Niyama - admi.lv

<h2> Niyama</h2>“Niyama” is not control but a set of paths; these are our qualities, which are to be developed and into which energy is to be directed. As Yama is mastered, consciousness is freed from wrong states, becomes emptier, and in place of the "vices" come the virtues of "Niyama"The five basic principles of “Niyama”: Shaucha - cleanlinessSantosha - contentmentTapasya - self-restraintSvadhyaya - self-studyIshvara pranidhana - worship of God (devotion)Seven additional principles of "Niyama":Saumanasya (saumanasya) - the principle of BenevolenceMan-dhatar (man-dhatar) - the principle of ThoughtfulnessNiraga (niraga) - the principle of DispassionAvasa (avasa) - the principle of IndependenceMantra-vid (mantra-vid) - the principle of Knowledge of mantrasDamsanavant (damsanavant) - the principle of Possessing extraordinary powerNishpratidvandva (nispratidvamdva) - the principle of Having no adversaries The first Niyama, Shaucha (Cleanliness) Cleanliness of the body, of the mind and of one's surroundings is very important for bringing energy into harmony. An Indian saint, Swami Chidananda, once visited Ananda and, seeing a rusty watering can lying in the garden, remarked: “You ought to pick that up and paint it. Lower entities are drawn to rubbish.” The power that comes with faultless cleanliness is a divine indifference to things belonging to the body. The second Niyama - Santosha (Contentment)  To accept things as they are and to be content is the highest degree of virtue. This does not mean, however, that one should become apathetic or lazy. The power that comes with faultless contentment is the highest degree of bliss. The third Niyama - Tapasya (Self-restraint) We must learn to be master of our “I want” and “I don't want”, and be able to carry through to the end what we have begun. Traditionally this niyama means perfecting our capacity for self-restraint and asceticism - the Indian scriptures contain many stories of saints who gained magical powers by fulfilling this niyama. But although at first glance the power meant appears to be power over the surrounding world, a deeper understanding makes it clear that they were speaking of power over their own ignorance. Various psychic powers come with the faultless fulfilment of this niyama. The fourth Niyama - Svadhyaya (Self-study) Introspection allows us to see God within ourselves. There is no need to condemn oneself or one's qualities; one simply has to develop the capacity for an absolutely clear mind and for objectivity. Without introspection, progress on the spiritual path is practically impossible. The power that comes with faultless self-study is the vision of that aspect of God which you worship. The fifth Niyama - Ishvara Pranidhana (Devotion) Devotion turns the heart's natural love away from worldly objects towards God. On the spiritual path it is an absolutely necessary quality. If devotion is strong enough, the goal can be reached even without techniques, as the Christian saints did. With faultless devotion we enter the state of “Samadhi”, or Divine bliss.As Patanjali said, the yamas and niyamas must not depend on one's standing in society, on place, time or circumstance. He insisted that we should not look for excuses to avoid performing them. If we begin to practise these qualities sincerely, a situation will inevitably arise in which doubt appears as to whether the practice is possible at all. But if we are persistent, it is the universe, not we, that will begin to adapt. This is a deep and subtle science that speaks of the laws of miracles. Our consciousness, working by the laws of subtle magnetism, creates situations in exactly the way the consciousness of God creates the universe. The chief role belongs to consciousness, not to form. Divine consciousness, working through a clean channel (such as is established in the yamas and niyamas), can bring about any miracle.It is worth spending a lifetime on the study and practice of these 10 rules (the Yamas and Niyamas); it will change that life profoundly. Imagine what a paradise would come about on Earth if all people devoted themselves to these principles.