Sutras and they are written in short passages (or ‘threads’) and in four books: Samadhi Pada – Portion on Contemplation (obstacles to mental stillness is outlined), Sadhana Pada – Portion on Practice (prepare yourself with foundation), Vibhuti Pada – Portion on Accomplishments (accomplishments that come with the practice), and Kaivalya Pada – Portion of Absoluteness (Liberation).
8 Limb Path of Yoga
The 8 limbs of yoga according to the Yoga Sutras are: Yamas (Moral Disciplines), Niyamas (Internal Observances), Asana (Seat, Posture), Pranayama (Breathing Techniques), Pratyahara (Sensory Withdrawl), Dharana (Focused Concentration), Dhyana (Absorbed in Meditation), Samadhi (Bliss, Enlightenment).
These limbs are like a flashlight leading you into bright rooms and dark rooms and rooms you thought were bright but are dark and vice versa. They teach your mind to live in a quieter place and in doing so you can uncover reality. It’s up to you if you want to follow the flashlight!
The Yamas
The Yamas are ‘restraints’ or ‘moral disciplines’ that are there to show you how to live a much kinder and peaceful life. They show us how we should interact with the external world around us (and of course towards ourselves). These moral disciplines are universal so no matter who you are, or where you come from, they resonate.
- AHIMSA -be kind, non-violence (physical, mental, emotional, verbal)
- SATYA – be truthful, don’t lie (words, thoughts, reality)
- ASTEYA – refrain from taking that which is not yours (space, time, energy…)
- BRACHMACHARYA – choose where to direct your energy (away from external desires)
- APARIGRAHA – surrender and let go, don’t grip and attach, renouncing possessions (people, things, words…)
The Niyamas
The Niyamas are internal observances that foster healthy and conscious living. They are a personal, internal conduct for you to develop a harmonious relationship with yourself. Of course, what we practice and understand internally affects our circles and the outside world.
- SAUCHA – cleanliness
- SANTOSHA – contentment (without seeking outside happiness)
- TAPAS – to burn, create heat, discipline -accepting pain for purification
- SVADHYAYA – self-study, reflection, study of scriptures, texts
- ISVARA PRANIDHANA -surrender to a higher being, energy, source, the universe
Both of these limbs practiced together contribute to your holistic development on how to represent and conduct yourself towards yourself and others.
To benefit from all that yoga offers, you have to be curious, find out more, practice more, reflect more, and be open to expanding beyond the physical practice. We practice so as to cultivate a deep awareness of all that we are doing and feeling; all that is happening ‘to us’ (really it’s for us); and all that is being offered and shown to us.
The Yoga Sutras are like Gold Keys that unlock the vehicle that will take you on a journey through a world full of wonder, contemplation, reflection, peace, and understanding.