Yama and Niyama

Yogic Principles for Yogic Principles for Mental Harmony and Mental Harmony and

Social PeaceSocial Peace

Photo by Takako Nakasu

By Dada Rainjitananda

What is the purpose of human life? Not only happiness and Not only happiness and

peacepeace But infinite happiness and But infinite happiness and

infinite peaceinfinite peace or Bliss or Bliss in the Yoga philosophy it is in the Yoga philosophy it is

called “Anandacalled “Ananda””

How does the human structure function? It transforms physical matter into mental It transforms physical matter into mental

substance and mental substance into substance and mental substance into spiritual consciousnessspiritual consciousness

How does the human structure function? Food is transformed into various elements Food is transformed into various elements

in the body: in the body: Rasa (chyle, fluid essence of digested Rasa (chyle, fluid essence of digested

food) –> blood –> flesh –> fat –> bone –food) –> blood –> flesh –> fat –> bone –> bone marrow -> shukra (the final > bone marrow -> shukra (the final essence of food)essence of food)

How does the human structure function? Shukra nourishes the brain, strengthen the Shukra nourishes the brain, strengthen the

nerves, and provides vitality to the bodynerves, and provides vitality to the body Shukra is also transformed into semen and Shukra is also transformed into semen and

other tissues and fluids used for other tissues and fluids used for reproductionreproduction

Excess sexual activity may deplete the Excess sexual activity may deplete the organism of shukraorganism of shukra

How does the human structure function? After food reaches its subtlest physical After food reaches its subtlest physical

transformation, then it is further transformation, then it is further transformed into mental substance called transformed into mental substance called “Ectoplasm”. “Ectoplasm”.

If one meditates and encourages spiritual If one meditates and encourages spiritual thoughts then Ectoplasm is further thoughts then Ectoplasm is further transformed into Consciousness (“Spiritual transformed into Consciousness (“Spiritual substance”)substance”)

How does the human structure function? When ectoplasm becomes consciousness When ectoplasm becomes consciousness

one experiences blissone experiences bliss

Our daily life

It is what we do during the 24 hours of our It is what we do during the 24 hours of our day that determines the quality of our lifeday that determines the quality of our life

““As we think so we become” is an ancient As we think so we become” is an ancient Yogic proverbYogic proverb

How to choose what to do from How to choose what to do from what not to do? How to control our what not to do? How to control our thoughts?thoughts?

The User’s Guide for Humans

Part 1 – YamaPart 1 – Yama Part 2 - NiyamaPart 2 - Niyama

Progress

Physical Sphere – there is only relative Physical Sphere – there is only relative progress (pros and cons) progress (pros and cons)

Mental Sphere – also only relative progress, Mental Sphere – also only relative progress, the mind eventually deterioratesthe mind eventually deteriorates

Spiritual Sphere – the only permanent Spiritual Sphere – the only permanent progress is in this sphereprogress is in this sphere

Mental Equilibrium

Our energy is drained by disharmony within Our energy is drained by disharmony within ourselves and with those around usourselves and with those around us

The first level of the mind is the Conscious The first level of the mind is the Conscious Mind which relates through the senses with Mind which relates through the senses with the external world.the external world.

Mental Equilibrium is the first step to move Mental Equilibrium is the first step to move towards higher realization.towards higher realization.

Interconnectedness of all creation

Although human beings are becoming more Although human beings are becoming more aware, our value system does not yet reflect aware, our value system does not yet reflect this realization of the Oneness of allthis realization of the Oneness of all

Still based on dogmatic ideas of sin and Still based on dogmatic ideas of sin and absolute virtueabsolute virtue

Vague ideas of ethical relativism – anything Vague ideas of ethical relativism – anything goes since everything, after all, is relativegoes since everything, after all, is relative

Yama and Niyama

Principles for self-controlPrinciples for self-control Towards oneself and towards othersTowards oneself and towards others There are five kinds of yama and five kinds

of niyama whose very purpose is to regulate the external and internal behaviour of human beings according to the highest principles.

