So, if you
have studied yoga for any amount of time you probably have heard of the Yamas and Niyamas. They are sometimes referred to somewhat
flippantly as the 10 commandments of yoga.
That’s an oversimplification I think, but it may get the general point
across. I hope you can see something
useful in the teaching.
Patanjali
compiled the foundational text for classic yoga known as the Yoga Sutras (approx..
400CE). In this book he has created a
composite of philosophical beliefs from many pre-existing sources. Interestingly what made his work
mind-blowingly radical is that before the Yoga Sutras, this type of
philosophical study was not available for the everyday person. To study philosophy and spirituality at that
time you had to be from a higher class.
Patanjali brought this deep thought to the people.
In his
sutras he describes the Eight Limbs of Yoga, the first & second of which
are the Yamas and Niyamas. This could be called a list of do’s and
don’ts for a life well lived.
The Yamas
are the universal observences. This is
the list of 5 rules in engaging with the world outside ourselves. I once heard a teacher refer to the yamas as
the don’ts & the niyamas as the do’s.
I wish I could remember who taught it this way. I like it.
Simple.
They are
Ahimsa — Sanskrit
for "non-harming" – (don’t hurt anyone)
Satya — Sanskrit
for "refraining from dishonesty" (don’t lie)
Asteya — Sanskrit
for "non-stealing" (don’t take it if it’s not yours)
Brahmacharya — Sanskrit
for "wise use of sexual energy" (don’t waste your mojo – let me
add that this isn’t entirely about sex)
Aparigraha — Sanskrit
for "non-possessiveness" (don’t be greedy)
The Niyamas are the personal restraints. These describe how to behave and mind your
thoughts toward yourself.
Saucha — Sanskrit for
"purity" (do: keep your mind, body and space tidy)
Santosha— Sanskrit
for "contentment" (do: be satisfied)
Tapas— Sanskrit
for "self-discipline" (do: live your life with a burning enthusiasm)
Svadhyaya — Sanskrit
for "self-study" (do: cultivate a self reflective consciousness,
create understanding & awareness)
Ishvara pranidhana — Sanskrit for "surrender
to a higher source” (do: create meaning in your life by connecting
to a higher power)
Over the course of my study I have read many translations
of the Sutras. There are countless
articles on the Sutras. I have been
lucky to hear a variety of incredible yoga teachers and philosophy professors
discuss them. There are endless ways to decode
these teachings and make them an incredibly useful tool in perspective.
(remember cherry picking)
Please let me know what you think. I look forward to discussing my personal take
on how these teachings keep my heart open and my life more joyful.
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