Day 16 Sutras 2:35-44 The effects of living the Yamas and Niyamas – What Do You Gain?
Why Bother to Live the Yamas and Niyamas?
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Limb |
Virtues |
Effects of Living the Virtues |
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Yama |
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Non-violence - Ahimsa |
When you are considerate in your attitude and behaviour towards others and the environment there is harmony. Hostilities cease and you stimulate friendly feelings among all in your presence (even in those who are normally unfriendly). |
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Truthfulness - Satya |
When you are truthful and honest and communicate with sensitivity, without hurting others with your words, without telling lies then your actions and results become subservient to truth. When the mind is absolutely honest, serene and clear, the true Self reflects without distortion and we can “realise the truth in its own original nature – infinite consciousness. |
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Non-stealing - Asteya |
Patanjali says that all wealth comes to those who are trustworthy and do not covet what belongs to others. When you do not yearn to possess what belongs to someone else, your mind becomes clear and free from worry and tension. This is true wealth. There is no need to keep up with the Jones. A serene mind brings inner peace even in situations of tension. A person like this gains everyone's confidence and people will share what they have, however valuable and precious it may be. |
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Continence (holding back) - Brahmacharya |
If you can exercise moderation in all things, you will gain the highest vitality and vigour. Moderation in all things means that you preserve energy. Brahmacharya also gets translated as celibacy. Sri Swami Satchidananda says that “sexual energy that is preserved gets translated into a subtle energy called ojas...which has a special vibration to it...and when conserved this subtle energy transforms into Tejas...the aura or the glow.” Moderation can make you healthy, happy and strong (discipline is required). |
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Non-Greed - Aparigraha |
When abstain from hoarding and greed you are secure and have time to contemplate and think deeply about life and your understanding of yourself is complete. Conversely, the more you have and the more time and energy you spend acquiring more possessions, the more time is spent taking care of, protecting and worrying about what you have. The mind is not calm. Through non-greed, the mind becomes free of desires and obligations and this detachment allows you to see the how and why of your birth – why you are here and for what purpose, |
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Niyama |
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Purity - Saucha |
At the highest level of cleanliness or purification disinterest in and indifference to the physical body and contact with the body of others develops. This does not mean that you neglect the body but that you do not worship it. Realisation arises that the body is impure – it gets dirty, decays, dies and is external. The mind's attachment to outward things that are superficial and temporary diminishes. What is eternally clean shines forth instead – the true Self. The mind becomes focused, you gain mastery over the senses and are no longer distracted by them, you feel happy and cheerful and are prepared for self-realisation. |
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Contentment- Samtosha |
Contentment brings total happiness or supreme joy. Contentment means not looking to outside things to make you happy. You are content whether things work out or not. You do not like or dislike, You accept things as they are in the moment. You can still have goals and desired outcomes. It's just that you are not attached to the results. The results belong to a force higher than yourself (they are offered to the divine or humanity). |
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Discipline - Tapas |
Through discipline we remove impurities from the body and the body (mind also) functions more efficiently. Practices such as fasting remove toxins and burn excess fat from the body, meditation helps to remove mind chatter – mental impurities. Tapas develops the power to control the body and senses. It is being able to accept an insult in the same way as a compliment – with a serene mind in both situations. |
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Self-Study - Svadhyaya |
When the regular practice in the study of yourself is developed to the highest degree you understand who you are, divine consciousness, and there is no limit to your understanding. Communion with your god occurs. |
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Surrender - Isvarapranidhana |
Total surrender to the highest intelligence, God, leads to self-realisation. Your mind is tranquil and clear because everything you do and achieve is not for yourself but for humanity/God. You can physically possess things but you are not mentally detached from them. You are one with your true Self. The mind is tranquil and there is no need to practise meditation. Your mind is calm and serene always. |
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