Saturday, January 26, 2013

Yamas and Niyamas - Some Basic Concepts

Yoga yamas are essentially rules that govern the way we interact with the outer world or interpersonal disciplines to lead us in our relationships with other people. The five yamas are: Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Brahmacharya, Aparigraha.

Satya means truthfulness. It encompasses accuracy of speech, ideas and deeds. Its practice involves honesty, owning feelings, adoring communication, assertiveness, providing constructive suggestions, forgiveness, non-judging, and the releasing of masks. Satya can be defined by the following quote: "The elf of the tongue desires the giant to operate it" - Bapuji. Honesty can be used as a weapon, so be cautious to be compassionate. It's not about being "right." Love is greater than truth. "Brutal Honesty" is not truth. If LOVE guides the way you use truth then you're exercising Satya. Ahimsa (non-violence) must be practiced together with Satya. Principles and notions keep us from the actual truth, keep it dirty. Learn to be accepting just like a newborn. Don't let Ego get in the way of Heart.

Asteya is a yoga yama that emphasizes non-stealing, not coveting, and not being jealous. Its practice involves making use of objects the proper way, such as proper time management. With Asteya you must Develop a sense of completeness, self-sufficiency, and forget about cravings. If you value material items excessively, this lure will come upon you from time to time; release that false value. Should you achieve what you need by sincere means, you should have no worries. Should you attain what you want by unethical means, you will live with fear.

Brahmacharya is a yoga yama that teaches the channeling of feelings, moderation in all things, and self-containment. It involves no overindulgence of thoughts, intelligence, conversation or human body; moderation on all levels concerning sex, foods, and all facets of everyday life. This is the most misunderstood Yama, so I will spend more time defining the meaning of it. The practice of brahmacharya does not necessarily mean complete repression, but rather control of sensual urges. It's defining principle is gratifying our desires for pleasure through food, sex, television and other hobbies conceals the emptiness inside. That emptiness is spiritual hunger. Our own soul wants satisfaction. There are many levels of our being, and we often don't take a holistic method of fulfillment on each one of these levels. We frequently simply view the simplest, surface level requirements and attempt to fulfill ourselves on a physical level. "Brahma" means the originator and "Charya" means teacher or guide. The term Brahmacharya is derived from the two words Brahma and acharya or even charya (take your own pick). Brahma is actually God as the creator or progenitor, acharya is teacher and charya means wedded to. Therefore you could say brahmacharya means getting wedded to Brahma or "to remain attached to the source" or to stay continuous with it. Brahmacharya follows this motto: "This day, I am moderate, centered, and complete. I personally use my energy in ways which lead me nearer to my Source. I treat myself and other people with respect, knowing the natural Divinity of all folks." Neither worrying nor repressing, make peace along with your sensual desires or virtually any interests which pull you off-center from the Source. Avoid overindulgence of thoughts, intelligence, conversation, and body.

Developing Stages:

1. Self-containment by means of reasonable sexuality as well as diet.

2. Absolutely no thoughts of previous or future sense pleasures.

3. Freedom from attachment to pleasures.

4. Free of duality as well as the illusion that you're incomplete.

5. Internal serenity.

6. Continuous inner fervor, exchanging outward emphasis of sensual/sexual energies.

Be reasonable in moderation also so it is not really a burden. It is a beautiful practice. It is regarding moderating the extreme conditions and not desiring too much (consumerism). Brahmacharya yoga brings out the fire in your spirit. A lot of energies come up. If it comes up, allow it to burn - smothering issues just makes these smolder. Once they re-emerge they will be hotter. Once they arise, observe exactly what the issues are, and move deeper to your own true motives.








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