Today I am taking the time to discuss the Codes of Joy.
The yoga sutras is one of the classic writings of yoga and covers the philosophy of Raja Yoga. In Raja yoga one learns how to rule the mind. To govern the emotions.
It is a path whereby we can achieve Self-realization but for most of us it is managing the mind! There are eight limbs to Raja yoga and today we will be discussing the first 2, the yamas and niyamas. These are often referred to as codes of conduct for social interactions and personal codes for interactions with oneself. Tune in to find out how the Codes OF JOY move us in the direction of being more aware of who we are and how we live our lives now, so that we can act more in line with our higher self and create a life filled with harmony and joy.
They may sound a bit like the 10 commandments, but they are not meant to be used for moral positioning.
Purpose is not to tell you what to believe and how to be "good" vs. "evil".
Equip you to meet situations with flexibility, wisdom and understanding
Will help you to live life more simply with less disturbance due to situations you face
Overcome the negative traits of personality
YAMAS – there are 5
Social codes of conduct
Focus on intentions rather than the action
Virtues that strengthen and purify the mind
To be understood as principles to prepare one for actions in life
Value the spirit of each principle without rigidity
Bring clarity, focus and objectivity to our situations
AHIMSA=NONHARMING
Refrain from harm in thought, word and deed
Violence is a reaction to fear
Motivation vs. Action
Others as well as self
Gross level
War and terrorism
Killing and Abuse
Polluting and taxing natural resources
Subtle level
Inability to accept and love ourselves
Thinking we know what's better for others
How do we start practicing? With all of these we must start small with achievable goals.
To change the world we have to change ourselves
Be aware of fear and what you do to feel secure
Learn how to practice self-acceptance
Show love – nurture yourself so you can love others
Practice acts of kindness – first step toward compassion
SATYA-TRUTHFULNESS
Measure truthfulness against nonviolence – go hand in hand – no need to mow someone down with your idea of truth
Ask yourself if what you say is for the benefit of all or is there a motive behind "telling it like it is"
Truth can be fluid
Tough intervention with a loved one experiencing alcoholism
Heaping praise on a small child's artwork
Putting on a front is a form of a lie
When we keep saying "should" we are abiding from sets of rules that we have been indoctrinated with from our families, culture, religion, employment, etc.
We may be suppressing our authentic nature and this results in a dullness because our energy is used to numb our authentic nature
How do we start practicing then?
Be authentic rather than nice
Be willing to grow rather than "belong"
This requires you to learn to see what isn't there
Tap into your most heartfelt needs
Show up to every moment
ASTEYA-NONSTEALING
Not robbing a bank, but stealing in little ways?
Taking a few office supplies, checking email and Facebook on company time, taking credit for other's ideas
Stealing from others
One upmanship
Turning the conversation to be about us rather than being present with others
Stealing from future
Stealing from ourselves
Hard work is fine, but we often work without knowing what is our heartfelt need
We often have exactly what we need or more than we need, but we aren't aware enough to see it
How do we start practicing?
Be fully present with others by supporting and uplifting
Be aware of our excesses – need vs want
Be grateful for what we have rather focusing on what we don't have
Quit placing demands and expectations on ourselves that steal our enthusiasm and prevent us from living fully
Build your competency of life
BRAHMACHARYA-BE WITH ONE'S HIGHER SELF
Avoidance of nonproductive expenditures of energy
Sometimes defined as celibacy but so much more
Entering you day with a sense of sacred rather than indulgence
What the Buddhists call the middle path
How many ways do you expend energy that takes you away from your higher purpose?
How do we start practicing?
Truly learn the meaning of "ENOUGH"
Look at our needs rather than wants
Cultivate a sense of wonder
Ask yourself, "What makes me feel alive?"
APARIGRAHA-NOPOSSESSIVENESS
Can also be nonattachment, nonclinging, nongrasping, noncoveting
Simply it is being able to "let go"
Not letting our possessions possess us
Story of the monkey catchers
the things we cling to require maintenance and energy
How do we start practicing?
Practice nonattachment – clean out our closet and life
The fewer attachments we have the lighter and freer we become
Give generously with unfailing trust
Remember a bird cannot fly holding onto its perch
NIYAMAS – THERE ARE ALSO 5
Personal codes of conduct
Principles that guide spiritual growth
SAUCHA-PURIFY
To clean the body, mind and actions
Simple, easy to digest diet yields strong physical energy
Asanas, Pranayamas, Shatkarmas
Purifying unresolved mental patterns
Whatever form purification takes, we become "lighter"
How do we start practicing?
What "loads" weigh you down?
What areas of life feel toxic?
Clean up your life, your relationships, your body, your spaces.
Purify your mind by accepting all the pieces of yourself.
Slow down, be present and pure in the moment
SANTOSHA-CONTENTMENT
There is a Chinese proverb that says, "People in the West are always getting ready to live."
Santosha can only be achieved by being in the present moment
Contentment cannot exist alongside craving and seeking more
Contentment will never come by reliving the past
How do we start practicing?
Yogis say everything is neutral but we spend most of our energy seeking what we like and avoiding what we dislike
Take responsibility for your emotional state – no one "caused" it
Remember to practice gratitude
Be content in boredom, sadness, impatience, loss, etc.
It's all positive, even the negative
Perform your duty with right action
TAPAS-AUSTERITIES, SELF-DISCIPLINE
Literally means "heat" – cook in the fire of discipline
Accepting the pains of life as opportunities to learn
A place where we are used up, all of our "props" have been taken away and we have exhausted who we are to become who we can be
How do we start practicing?
Sadhana – daily disciplined practice
Develop the ability to stay in the unknown or unpleasantness – give up fear
Don't waste a crisis – see it as an opportunity to become stronger and see the important things in life
Take right action
SWADHYAYA-SELF-STUDY
To discover and know your true Self.
To study the great writings, lives of sages, nature and the ways of life
Mantra repetition is also swadhyaya – transcends the intellect to find a deeper realization
What we believe is "right" may simply be a pattern created in childhood example if you yell, you don't love someone
How do we start practicing?
See others as a mirror of ourselves
Become aware of our patterns and conditionings
Be open to our shadow side
Each of us has a lamb and lion inside – choose to feed the lamb, but stay aware of the lion
Practice witnessing
ISHWARA PRANIDHANA-SURRENDER TO A HIGHER POWER OR TO YOUR HIGHER SELF
Surrendering to a greater force
Sometimes referred to worship or prayer and ritual
Think of it as "being in the flow"
Self-surrender is willingly giving the time and energy to become better
How do we start to practice?
Release rigidity and need to control
Accept challenges
Become aware of feelings of constriction and expansion
Path of karma yoga = actions for the welfare of others without selfish expectations
Cultivate devotion
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