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Yama and Niyama

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

Social PeaceSocial Peace

By Dada RainjitanandaRevised by Dharmadeva

Human lifeThe purpose of the human structure & The purpose of the human structure & human life, is to achieve:human life, is to achieve:

HappinessHappiness

PeacePeace

Bliss Bliss –– AnandaAnanda

How the human structure functions

Physical levelPhysical levelhealthy glandular systemhealthy glandular systemlymph nourishes the brain and the glandslymph nourishes the brain and the glands

Mental expansionMental expansionas you think so you become as you think so you become ectoplasm is the mindectoplasm is the mind--stuffstuffthe ectoplasmic particles of the unit mind are the ectoplasmic particles of the unit mind are associated with the lymphassociated with the lymph

Spiritual awareness and realizationSpiritual awareness and realizationrequires spiritual practices (meditation) and effortrequires spiritual practices (meditation) and effort

Progress

Physical SpherePhysical SphereMental / Psychic Mental / Psychic Sphere Sphere Spiritual SphereSpiritual Sphere

Our daily life

What we do during the 24 What we do during the 24 hours of our day is what hours of our day is what determines our quality of lifedetermines our quality of lifeHow to choose what to do How to choose what to do from what not to dofrom what not to doThe choice affects oneThe choice affects one’’s s spiritual progressspiritual progress, , mental mental equilibriumequilibrium and and physical wellphysical well--beingbeing

Physical well-being

Proper food, exercise, air, sunshineProper food, exercise, air, sunshineHealthy glandular system and Healthy glandular system and hormonal balancehormonal balanceVital and healthy lymphatic systemVital and healthy lymphatic systemVital and healthy allVital and healthy all--round glow and round glow and harmonious activityharmonious activity

Mental equilibrium

Our energy is drained by disharmony Our energy is drained by disharmony within ourselves and with those within ourselves and with those around usaround usThe first level of the mind is the The first level of the mind is the Conscious Mind which relates through Conscious Mind which relates through the senses with the external worldthe senses with the external worldMental equilibrium is the first step to Mental equilibrium is the first step to move towards higher realizationmove towards higher realization

Spiritual progress -interconnectedness of all creationAlthough human beings are Although human beings are becoming more aware, our value becoming more aware, our value system does not yet reflect this system does not yet reflect this realization of the Oneness of allrealization of the Oneness of all

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

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

The User’s Guide for Humans

Part 1 Part 1 –– YamaYama

Part 2 Part 2 -- NiyamaNiyama

Yama and Niyama

Principles for selfPrinciples for self--controlcontrolTowards 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

Yama and Niyama are Sanskrit wordsYama and Niyama are Sanskrit words

YamaYama = concerned with external = concerned with external expression & relations with other people, expression & relations with other people, beings and thingsbeings and thingsNiyamaNiyama = deals with one= deals with one’’s own personal s own personal integration, internal adjustmentintegration, internal adjustment

Sanskrit is the inner language of the Sanskrit is the inner language of the human bodyhuman body

How to live in the societyThe establishment of a society depends on the The establishment of a society depends on the mutual help of its members and their comutual help of its members and their co--operative behaviouroperative behaviourThe principles of Yama and Niyama constitute The principles of Yama and Niyama constitute moral lawmoral lawIt is necessary for some control by society over It is necessary for some control by society over an individualan individual’’s conducts conduct

Concerned with Concerned with external expressionexternal expression

How to of relations How to of relations with other people, with other people, beings and thingsbeings and things

The Five Principles of YamaAhimAhim’’sasa’’ –– not to inflict pain or hurt anyonenot to inflict pain or hurt anyoneSatya Satya –– benevolent use of mind and wordsbenevolent use of mind and wordsAsteya Asteya –– nonnon--stealingstealingBrahmacarya Brahmacarya –– to remain absorbed in to remain absorbed in Supreme ConsciousnessSupreme ConsciousnessAparigraha Aparigraha –– non accumulationnon accumulation

Yama

1. Ahim’sa’

ManovaManova’’kkayaeh sarvabhukkayaeh sarvabhu’’ta ta nana’’mapiidamapiida’’ namahimnamahim’’sasa-- Sanskrit sloka (verse)Sanskrit sloka (verse)

Not inflicting pain or hurt on anybody Not inflicting pain or hurt on anybody by thought, word or actionby thought, 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’’??

