Isvara Pranidhana

The second limb of the eight-faceted path of yoga consists of the five Niyamas which are reflections that take us more toward internal observances, an interior resting place. The fifth and final of these Niyamas is called Isvara Pranidhana and can be translated as surrender or merging with the Divine. 

When I began to study the sutras more deeply, Nischala Joy Devi described the Yamas and Niyamas as being two pyramids, with the Yamas an inverted pyramid, standing on the pointy apex and the Niyamas as being the mirror image of that, standing on its base. The two apex points come together much like the shape of an hourglass or bowtie turned on its side. 

The top pyramid of the yamas has Ahimsa taking up the broadest aspect (the inverted base) as it overarches and influences all else through the practice of compassion and reverence for all beings. The lower pyramids broad base is occupied by Isvara Pranidhana, in that we surrender to the consciousness that permeates all. Ahimsa and Isvara Pranidhana are the bookends that carry a heavy importance in our practices that of compassion and letting go. If we only focused on those two elements, we would begin to make big shifts in how we relate to ourselves and all other beings.

Part of Isvara Pranidhana invites us to stay completely present and let go of the desire to see the results of our actions. When we undertake something, we often do so to achieve a particular goal. We exercise to lose weight; We complete college to get a good job; We marry to find happiness; We give a gift and want a thank you card; We meditate to be spiritual and on it goes. Yet, what Isvara Pranidhana is about is letting go of the outcome, releasing the expectation of what might happen when we do "X". When acting from the place of our highest intentions, we put it out to the Universe and let go of the expectation that we will get a particular result.

Part of the reason this is a challenging practice is because it requires us to trust the process of unfolding. We surrender to the current of the Universe rather than trying to influence it in a certain direction. It is understood that whatever we are doing, we are doing so with our best effort in that moment and we have little else to do once we are finished.

This surrender isn't an act of giving up but rather an act of relinquishing the need to feel control of the outcome. Feeling that we can control the outcome is an illusion and can be the seed that causes us great suffering. 

I'm certain that most everyone reading this has had a similar experience of saying something like, "it is, what it is" which loosens our grip on a thought for things to be different to what they are. When we soften this need it opens us to connect to the bigger picture. We let ourselves be cradled in the arms of divine energy-Isvara-which can be translated as 'Supreme Being', 'God', 'Brahman', 'Ultimate Reality', 'Collective Consciousness' or 'True Self'. It's that which is bigger than all of us. It can be thought of offering up the results of one's actions to the divine, or perhaps to all of humanity. And to quote Emma Newlyn:

"Surrendering to what is requires trust in our deepest Self, our intuition and the courage to express ourselves for who we are, as we are, with all of our perfect imperfections, which ultimately leads to freedom."

Svadhyaya

The second limb of the eight-faceted path of yoga consists of the five Niyamas which are reflections that take us more toward internal observances, an interior resting place. The fourth of these Niyamas is called Svadyaya and is translated as self-study.

Svadyaya can be viewed from a couple of different perspectives. The first is the more classical translation that self-study involves delving into sacred texts and scripture. The second is how we continue the study of our own connection to our innermost Divine Self. Through the practices, particularly if we begin to pay attention to the Yamas and Niyamas, we begin to have a framework by which we not only are exposed to ancient teachings but those teachings take us deeply into states of questioning, contemplation and meditation. Self-study is self-examination and we use the vehicle of any writings that inspire us to feel the presence of the indwelling spirit or guiding force.

I can vividly recall the moment when I recognized that the deeper level of the study of yoga was about to begin. It was during the early phases of my yoga  teacher training where yogic philosophy was introduced. I remember where I was sitting and then having this image of stepping through an open doorway and viewing what was on the other side as this wide open field of knowledge. It was like arriving at Disneyland for the first time and not knowing where to go first. I sat there, bedazzled, feeling the opportunity to tap into what I had been seeking. Up until that moment all of my yoga was quite physical and based around the poses. Having been physically active my whole life I understood on that level but felt that I wanted something deeper, more meaningful. In that moment, I had found what I was looking for.

