Principles of Inner and Outer Awareness
The Yamas and Niyamas are the first two limbs of the eight limbs of yoga. These guideposts are similar to guidelines for living taught in many different cultural, philosophical and spiritual texts. Put simply, Yamas are personal guideposts for our outer awareness of the world. Niyamas are codes of our own inner awareness. They are observances that provide a framework of values that allow us to conduct ourselves in an honorable way.
Stephanie and Adi lead a 10-Week Self-Inquiry Journey of the Yamas/Niyamas every January, learn more here:
www.flowhoodriver.com/limbs-12---yamas--niyamas.html
Stephanie and Adi lead a 10-Week Self-Inquiry Journey of the Yamas/Niyamas every January, learn more here:
www.flowhoodriver.com/limbs-12---yamas--niyamas.html
The Outer Observances: Yamas
Ahimsa |
1. The first of the Yamas is connection and kindness. Patanjali calls this Ahimsa, meaning non-harm. It is kindness in word, thought and deed toward yourself and others. It is awareness that if you treat others poorly you are in turn treating yourself poorly. In the same light, if we are not kind to our own self, we can not be kind to others. “When you judge another, you do not define them, you define yourself” When we acknowledge our connection to all and treat others with kindness, we are practicing Ahimsa.
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Satya |
2. The next principle is truth and authenticity, or Satya. According to Sri Swami Satchidananda’s translation of Patanjali, Satya is “To be in harmony with mind, word and action, to conduct speech and mind according to truth, to express through speech and to retain in the intellect what has been seen, understood or heard.”
Satya requires mindfulness, or to really pay attention. We first find connection and kindness, remembering any thoughts and words should be those of non-violence to ourselves and others. Often, our first instinct is to judge, evaluate, or analyze a situation from our assumed identity, experience, and perspective. To find truth we instead pause, realize that every viewpoint is just that, and see the situation from reality and from our highest and truest nature in that moment. If you chose judgment, how might you have been able to practice Ahimsa and Satya to find a different outcome? Discernment is perception in the absence of judgment with a view toward obtaining whole-hearted direction and understanding. |
Asteya |
3. Next, we look at abundance and generosity. This yama is called Asteya. It is the practice of non-stealing. It is deeply understanding each one of us is already perfect, whole and complete just as we are, and that we don’t need to take from others in order to be whole. We see abundance and generosity in ourselves as well as others as we remember to respect other people’s valuable time and talents as much as we do our own.
Is there any place in your life where you have been wanting some thing or someone to feel whole or complete, or just to feel good? |
Brahmacharya |
4. The fourth Yama is Brahmacharya, or moderation. Yoga Sutra 2:38 tells us when moderation is firmly established, vibrant vitality is gained. When we practice Brahmacharya, we emphasize quality, not quantity. We recognize the excess in our lives that might be creating unnecessary attachments or distractions that may be drawing us away from authentic beingness. Lisa Nichols talks about her life before finding her own vitality through moderation. She says, “I had a lot of sex looking for a little love . . . I can’t expect anyone to treat me better than I treat myself.” When we find moderation in our lives, vitality follows. Is there a time in your life when you found choosing to do less, achieve less, ended up showing you more?
Consume less, live more. More is not better, better is better. Quality, not quantity.An example of excess would be addiction…or lack of clarity about how much is needed or necessary. Food, TV, internet, sleep, sex, exercise, another person, or anything else that has become part of our assumed identity, or feels necessary for daily life, could be examined here. Its not about right or wrong, should or should not, but about dependency or attachment that may be distracting us from reality and presence. Is there anything you are willing to experiment with here? Somewhere deep, you already know what you may have an unhealthy relationship with. Its just admitting it to yourself, so you can be clear, and find a realistic, holistic approach.
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Aparigraha |
5. The last outer observance is Aparigraha, or “non-grasping”. When we practice Aparigraha we find that we are in a state of aligned asking and allowing. In this state we choose to let go of false images, identities, objects and roles. As we discover our true nature, we find out who we are and what we truly want in our lives. So many of us accumulate worldly goods through covetousness or attachment; the things we think we want come from a place of ego.
