The Yamas: Yoga Philosophy

Let’s talk about the Yamas! We’ve been going a bit our of order in our exploration of the “8 Limbs of Yoga” in our Yoga Sunday posts, but bear with us! Today we’re talking about the FIRST limb of yoga, the 5 “Yamas”. These are the five big moral rules for ethical living according to Patanjali, the author of the Yoga Sutras. “Yama” in Sanskrit means “restraint” so the yamas are rules about things NOT to do, or behaviors to restrain yourself/abstain from. The Yamas are: ahimsa, satya, asteya, brahmacharya, and aparigraha. 

The yogic yamas are one of the foundational teachings of yoga, outlining a set of ethical principles that guide practitioners towards a more conscious and compassionate way of living. These five principles provide a framework for how we interact with ourselves and others, encouraging us to cultivate a sense of harmony, respect, and integrity in our actions and relationships. Rooted in the ancient yogic tradition, the yamas offer a timeless wisdom that is as relevant today as it was thousands of years ago. By incorporating the yamas into our daily lives, we can deepen our connection to our true selves, to others, and to the world around us.

Ahimsa: nonviolence

Ahimsa is a concept in Indian philosophy that translates to “non-violence” or “non-injury”. It is a principle that advocates for living in a way that does not cause harm to oneself, others, or any living beings. Ahimsa is a central principle in many Eastern religions and philosophies, including Jainism, Buddhism, and Hinduism.

Ahimsa teaches that violence, whether physical or mental, is the root of all evil and that living a life of non-violence can bring about peace and harmony in society. This principle is not limited to the absence of physical harm but extends to non-injury in words, thoughts, and actions. It includes refraining from harming any living being, including animals, and also avoiding actions that can harm the environment.

In Jainism, Ahimsa is one of the five main principles that guide their way of life. Jainism teaches that all living beings are connected, and therefore, harming any living being is the same as harming oneself. To practice Ahimsa, Jains adopt a strict vegetarian or vegan diet and avoid any actions that could harm any living being, including using any products that involve cruelty to animals.

In Buddhism, Ahimsa is one of the core principles of the Eightfold Path, which is the path to enlightenment. Buddhists believe that practicing Ahimsa helps to develop compassion and loving-kindness towards all living beings. This principle is also linked to the concept of karma, which teaches that every action has a consequence, and any violence or harm caused to others will eventually lead to negative consequences for oneself.

In Hinduism, Ahimsa is a key principle that is emphasized in many Hindu texts, including the Bhagavad Gita. Hinduism teaches that practicing Ahimsa is a way of cultivating spiritual purity, and it is considered one of the essential qualities of a true seeker of the divine. It is also considered a crucial component of yoga, which is a spiritual practice that seeks to unite the individual with the universal consciousness.

In summary, Ahimsa is a principle that emphasizes non-violence and non-injury towards oneself, others, and all living beings. It is a key principle in many Eastern religions and philosophies and is considered a path towards spiritual purity and enlightenment. Practicing Ahimsa involves cultivating compassion, loving-kindness, and a deep respect for all forms of life.

Satya: truthfulness

Satya is a concept in Indian philosophy that translates to “truthfulness” or “truth”. It is one of the core principles in many Eastern religions and philosophies, including Jainism, Buddhism, and Hinduism. The principle of Satya teaches that one should always speak the truth, and that truthfulness should be the foundation of all thoughts, words, and actions.

In Hinduism, Satya is considered one of the essential qualities of a true seeker of the divine. The practice of Satya involves speaking the truth at all times, but also includes the importance of living a life of honesty and integrity. This principle teaches that by living a life of truthfulness, one can achieve spiritual purity and become closer to the divine.

In Buddhism, the concept of Satya is linked to the concept of the Four Noble Truths, which are the foundation of Buddhist teachings. The Four Noble Truths teach that suffering exists, that suffering arises from attachment and craving, that suffering can be overcome, and that the Eightfold Path is the path to the cessation of suffering. The practice of Satya involves being truthful with oneself and recognizing the truth of the nature of existence, including the impermanence of all things.

In Jainism, the practice of Satya is considered one of the five main principles that guide their way of life. Jains believe that truth is the foundation of all virtues and that by living a life of truthfulness, one can achieve spiritual purity and liberation from the cycle of birth and death.

The practice of Satya involves not only speaking the truth but also living a life of integrity and honesty. This means not only refraining from lying but also avoiding deception, fraud, and any other forms of dishonesty. Satya also involves being truthful with oneself and recognizing the truth of the nature of existence.

