Niyams

To read about Yams , here is the link :

And now let us know about the Niyams of Patanjali Yoga Sutras https://shakunkimatrai.com/?s=Yams+and+niyams

So today we start getting acquainted with the Niyams .
We have completed learning about the Yams .
Yams tell us what not to do in our relationship with the world.
They are restraints—the qualities that prevent us from harming ourselves and others.

Niyamas tell us what to do to cultivate our inner life.
They are observances—the habits and disciplines that help us grow spiritually.

Yams are like removing weeds from a garden.
Niyamas are like watering and nurturing the flowers.

Yamas is How I behave towards the world.
Niyamas teaches us about How to take care of myself, body, mind, and spirit.
This naturally leads into the five Niyamas:

1 Shaucha – Cleanliness , Purity
2 Santosha – Contentment
3 Tapas – Disciplined effort
4 Svadhyaya – Self-study and study of the scriptures

  1. Ishvara Pranidhana Surrender to the Divine.

Let’s talk about the first Niyam.
Shaucha means keeping ourselves clean—not only physically, but also mentally and emotionally.

Physical cleanliness includes caring for our body, our surroundings, and what we eat.

Mental cleanliness means letting go of negative thoughts such as anger, jealousy, greed, and resentment.

A clean body promotes health, but a clean mind promotes peace. Both prepare us for a happier and more spiritual life.
“Cleanliness is not just about washing the body; it is about purifying the mind so that our true nature can shine through.”
What do you think?

2

Anonymous says :
Thats true .
Yams are
like preparing the soil before sowing the seed ie removing weeds from a garden …
And as you say, Niyamas are like watering and nurturing the flowers…

Aasha says :
True 👍, but this has to begin at a very early stage in life. These values need to be passed down by our elders. In the olden days, many of us lived in joint families. Our parents taught us to keep our bodies clean, and our grandparents often sat with us, teaching us how to live with kindness, contentment, and good values.

That is how negative qualities like anger, greed, and jealousy were gradually replaced by positive thinking. They taught us to be content with what we had because they themselves lived happily with little, or just enough.

Our minds were polished in those early years. Somehow, over time, that sheen wore off a little, but those values are still within us. We still have the awareness and presence of mind to recognise when we have gone astray and gently bring ourselves back to the right path.

I, Shakun say:
I feel that values learnt in childhood become our inner compass. Life may test us, and we may occasionally lose our way, but if those values were deeply rooted, they help us find our way back.
Sanskaras ! Remember?