Yamas are rules for a way we interact with the outer world. Cultural disciplines to lead us in our own relationships with others. The 5 yoga yamas happen to be: Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Brahmacharya, and Aparigraha.
Aparigraha encompasses Non-Possessiveness, not being greedy, and embracing the simple things in life. It focuses on satisfying one's needs as opposed to wants. Practicing yoga Aprigraha includes a non-bond to belongings, as well as human relationships. Whenever you take away "things," you face your own self. It is not very comfortable, but it's definitely stimulating. It helps one make space for new developments to come. The most important principle of Aparigraha is to abstain from accumulating more than you'll need - "stuff" only serves to keep you from your source, your real self. Usually, one attempts to fulfill spiritual hunger with interactions like sex, food, and material goods. Take away the diversion, and you can link more deeply with what is truly taking place inside. It is okay to have "stuff" but you don't want to get attached to it. Remain connected to your source, and let some other aspects in your life go the way the actual universe directs them.
Niyamas yoga is about how we interact with ourselves, our inner world. The practice of Niyama harnesses the power generated from our own practice and cultivation of a particular yamas. Niyama is all about self-adjustment - helping us maintain a positive atmosphere in which to grow. The particular five niyamas are: Shaucha, Santosha, Tapas, Swadhyaya, and Ishwara-Pranidhana.
Shaucha means chastity and clarity. Shaucha embodies purity of body, cleanliness, good health habits, and a crystal clear and orderly environment. The practice of shaucha embodies evenness of head, thoughts, speech and discrimination. It's main principle revolves around Keeping your atmosphere neat and clear. It also emphasizes orderliness encircling the self as well as our thoughts and orderliness of surroundings. This all essentially has to do with the cleaning of energy.
Santosha yoga is a term that means satisfaction. Accept what is, and make the best from everything. Its practice involves appreciation and joyfulness, as well as keeping calm with failure or success. This state of mind does not rely on any outside reputation and revolves around a mentality of satisfaction, acceptance, and appreciation. Another principle that santosha teaches is to Keep centered in the face of adversity; it is a training of choosing love above fear. Santosha Follows the saying "Take that which we can't change, Change what we can, and also have the intelligence to know the difference."
Tapas is a yoga niyama that basically means austerity, which is the readiness to do what's necessary to reach a goal with discipline. The Practice of tapas includes determination to follow daily practices, making sacrifices as required, excitement for the spiritual way. Tapas encompasses joyfulness with external discipline, which can lead to internal discipline. Tapas is all about austerity, sacrifice, and self-discipline. Tapas indicates "heat" or "fire." Go through heat and accept it - invite it in; The fire brings change. If you're not in stillness, you are craving or having aversion. Change happens in the fire - burn off some layers and emerge as something new - a Phoenix. Give yourself fully to your dharma (your own life's objective). Build bravery, power and simplicity. Prolonged sitting meditation is a disciplined practice - physical heat is produced, which "burns" the ego off to expose the true spirit.
Swadhyaya means self-education and study. It teaches one to consider the meaning of spiritual principles - understanding the fundamental knowledge, but NOT accepting without question. Swadhyaya yoga emphasizes the expansion of one's understanding through reading, and contemplating to understand the scriptures for observation with the self in regards to all existence. Practicing Swadhyaya involves reflection, deep breathing, and a yearning to know the Truth. Swadhyaya is actually the practice of self-observation. It gives you an intermission between stimulus and response, allowing you to have space to breathe, loosen up, feel, watch, and permit. Things you are contemplating may come clear for you in an essentially natural way - or it may take time for truth to emerge. Be receptive and have the spirit of exploration within you.
Ishwara-Pranidhana yoga means to surrender to God/Light/Power of the actual Universe. Its practice involves belief, dedication, sincerity, and tolerance to go beyond the ego, which is always so resistant to surrender. Ishwara-Pranidhana is about your relationship to the divine power within the universe. Give the fruit of yourself, your work, as well as your devotion to Divinity. Keep self-actualization as your goal in your life, adjusting all your actions to serve this particular goal in some manner. Spirituality sees the light and the dark, so do not judge the elements of the spirit. Spirituality is in many things - it is within our hearts. Your own expression may be to read poems, listen to music, to dance, to walk your dog. Find your expression of your surrender to Spirit and celebration of this energy.
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