In summary, Satya is a principle that emphasizes the importance of truthfulness and honesty in all aspects of life. It is a core principle in many Eastern religions and philosophies and is considered a path towards spiritual purity and enlightenment. Practicing Satya involves being truthful in thought, word, and action, and recognizing the truth of the nature of existence.

Asteya: non-stealing

Asteya is a concept in Indian philosophy that translates to “non-stealing” or “non-covetousness”. It is one of the ethical principles known as Yamas, which form the foundation of yoga philosophy and are intended to guide individuals towards a state of balance and harmony. Asteya teaches the importance of not stealing or taking what does not belong to us and of cultivating a mindset of contentment and gratitude.

In Hinduism, Asteya is considered one of the essential qualities of a true seeker of the divine. The practice of Asteya involves not only refraining from theft but also avoiding the desire to possess things that belong to others. This principle teaches that by living a life of non-stealing and non-covetousness, one can achieve spiritual purity

Brahmacharya: non-excess (often interpreted as celibacy, or simply to not hurt or harm another person through your sexual conduct)

Brahmacharya is a concept in Indian philosophy that translates to “celibacy” or “chastity”. It is one of the ethical principles known as Yamas, which form the foundation of yoga philosophy and are intended to guide individuals towards a state of balance and harmony. Brahmacharya teaches the importance of controlling one’s sexual impulses and channeling the energy towards spiritual growth.

In Hinduism, Brahmacharya is considered one of the essential qualities of a true seeker of the divine. The practice of Brahmacharya involves not only sexual abstinence but also the avoidance of sexual thoughts and actions that are not aligned with one’s spiritual path. This principle teaches that by living a life of celibacy and purity, one can conserve vital energy and use it towards the attainment of spiritual goals.

Brahmacharya is not limited to sexual celibacy but also includes the practice of moderation in all aspects of life, including food, sleep, and other sensory pleasures. The practice of Brahmacharya is said to enhance mental clarity, self-discipline, and inner strength, and to help individuals overcome negative habits and addictions.

In modern times, the practice of Brahmacharya has been adapted to suit different lifestyles and beliefs. Some practitioners interpret Brahmacharya as abstinence from sexual activities outside of marriage, while others see it as a practice of mindfulness and self-control in all aspects of life.

In summary, Brahmacharya is a principle that emphasizes the importance of celibacy, purity, and self-control in all aspects of life. It is a core principle in many Eastern religions and philosophies and is considered a path towards spiritual purity and enlightenment. The practice of Brahmacharya involves controlling sexual impulses and channeling the energy towards spiritual growth, as well as moderation in all aspects of life.

Aparigraha: non-possessiveness, non-greed, non-hoarding

Aparigraha is a concept in Indian philosophy that translates to “non-possessiveness” or “non-greediness”. It is one of the ethical principles known as Yamas, which form the foundation of yoga philosophy and are intended to guide individuals towards a state of balance and harmony. Aparigraha teaches the importance of letting go of attachments and desires for material possessions and cultivating contentment and detachment.

In Hinduism, Aparigraha is considered one of the essential qualities of a true seeker of the divine. The practice of Aparigraha involves not only refraining from hoarding possessions but also avoiding the desire for material gain and the attachment to material things. This principle teaches that by living a life of non-possessiveness, one can achieve spiritual purity and liberation from the cycle of birth and death.

Aparigraha is closely related to the principle of Asteya, which emphasizes the importance of not stealing or taking what does not belong to us. Both principles are rooted in the understanding that material possessions and desires can create attachments and lead to suffering, and that letting go of these attachments is a path towards inner peace and spiritual growth.

The practice of Aparigraha involves developing an attitude of contentment and gratitude for what one has, and recognizing that material possessions do not define one’s self-worth or happiness. It also involves letting go of attachments to people, relationships, and ideas, and cultivating a sense of detachment and equanimity in all aspects of life.

In modern times, the practice of Aparigraha has been adapted to suit different lifestyles and beliefs. Some practitioners interpret Aparigraha as the practice of minimalism or reducing one’s carbon footprint, while others see it as a practice of mindfulness and letting go of negative habits and thought patterns.

In summary, Aparigraha is a principle that emphasizes the importance of non-possessiveness, contentment, and detachment in all aspects of life. It is a core principle in many Eastern religions and philosophies and is considered a path towards spiritual purity and liberation. The practice of Aparigraha involves letting go of attachments and desires for material possessions, cultivating contentment and gratitude, and developing a sense of detachment and equanimity.

The Yamas are pretty simple and I think we can all agree they’re good rules to live by!