Niyama - The Observances - YS II - 32

Yoga Sutra II - 32 - SAUCHA SAMTOSHA TAPAH SVADHYAYESVARAPRANIDHANANI NIYAMAH - Niyam consists of purity, contentment, accepting but not causing pain, study of spiritual books and worship of God [self-surrender].

The next and second limb of yoga which is niyama, concerning the observances. Swami Satchidananda tells that with the five points of yama and the five points of niyama can be likened to the ten commandments of the Christian and Jewish faith, as well as the Buddhist ten virtues. Swami Satchidananda reminds us that there is no religion that does not have " moral or ethical codes." "All spiritual life should be based on these things. They are the foundation stones without which we can never build anything lasting."

There is a little more commentary on this sutra from "How to Know God - The Yoga Aphorisms of Patanjali" translated and commented on by Swami Prabhavananda and Christopher Isherwood in regard to purity. Purity is spoken about as cleanliness of both physical and mental. If man regards his body as the dwelling- place of the Self or Atman, he would want to naturally keep his body and mind clean. The external cleanliness of the body makes us feel better, thus affecting the mind. Then there is commentary regarding the internal organs being cleansed and using proper diet. "We must regulate our reading, our conversation, and indeed, our whole intake of mental 'food.' " They state in regard to cleanliness, what matters is our own attitude and keeping constant alertness and discriminative awareness.

Related posts:

• The Eight Limbs of Yoga - YS II - 28, 29
  
• Yama - Abstinence YS II - 30

The Eight Limbs of Yoga - YS II - 28, 29

Yoga Sutra II- 28 - YOGANGANUSTHANAD ASUDDHI KSAYE JNANADIPTIR A VIVEKAKHYATEH - By the practice of the limbs of Yoga, the impurities dwindle away and there dawns the light of wisdom, leading to discriminative discernment.

Swami Satchidananda states that from this point on, Patanjali gives different ideas about Yoga practice as it is divided into eight stages or limbs. This is why the sutras are referred to as Ashtanga Yoga or eight limbs. Patanjali is now covering the information already given, but in a more practical way as to remove the impurities of the mind.

Yoga Sutra II- 29 - YAMA NIYAMASANA PRANAYAMA PRATYAHARA DHARANA DHYANA SAMADHAYO STAV ANGANI - Yama = abstinence; niyama = observance; asana - posture; pranayama = breath control; pratyahara = withdrawal of the senses; dharana = meditation; samadhayh = contemplation, absorption or superconscious state; ashta = eight' angani = limbs or part

The eight limbs of Yoga are:
1. yama (abstinence)
2. niyama (observance)
3. asana (posture)
4. pranayama (breath control)
5. pratyahara ( sense withdrawal)
6. dharana ( concentration)
7. dhyana ( meditation)
8. samadhi (contemplation, absorption or superconscious state)

Yoga as Inspiration

Yoga for me is inspiration. It makes me stay positively connected to the joy that is part of my true nature. It makes me excited. It is life! The word inspiration means the act of breathing, which we definitely need to live.

To me yoga is like the water for a plant and if it does not get watered it dies. Or if you have a mirror and it is not cleaned periodically it gets dusty. Pretty soon it gets dull and not reflective, therefore one cannot see an image in it.

The mind is like a mirror and it can become dull as well. When one practices yoga , one keeps the mind clear of cobwebs and body fresh. I like to compare the body to a car. If you don't clean the air filter the car will literally stop and won't run. The same with the lungs. If we don't breathe full and deeply, we have low energy levels and become tired and lazy. Of course we know that if there is no oxygen within a few minutes the body dies.

According to Pantanjali there are eight limbs of yoga. Pantanjali's Yoga Sutras II - 29 "Yama Niyamaasana Pranayama Pratiyahara Dharana Dhyana Samadhayo 'Stavangani" translated as the eight limbs of yoga: 1. Yama (abstinence);2. Niyama (observance); 3. Asana (postures); 4. Pranayama (breath control); 5. pratyahara (sense withdrawal); 6. dharana (concentration); 7. dhyana (meditation); 8. samadhi (contemplation, absorption or super-conscious state).

As we become aware and study the many branches of yoga, we can use them accordingly. Like when one practices hatha yoga (asanas) everyday, one is tuning up the body, keeping the blood flowing and the joints lubricated. Or when one practices dhyana (meditation) regularly we can keep the mind clean. When yoga is practiced there is always inspiration and rejuvenation in more ways than one!

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