Yoga Yoga - Moral Principles- Moral Principles

NamaskarNamaskar It means:It means:

I salute the divinity within you I salute the divinity within you with all the good feelings of my with all the good feelings of my mind and love of my heart.mind and love of my heart.

OverviewOverview Calming the Conscious MindCalming the Conscious Mind

through Yama & Niyama,through Yama & Niyama, i.e. moral principles.i.e. moral principles.

The First StepThe First Step• Calming the Calming the

Conscious Mind …Conscious Mind …

• The process to The process to develop and elevate develop and elevate the Conscious Mind the Conscious Mind is to apply certain is to apply certain principles to one’s principles to one’s life.life.

• Achieves mental Achieves mental equilibrium.equilibrium.

Mental EquilibriumMental Equilibrium Our energy is drained by disharmony Our energy is drained by disharmony

within ourselves and with those within ourselves and with those around us.around us.

The first level of the mind is the The first level of the mind is the Conscious Mind which relates Conscious Mind which relates through the senses with the external through the senses with the external world.world.

Mental equilibrium is the first step to Mental equilibrium is the first step to move towards higher realization.move towards higher realization.

Developing and elevating the Developing and elevating the mindmind

To develop and elevate the To develop and elevate the Conscious Mind, the yogis and Conscious Mind, the yogis and spiritualists through deep spiritualists through deep reflection synthesized certain reflection synthesized certain principles in order to attain mental principles in order to attain mental equilibrium and lead a good life.equilibrium and lead a good life.

These moral principles are called These moral principles are called Yama and Niyama.Yama and Niyama.

Yogic PrinciplesYogic Principles In the practice of Yoga there are In the practice of Yoga there are

two sets of principles for leading a two sets of principles for leading a good life:good life: There are 5 principles related to the There are 5 principles related to the

external world (Yama).external world (Yama). There are 5 principles related to There are 5 principles related to

oneself or internal development oneself or internal development (Niyama).(Niyama).

The Practice of YamaThe Practice of Yama Principles that guide one’s relationship with Principles that guide one’s relationship with

other entities.other entities. There must be a second entity to relate the There must be a second entity to relate the

principle to.principle to. These principles bring balance to the These principles bring balance to the

conscious mind (the first layer of the mind).conscious mind (the first layer of the mind). They also enhance social welfare, as the They also enhance social welfare, as the

establishment of a society depends on the establishment of a society depends on the mutual help of its members and their co-mutual help of its members and their co-operative behaviour. operative behaviour.

Principles of YamaPrinciples of Yama Not to inflict pain or hurt on anybody by Not to inflict pain or hurt on anybody by

thought, word or action.thought, word or action. Use of mind and words for welfare.Use of mind and words for welfare. Not to deprive others of what is their Not to deprive others of what is their

due, including planning in the mind to due, including planning in the mind to deprive others - ‘non-stealing’.deprive others - ‘non-stealing’.

Keep the mind always absorbed in Keep the mind always absorbed in Supreme Consciousness.Supreme Consciousness.

Live simply – non accumulation of Live simply – non accumulation of superfluous things.superfluous things.

Not harming anyone - Not harming anyone - Ahimsa’Ahimsa’

You harm someone when you stop You harm someone when you stop their physical, mental or spiritual their physical, mental or spiritual progress.progress.

It is not ‘non-violence’ (therefore It is not ‘non-violence’ (therefore allows for self-defence and the allows for self-defence and the protection of others from harm by protection of others from harm by use of force).use of force).

Not harming anyone - AhimsaNot harming anyone - Ahimsa’’• Food - one organism is the food of others.Food - one organism is the food of others.• Articles of food should be selected from among Articles of food should be selected from among

those items in which development of consciousness those items in which development of consciousness is comparatively little; i.e. if vegetables are is comparatively little; i.e. if vegetables are available, animals should not be slaughtered. available, animals should not be slaughtered.

• The policy of eating, without due consideration, The policy of eating, without due consideration, whatever is available cannot be supported in any whatever is available cannot be supported in any case.case.

• How to practice Ahimsa‘ – requires auto-suggestion, How to practice Ahimsa‘ – requires auto-suggestion, as it does not just happen automatically.as it does not just happen automatically.

Use of words for welfare - Use of words for welfare - SatyaSatya

Proper use of mind and words with Proper use of mind and words with the spirit of welfare.the spirit of welfare.

Not exactly the same as telling the Not exactly the same as telling the fact or the truth (because you may fact or the truth (because you may need to shelter the innocent from need to shelter the innocent from the knowledge of someone wanting the knowledge of someone wanting to cause harm to them).to cause harm to them).

It implies welfare.It implies welfare.

