The Yamas and Niyamas Part 10

Update: Quick note to all. As I’ve learnt and grown, and with the new knowledge I’ve gained, I’ve come to understand that my pronunciation of some Sanskrit words in some of the voice recordings for my blog are incorrect. My dearest apologizes for this mistake. I appreciate your patience while I update my recordings to correct these errors.

Here we are back again, thank you for waiting so patiently for this entry. With summer coming to an end I have been getting out as much as possible connecting with nature, which has pulled me away from my keyboard. What I love most about nature is that it is so natural. So naturally beautiful, naturally occurring, and always being itself. Not hiding imperfections, comparing itself, or doing what others expect. There is always surprises, always storms, it is never perfect. At the same time, it is so precious, so mesmerizing, so magnificently wonderful. 

Connecting with nature is a common way for people to get in touch with themselves. It is very therapeutic and can help us reset. For me, nothing compares to the feeling of exploring the outdoors, being surrounded by trees, flowers, birds, and any body of water; feeling the warmth of the sun all over my skin; staring up at the blue sky with wonder of what is beyond my sight, thinking of all the endless possibilities. In the winter, a nice walk in the park with the crisp sound of the fresh snow under my boots, the sparkle of each snowflake, and the cool air as I take a deep breath in. When I am connecting with nature, my mind settles, worries disappear, and clarity and peace come more easily. This is my favorite way to meditate.

Meditation does not have to be done sitting on the floor uncomfortably cross legged for extended periods of time. It does not even have to be done with your eyes closed. It should be done in a comfortable position, maybe a supported one so we are taking care of ourselves at the same time, remember everything in support of the yamas such as with ahimsa, or with care. This may mean you are sitting in a chair or laying down. Or, it can be done while moving such as walking, dancing, gardening, or hiking. The purpose of meditation is to turn within, to connect with ourselves. To stop and notice, to still our mind, to reflect. To filter out and process all the movement that happens around us and ask within “Who am I?”. Ask, listen, process, and then let go. Its an opportunity to reconnect to the wholeness within us so we can move through life unchanged by all the different impressions we encounter and be able to work through challenges with clarity and confidence. To be our best self against the odds and be at peace with whatever comes our way.

This introspection and reflection brings me to the next of the niyamas Swadhyaya, which in English is translated to spiritual study. It refers to the study of scriptures and the study of ourselves, the study of our truth, our wholeness, our own spirit. It is the process of discovering happiness from within and uncovering our inner strength. It teaches us how to remove distractions and conditionings that are clouding our perceptions, first bringing awareness to them, gaining a knowing of them, then learning how to sift through it all.  It is the process of bringing awareness to our actions, beliefs, and thoughts and deciphering whether they are that of our true self or of our conditionings. During this self study often we discover how we fit into this world and who we truly are. It brings clarity into our lives and how we live it, how we respond, or don’t respond. The study of sacred texts and reflecting on how it applies in our own lives, even being here learning about the yamas and niyamas, is also an example of self study, these lessons can open new perspectives and help us discover new realizations. 

It is ironic that the person we often know the least about is our own self.  Sometimes we can be so disconnected and confused by all the other ideas, choices, or opinions thrown at us year over year, that we no longer know what’s what. If we are not in touch with the truth of ourselves and we are constantly a projection of something or someone else, or even our distorted perception of them, how are we supposed to feel happy? satisfied? successful? safe? When I refer to conditionings, and I may have mentioned this before, I am referring to exactly this. From the time we were born, all the different experiences that we have had over the years has shaped our thoughts and behaviours. What I’ve come to realize is that all of these would be different if say I lived somewhere else in the world, or even less extreme if I grew up on a farm instead of in the city, or if my parents weren’t as wonderful and loving as they are; something I am extremely grateful for. Even a single experience can influence our behaviour for the rest of our life.  Beneath it all we are all the same dealing with our own conditionings. When we bring awareness to these conditionings and then detach from them that is when we begin to identify with our purest self instead of something from the outside.  

The first thing the average person thinks of when they hear the word yoga, is practicing these unrealistic postures in some choreographed order. They may think that they are unable to practice, maybe because of a limitation or the idea that yoga is only for a certain type of person. It is unfortunate that this is the understanding for many, and it is my passion to share the benefits of yoga with whomever is interested in the practice. In the ancient scripture of The Yoga Sutras it is stated that the practice is “not limited by class, place, time or circumstances.” Sutra 2.31.  Also, of the eight limbs of yoga explained in the text practicing the postures, or asana, is only one of the limbs, it is the third limb and follows the teachings of the yamas and niyamas. Yoga is actually about embodiment, connection, awareness. As a yoga teacher, empowering students to get in touch with their inner self will deepen their experience, their understanding, and the benefits they receive from yoga. Practicing asana is only part of the process and one way of discovery.

Asana is an excellent way to create the mind-body connection, but it is not the only way. There are other ways to create or heighten this connection, for example with breathing exercises and meditation, however that looks for you.  Whatever fits your situation focus on stilling the mind, even for only a few minutes, long enough to clear out the distractions and calm the mind. It is then we can ask ourselves these questions, without judgment or without creating a story around them. “Is this me?”, “does this serve me?”, “is this good for me?”, “how do I feel?”, “why do I feel this way?”, “why did I react in that way?”, “what’s happing within me right now?”, “now how do I feel?”. These questions may come up at different times, it doesn’t have to be during meditation, just sort of as a self check when you are faced with a difficult situation, a conflict, or have an uncomfortable sensation. Maybe before we make such a decision or respond a certain way we think before we speak and answer this “are my words and actions in align with my values?

Sometimes this self study can be extremely uncomfortable, sometimes feelings and sensations or memories will arise unexpected. It is at these moments where introspection is key. It is in these moments where we need to ask the questions to discover the underlying trigger to what we are experiencing in that moment. It can be uncomfortable and difficult to sit through but each time this reflection takes place a bigger understanding is achieved. It is easy for us to run away when anything becomes difficult, that is a choice we have, but where will it get us? Sitting though this discomfort builds our mental strength and control and brings us closer to understanding our own self. Keep in mind that you are not necessarily going to get a clear answer back, or perhaps nothing in that moment, these realizations may pop up at the most unexpected times. But at some point, a connection will be made. If you are patient, practice regularly, and continue to study the self, you will begin to discover a whole new world of possibilities.

Over my practice I have overcome many fears and barriers that have been holding me back from growing in my life. This introspection occurred through many hours of spending time by myself, clearing all the misconceptions and opinions I had created about myself and my circumstances. I have been able to bring clarity to many areas of my life and have had multiple realizations through the process. By recognizing these and letting them go I have been able to move forward and start to feel my purpose. So many things make more sense to me now and in the process my strength in all areas has grown. I continue to deepen my practice through implementing meditation, asana , and by applying the principles of the yamas and niyamas into my daily actions. If you are looking for other ways to make this connection in your life please reach out, I would be thrilled to work with you through the process.

Our truth is our structure, our foundation, our center. When there is nothing else, we are left with only the truth. The sooner we can identify and connect with it the sooner our struggles will dissipate. The sooner we can live life in this clear lens while skipping over all the obstacles.  

Until next time…

Namaste.

“Openness is a quality of the True Self.”

– Deepak Chopra