Yamas and Niyamas are the ethical precepts set forth in Patanjali's Yoga Sutras as the first and second of the eight limbs of yoga. They are the foundation of our practice without which no spiritual progress along the path of yoga can be made.
Yamas and Niyamas are important as positive guidelines for behaviour at both social and personal level. However, the main reason of their importance is to assist our quest to tap the total potential of our mind. In other words by following these practices we reduce the clutter in the mind and prevent it from arising.
These practices streamline our thoughts, our behaviour and our speech in order to minimise the negative energy feedback loops and the negative thought processes that are created by conflicting thoughts, behaviour or speech.
Yama and Niyama are essential for meditation. If we run for meditation without acquiring Yama and Nyama we will only break our legs. However, we can not wait for perfection in all the Yamas and Nyama because it will take a lifetime to perfect just one of them. So we have to continue with the practice of Yama and Niyama, and at the same time, continue with the practice of concentration and meditation, even though we’re not firmly established in Yama and Nyama.
Yamas: Precepts of Social Discipline
Ahimsa -- Non-violence. Not harming other people or other sentient beings, not harming oneself or the environment. Tolerance even for that which we dislike. Not speaking that which, even though truthful, would injure others.
Satya -- Truthfulness. Note that sometimes we may know our words are literally true, but do not convey what we know to be truthful and this is a child's game. Satya means not intending to deceive others in our thoughts, as well as our words and actions.
Asteya -- Non-stealing and not taking that which is not given.
Brahmacarya -- Sexual responsibility. Regarding others as human beings rather than as male and female bodies. The spirit of this precept is conservation of energy for the purpose of spiritual practice. This includes not only sexual restraint, but protecting our energy for instance by avoiding endless chattering with no clear purpose.
Aparigraha -- Abstention from greed and not coveting that which is not ours. Avoidance of unnecessary acquisition of objects not essential to maintaining life or spiritual study.
Niyamas: Precepts of Individual Discipline
Sauca -- Cleanliness. Not only external cleanliness of the body, but attending to internal cleanliness such as avoiding the impurities of anger and egoism. Also moderation in diet.
Santosa -- Contentment. Not spiritual complacency, but acceptance of the external situation we are allotted in this life.
Tapas -- Austerity. Deep commitment to our yoga practice: "Blazing practice with religious fervor."
Svadhyaya -- Self-study. Spiritual self-education. Contemplation and application of the scriptures or sacred texts of our chosen path.
Isvara pranidhana -- Surrender of the self to God. Acknowledgement that there is a higher principle in the universe than one's own small self. Includes modesty and humility.
Om Shanti
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