Sunday, February 10, 2013

Yama - the first limb of Yoga

The Yama is the first (out of eight)  limb of yoga.
Practicing the Yamas helps to channel the energies of the organs of action  in the right direction.
It contains five moral and ethical commandments:

1.  Ahimsa - nonviolence

When non violence in speech, thought  or action is established, one's aggressive nature is relinquished and others abandon hostility in one's presence. 
 The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, 2.35, Iyengar's translation. 
2.  Satya - truthfulness
When the sadhaka is firmly established in the practice of truth, his words become so potent that whatever he says come to realization.
 The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, 2.36, Iyengar's translation. 
3.  Asteya - non stealing
When abstention from stealing is firmly established, precious jewels come. 
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, 2.37, Iyengar's translation.
4.  Brahmacarya - Chastity, continence
When one is firmly established in continence, knowledge, vigour, valour and energy flow to him.  
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, 2.38, Iyengar's translation.
5.  Aparigraha - non grasping 
Knowledge of past and future lives unfolds when one is free from greed for possession.  
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, 2.39, Iyengar's translation.

What are your ethical codes?
Is there any contradiction between them?



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