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July 2004 Topic of the Month

Yoga Sutra II:29 - Eight accessories to Yoga continued...

Yamas and NiYamas
YS II:30 - 45

Yamas = InterPersonal Relationships Yamas create peace and happiness with those around us
“Be the change you want to see in the world.” The Dalai Lama

Thoughts lead to Words, lead to Action.

1. Ahimsa – Non violence. Not just in not killing, but in words (sarcasm) and feelings. Thoughts, words, Action
2. Satya – Truthfulness in Kindness. Do not use truth to hurt or destroy. If you want truthfulness, give truthfulness. Thoughts words, action.
3. Asteya – Not stealing or coveting; thoughts lead to action
4. brahmacharya – continence as in sexual energy. Sexual energy is highly potential energy. Use your sexual energy wisely. Thoughts, words, action.
5. Aparigraha – not hoarding. Create space in thoughts, words, action. Space in thoughts keeps us open minded, space in words makes us better listener, space in action keeps us not attached to material things, does not mean you need to not be comfortable, buy one nice thing and appreciate it, not 20 semi-nice things!

Niyamas = Lifestyle
Yamas create peace and happiness with those around us, Niyama gives us a lifestyle
1. Sauncha (purity) - Purity in our thoughts, words, actions. The Yogis believe purity within ourselves protects from other’s impurities.
2. Santosha (contentment) – From contentment comes happiness.

Final three Niyamas= Kriya Yoga kr=action, kriya=action for purification

3. Tapas – Self Discipline and Purifactory acts. Being disciplined to do your practice to burn off impurities. The Mahabharata defines tapas as “penance”
4. Svadhyaya – Self Study and Mantra. This is not a psychoanalysis of yourself!! This is a study of Self to realize God in our heart. Mantra is repeating a word or sound to help clear the mind or to feel closer to God.
5. Ishvara Pranidhana – Surrender to God, offer all your actions to God.
Methods to do this:
Pray for wisdom
Meditate by focusing your mind on goodness and on paths of virtue
Realize Destructive (or instinctual) driving forces and replace them with Constructive driving forces
(When having Destructive driving forces remember one can not inflict injury on others without first hurting oneself by those ideas.)
Three tools to overcoming Destructive Driving Forces
1. Defense – Cultivate the exact opposite idea. Want revenge on someone, think of doing something for them instead.
2. Substitute – Consciously put your mind on something else (something positive).
3. Sublimation – Think of God, maha mantra, Let Go, Let God.
(Definition: to divert the expression of (an instinctual desire or impulse) from its primitive form to one that is considered more socially or culturally acceptable)

A tremendous amount of psychic energy is misutilized by destructive driving forces. Yamas and NiYamas help us to utilize this energy for development of body and mind.

Dharana, Dhyana, Samadhi
Concentration, Meditation, Bliss Superconsciousness
YS III:1-11

“Quit obsessing about whatever is swirling around in your mind!”

Destructive thoughts vs. Constructive thoughts
Yoga puts emphasis on controlling our thoughts because we identify with what is in our mind. We become that. We do not simply have destructive thoughts, we become destructive and define ourselves through these destructive thoughts.

We take control of our thoughts beginning with concentration, concentrate on something internal such as a chakra, your breath, 3rd eye center, heart, navel (power center). Concentration should be on something positive. An object outside of the body for concentration should have some significance in symbolism of the Supreme Being. Remember we will identify ourselves with what is in our minds, focus your mind on God.

This will make the destructive thoughts disappear.
Destructive thoughts dominate the “material” mind, generally destructive thoughts materialize through materialistic wants. As materialistic thoughts are replaced with pure thoughts, we develop constructive thoughts with ease.
Concentration will lead to meditation and meditation to the final limb, samadhi, where we are at peace with all.

Not only will a strong mind keep your focus on paths of virtue, having the power of concentration will help you in your daily life, at work, and at play. Have you had something in your personal life distract you from an important job you are trying to do? The power of concentration will help you focus when you need it no matter what is swirling around in your life.

Weak minds consist of the following symptoms:
Wandering mind
Dull and Preoccupied mind
Distracted mind

Concentration and meditation strengthen the mind.
Wandering, distracted minds result in dissatisfaction, disappointment, frustration, and anxiety. A focused mind (on God) creates satisfaction, peace, happiness, and serenity.

As you sit and try to focus your mind, remember you can not stop thoughts from entering your mindstuff. What you can do, is not “hop on and ride them”. You can pull your attention back to your object of focus. The trick is not to stop the thoughts, the trick is; did you catch it?

Below is a mediation you can use when you are finding it difficult to focus or when you are dealing with emotions:
Metta Meditation
Loving Kindness Meditation

May I be filled with loving kindness
May I be well
May I be peaceful and at ease
May I be happy

Inhale say line exhale think of yourself or other person you are meditating on
Repeat replacing “I” with “we” and think of someone you love and have NO conflict with
Repeat with someone you see often but do not really know
Repeat with someone you highly dislike, have conflict with or find very difficult to send loving kindness to.

© 2006 Bobbi Misiti | Be Fit Body & Mind YOGA