Sanskrit

The inner language of the human body.The inner language of the human body. The philosophy of Yoga is given in Sanskrit The philosophy of Yoga is given in Sanskrit

termsterms

5 Principles of Yama

AhimAhim’’sasa’’- not to inflict pain or hurt anyone- not to inflict pain or hurt anyone Satya – benevolent use of mind and wordsSatya – benevolent use of mind and words Asteya – non-stealingAsteya – non-stealing Brahmacarya – remain absorbed in Brahmacarya – remain absorbed in

Supreme ConsciousnessSupreme Consciousness Aparigraha – non accumulationAparigraha – non accumulation

Yama

1. Ahim’sa’

ManovaManova’’kkayaeh kkayaeh sarvabhusarvabhu’’tanatana’’mapiidamapiida’’namahimnamahim’’sasa

Not inflicting pain or hurt anybody by Not inflicting pain or hurt anybody by thought, word or actionthought, word or action

Suppose you are alone in the universe, Suppose you are alone in the universe, would you be able to follow Ahimwould you be able to follow Ahim ’’sasa’’??

Historical definitions of Ahim’sa’ There were many impractical interpretations of There were many impractical interpretations of

Ahim’sa Ahim’sa In the Post-vedic age not only killing was In the Post-vedic age not only killing was

prohibited but even to fight a defensive fightprohibited but even to fight a defensive fight Tilling the land was not allowed because it causes Tilling the land was not allowed because it causes

death to insects and sugar must be poured to the death to insects and sugar must be poured to the ants even though humans starvedants even though humans starved

Breathing causes death of microbes so people Breathing causes death of microbes so people were prescribed maskswere prescribed masks

Historical definitions of Ahim’sa’ Many became selfish atheists which created a Many became selfish atheists which created a

problem for societyproblem for society AhimAhim’’sasa’’ influenced philosophy/religion became influenced philosophy/religion became

impractical and impotent in natureimpractical and impotent in nature

A second definition

It was HimIt was Him’’sasa’’ to cause pain to living beings to cause pain to living beings but slaughter animals for food was acceptedbut slaughter animals for food was accepted

A more recent interpretation

Non-violence or non-application of forceNon-violence or non-application of force Possibly the most distortedPossibly the most distorted Life develops through the medium of forceLife develops through the medium of force Non-application of force is contrary to the Non-application of force is contrary to the

fundamentals of naturefundamentals of nature It makes people passiveIt makes people passive

The Yogic meaning

One will have to guide oneOne will have to guide one ’’s conduct s conduct carefully to ensure that onecarefully to ensure that one ’’s thoughts or s thoughts or actions cause pain to nobody and are unjust actions cause pain to nobody and are unjust to none.to none.

Food is to be selected from amongst the Food is to be selected from amongst the beings with the least developed beings with the least developed consciousnessconsciousness

A’tata’yii There are enemiesThere are enemies Against enemies one will need to apply forceAgainst enemies one will need to apply force

A’tata’yii Anyone who, by the use of brute force:Anyone who, by the use of brute force:

Wants to take possession of your propertyWants to take possession of your property Abducts your spouseAbducts your spouse Comes with a weapon to murder youComes with a weapon to murder you Wants to snatch away wealthWants to snatch away wealth Sets fire to housesSets fire to houses Wants to take life by administering poisonWants to take life by administering poison

Use of force

The use of force against an aggressor is The use of force against an aggressor is valor and desisting from such use of force is valor and desisting from such use of force is cowardice.cowardice.

Strategy

But the weak person must assess his But the weak person must assess his strength before indulging in violent conflict strength before indulging in violent conflict with a powerful aggressorwith a powerful aggressor

Forgive but …

To pardon the aggressor without correcting To pardon the aggressor without correcting his/her nature would mean encouraging his/her nature would mean encouraging injustice.injustice.

Think about the following actions in relation to Ahim’sa SuicideSuicide AbortionAbortion Eating animalsEating animals Defending yourselfDefending yourself The use of drugsThe use of drugs DisarmamentDisarmament

2. Satya This practice implies proper action of mind and This practice implies proper action of mind and

right use of the words with the spirit of collective right use of the words with the spirit of collective welfare.welfare.

