enhancement of vital energy (breath control). Yoga also has an inner dimension
that is the key purpose of yoga. Detachment, concentration, and meditation
together form a single process toward the development of pure consciousness.
CHAPTER 15 YOGA 191THE EIGHT LIMBS OF YOGA: GUIDELINES FOR LIVING
- Abstinences (yamas)
■ Nonviolence (ahimsa)
■ Tr uthfulness (satya)
■ Nonstealing (asteya)
■ Chastity or nonlust (brahmacharya)
■ Nongreed (aparigraha) - Personal Disciplines (niyamas)
■ Purity (shauca)
■ Contentment (santosha)
■ Self-discipline (tapas)
■ Self-study (svadhyaya)
■ Centering on the divine (ishvara-pranidhana) - Body Control (asanas)
- Breath Control (pranayama)
- Detachment (pratyahara)
- Concentration (dharana)
- Meditation (dhyana)
- Pure Consciousness (samadhi)
The Path of Abstinence
Abstinences are about what not to do in life. The first abstinence is about nonvio-
lence. Nonviolence not only means not physically hurting others but also having
nonviolent words and nonviolent thoughts. Truthfulness, the second abstinence,
results in personal integrity and strength of character. Nonstealing, the third absti-
nence, includes not stealing other’s material belongings as well as not taking credit
for things one has not done, not stealing the center of attention, and so forth. The
fourth abstinence, chastity or nonlust, means holding people in high esteem and
loving and respecting others. The fifth abstinence is nongreed, which means living
simply and viewing possessions as tools to use in life. Nongreed leads to the avoid-
ance of jealousy and envy.