Over thousands of years, seekers have sought ways in which they connect to spirit. All religions and spiritual practices have books as their guiding light: the Torah and Talmud, the Holy Bible, the Koran, the Tao Te Ching and the Bhagavad Gita. But it doesn't have to be any of these sources. It could be a new age writer such as Marianne Williamson or Ekhart Tolle, a poet such as Mary Oliver or Maya Angelou, or an inspirational leader such as Nelson Mandela. How we step into the practice of Svadhyaya is using the vehicle that takes us into an evolving version of our highest self. And that ride is a personal journey of exploration. 

I have been a perpetual student even when I had resistance to it following the completion of my graduate work. I "swore" that I was finished with study and "never again"! Yet, since that time my study has become deeply personal, extensive and ongoing. I often feel like I'm more of a student than ever before and I look for sweeter and sweeter nuggets that I wish to digest. The result is that not only do I connect into my own innermost Divine Self, but that connection seeps out into everything that I do...relationships, teaching yoga and connecting to people I don't even know.  

The path of student is often a solitary pursuit but it becomes even richer when we share parts of the process with others. That's why having a teacher who pushes us to the edge of our current knowing is vital as is having a supportive community in which to share the journey. So check out what books are sitting on your bedside table. Are they taking you deeper into your own inner realm of knowing or pulling you further away?

Please share...we are in this together!  

Tapas

The second limb of the eight-faceted path of yoga consists of the five Niyamas which are reflections that take us more toward internal observances, an interior resting place. The third of these Niyamas is called Tapas and is literally translated as heat but further as transformation through self-discipline and fire as a purifying flame.

For those of you who read this and have a yoga practice think back to what initially brought you to the mat. Why did you decide that you wanted to try this thing called yoga in the first place? People come to yoga for many reasons: to become more flexible; bring their body into balance; to manage stress; to better handle anxiety or depression; or perhaps for spiritual connection. 

I first stepped onto a yoga mat in the mid-90's when I was working at the University of Melbourne. My colleague was creating programs that introduced people to different activities and yoga was one of them. And man, was it ever popular! Every semester it was full with a waiting list. What brought me to the mat was my curiosity as to why it seemed that everyone was doing yoga. And I, like many others, felt things I had never experienced prior to that moment. In the beginning, it was very much a physical practice and it wasn't until a few years later that it truly altered my life. It was the spiritual element of yoga that put its hooks into me. I had been looking for ways to balance my fiery, active self, to find connection and meaning to my life. In an unconscious way, I was looking for a way to like myself more than I did and yoga showed me how.

Tapas is about transformation, and the methods within the practice of yoga provide the tools for us to come face to face with what we wish to alter. In essence, we need to walk through the fire of transformation to find a renewed sense of who we truly are. For those of you who've "done your work" know that at times it's prickly and uncomfortable. To quote Deborah Adele in her book, "The Yamas & Niyamas-Exploring Yoga's Ethical Practice":

"The promise of a crisis is that it will pick us up and deposit us on the other side of something. Will we trust the process or will we run and hide?"

Stepping into our practice more fully through movement, breath, meditation, concentration and a withdrawing of senses has the power to deposit us on the other side of something. These ancient teachings have the power to ignite the fuse of change. What is it that you're trying to untangle in your life? What needs to be transformed? The other part of Tapas is self-discipline which is that we actually have to undergo the practices for any transformation to occur. 

For years I was the theoretical meditator...knowing about the practice but having no regular discipline in its undertaking. It wasn't until I made the commitment to the practice did I truly begin to scratch the surface of its magic and the potential for greater insight into my own life. I needed to do it...not just think about doing it. What have you been thinking about but perhaps not ready to tackle due to some belief that holds you back? Is it fear of the unknown? Is it letting go of those "golden handcuffs"? Is it facing something that you packed down into your inner self so you didn't have to confront it?

