Yama & Niyama
In Patanjali's Eight Fold Path, Yama are the first limb meaning "taking a vow" while Niyama are the second limb meaning "rule of conduct." When the practitioner has mastered the Yama and Niyama, facing any kind of temptation becomes easy to overcome because of the steadiness and one pointedness of the mind. This practice is about the development of positive traits that transform the human nature into Divine nature.
Yamas are five wise characteristics that tell us that our true nature is generous, honest, compassionate and peaceful. The five Yamas are self regulating actions involving our interactions with other people and humanity at large.
Non harm - Means abstaining from any violent activity on physical, mental, emotional and spiritual levels. However, Ahimsa means much more then just non violence. Ahimsa also means kindness, friendliness and thoughtful consideration of all living being. Ahimsa urges us to adopt a considerate attitude and to do no harm to others in our everyday situations.
Truthfulness - Means abstaining lies, dishonesty, and manipulation of reality.
Non stealing - Means "to speak the truth." We have to consider what we say, how we say it and what are the effects of our chosen words. What we say and how we say it can effect other people. If speaking the truth has negative effects on people, then it is best to say nothing.
Non excess - Brahma means "the infinity" and is one of the many names of God and is also used to refer to the Higher Self, while Charya means "to move" or "flow" and is translated to "flowing with Brahma." Not being interested in the shapes and forms of the human body, instead seeing the infinite in everyone. Many translate this as sexual abstinence, as Yoga is also path for Grihastha meaning “householders” and hence it should be translated as sexual discipline and channeling our energy into higher realizations and truth seeking instead of sensual pleasures.
Non greed and possessiveness - We should only take what we have earned, if we take more then we are exploiting someone else. Aparigraha is the ability to see the issues caused by acquisition, preservation and destruction of things which cause attachment and injury. Another aspect of Apariraha is non hording. Not missing what you do not have at this moment, accepting what is and not regretting is Aparigraha. Being free from accumulating things we do not need, letting go and freeing ourselves from clinging to material and non-material aspects.
Niyamas are rules that are prescribed for personal observance. The five Niyamas are a personal practice that is related to our inner world. The last three are also classified as a Kriya Yoga practice and described in itself are enough to lead us to Self-Realization, Liberation or Enlightenment.
Cleanliness or purity - Involves internal and external cleanliness. External cleanliness means keeping the body clean, taking food which does not include alcohol, meat and intoxicants. Internal cleanliness means purifying the mind of contamination like anger, hatred, jealousy, pride, vanity, attachment, lust, greed and delusions. It also includes the cleanliness of our surroundings and environment.
Contentment - Means contentment or self satisfaction. Being contented in outcomes or fruits of everything we do. This can also be seen as non judgmental living.
Mortification or Self discipline - In Sanskrit Tapa means "heat." Tapas is the strength of begin unaffected by opposites, such as heat and cold, hunger and thirst, sitting and standing, etc. The main purpose of Tapas is to make the mind pure and clean through cleaning the inner debris existing in the body, through Asanas and Pranayama.
Self study or inner exploration - Sva means "Self" and Adhyaya means "inquiry" or "examination." Any activity that cultivates self reflection can be considered Svadhyaya. Svadhyaya is to intentionally find Self-Awareness in everything we do, even to the point of accepting our own limitations. Means intro inspection or Self study. Being aware to our body, mind and emotions is the first step towards Svadhyaya, which gradually can lead us to awareness of awareness its self.
Self surrender to God - Means surrendering to the divine. This practice requires us to set aside some time every day to recognize there is some omnipresent force larger then ourselves is guiding and directing the course of our lives.
Related Raja Practices