No English synonym. Truth is translated in No English synonym. Truth is translated in Sanskrit as Sanskrit as ““RtaRta””

Satya is deeper than Rta as it requires benevolenceSatya is deeper than Rta as it requires benevolence One has to develop the proper mental attitude One has to develop the proper mental attitude

towards external objects or peopletowards external objects or people

Satya

Where there is no propagation of Satya people indulge in individual selfishness or group selfishness

Their only object becomes to establish oneself in this material world by means of the use of well-knit language and cunningness

Hope

Through Satya hope is Through Satya hope is encouraged and it encouraged and it strengthens humanitystrengthens humanity

3. Asteya

Not to take possession of what belongs to Not to take possession of what belongs to othersothers

Non-stealingNon-stealing

4 types of stealing

1. Physical theft of any material1. Physical theft of any material 2. Planning in the mind to take possession2. Planning in the mind to take possession 3. Depriving others of what is their due3. Depriving others of what is their due 4. Planning in the mind to deprive others4. Planning in the mind to deprive others

Asteya – non-stealing

Indirect ways of stealing: Indirect ways of stealing: Adulterated goodsAdulterated goods BribingBribing CorruptionCorruption ExploitationExploitation

4. Brahmacarya

To remain attached to the Universal To remain attached to the Universal ConsciousnessConsciousness

Treat the objects as different expressions of Treat the objects as different expressions of that Universal Consciousness.that Universal Consciousness.

To feel the Cosmic Entity in every material To feel the Cosmic Entity in every material objectobject

Does not mean celibacyDoes not mean celibacy

5. Aparigraha

Non-indulgence in the enjoyment of such Non-indulgence in the enjoyment of such amenities and comforts which are amenities and comforts which are superfluous for life.superfluous for life.

Non-accumulationNon-accumulation Control over the subjectivity is Control over the subjectivity is

Brahmacarya and control over the Brahmacarya and control over the objectivity is Aparigrahaobjectivity is Aparigraha

Minimum requirements

Vary according to time, space and personVary according to time, space and person Can, to some extent, be determined by the Can, to some extent, be determined by the

societysociety Maximum amenities Maximum amenities

How to live in the Society The establishment of a Society depends on The establishment of a Society depends on

the mutual help of the members and their the mutual help of the members and their co-operative behavior. co-operative behavior.

The principles of Yama and NiyamaThe principles of Yama and Niyama It is necessary some control of society over It is necessary some control of society over

an individualan individual’’s conduct and expenditures conduct and expenditure

Niyama

Principles for harmony within oneselfPrinciples for harmony within oneself It depends on oneIt depends on one’’s relationship with s relationship with

oneselfoneself

5 Principles of Niyama

Shaoca – purity of body and mindShaoca – purity of body and mind SantosSantos’’a – contentmenta – contentment Tapah – to undergo hardships to attain the Tapah – to undergo hardships to attain the

goalgoal Svadhyaya – study of philosophy/scripturesSvadhyaya – study of philosophy/scriptures Iishvara Pranidhana - meditation Iishvara Pranidhana - meditation

Shaoca - cleanliness

PhysicalPhysical External – body and environmentExternal – body and environment Internal - foodInternal - food

PsychicPsychic External – control over inferencesExternal – control over inferences Internal – mental tendenciesInternal – mental tendencies

External Psychic Shaoca Suppose someone is very happy, one feels jealous. Suppose someone is very happy, one feels jealous. Impose an opposite idea – friendlinessImpose an opposite idea – friendliness One will also feel happy when a friend is happyOne will also feel happy when a friend is happy Somebody is in trouble, one feels he deserved itSomebody is in trouble, one feels he deserved it Be compassionateBe compassionate Somebody is prospering, progressing, one feels Somebody is prospering, progressing, one feels

envyenvy Encourage themEncourage them

A pure mind

If an acquaintance earns name, fame, If an acquaintance earns name, fame, gathers much knowledge, many will have a gathers much knowledge, many will have a feeling of jealousy against him/herfeeling of jealousy against him/her