““You are never alone or helpless. The force You are never alone or helpless. The force that guides the stars, guides you too.that guides the stars, guides you too.””-- AnandamurtiAnandamurti

Never alone

Historical definitions of Ahim’sa’PostPost--Vedic age: Vedic age:

Not only killing was prohibited but even to fight a Not only killing was prohibited but even to fight a defensive fightdefensive fightTilling the land causes death to insectsTilling the land causes death to insectsSugar must be poured to the antsSugar must be poured to the antsBreathing causes death of microbesBreathing causes death of microbes

Due to these type of interpretations, many became Due to these type of interpretations, many became selfish atheists selfish atheists -- a problem for societya problem for societyThis distortedThis distorted--AhimAhim’’sasa’’ influenced philosophy / religion influenced philosophy / religion became unpractical and impotent in naturebecame unpractical and impotent in nature

Another distorted definition

It was himIt was him’’sasa’’(harmful) to cause pain (harmful) to cause pain to living beings, but to living beings, but slaughter of animals slaughter of animals for food was acceptedfor food was accepted

A more recent interpretation

NonNon--violence or nonviolence or non--appliance of forceappliance of forcePossibly the most distortedPossibly the most distortedForce includes physical, mental, spiritual, Force includes physical, mental, spiritual, moral, legal, social, economic, etcmoral, legal, social, economic, etc

““In all actions of life, whether small or big, In all actions of life, whether small or big, the unit mind progresses by surmounting the the unit mind progresses by surmounting the opposing forces. Life evolves through the opposing forces. Life evolves through the medium of force. If this force is not properly medium of force. If this force is not properly developed, life becomes absolutely dull. No developed, life becomes absolutely dull. No wise person would advocate such a thing, wise person would advocate such a thing, because this would be contrary to the very because this would be contrary to the very fundamentals of human nature.fundamentals of human nature.””-- AnandamurtiAnandamurti

The correct 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, s thoughts, words or actions do not cause pain to words or actions do not cause pain to anybody and are unjust to noneanybody and are unjust 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 - aggressor

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 propertyAbducts your spouseAbducts your spouseComes with a weapon to murder youComes with a weapon to murder youWants to snatch away wealthWants to snatch away wealthSets fire to housesSets fire to housesWants to take life by administering poisonWants to take life by administering poison

Defence

““The use of force against an aggressor is The use of force against an aggressor is valour and desisting from such use of force valour and desisting from such use of force is cowardice.is cowardice.””-- AnandamurtiAnandamurti

Assess one’s strength

““But the weak person must But the weak person must assess his / her strength assess his / her strength before indulging in forceful before indulging in forceful conflict with a powerful conflict with a powerful aggressor, otherwise, if a aggressor, otherwise, if a fight is started without fight is started without acquiring proper strength acquiring proper strength injustice may temporarily injustice may temporarily triumph.triumph.””-- AnandamurtiAnandamurti

Do not encourage injustice

““To pardon aggressors To pardon aggressors before correcting their before correcting their nature means nature means encouraging injustice.encouraging injustice.””-- AnandamurtiAnandamurti

What do you think about … ?

SuicideSuicideAbortionAbortionEating animalsEating animalsDefending yourselfDefending yourselfThe use of drugsThe use of drugsDisarmamentDisarmament

2. SatyaIt implies proper action of mind and right It implies proper action of mind and right use of words with the spirit of collective use of words with the spirit of collective welfarewelfareNo English synonymNo English synonymTruth is translated in Sanskrit as Truth is translated in Sanskrit as ‘‘rtarta’’Morality is concerned with Satya, not black Morality is concerned with Satya, not black and white and white ‘‘truthtruth’’One has to develop the proper mental One has to develop the proper mental attitude and dignity when dealing with attitude and dignity when dealing with events or peopleevents or people

Good for humanity

Satya uses your capability to do what is Satya uses your capability to do what is necessary or good for humanitynecessary or good for humanity

In the realm of spirituality such In the realm of spirituality such thought, word or action is called Satyathought, word or action is called Satya

Do not indulge in selfishness

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

In that case, the only objective is how to establish oneself in this material world by means of the use of well-knit language and cunningness

Through Satya hope Through Satya hope is encouraged and it is encouraged and it strengthens strengthens humanityhumanity