The beauty of the Yamas and Niyamas is that they interrelate with one another. As we step into the fire of our own growth, we do so from a place that is aligned with the first Yama---Ahimsa or compassion and reverence for all beings including ourselves. We step gently into what it is we are trying to alter rather than going so full on into it that we begin to cause ourselves harm or distress. We approach all practices from a place of contentment (Santosha) and kindness, rather than feeling as though something is "wrong" with us and we need to repent.

As you examine why you first stepped onto the mat, ask yourself why you're still practicing? What's changed since those first few sessions? What have you transformed and how has your initial intention morphed? I have enjoyed asking people in classes this past week what brought them to yoga and would love to hear your answers to that same question. I'm curious as to how things have changed since then and what's happening in your current practice?

Feel free to share, we are all on this journey together as we walk through the purifying flame of transformation!

Santosha

The second limb of the eight faceted path of yoga consists of the five Niyamas which are reflections that take us more toward internal observances, an interior resting place. The second of these Niyamas is called Santosha and is often translated as contentment.

What makes you happy?

I know that if I have things to look forward to, my mood seems to elevate, like upcoming travel plans, a long weekend, or special event. Happiness also shows itself when I find a screaming deal or when I find myself in deep conversation with a friend over a cup of tea. A quiet morning ride with the sun just beginning to shine on our local mountains, spectacular cloud formations at sunset and birds tweeting their love notes to each other also make me happy.

But what is it that makes us content? What's the difference between being content and being happy?

In my experience, happiness seems to be something that is more often found outside of ourselves and often transient. Contentment is an inner state of being which resides within us no matter what might be happening around us. I can honestly say that I'm content with my life and I feel that way because I love being able to do what I'm passionate about. With that being said, for most of my working life, I have enjoyed what I do...I guess I'm lucky that way, but even with that, I used to find myself getting dragged around by the emotions and events of my life. It was as though whatever was going on would influence how I felt. My moods would pendulum back and forth, often leaning toward the slant of feeling down. So how do we find contentment? Is it by accident?

We need to find something that works for us on a regular basis, some form of connecting to the bigger picture of our lives, to the "why am I here?" type of question. In our culture we are taught to look outside of ourselves for answers. We look toward our parents when we're young, to our teachers as we gain education, to our government to keep us safe and provide services. We continue this outward search looking for that perfect partner to "make us happy", to that perfect job to keep us financially secure or to our families and friends for moral support. What we aren't taught is how to look inside of our own hearts to see what we need on a soulful level. 

What connects me to a sense of meaning? Heading into nature, walking barefoot at the edge of the ocean and listening to moving music are ways in which I walk through the doorway to my own inner realm. Stepping onto my yoga mat, teaching others and sitting in silent meditation are the tools that also take me into that space.

When the magic of my yoga practice started to reveal itself, things shifted. It took time and more importantly, consistency of being in the practice. This shift was as though I remembered my commitment and connection to my inner divine nature. I needed to listen to what my inner Self was asking of me and it was through my practice that I began to hear it. Over time, discovering my purpose, that of teaching, I began to realize that I was living a contented life and that made me happy.

So no matter what life situation we may find ourselves in, when we are able to connect into the still space of our inner being, we connect with the contented part of our lives. When we aren't blown around by the winds of emotion, we begin to reside in a natural state of joy. As Nischala Joy Devi translates Santosha in her book, The Secret Power of Yoga:

"When at peace and content with oneself and others (Santosha), supreme joy is celebrated."

She goes on to say that in Southern India, instead of saying "thank you" to show appreciation, people say Santosha (I am content). 

As I conclude this weeks thought, I would like to say to all of you, Santosha!

Saucha

The second limb of the eight faceted path of yoga consists of the five Niyamas which are reflections that take us more toward internal observances, an interior resting place. The first of these Niyamas is called Saucha and is often translated as cleanliness, purity or simplicity. It's about cleaning up our act on all levels of our being. 

