Real yoga is sanyam . . .
- Swami Niranjanananda Saraswati
The Yoga tradition tells us that we have a tremendous dormant potential within us that few of us ever realize. This is the potential of consciousness, of the awakened mind. Our ordinary mental state is not very awakened. In fact, it is most often dull and sleepy. We live a great deal of our lives on autopilot, simply following the promptings of our subconscious conditioning. Awakening our dormant potential requires a certain type of self-discipline.
This discipline is outlined in the Yoga Sutras as the “eight limbs,” ashtanga, of Yoga. These include 1) self-restraints or yama and 2) self-cultivation, niyama, 3) posture or asana, 4) breath control, pranayama, 5) disciplined introversion, pratyahara, 6) focused awareness, dharana, 7) true meditation, dhyana and 8) the awakening of non-dual awareness in samadhi. People are generally acquainted with yoga postures and the practice of meditation. However, many don’t know about the ethical discipline of yama and niyama in which we must be grounded in order to make true progress on the path of Yoga.
Quite honestly, for many of us it takes painful experience to learn the value of these practices. They are not arbitrary rules laid down by a punishing deity, as much as practical guidelines for a lifestyle which enhances equanimity and consciousness. They are a means of cultivating inner peace and self-acceptance rather than something to feel guilt about. Swami Satyananda suggested a gradual approach to these disciplines which allows for human weakness. We can start by becoming aware of how many times we habitually violate the yamas and niyamas. In time, it is not a matter of feeling morally superior but experiencing the inner peace which comes from mastering one’s energy. These practices will enhance your self-confidence, interpersonal relationships, career, finances and connection with God.
The practices of yama are fivefold and are thus often referred to as the five yamas. They are 1) Ahimsa – nonviolence, 2) Satya – truthfulness, 3) Asteya – refraining from stealing, 4) Brahmacharya – sexual restraint, 5) Aparigraha – non-possessiveness. According to Patanjali, the mastery of each of these disciplines develops certain powers and abilities within us. Remember the yamas are guidelines rather than rigid rules. We don’t need to become fanatics. Awareness is a good place to start. Become aware of how often you have angry violent thoughts and emotions, how often you are tempted to tell lies (i.e. gossip) or take something that doesn’t belong to you. Notice how often you fantasize about sex and how attached you are to possessions. Each of these habits drains our energy and diverts the focus of our minds from the path of self-evolution. By becoming aware of them we take them out of the realm of subconscious patterns into the light of consciousness. Change starts with self-awareness and self-acceptance.
Niyama is also fivefold and these are referred to as the five niyamas. They are 1) Shaucha – cleanliness, 2) Santosha – contentment, 3) Tapas – austerity, 4) Swadhyaya – study of the self, 5) Ishwarapranidhana – complete surrender to the will of God. While the yamas are concerned with self-restraint the niyamas are concerned with the cultivation of positive spiritual qualities. Again, we don’t want to become fanatics. Cleanliness doesn’t mean we have to be obsessive-compulsive. Contentment doesn’t mean we have to become like sheep. Instead we can become more aware of our personal and environmental cleanliness and reduce our cravings by learning to be present with each moment. Austerity doesn’t mean self-torture but perhaps an ability to accept the conditions we are in without running for comfort.
Swadhyaya is often understood as the study of scriptures which elucidate the nature of the self. However these only have value in that we use them as guidelines for our own practice of self-observation. Self study means being able to observe, analyze and accept all aspects of ourselves.
Ishwarapranidhana is a powerful and difficult practice. It means releasing our need to control things and allowing a higher power, wisdom and love to guide us. Surrender is not a passive process but requires an active attempt to release the ego’s need to be in control.
Yama and niyama work together as do all of the eight limbs of Yoga. They support our practice and help us to develop inner peace and focus. They help us to develop sanyam which really means the complete integration of our personalities. Usually we are conflicted within ourselves. We are subject to unconscious drives which we try to suppress, deny, rationalize or otherwise defend against. At the same time we strive towards ideals which seem to make us into hypocrites at times. The dedicated practice of the integral limbs of Yoga is designed to bring about a transformation of the personality. It requires consistent dedication as well as nonattachment to results. We can’t change a lifetime of habits overnight, let alone many lifetimes worth.
