- purity
- contentment
- discipline
- spiritual exploration
- surrender to the divine
Again, these qualities do not arise by making a mood of
moral self-righteousness, but they emerge as a result of a
person living a natural, balanced life. H. G. Wells said,
“Moral indignation is jealousy with a halo,” and yoga
would agree.
Like ideal social conduct, evolutionary personal qual-
ities derive from your connection to spirit. Focusing on
the first Niyama, purity, or shoucha, adds no value to life if
it encourages a judgmental mind-set, but it is of great
value if you see your choices in terms of nourishment ver-
sus toxicity. Your body and mind are constructed from
the impressions that you ingest from the environment.
The sounds, sensations, sights, tastes, and smells carry
the energy and information that are metabolized into
you. Yoga encourages you to consciously choose experi-
ences that are nourishing to your body, mind, and soul.
Contentment, or santosha, the second Niyama, is the
fragrance of present moment awareness. When you strug-
gle against the present moment, you struggle against the
entire cosmos. Contentment, however, does not imply
acquiescence. Yogis are committed in thought, word, and
deed to supporting evolutionary change that enhances
the well-being of all sentient creatures on this planet.
Contentment implies acceptance without resignation.
Contentment emerges when you relinquish your
36 The Seven Spiritual Laws of Yoga