The
Yamas and Niyamas are the 10 fundamental practices of YOGA, the scientific
path for Self-Realization. By ‘fundamental’ I mean to say that these practices
form the foundation of all Yoga practices, and no Yoga practice is complete without
them.
The Yamas
are:
1. Ahimsa:
non-violence
2. Satya:
truthfulness 3.Asteya:
non-stealing
4. Bramhacharya:
self-restraint (mental and physical), as pertains to sexuality 5.
Aparigraha: non-hoarding, non-greediness
The
Niyamas are:
1.
Sauca: cleanliness, both internal and external (mental
and physical)
2.
Santosh: contentment
3.
Tapas: austerity and self-discipline
4. Swadhyaya:
self-study
5.
Ishwarpranidhana: surrendering personal will to
the Supreme Self
Just as there are many
ways to render a Raga (melodic scale) in Indian music, similarly there are many
ways to interpret the Yamas and Niyamas. However, this
does not mean that just ‘any’ interpretation will do. The ‘doing’ (in the case,
of the Yamas and Niyamas)
is always in our actions (thoughts and deeds), and unless these principles
are translated into our daily actions, one has not correctly ‘interpreted’ them.
Unless these principles are truly put into
practice, Self-Realization, or perfection in Yoga is impossible. Likewise, unless
these basic practices (particularly the Yamas) are engaged
in constantly, a human being becomes a dysfunctional person and can never find
true peace in this world or the next.
There
are people who talk about and write about these principles but never fully practice
them. There are some misinformed persons who refer to these principles as the
first two ‘steps’ of Yoga and believe these principles are applicable only to
novices on the path. The intelligent, however, realize Yoga, and indeed, life
itself, is comprised of ‘limbs’ which together comprise a homogenous whole. In
this respect, we can say that the Yamas are the ‘feet’ and Niyamas
the ‘legs’ of Yoga; or (leaving aside the discussion of Yoga for a moment) these
principles and practices are the foundation and supporting structure of Life.
Those who practice Yoga without practicing
the Yamas and Niyamas have neither feet
to stand on nor legs to support them, and can never go very far with their Yoga
practices. Likewise, without the practice of non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing,
godly character (as opposed to ‘dog-ly’ character’),
and non-piggishness it is impossible for any human being
to be truly happy in this world. And without the practice of purity, contentment,
self-discipline, self-introspection and observation, and renouncing one’s false
pride and vanity (that is, giving up one’s ego), it is NOT possible to remain
healthy and happy and reach one’s full potential in life.
The
purpose in discussing the Yamas and Niyamas
is to impress upon our minds the necessity of applying these fundamental practices
in every aspect of our existence. We have begun this discussion with Ahimsa (non-violence),
which is the essence of all those that follow.
Namaste
Arya
Putra
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