When self interest is hamperedWhen self interest is hampered Cleansing the mind is far more difficult Cleansing the mind is far more difficult

than cleansing the body and environmentthan cleansing the body and environment

2. Santos’a - contentment

Can not be achieved when running after Can not be achieved when running after material objectsmaterial objects

Achievements of desired objects may give Achievements of desired objects may give pleasure for an hour and one will run in pleasure for an hour and one will run in pursuit of new objectspursuit of new objects

Human desire knows no endHuman desire knows no end

Santos’a

Auto-suggestion – take thoughts which are Auto-suggestion – take thoughts which are contrary to mean tendenciescontrary to mean tendencies

3. Tapah

To undergo hardship to reach the goal.To undergo hardship to reach the goal. To undergo physical discomfort with a view To undergo physical discomfort with a view

to benefit humanityto benefit humanity To be above selfishnessTo be above selfishness Look upon the served ones as an expression Look upon the served ones as an expression

of the Cosmos and look after their comforts of the Cosmos and look after their comforts selflesslyselflessly

Buddha

Buddha says:Buddha says: Win the miser by charityWin the miser by charity Win the liar by speaking the truthWin the liar by speaking the truth

There is need of knowledge to follow TapahThere is need of knowledge to follow Tapah

Sva’dhya’ya

Clear understanding of spiritual subjectsClear understanding of spiritual subjects Not only understanding of the subject by Not only understanding of the subject by

reading or hearing but also to understand its reading or hearing but also to understand its significance – the underlying idea.significance – the underlying idea.

Those of vested interest want to keep the Those of vested interest want to keep the public away from the spirit of scriptures to public away from the spirit of scriptures to exploitexploit

Iishvara Pranidha’na

Iishvara means the controller of the Iishvara means the controller of the universeuniverse

The one who controls the thought waves of The one who controls the thought waves of this universethis universe

PranidhaPranidha’’na means to understand clearly or na means to understand clearly or to adopt something as a shelterto adopt something as a shelter

Iishvara Pranidha’na

To set up oneself in Cosmic IdeaTo set up oneself in Cosmic Idea To accept Iishvara as the only ideal of lifeTo accept Iishvara as the only ideal of life It is a pure mental effort based absolutely It is a pure mental effort based absolutely

on feelingon feeling Shouting at the top of oneShouting at the top of one ’’s voice or beating s voice or beating

drums will not do, Iishvara is not deaf.drums will not do, Iishvara is not deaf.

Iishvara Pranidha’na One will have to detach the mind from the One will have to detach the mind from the

external objectsexternal objects Then withdraw the mind from oneThen withdraw the mind from one ’’s internal s internal

physicalityphysicality Concentrate it at a fixed pointConcentrate it at a fixed point Keep the thought of the Macrocosm around Keep the thought of the Macrocosm around

that point with the help of its conception that point with the help of its conception based on a mantrabased on a mantra

3 Types of Mantra repetition

Reciting prayers in loud tones is Reciting prayers in loud tones is meaningless. Better to recite a verse or a meaningless. Better to recite a verse or a song.song.

Psalms uttered in low tone are better but not Psalms uttered in low tone are better but not idealideal

Mental ideation should be expressed Mental ideation should be expressed mentally. Mental use of Mantra is the best.mentally. Mental use of Mantra is the best.

Collective Iishvara Pranidhana

The combined mental efforts work togetherThe combined mental efforts work together There is tremendous benefit to the There is tremendous benefit to the

meditatormeditator The strong mental force aroused will help in The strong mental force aroused will help in

solving any problems small or big on thie solving any problems small or big on thie Earth.Earth.

Don’t just sit there, meditate.

Kiirtan

Kiirtan is spiritual chanting using mantraKiirtan is spiritual chanting using mantra It can be accompanied by danceIt can be accompanied by dance It engages the mind and body in spiritual It engages the mind and body in spiritual

practicepractice

Baba Nam Kevalam

Love is All there is.

Universal mantra