Competing or comparing can lead to misunderstanding or misperception, or can make us see ourselves or others as better or worse…competing and comparing may lead to judgment. The Yoga Sutras tell us that as we become more aware of who we are, we begin to understand what we want, and whether our daily actions and intentions are aligned with who we really are. Wanting something freely and joyously with faith and empowered desire, without fear, doubt or expectations, will create it, if the universe supports it. This is asking and allowing in the same moment. Joyous expression of an idea will create it, if it is in line with your true nature and universal principles, and you allow it to come into your life without attachment. Vairagya=non-attachment. Detachment develops with self-understanding. “Attachment” is actually resistance. Once we are “attached”, we are actually resisting by going into the fear or doubt of not having it. This resistance comes from low vibrational energies of fear and doubt. This fear and doubt come from patterns of wanting something to help us feel better about who we are, or to distract us from reality or pure emotions. This resistance can also come from wanting something that is not aligned with true self. Then, we bring about what we don’t really want, and when we check in with our intuition, or “truth meter”, it doesn’t feel “good” or “right”. |
The Inner Observances: Niyamas
Shaucha |
6. Shaucha means purity and clarity. Purification allows us to gain a deeper awareness of what externally is changing and needing to be maintained. With this greater awareness, we realize what is never-changing deep within. Purification brings clarity of mind, energy, one-pointedness, control of the senses and fitness that leads to a realization of the Self. If we focus on gratitude, eat quality food, purify and balance our energies with just the right amount of exercise, breath and relaxation we will live a life of higher resolution.
Where have we fallen into a habit of clutter or lack or time and attention to purity and clarity in body and mind?
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Santosha |
7. Contentment describes the second Niyama, known as Santosha. It is finding gratitude and trust in each moment. Life is always changing, but if we are present in awareness, we can see what is good and wonderful right now. We can trust in our absolute nature beyond the ego, body, and personality (that will all eventually die), to the wholeness that we already are. Even in the daily chaos of life, can we find a center, clarity, still point?
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Tapas |
8. The next principle is Tapas, or commitment.
Take a moment to consider these words from Goethe:"Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness concerning all acts of initiative and creation. There is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans; that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do or dream you can begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now."
Paying attention and not running away from opportunities to become more self aware by seeking attachment to external distractions/indentities. Many of us have habituated these actions to the point that it feels “normal” and familiar for us. Just as we begin to see something that may make us feel vulnerable we quickly turn toward a familiar habit or pattern to distract us from the courage it would take to be vulnerable. To change our lives, we must commit to seeing the patterns that no longer serve us. Commit to a new awareness. Habituating a new way of thinking, feeling and creating. Where do you feel the most vulnerable? What would someone say to you that would hurt you the most? Can you step back in this moment and see the reality of that vulnerability, that fear, that doubt? This may be a core negative belief you have about yourself that is an assumed identity not grounded in reality. |
Swadhyaya |
9. Swadhyaya is the practice of self study. Yoga asks us to inquire about what we do not know about ourselves. We seek to learn about what is fundamentally good and whole in each and every one of us. From study that leads to knowledge of the self comes union with higher understanding of who we really are, and all that entails. Through awareness and life experience we learn to acknowledge patterns of thinking and acting that no longer serve us, and that are stories or assumed identities. Beliefs that are not even real. Characteristics previously seen as “weaknesses” can be learning opportunities that can be transformed through grace.
Perceived problems or misery we experience can be undone through continual shifts in awareness. The more we develop our level of awareness, the greater joy and abundance that will come into our lives. Take time in your life to inquire and learn about yourself. To develop awareness we practice self-study (svadhyaya), including conscious contact and discussion with great teachers and friends (satsang). We can challenge ourselves to learn in ways that inspire us:
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Ishwar-Pranidhan |
10. The final Niyama is Ishwar-Pranidhan. It is faith and devotion attained by seeing the reality of our ego over and over again. It is realizing our absolute nature, or Self realization. It really can not be taught, only experienced. Many find vulnerability, humility and presence helpful sparks to light this fire.
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