Restraints & Observances
The Yogic path begins with the first two limbs of Pantanjal’s Elight limbs of Yoga called in Sanskrit, Yamas ( Restraints ) and Niyamas ( Observances ).The purpose of Yamas and Niyamas is to provide an ethical foundation for a harmonious life. They serve to reduce suffering, manage emotions, cultivate inner peace, and foster self-discipline and character, preparing the practitioner for deeper meditation. Each of the two limbs has five components each as follows:
Restraints
- Non-Violence
- Truthfulness
- Non-Stealing
- Right use of energy
- Non-Attachment
Observances
- Purity
- Contentment
- Self-discipline
- Self-Study
- Surrender
Deepening awareness
In addition to the restraints and observances are seven hinderances in the Yugom school that pull one away from the path of liberation. Those are, anger, lust, greed, pride, laziness, attachment, and jealousy. When one controls the senses of the mind and body, they are able to perceive and understand lofty and eternal truths more clearly. The harnessing of the body and mind like a horse to a chariot is Yoga. It is not that the body and its desires are evil of themselves like in other religions, but that through the harnessing of the body and mind through Yogic practice one can enjoy life in alignment to Uxellos, the Supreme One. From practicing the observances we turn anger in to patience, lust in to fidelity, greed in to charity, pride in to humility, laziness in to productiveness, attachment in to non-attachment, and jealousy in to contentment. These hinderances in Yugom are seen in Pythagoras‘ school, Catholicism, and of course the Bhagavad Gita.
Is Mairg Ailter Cen Riagail
Irish Proverb
“Woe to him who is raised without rules”