we're continuing our journey through the Sādhana Pāda, the second chapter of Patañjali’s Yoga Sūtras.
Let's remember where we’ve just been: in Sūtra 2.28, Patañjali says that through the consistent practice of yoga, particularly the eight limbs, the impurities dwindle and then—then!—“the light of discriminative wisdom arises.”
YS 2.28
"Yogāṅgānuṣṭhānād aśuddhi-kṣaye jñāna-dīptiḥ āviveka-khyāteḥ"
By the practice of the limbs of yoga, the impurities are destroyed and the light of wisdom arises, leading to discriminative discernment (viveka-khyāti).
Then in Sūtra 2.29, Patañjali begins detailing the aṣṭāṅga yoga—the eight-limbed path.
Now we move into Sūtra 2.30, where the first of the eight limbs, the yamas, are introduced. These are ethical guidelines that help us live in harmony with others.
YS 2.30
"Ahiṃsā satya asteya brahmacarya aparigrahāḥ yamāḥ"
Non-harming, truthfulness, non-stealing, celibacy or right use of energy, and non-possessiveness—these are the yamas.
Let’s pause and take in the first one: ahiṃsā—non-harming.
This is the cornerstone of the entire yogic path. Ahiṃsā means living kindly and compassionately, not causing harm through our thoughts, words, or actions.
The world needs this now more than ever.
Jeff remembers a teaching from his teacher, Śrī O.P. Tiwari-ji, on ahiṃsā vs. love in relationships. In our modern world, the word “love” gets used so often that it can become watered down. But what if we prioritized ahiṃsā instead?
Instead of saying, “I will always love you,” we could say, “I will always strive to never harm you.”
Let our actions—not just our words—be the true demonstration of love.
This principle is relevant not just in our most intimate relationships, but also in the small, everyday moments—like when we’re driving around others, interacting with strangers, or engaging in difficult conversations.
The yamas are the yogi's guide to right relationship with the world.
So as we head into the weekend, let’s carry ahiṃsā with us—not just as a concept, but as a way of being.
Om. Peace. Out.