Hope

3. Asteya

Not to take Not to take possession of what possession of what belongs to othersbelongs to othersNonNon--stealingstealing

Four types of stealing1.1. Physical theft of any materialPhysical theft of any material2.2. Planning in the mind to take Planning in the mind to take

possession possession –– psychic theftpsychic theft3.3. Depriving others of what is their dueDepriving others of what is their due4.4. Planning in the mind to deprive othersPlanning in the mind to deprive others

Asteya – non-stealing

Includes:Includes:Adulteration of goodsAdulteration of goodsBriberyBriberyCorruptionCorruptionExploitationExploitation

Non-stealing – physical & psychic

Q. Why is it important?Q. Why is it important?

A. If people, right from their childhood, A. If people, right from their childhood, remember these codes and remind remember these codes and remind themselves what is correct, they will not go themselves what is correct, they will not go astray when they grow up astray when they grow up -- even in the midst even in the midst of temptationsof temptationsPeople will be able to maintain a high People will be able to maintain a high standard of thoughts and characterstandard of thoughts and character

4. BrahmacaryaTo remain attached to the Universal ConsciousnessTo remain attached to the Universal ConsciousnessTo treat all the objects and beings as different To treat all the objects and beings as different expressions of that Universal Consciousnessexpressions of that Universal Consciousness

To feel the Cosmic Entity in every material object or To feel the Cosmic Entity in every material object or being or personbeing or personDoes not mean celibacyDoes not mean celibacy

Requires Cosmic ideationBy means of such ideation, even though the mind By means of such ideation, even though the mind wanders from one object to another, it does not get wanders from one object to another, it does not get detached from Brahma (God) because of the Cosmic detached from Brahma (God) because of the Cosmic feeling taken for each and every objectfeeling taken for each and every object

As a result, extroversal approach (preya) is converted As a result, extroversal approach (preya) is converted into introversal approach (shreya), and finite desires into introversal approach (shreya), and finite desires (ka'ma) into Divine desire (prema)(ka'ma) into Divine desire (prema)

Preya means attraction towards crude material objectsPreya means attraction towards crude material objectsShreya means attraction towards the ultimate reality Shreya means attraction towards the ultimate reality Ka'ma means desire for finite objectsKa'ma means desire for finite objectsPrema means desire for the InfinitePrema means desire for the Infinite

Desires

One has to exercise control in every sphere of One has to exercise control in every sphere of life, whether big or small life, whether big or small –– lack of control lack of control causes diseasecauses diseaseThis does not mean killing the desire but This does not mean killing the desire but controlling it controlling it Desires and tendencies are natural attributes Desires and tendencies are natural attributes of a living being of a living being Channel your desires to the DivineChannel your desires to the Divine

Noble ideals

Develop your effort Develop your effort to fulfill a lofty idealto fulfill a lofty ideal

Work for the Work for the attainment of some attainment of some high idealshigh ideals

5. Aparigraha

NonNon--indulgence in the enjoyment of indulgence in the enjoyment of such amenities and comforts which such amenities and comforts which are superfluous for lifeare superfluous for life

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 / place and Vary according to time, space / place and personpersonCan, to some extent, be determined by the Can, to some extent, be determined by the societysocietyBut the complete establishment in But the complete establishment in Aparigraha ultimately depends on the Aparigraha ultimately depends on the individualindividual

Why is it important?““Aparigraha is an endless fight to reduce Aparigraha is an endless fight to reduce one's own objects of comforts out of one's own objects of comforts out of sympathy for the common people, after sympathy for the common people, after ensuring that individuals are able to maintain ensuring that individuals are able to maintain solidarity in their physical, mental and solidarity in their physical, mental and spiritual lives for themselves and their spiritual lives for themselves and their families.families.””