We live in a time where we are exposed to, and live in, a toxic environment. Think about the chemicals that we come across each day---household cleaners, skin and self care products, additives, preservatives, noise, water and air pollution. And that's just our physical exposure. Yet the toxic relationships we are involved with can pack a stronger, although sometimes more subtle punch. Then there's the toxic self-imposed negative self-talk and inner critic that likes to hang around and offer their (delusional) input and comments.

If we live in ignorance of what is toxic in our lives it starts to slowly take hold of us, like a slow growing mold. We often can't even detect it until it has altered some part of us, perhaps reflected in a physical symptom (ulcer, migraine, back ache, skin rash) or on an emotional level where we find ourselves angry or easily agitated, as though we are in a constant state of grumbling about the world and all of its evils. Our own personal web of toxicity might also be contagious, feeding into the pool of other people's negativity which seems to only encourage the growth of this damaging state of being. An example of this is gossiping-the act of latching onto the woes in our and other people's lives, perpetuating and possibly embellishing the story. If you've ever known someone who loves to gossip, it's as though they are on the hunt for the scoop, to find a juicy nugget to share with someone else regardless of whether or not it's their story to tell.

Saucha is where we interrupt the cycle and begin damage control. We raise our own level of consciousness about our own footprint of what we are sending out into the world. We begin to take action from a place of purer intention. It's as though we awaken to what we eat, say, act and do to having an effect on ourselves and all of the energy around us. We  do this by raising our awareness of the foods we choose, selecting foods closest to its clean source (organic) and by choosing self-care products that aren't laden with chemicals. 

Our yoga practice is a way to clear and cleanse our energy. The simple act of conscious breathing is like clearing our own dusty screen, intentionally letting go of what no longer serves us. Our bodies have natural in-built cleansers through elimination of body excrement, sweat, exhaling CO2 and menstruation. By physically moving our body, staying well-hydrated and looking after our gut health we bring our natural processes of elimination into better balance. In the tradition of Ayurveda (the sister science to yoga) undertaking Panchakarma is a method of cleansing and cleaning the body through such modalities as breathwork, nasal irrigation (neti pot) and body work. We can enhance our own purification by living simply, reducing drama in our lives, creating supportive rituals and finding quiet space each and every day.

We can all do just a little something to bring ourselves into a calmer balance and better health. And it can begin by noticing what seems to be stopping the flow of your natural energy. A beautiful saying in yoga is, "prana flows where attention goes". Now is the perfect time to give yourself a good spring cleaning by seeing of what you can let go. You will likely feel a bit unburdened through the process!

Aparigraha

We have spent the past few weeks exploring the Yamas, the external observances which are part of the eight faceted path of yoga. This week, we conclude the journey with the final Yama-Aparigraha -often translated as non-greediness or non-possessiveness. As placing a "non" in front of a word doesn't often lend itself to the full meaning of the translation, Nischala Joy Devi's in her book, "The Secret Power of Yoga"  translates it as follows:

"Acknowledging abundance (Aparigraha), we recognize the blessings in everything and gain insights into the purpose of our worldly existence".

I love this translation as it shifts our focus from feeling the drive to amass more, get more, be more, to appreciating what we already have. It brings us into the present moment through the lens of gratitude.

A couple of years ago, a study was published that basically looked at the concept that once a person's basic needs were met (that is, they are living above the poverty line) and up to around $50,000-$60,000 annual income, the quality of their life greatly improved. What was interesting about this study is that people who earned more than that weren't necessarily happier. If someone earned twice as much, they weren't twice as happy as someone earning less. We have this unspoken belief that the more we have, the happier we'll be...which this study, at least, proved not to be the case.

When we walk the path of striving, particularly when it's directed to an external goal, we often miss the deeper internal experience of our everyday lives. This past week in classes we have repeated a practice that can have great impact. The practice of gratitude for all that is currently in our lives. Abundance can take many forms beyond financial and material wealth. Reflect on what it's like to have a safe place that we can call home; to have quality relationships with ourselves and with others; to have a variety of food to choose from in any season of the year; and to have good health despite aches and pains and where we can be out in the world participating in our lives and activities. We can take this a step further by reflecting on a time when our health was compromised through injury or illness and we were unable to do what we had been doing. In moments like those, we look back and realize that we were actually in quite good shape, but missed the moment as we tend to focus on the greedier aspect of doing more or getting stronger taking us out of the abundance of the present moment toward a greedier future.

