Arya Samaj

Shishya · Posted: Mon Mar 05, 2007 6:45 pm Post subject: The Purpose of this Forum

Namaste All,

The Spiritual Discipline Forum is intended to serve as a medium through which we can discuss the practical aspects of spirituality in depth. In particular, we will be dealing with the 5 Yamas and the 5 Niyamas. Our Member Arya Putra has volunteered to both lead the discussions and serve as Moderator to the new forum. Thank you, Arya Putra! namaste

We plan on having one thread for each of the 10 Principles mentioned above. Each one will begin with an article written by Arya Ji, after which discussion is very welcome. Roughly once a month a new article will appear. However, discussion on previous principles is of course welcome and encouraged.

We hope everyone will be able to get some use out of the future discussions, and learn ways to apply these simple yet highly important principles to daily life. We have all been given the mission Krinvanto Vishwam Aryam, and the best way to start working towards that goal is to serve as a shining example to those around us. This forum aims at helping all of us come a step closer to that goal.

namaste

_________________
Namaste,

Shishya
ॐ

ॐ सह नावतु । सह तौ भुनक्तु । सह वीर्यं करवावहै । तेजस्वि नावधीतमस्तु मा विद्विषावहै ॥
"Together may we be protected. Together may we be profited. Together may we do a hero's work. May we learn intelligently. May we never hate one another."
-Brihadaranyaka & Taittiriya Upanishads

Prabhat · Posted: Mon Mar 05, 2007 9:06 pm Post subject:

Namaste,
very nice. but he could start by saying what 5 Yamas and the 5 Niyamas is.
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Namaste,
Prabhat

Shishya · Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2007 12:47 am Post subject:

Namaste Prabhat,

He already gave a short introduction to the Yamas. In fact, he wrote it in response to your question. You can (re-)read the post here:

The Basics
_________________
Namaste,

Shishya
ॐ

ॐ सह नावतु । सह तौ भुनक्तु । सह वीर्यं करवावहै । तेजस्वि नावधीतमस्तु मा विद्विषावहै ॥
"Together may we be protected. Together may we be profited. Together may we do a hero's work. May we learn intelligently. May we never hate one another."
-Brihadaranyaka & Taittiriya Upanishads

Arya Putra · Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2007 3:45 am Post subject:

Introduction to the Yamas & Niyamas

The Yamas and Niyamas are the 10 fundamental practices of YOGA, the scientific path for Self-Realization. By ‘fundamental’ I mean to say that these practices form the foundation of all Yoga practices, and no Yoga practice is complete without them.

The Yamas are:
1. Ahimsa: non-violence
2. Satya: truthfulness
3. Asteya: non-stealing
4. Bramhacharya: self-restraint (mental and physical), as pertains to sexuality
5. Aparigraha: non-hoarding, non-greediness

The Niyamas are:
1. Sauca: cleanliness, both internal and external (mental and physical)
2. Santosh: contentment
3. Tapas: austerity and self-discipline
4. Swadhyaya: self-study
5. Ishwarpranidhana: surrendering personal will to the Supreme Self

Just as there are many ways to render a Raga (melodic scale) in Indian music, similarly there are many ways to interpret the Yamas and Niyamas. However, this does not mean that just ‘any’ interpretation will do. The ‘doing’ (in the case, of the Yamas and Niyamas) is always in our actions (thoughts and deeds), and unless these principles are translated into our daily actions, one has not correctly ‘interpreted’ them.

Unless these principles are truly put into practice, Self-Realization, or perfection in Yoga is impossible. Likewise, unless these basic practices (particularly the Yamas) are engaged in constantly, a human being becomes a dysfunctional person and can never find true peace in this world or the next.

There are people who talk about and write about these principles but never fully practice them. There are some misinformed persons who refer to these principles as the first two ‘steps’ of Yoga and believe these principles are applicable only to novices on the path. The intelligent, however, realize Yoga, and indeed, life itself, is comprised of ‘limbs’ which together comprise a homogenous whole. In this respect, we can say that the Yamas are the ‘feet’ and Niyamas the ‘legs’ of Yoga; or (leaving aside the discussion of Yoga for a moment) these principles and practices are the foundation and supporting structure of Life.

Those who practice Yoga without practicing the Yamas and Niyamas have neither feet to stand on nor legs to support them, and can never go very far with their Yoga practices. Likewise, without the practice of non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, godly character (as opposed to ‘dog-ly’ character’), and non-piggishness it is impossible for any human being to be truly happy in this world. And without the practice of purity, contentment, self-discipline, self-introspection and observation, and renouncing one’s false pride and vanity (that is, giving up one’s ego), it is NOT possible to remain healthy and happy and reach one’s full potential in life.

The purpose in discussing the Yamas and Niyamas is to impress upon our minds the necessity of applying these fundamental practices in every aspect of our existence. We have begun this discussion with Ahimsa (non-violence), which is the essence of all those that follow.

Namaste
Arya Putra