-- AnandamurtiAnandamurti

Minimum necessities to be guaranteed for allMinimum necessities to be guaranteed for allAlso, the provision of maximum amenities Also, the provision of maximum amenities should not go against the common interestshould not go against the common interest

Principles for Principles for harmony within harmony within oneselfoneself

It depends on It depends on oneone’’s relationship s relationship with oneselfwith oneself

The Five Principles of Niyama

Niyama

Shaoca Shaoca –– purity of body and mindpurity of body and mindSantosSantos’’a a –– contentmentcontentmentTapah Tapah –– to undergo hardships to to undergo hardships to attain the goalattain the goalSvaSva’’dhyadhya’’ya ya –– study of study of philosophy / scripturesphilosophy / scripturesIishvara PranIishvara Pran’’idhaidha’’na na ––meditation meditation

1. Shaoca

Cleanliness Cleanliness –– external & internalexternal & internal

PhysicalPhysicalExternal External –– body and environmentbody and environmentInternal Internal –– foodfood

PsychicPsychicExternal External –– control over inferencescontrol over inferencesInternal Internal –– control of mental tendenciescontrol of mental tendencies

What Buddha said …

CakkhunaCakkhuna’’ samsam’’varo savaro sa’’dhu, sadhu, sa’’dhu sotena samdhu sotena sam’’varo;varo;GhaGha’’nena samnena sam’’varo savaro sa’’dhu, sadhu, sa’’dhu jihbhdhu jihbh’’aya samaya sam’’varo;varo;KaKa’’yena samyena sam’’varo savaro sa’’dhu, sadhu, sa’’dhu vadhu va’’caca’’ya samya sam’’varo;varo;ManasaManasa’’ samsam’’varo savaro sa’’dhu, sadhu, sa’’dhu sabbattha samdhu sabbattha sam’’varo.varo.

–– BuddhaBuddha

Translation““Oh spiritualist, you must not look at those things that will cauOh spiritualist, you must not look at those things that will cause se your degradation; your degradation; You must not hear those words which will bring about your You must not hear those words which will bring about your mental degradation; mental degradation; You must withdraw your nose from those things the very smell of You must withdraw your nose from those things the very smell of which may send you to the depth of degradation; which may send you to the depth of degradation; You must not taste those things that can lead your mind toward You must not taste those things that can lead your mind toward degradation; degradation; You must withdraw yourself from that work the very performance You must withdraw yourself from that work the very performance of which brings about your inevitable downfall;of which brings about your inevitable downfall;You must not employ your vocal chord for uttering any word that You must not employ your vocal chord for uttering any word that many cause your degeneration; many cause your degeneration; You must not cherish any idea or thought in your mind that mightYou must not cherish any idea or thought in your mind that mightdegrade you; degrade you; You must withdraw yourself from unwholesome effects, you must You must withdraw yourself from unwholesome effects, you must regulate yourself, you must keep yourself under perfect control.regulate yourself, you must keep yourself under perfect control.””

-- BuddhaBuddha

Universalism

The feeling of selflessness, the feeling of The feeling of selflessness, the feeling of universalism is the only remedy to remove universalism is the only remedy to remove mental impuritiesmental impurities

People who have fascination or temptation People who have fascination or temptation for any material object, can gradually for any material object, can gradually remove that mental pollution arising out of remove that mental pollution arising out of selfish motives by adopting just the selfish motives by adopting just the reverse coursereverse course

External psychic cleanliness

Suppose someone is very happy, one feels Suppose someone is very happy, one feels jealousjealous

Impose an opposite idea Impose an opposite idea –– friendlinessfriendlinessSomebody is in trouble, one feels s/he Somebody is in trouble, one feels s/he deserved itdeserved it

Opposite idea Opposite idea –– be compassionatebe compassionateSomebody is prospering, progressing, one Somebody is prospering, progressing, one feels envyfeels envy

Opposite idea Opposite idea –– encourage themencourage them

Cleansing the 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/herOccurs when self interest is hamperedOccurs when self interest is hampered

Cleansing the mind is far more difficult than Cleansing the mind is far more difficult than cleansing the body and environmentcleansing the body and environment

2. Santos’a

Contentment Contentment -- a state of proper easea state of proper ease

Cannot be achieved when running Cannot be achieved when running after material objectsafter material objectsAchievements of desired objects may Achievements of desired objects may give pleasure for an hour, and then give pleasure for an hour, and then one will run in pursuit of new objectsone will run in pursuit of new objectsHuman desire knows no endHuman desire knows no end

Auto-suggestion

Contentment is Contentment is developed by autodeveloped by auto--suggestion suggestion Eg take to those Eg take to those thoughts which are thoughts which are contrary to mean contrary to mean tendenciestendencies

