Yama and Niyama 2 – Why they are important

The elements of Yama are ahimsa (non-violence); sathya (truth or integrity); brahmacharyam (sexual continence or diversity control); asteya (non-stealing & teaming); aparigraha (equanimity) and mitahara (diet control).

The elements of NiYama are soucham (cleanliness); santhosham (contentment); svadhyeyam (referencing); sahana (patience) and shraddha (sincerity); sharana (surrender).

Now, step back a bit, look at elements of both aspects as one would a spread of food on the table and imagine what kind of a cuisine one might get if all the above elements were integrated into one’s life.

One might be forgiven if one were to say that a person possessing all of the above qualities would be boring… Even theoretically, it seems improbable for one person to have all the above qualities in completeness. But, to have and use the above qualities appropriately in situations is invaluable to success and peace of mind, even at the risk of being boring. In fact, most of the behavior which all the major religions and life coaches propound is covered in the above elements. It’s about 3000 years old and free!

All it requires is usage and sensitivity to feedback. One will always start with a situation, receive feedback, which should be reflected with change incorporated to make the change a part of one’s lifestyle. As the lessons get imbibed, there is greater experience of harmony with the environment as with one’s own decisions and ability to handle outcomes, reactions and fall-outs.

One shall experience three levels of awareness – jagrat – awareness which comes with presence in a situation; swapna – residual images from the situation and those of fear, anxiety and anger; and sushupti – an intuition which develops from practice of yama and niyama which gives awareness of non verbal and non physical stimuli even when away from the situation. The last part is most difficult and comes with a proper mix of engagement, reflection and discrimination. This means… experience.

Share your opinion and experiences;

• Why is personal development so difficult?
• Is ambition good or bad? When does ambition become an illness?
• How important are friends to conditioning? Can one become a champion, if one were to keep company with the champions?
• How important is discussion of for personal development?
• How important is a Guru, master, mentor or coach? What role do they play in one’s development?
• To get to the level of intuition, one needs lots of experience. Does this mean that there is no painless way to development? That one has to act, make mistakes, correct, face criticisms, reversals and fear before one feels a harmony with the environment?
• Inaction is also action.
• Even when not doing, we are allowing action to happen. Comment.