Satya gives hopeSatya gives hope Through Satya hope is encouraged Through Satya hope is encouraged

and it strengthens humanity.and it strengthens humanity. The capability to do what is The capability to do what is

necessary or good for humanity; in necessary or good for humanity; in the realm of spirituality such the realm of spirituality such thought, word or action has been thought, word or action has been defined as Satya.defined as Satya.

Non-stealing - AsteyaNon-stealing - Asteya Not to deprive others of what is Not to deprive others of what is

their due.their due. Including not planning in the mind Including not planning in the mind

to deprive others.to deprive others. Non-stealing means both Non-stealing means both

materially and mentally.materially and mentally.

Non-stealing – Asteya (4 Non-stealing – Asteya (4 types)types)

Physical theft of any material object. Physical theft of any material object. Psychic theft - Here you did not take Psychic theft - Here you did not take

material possession of anything, but you material possession of anything, but you planned it in your mind. planned it in your mind.

Depriving others of their due physically, Depriving others of their due physically, so you become responsible for their loss. so you become responsible for their loss.

Depriving others of their due mentally - Depriving others of their due mentally - planning in your mind to do so.planning in your mind to do so.

Keep the mind in the Keep the mind in the stance of the Supreme - stance of the Supreme - BrahmacaryaBrahmacarya

To remain attached to the Universal To remain attached to the Universal Consciousness – recognizing all as Consciousness – recognizing all as One.One.

Treat the objects as different Treat the objects as different expressions of that Universal expressions of that Universal Consciousness.Consciousness.

To feel the Cosmic Entity in every To feel the Cosmic Entity in every material object and living being.material object and living being.

Brahmacarya – results of Brahmacarya – results of practicepractice

Attraction towards the ultimate Attraction towards the ultimate reality, and not attraction towards reality, and not attraction towards crude material objects.crude material objects.

Desire for the Infinite, and not for Desire for the Infinite, and not for finite objects.finite objects.

It is control over subjectivity.It is control over subjectivity.

Live Simply - AparigrahaLive Simply - Aparigraha Non-indulgence in the enjoyment of such Non-indulgence in the enjoyment of such

amenities and comforts of life as are amenities and comforts of life as are superfluous for the preservation of life is superfluous for the preservation of life is Aparigraha. Aparigraha.

It is control over objectivity.It is control over objectivity. However, society is obliged to provide the However, society is obliged to provide the

minimum requirements to all (food, minimum requirements to all (food, housing, clothing, education, medical care).housing, clothing, education, medical care).

But complete establishment in Aparigraha But complete establishment in Aparigraha ultimately depends on the individual.ultimately depends on the individual.

Aparigraha – social Aparigraha – social aspectsaspects

It is a constant effort to reduce one’s It is a constant effort to reduce one’s own objects of comforts out of own objects of comforts out of sympathy for the common people, …sympathy for the common people, …

… … after ensuring that individuals are after ensuring that individuals are able to maintain solidarity in their able to maintain solidarity in their physical, mental and spiritual lives physical, mental and spiritual lives for themselves and their families.for themselves and their families.

The Practice of NiyamaThe Practice of Niyama It is an internal practice. It is an internal practice. Its field is inside you. Its field is inside you. No second entity is needed.No second entity is needed.

Principles of NiyamaPrinciples of Niyama Cleanliness of the body and of the mind. Cleanliness of the body and of the mind. Contentment.Contentment. To undergo discomfort or hardship to To undergo discomfort or hardship to

help and service others.help and service others. The study, with proper understanding, The study, with proper understanding,

of scriptures and philosophical works. of scriptures and philosophical works. Meditation on Supreme Consciousness.Meditation on Supreme Consciousness.

Shaoca – CleanlinessShaoca – Cleanliness Shaoca – means cleanliness of Shaoca – means cleanliness of

body and mind - body and mind - physical and mental.physical and mental.

Purity and cleanliness in all Purity and cleanliness in all respects - respects - external and internal.external and internal.

Cleanliness of body - Cleanliness of body - externalexternal

External physical cleanliness by:External physical cleanliness by: BathBath Half-bathHalf-bath Use of waterUse of water SoapSoap Clean environment and householdClean environment and household

Cleanliness of body - Cleanliness of body - internalinternal

Internal physical cleanliness by Internal physical cleanliness by proper food.proper food. The physical body is conditioned by The physical body is conditioned by

the food you eat.the food you eat. 3 forces in the Universe:3 forces in the Universe:

SentientSentient MutativeMutative StaticStaticSentient (good for body and mind) plant Sentient (good for body and mind) plant

based food is the cleanest.based food is the cleanest.

Cleanliness of body - Cleanliness of body - internalinternal

Internal - Physical:Internal - Physical: The physical body is composed of The physical body is composed of

countless cells.countless cells. Each cell has its own mind.Each cell has its own mind. The human mind is a unit microcosm The human mind is a unit microcosm

plus the collection of the minds of the plus the collection of the minds of the cells.cells.