Not being greedy

““Never violate the principle of Never violate the principle of Santos'a by wasting your Santos'a by wasting your physical and mental energy physical and mental energy under the sway of excessive under the sway of excessive greed.greed.””-- AnandamurtiAnandamurti

3. Tapah

To undergo hardship to reach the goalTo undergo hardship to reach the goalTo undergo physical discomfort with a view To undergo physical discomfort with a view to benefit humanityto benefit humanityTo be above selfishnessTo be above selfishnessLook 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

Purpose of Tapah

The purpose behind the practice of penance The purpose behind the practice of penance is:is:

to shoulder sorrows and miseries of to shoulder sorrows and miseries of others to make them happyothers to make them happyto free them from grief and give them to free them from grief and give them comfortscomfortsto be above selfishnessto be above selfishness

What Buddha said …

Buddha says:Buddha says:Win the miser by charityWin the miser by charityWin the liar by speaking Win the liar by speaking the truththe truth

Know who to serve

There is need of knowledge to follow TapahThere is need of knowledge to follow TapahWhile following the principle of Tapah While following the principle of Tapah ascertain fully whether the person you are ascertain fully whether the person you are going to serve really needs your servicegoing to serve really needs your service

Service leads to mental expansion, and this Service leads to mental expansion, and this helps in spiritual meditationhelps in spiritual meditationThe served is GodThe served is God

4. 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 significance –– the underlying ideathe underlying ideaThe idea is to be grasped first; otherwise the The idea is to be grasped first; otherwise the proper spirit will never be realizedproper spirit will never be realized

Deep understanding

Those of vested interest want to keep the Those of vested interest want to keep the public away from the spirit of the public away from the spirit of the scriptures so as to continue to exploit scriptures so as to continue to exploit themthem

5. Iishvara Pran’idha’na

Iishvara means the controller of the universeIishvara means the controller of the universeThe One who controls the thought waves of The One who controls the thought waves of this universethis universe

PranPran’’idhaidha’’na means to understand clearly or to na means to understand clearly or to adopt something as a shelteradopt something as a shelter

To adopt the controller of the universe as oneTo adopt the controller of the universe as one’’s s sheltershelter

Being established in the Cosmic Idea

To set up oneself in the Cosmic IdeaTo set up oneself in the Cosmic IdeaTo accept Iishvara as the only ideal of To accept Iishvara as the only ideal of lifelifeIt is a pure mental effort based It is a pure mental effort based absolutely on feelingabsolutely on feelingShouting at the top of oneShouting at the top of one’’s voice or s voice or beating drums will not do beating drums will not do -- Iishvara is Iishvara is not deaf !not deaf !

Process of Iishvara Pran’idha’na

One will have to detach the mind from One will have to detach the mind from the external objectsthe external objectsThen withdraw the mind from oneThen withdraw the mind from one’’s s internal physicalityinternal physicalityConcentrate it at a fixed pointConcentrate it at a fixed pointKeep the thought of the Macrocosm Keep the thought of the Macrocosm around that point with the help of its around that point with the help of its conception based on a mantraconception based on a mantra

Three types of mantra repetition

Reciting prayers in loud tones is meaninglessReciting prayers in loud tones is meaningless-- better to recite a verse or a songbetter to recite a verse or a song

Psalms uttered in low tone are better, but not Psalms uttered in low tone are better, but not idealidealMental ideation should be expressed internallyMental ideation should be expressed internally•• mental use of mantra is the bestmental use of mantra is the best•• done through the spiritual practice of done through the spiritual practice of

meditationmeditation

Anyone can do it

Don’t just sit there, meditate !

Meditation

Collective meditation

The combined mental efforts work togetherThe combined mental efforts work togetherThere is tremendous benefit to the There is tremendous benefit to the meditatormeditatorThe strong mental force aroused will help in The strong mental force aroused will help in solving any problems, small or big, on this solving any problems, small or big, on this EarthEarth

Kiirtan

Kiirtan

Spiritual chanting and dancingSpiritual chanting and dancingUsually done before collective meditationUsually done before collective meditationIncreases spiritual vibrations and feelingsIncreases spiritual vibrations and feelingsCalms the mind for steady meditationCalms the mind for steady meditationUse the universal mantra of:Use the universal mantra of:

Baba Nam KevalamBaba Nam Kevalam

Love is All there is