It’s all about intentions….
Satya, truth in the yogic philosophy or any spiritual and religious belief system is defined as spoken word in union with ones actions.
In friendships, business relationships and all interactions between teacher and student it is imperative for trust to exist. When a friend, teacher or business associate makes a promise (gives their word) we expect that truth will be authentic. We expect that promises and commitments agreed upon will be fulfilled. This is especially important when someone is in the position of teaching yoga and spiritual philosophy.
The decision to become a yoga teacher and share with others is an honor. This can be a challenging position for many, because students not only ask you to teach them the physical asanas but share with you their personal life, confide in you, respect you, honor you and will follow a teachers lead. All teachers lead by example in any profession. The words spoken by any teacher are just as important as action. When students come to the teacher and ask their opinion or for advice they will listen intently to what is said and pay much closer attention than anyone else they will speak to, except maybe their medical practitioner.
According to the Sutras of Patanjali, one cannot practice Satya without practicing or embodying the other 4 Yamas, (Ahimsa, non-harming, non-violence), Asteya, (non-stealing) Brahmacharya, (abstinence), Aparigraha, (non-possessiveness, non-coveting that which isn’t yours). Ahimsa, one of the most important Yamas is non-harming or non-violence. It is the delicate balance between Ahimsa and Satya that can be most challenging for any yogi but of utmost importance for the spiritual teacher. Ahimsa is the central practice of the 5 Yamas. To not harm or hurt others is the central goal that brings about equanimity in our practice and life. Observing the Yamas is all about awareness of our intentions.
When practicing Satya (one’s view of their truth) word and action can be in conflict causing Himsa (harm), creating a state of imbalance that can be quite hurtful. When one lies, steals, cheats, or withholds something that was previously promised, they are not practicing Satya or Ahima. Nor are they practicing any of the Yamas since all are connected to the one central Yama, Ahmisa (non-harming).
Yoga teaches us to be more aware of our words, our actions, our intentions and how they impact all we come into contact with. Truthfulness and honesty is not a new concept that we can learn from a book. Truthfulness and honesty should be learned from our earliest memories. Truth goes hand in hand with ethical and moral behavior. Yoga can make us yearn to live with good and right intentions but a strong moral and ethical background is very beneficial in helping us grow and succeed within our own personal spiritual path. Really, what are we talking about? It’s all Karma and Dharma.
What is Karma and Dharma you may ask?
Karma is the law of cause and effect, every action has an equal reaction.
Dharma is your destiny.
Namaste Yoga Sangha
Lisa Bachrach Zeankowski
Friday, November 5, 2010
Friday, September 10, 2010
Svadhyaya
Just recently I was recommended to practice Svadhyaya...
The fourth Niyama.
Sva means "self' or "belonging to me." Adhyaya means"inquiry" or "examination". The word Svadhyaya literally means, "to get close to something." It means to get close to yourself, that is, to study yourself. It teaches us to be centered and non-reactive to the dualities, to burn out unwanted and destructive tendencies.
The more I think about the definition of this, the more I study this, I contemplate how I might be asked to self study myself when one has not done this themselves? How can one ask of anyone to do what they have not done themselves? If this Niyama teaches us to be centered and non-reactive to the dualities, to burn out unwanted and destructive tendencies, how can I be told to do this by one who is still living a self destructive pattern and lifestyle, isn't this contradictory of the "practice"?
Niyamas are described as "self discipline" in the sutras the Yamas and the Niyamas are the very way in which we are taught to live our lives by, the 10 commandments of yoga if you will.
"The five points of yama, together with the five points of niyama, remind us of the Ten Commandments of the Christian and Jewish faiths, as well as of the ten virtues of Buddhism. In fact, there is no religion without these moral or ethical codes. All spiritual life should be based on these things. They are the foundation stones without which we can never build anything lasting. (127)"
— Sri S. Satchidananda (The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali: Commentary on the Raja Yoga Sutras by Sri Swami Satchidananda)
So I ask, if these yamas and niyamas are the "foundation stones without which we can never build anything lasting," how can I be asked to 'self study' by someone who is not living by this standard themselves?
I have done a lot of self study and growth and because of this I am able to see quite clearly and without judgment, however I do take offense to being told that I should self study as a deflection of one's actions that one should study themselves...leads back to the old saying.."never throw stones when living in a glass house"
The fourth Niyama.
Sva means "self' or "belonging to me." Adhyaya means"inquiry" or "examination". The word Svadhyaya literally means, "to get close to something." It means to get close to yourself, that is, to study yourself. It teaches us to be centered and non-reactive to the dualities, to burn out unwanted and destructive tendencies.
The more I think about the definition of this, the more I study this, I contemplate how I might be asked to self study myself when one has not done this themselves? How can one ask of anyone to do what they have not done themselves? If this Niyama teaches us to be centered and non-reactive to the dualities, to burn out unwanted and destructive tendencies, how can I be told to do this by one who is still living a self destructive pattern and lifestyle, isn't this contradictory of the "practice"?
Niyamas are described as "self discipline" in the sutras the Yamas and the Niyamas are the very way in which we are taught to live our lives by, the 10 commandments of yoga if you will.
"The five points of yama, together with the five points of niyama, remind us of the Ten Commandments of the Christian and Jewish faiths, as well as of the ten virtues of Buddhism. In fact, there is no religion without these moral or ethical codes. All spiritual life should be based on these things. They are the foundation stones without which we can never build anything lasting. (127)"
— Sri S. Satchidananda (The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali: Commentary on the Raja Yoga Sutras by Sri Swami Satchidananda)
So I ask, if these yamas and niyamas are the "foundation stones without which we can never build anything lasting," how can I be asked to 'self study' by someone who is not living by this standard themselves?
I have done a lot of self study and growth and because of this I am able to see quite clearly and without judgment, however I do take offense to being told that I should self study as a deflection of one's actions that one should study themselves...leads back to the old saying.."never throw stones when living in a glass house"
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