Cells grow from the light, air, water and Cells grow from the light, air, water and food we take in.food we take in.

Cleanliness of body - Cleanliness of body - physicalphysical

Static food creates static cells:Static food creates static cells: has no real life force .has no real life force .

You are what you eat.

Cleanliness of body - Cleanliness of body - physical physical

Static cells Static cells create a static create a static influence on the influence on the mind.mind.

A static mind A static mind becomes easily becomes easily depressed and depressed and frustrated. frustrated.

Cleanliness of body - Cleanliness of body - physicalphysical

Sentient food creates sentient Sentient food creates sentient cells … andcells … and sentient cells create a sentient cells create a

sentient influence on the sentient influence on the mind. mind.

Sentient means conducive to Sentient means conducive to physical and mental well-being, physical and mental well-being, awakens intuition and bringing awakens intuition and bringing effulgence and lucidity to human effulgence and lucidity to human existence.existence.

Cleanliness of body & Cleanliness of body & mindmind

A sentient mind A sentient mind experiences a experiences a deep sense of deep sense of harmony and harmony and balance within.balance within.

• Fasting: helps Fasting: helps to purify the to purify the body and mind.body and mind.

Cleanliness of body & Cleanliness of body & mindmind

Environment:Environment: The environment has an impact in The environment has an impact in

one’s mind.one’s mind. All vibrations reaching the mind All vibrations reaching the mind

through the sensory organs affect the through the sensory organs affect the mind.mind.

You should take care with all that you You should take care with all that you see, touch, smell, taste or hear.see, touch, smell, taste or hear.

Cleanliness of mindCleanliness of mind Internal psychic cleanliness:Internal psychic cleanliness:

In this case one does not get swayed, In this case one does not get swayed, conditioned, or think or act according conditioned, or think or act according to the external stimulus. to the external stimulus.

If there is a negative idea around, you If there is a negative idea around, you can take an opposite positive idea to can take an opposite positive idea to neutralize the negative impact. neutralize the negative impact.

Cleanliness of mindCleanliness of mind How to develop internal How to develop internal

mental cleanliness:mental cleanliness: Jealousy – impose opposite Jealousy – impose opposite

idea of friendliness.idea of friendliness. Problematic behaviour – Problematic behaviour –

impose opposite idea of impose opposite idea of compassion.compassion.

Envy – impose opposite idea Envy – impose opposite idea of encouragement and help of encouragement and help others progress.others progress.

Win a miser with charity.Win a miser with charity.

Cleanliness of mindCleanliness of mind Other hints:Other hints:

Conquer an angry person by your Conquer an angry person by your controlled temper.controlled temper.

A dishonest person by your honesty.A dishonest person by your honesty. A liar by your truthfulness.A liar by your truthfulness.

Santos’a – ContentmentSantos’a – Contentment It means to maintain an It means to maintain an

state of mental ease.state of mental ease. When the mind hungers When the mind hungers

for something it is in a for something it is in a state of uneasiness.state of uneasiness.

Upon satisfying that desire Upon satisfying that desire the moment of ease or the moment of ease or relief which the mind gets relief which the mind gets is called is called tos’atos’a in Sanskrit. in Sanskrit.

Contentment Contentment – Santos’a– Santos’a Then, the mind again will run in pursuit Then, the mind again will run in pursuit

of new objects leaving behind the of new objects leaving behind the objects already tasted.objects already tasted.

Once long cherished objects loose their Once long cherished objects loose their importance quickly.importance quickly.

Achieving the desired objects may give Achieving the desired objects may give a temporary pleasure for an hour or so.a temporary pleasure for an hour or so.

Human desires knows no end.Human desires knows no end.

ContentmentContentment Millionaires want to become multi-Millionaires want to become multi-

millionaires.millionaires. Ask millionaires if they are Ask millionaires if they are

happy with their money.happy with their money. They will say: “Where is the money? They will say: “Where is the money?

I am somehow pulling on.”I am somehow pulling on.” A small donation brings no physical A small donation brings no physical

discomfort for millionaires.discomfort for millionaires.

Established in Established in contentmentcontentment

If a man is established in Santos’a he is If a man is established in Santos’a he is the king of kings.the king of kings.

Without Santos’a a person remains a Without Santos’a a person remains a beggar, even if a multi-millionaire.beggar, even if a multi-millionaire.

Objects of enjoyment go on increasing in Objects of enjoyment go on increasing in number and one’s mind can never rest.number and one’s mind can never rest.

To remain content needs a special mental To remain content needs a special mental effort to keep aloof from external effort to keep aloof from external allurements.allurements.

Happiness and Happiness and contentmentcontentment

Happiness is when one gets a Happiness is when one gets a favorable feeling from an object as favorable feeling from an object as desired.desired.

After getting enough happiness when After getting enough happiness when one feels that more of that is not one feels that more of that is not needed then it is contentment. needed then it is contentment.