So as you read this, take a moment to close your eyes and repeat the following statement:

In this moment, I am grateful for _____________.

If we spend moments every day repeating this statement, we begin to realize that we have all that we need. It connects us to the simple beauty of our lives and the richness of the simple things that are always present.

I hope you have enjoyed this journey through the Yamas, have become more curious about how to practice them and are able to start implementing them into the everyday settings of your life.

Compassion and reverence for all.

Truthfulness

Generosity

Moderation

Abundance

These sound easy but we know they take practice. Happy exploring and may you share the merits of your efforts with all!

Brahmacharya

Following a slight diversion in last week's blog about passion, we are back to exploring the Yamas, the external observances which are part of the eight faceted path of yoga. We have recently taken a look at three of the five Yamas and move onto the fourth, known as Brahmacharya. All of the Yamas relate to each other: compassion and reverence for all (Ahimsa); truthfulness (Satya); generosity (Asteya) and Brahmacharya translated as "moderation" continues to illustrate how they're connected, particularly back to Ahimsa.

In many translations of the Sutras, Brahmacharya is translated as celibacy and a wonderful explanation as to why can be found in Nischala Joy Devi's book, "The Secret Power of Yoga" (pages 196-197). Her translation of Brahmacharya relates to living a moderate and balanced life and this relates to all aspects of our lives. One way to look at this practice is by focusing on what is in excess. Too much of anything can throw us off-balance. We know that if we eat too much, we can gain weight. That if we work too much, we miss out on time with our friends and family. Sitting at the computer for too long can put physical strain on our eyes and posture. Shopping online, at the closest outlet store or on Black Friday can not only overstuff our closets but stretch our financial budget. You get the idea...moderation in all things. 

One great question to ask ourselves as we reflect on Brahmacharya is, "Where am I directing my energy?". If we think about the energy we have throughout each and every day, we know that it is limited. Take a moment to review how you spent your energy over the past 24 hours. Was it in balance? Did it serve a deeper part of yourself? Did it take you away from other things you were wanting to do? Was it focused on one thing (family, work, relaxation)?

As I've asked students to reflect on this question throughout the week, it dawned on me that to recognize when we've overspent our energy budget, we actually have to know what our energy budget looks like. At what point do you draw the line and cross over into excess? Can you recognize when you're in a state of excess? How does it feel in your body, mind, soul? And when we do cross the line of excess, we can throw ourselves so much out of balance that we are no longer in the practice of Ahimsa as we might be causing harm to ourselves on a variety of levels.

I know when I've gone too long in teaching without taking a break (as I do when are in our high season and run teacher training) I notice myself being more short tempered or trying to get pumped up about teaching another class. Over my 34 years of teaching, this has always happened. To bring myself back into balance I know that I need to take a break from teaching. When I step off the mat or out of the gym and allow myself time to do things with my significant other or for myself and simply not think about teaching, it's as though a new and creative life is blown back into me. I remember to connect to the bigger picture and all that is important in life. To stay fresh and inspired I need to recognize when I'm not that...fresh or inspired, and take a break to reignite the flame.

To maintain the residue of the breaks taken, having a regular schedule and daily routine of rituals, supports a longer term ability to stay motivated and driven by the work I do. Time has taught me to keep myself moderated every day and to avoid overdrawing on my energy bank account. Ultimately, when we begin to understand our own needs and understand what feeds us on all levels of our being, we begin to glide more easily along the path of the mission of our life. To quote Nischala Joy Devi:

"Devoted to living a balanced and moderate life (Brahmacharya), the scope of one's life force become boundless".

So let this day be one in which you free yourself from excess...do you know where to start?