Yama and Niyama

Yama and Niyama are fundamental but often subtle energetic distinctions....  Simply these are the does and don'ts of a practice of awakening.  These are often mistakenly taken as moral guidelines or judgement.  Yoga practice is a practice of awareness of the non-dual self, or remembering that opposing forces which appear to be separate are non-separate.   Rigidly holding to ideas of "this" and "that", "right" and "wrong" can actually be an obstacle awareness of "this" as non separate.  In Yoga there is no "right" and "wrong".  These are relative terms... Something that is right for one person, may be wrong for another.  The archetype of the Goddess Kali, Destroys all that is in her path, but of coarse destruction becomes new life.  We might object to humanity being wiped off the earth, but animals on the verge of extinction might appreciate it....

The object of practicing Yama and Niyama is yoga.  Practitioners have found the the energetic effects of a the Yama and Niyama practices are conducive to the state we call Yoga.  Don't take these as dogmatic rules that you "have" to do.  Everything leads back to Yoga eventually, including action that in the short run (many lifetimes) may cause bondage and suffering.  These practices are meant for those seeking transformation, they are to prepare the way for greater energy and awareness to manifest in the experience we call life.....



Nuff Said.

So here they are: (the links are to Wikipedias definitions)

Yama : Literally the Lord of Death, that is.... these practices are the death of ego/illusion.

1. Ahimsa (अहिंसा): Non-harming. The Practice of harming as little as possible.  This practice explores thought word and deed.... How do are actions affect others.  This is an energetic distinction.
2. Satya (सत्य): truthfulness, that we speak what is true, that what we speak may be true....  Being Unshackled by the incredible burden of lies.
3. Asteya (अस्तेय): non-stealing, Taking nothing that is not offered.  Who do we hurt more when we steal, the person we steal from or our self?
4. Brahmacharya (ब्रह्मचर्य):.... Conservation of energy.  The skillful and directed use of creative forces. Maithuna.
5. Aparigraha (अपरिग्रह): non-hoarding

Niyama :

1. Shaucha  (शौच): cleanliness of body and mind... Purity... this takes on a new (or maybe not so new) significance in the face of modern pollution and Nuclear Fall Out.
2. Santosha (सन्तोष): contentment.... Release of craving.
3. Tapas (तपस्) : Intensity... transformational energy...  Seeking out Intensity with the intention of transformation.
4. Svādhyāya  स्वाध्याय : Self Directed Study, Practice of Reading Truth Books or Scriptures
5. Ishvarapranidhana (ईश्वरप्रणिधान): Complete and total surrender to the Almighty, that which is greater than I-me-my.... Surrender to the Divine in all things.

Once again, these are guidelines prescribed for the purpose of awakening.  Practice of Yama Niyama is a practice, that is... when we fall off the path, we get back on, again and again and again.