natural resources (aprigraha). It can seem far
easier to meditate for 20 minutes a day than
to practice contentment (santosha) breath by
breath.
The ultimate purpose of practicing the Yamas
and Niyamas is to experience real freedom in
our life. But, I have seen people becoming
very hard on themselves and the people
around them in their attempt to practice
yamas and niyamas. This may happen due
to misinterpretation of these principles,
and forgetting the final purpose of their
practice. I also find these 10 principles are
so complex and closely interconnected that
if I am not fully aware, any linear thinking or
misinterpretation of one can lead to wrong
application of the other. It is like walking on
a tightrope without losing our balance on
either side.
For example:
• Aren’t there times when speaking the
truth (Satya) might cause hurt or harm to you
or somebody? Does that mean we are going
away from non-violence (Ahimsa)?
• Aren’t there times when your inability
to keep cleanliness (Shaucha) caused you
anger and discontentment? Then is this
not observing non-violence (Ahimsa) and
contentment (Santosha)?
• We all sometimes tend to indulge in or get
contentment (Santosha) out of eating not-
so-healthy foods that we know cause harm
to our body. Does such indulgence take us
away from following non-violence (Ahimsa)?• The majority of us have wardrobes that
are more than full, and still we keep buying
beautiful outfits one after the other to feel
happy and content. Does this mean that we
are over accumulating and going far away
from keeping the vow of Aprighraha (non-
accumulation)?The Yamas and the Niyamas can apply to large,
long-term goals for living, as well as the small
decisions we make daily in our interactions
with others. How do we live with skill and
ethics, peace and self-protection, in a world
that may not be necessarily following these
guidelines so well? In particular, how do we
practice these principles when they seem at
cross-purposes?Practice, practice and practice - with
reverence is the way
Despite being on the path of yoga for more
than two decades, though I have made good
progress, I still feel that I am scratching the
surface of putting them into full practice in
my life. But having them as goals in my mind2(^34)
5