The Five Niyama or Observances

September 18,2008

The First Niyama or Observance: Saucha, Purity or Cleanliness
The Traditional Yogis were very concerned with personal hygene and performed many different kriyas or purification rituals, in order to cleanse and purify the physical body. Some of these rituals would look unappetizing to many contemporary western yogis. Among other things traditional yogis would perform wet and dry enemas, swallow yards of muslin cloth and pull it out again to cleanse the stomach, practice nasal flossing and nauli (stomach churning). We can look upon brushing and flossing the teeth and daily showering as modern purification rituals. The Yogis believed that through purifying the physical body the other koshas or spiritual bodies would also be purified. Purity also refers to the nature of ones actions and intentions. When actions are motivated by egoic tendencies they are impure and self-serving. All action stemming from the profound realization of cosmic unity and the knowledge of the higher Self are most likely to be pure in intention. To practice this niyama one must endeavor to be vigilant and to always question ones motivations and intentions, in the interest of transformation.

The Second Niyama: Santosa, Contentment
This points to our true nature, which is always blissful and peaceful and deeply fulfilled. Through wrong identification with the separate self sense, we are disconnected from this truth. The ego is always discontent, never satisfied and always feels like something is missing. Through meditation and contemplation of the Yogic teachings, one can begin to glimpse through the veils of maya or illusion, and taste the sweetness of Santosa, where we want for nothing and are deeply content, resting in the true Self. Whenever you feel disgruntled and malcontent remember that the root of this discontent is illusory and shift your attention to gratitude for what you already have. This profound sense of well-being is the ground, prior to all external events, so even though there may be challenging circumstances, this deep inner fulfillment is our underlying experience. Meditation is often a doorway to this understanding.

The Third Niyama: Tapas, Burning Spiritual Passion or Self- discipline
Without Tapas we wouldn't have the wherewithal to stay on the Path. There needs to be a deep spiritual longing which drives us to transform. This longing is often the result of a revelation, in which we glimpse cosmic unity and are compelled to pursue it. Tapas means burning and it also is used to mean intense spiritual practices. The proverbial Yogi sleeping on a bed of nails is practicing a Tapas. Meditating and doing your Yoga practice religiously every day is a form of Tapas. It is training the mind to be a warrior, to practice, no matter what. This discipline is born of the yearning for freedom and for mastery over the fickle mind. Through consistant and intense spiritual practice one is able to burn through the samskaras, or psychic knots, which keep us bound. Tapas is a form of Purification. Through Tapas we can transcend our karma.

The Fourth Niyama: Svadyaya or Self-study
This yama refers both to the study of scriptures and spiritual texts as well as looking deeply at ones own self. Patanjali does not name specific texts but points to the wisdom that can be gained through contemplating the words of wisdom from those pioneers who have charted the spiritual territory. It also refers to the deep self reflection into what it means to be a human being. Through penetrating self enquiry one learns the nature of the human mind and thus gains wisdom and insight. We need to be interested in both the depth of ignorance, inherent in an egoic state of mind and the heights of blissful unity which are also our human potential. One who knows himself, knows all human beings, as fundamentally we are not different.

The Fifth Niyama: ishvara Pranidhana, Surrender to the Absolute
We struggle to be in control. We want things to be the way we want them to be and if they are not we resist and fight the experience. But we can never really be in control. Life unfolds mysteriously and we have no say in it. It is as it is. To embrace this wholeheartedly with love and humility is to surrender to what is.There is a divine intelligence which infuses everything and we can only bow down in awe and wonder in the face of this infinite mystery. Thy will be done is then the song in our hearts.



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