The essentialities of life are very The essentialities of life are very limited…limited…

……but human hunger is infinite.but human hunger is infinite.

Contentment – other Contentment – other pointspoints

Continuous enjoyment of favourable Continuous enjoyment of favourable vibrations is happiness. vibrations is happiness.

The feeling that you need no more is The feeling that you need no more is contentment.contentment.

The agony of the rich – they want more The agony of the rich – they want more and more …and more …

Aparigraha (to live simply) helps Aparigraha (to live simply) helps Santos’a (contentment).Santos’a (contentment).

Santos’a (Contentment)Santos’a (Contentment) Those people who are easily Those people who are easily

satisfied and maintain a state of satisfied and maintain a state of contentment are following contentment are following Santos’a.Santos’a.

It means to accept ungrudgingly It means to accept ungrudgingly and without complaint the results and without complaint the results of one’s mental and physical work. of one’s mental and physical work.

Contentment is not at all possible Contentment is not at all possible if the individual is running after if the individual is running after every pleasure imaginable.every pleasure imaginable.

Tapah – Undergoing Tapah – Undergoing hardshipshardships

To undergo physical hardship to attain To undergo physical hardship to attain the objective / goal.the objective / goal.

To undergo hardship to make others To undergo hardship to make others happy.happy.

To undergo hardship for one’s progress To undergo hardship for one’s progress in the mental and spiritual sphere.in the mental and spiritual sphere.

Purpose of Tapah?Purpose of Tapah? There is only one purpose behind There is only one purpose behind

the practice of penance (tapah) the practice of penance (tapah) and that is to shoulder sorrows and and that is to shoulder sorrows and miseries of others to make them miseries of others to make them happy, to free them from grief and happy, to free them from grief and to give them comforts.to give them comforts.

Sva’dhya’ha – Study of Sva’dhya’ha – Study of philosophyphilosophy

The study, with proper understanding, The study, with proper understanding, of scriptures and philosophical books. of scriptures and philosophical books.

Not doing things without Not doing things without understanding why.understanding why.

Nor just repeating empty words Nor just repeating empty words without knowing the meaning.without knowing the meaning.

Nor accepting illogical tales in Nor accepting illogical tales in name of dogma or religion.name of dogma or religion.

Study of philosophyStudy of philosophy Social philosophy changes according to Social philosophy changes according to

the age – ideas develop.the age – ideas develop. Internal intuition of spiritual philosophy Internal intuition of spiritual philosophy

does not change, even if expressed does not change, even if expressed diversely.diversely.

Those who cannot read can listen to the Those who cannot read can listen to the philosophy.philosophy.

One can learn through association with One can learn through association with the wise - keeping good company.the wise - keeping good company.

One should shun away from bad company.One should shun away from bad company.

Ishvara pranIshvara pran’’idhaidha’’na – na – DDevotion to a higher principle of evotion to a higher principle of lifelife

It is an auto-suggestion of the idea that each It is an auto-suggestion of the idea that each and every entity is an instrument in the hands and every entity is an instrument in the hands of the Divine:of the Divine: a mere spark of the supreme fire.a mere spark of the supreme fire.

Iishvara pranidhana also implies implicit faith in Iishvara pranidhana also implies implicit faith in the Supreme irrespective of whether one lives the Supreme irrespective of whether one lives in momentary happiness or sorrow, prosperity in momentary happiness or sorrow, prosperity or adversity.or adversity.

Meditation on Supreme Consciousness.Meditation on Supreme Consciousness.

MeditationMeditation Our technique of meditation is Our technique of meditation is

based on mantras.based on mantras. Mantra is a word or phrase in Mantra is a word or phrase in

Sanskrit language which expresses Sanskrit language which expresses a thought…a thought…

……the thought of the Supreme the thought of the Supreme Consciousness.Consciousness.

Process of MeditationProcess of Meditation Withdraw the mind from all external Withdraw the mind from all external

objects and concentrate that you objects and concentrate that you are an entity within Supreme are an entity within Supreme Consciousness.Consciousness.

Let the mind flow with the eternal Let the mind flow with the eternal feeling.feeling.

One should do it twice a day for One should do it twice a day for complete benefits.complete benefits.

Meditation PracticeMeditation Practice For beginners, a simple technique For beginners, a simple technique

…… Mantra meditation with: Mantra meditation with: Baba Nam KevalamBaba Nam Kevalam

Baba: Baba: DearestDearestNam: Nam: ExpressionExpressionKevalam: EverythingKevalam: Everything

Baba Nam Kevalam - Baba Nam Kevalam - meaningmeaning

All is the Supreme ConsciousnessAll is the Supreme Consciousness Love is all there isLove is all there is

Let us meditate nowLet us meditate now Baba Nam KevalamBaba Nam Kevalam