Yama Niyama

Yama and Niyama – An Ethical Base for Meditators

It is said that without a firm base, progress in meditation is impossible. Yama and Niyama, as a base, is more than 7500 years old and still provides meditators with a framework of how best to conduct oneself internally and externally. As a part of learning the practise meditation, you are asked to read and try to adhere to these principles as far as you can.

Five Yama (Guidelines for How to Conduct Oneself in the External World)

(i) Causing as little harm as possible – by thought, word or action (Ahim’sa’).

(ii) Benevolent use of words and thinking (Satya).

(iii) Non-stealing – giving up the desire to acquire or retain the possessions or wealth of others (Asteya).

(iv) Seeing the oneness in everything external – keeping the mind absorbed in the idea of an all pervading consciousness –  (Brahmacarya).

(v) Living according to your needs – not chasing after non-essential luxuries (Aparigraha).

Five Niyama (Guidelines for How To Self-Regulate Oneself Internally)

(i) Maintaining cleanliness of both mind and body – mental cleanliness involves kindliness towards all creatures, charity, working for the welfare of others and being dutiful (Shaoca).

(ii)  Being content with what one has and trying to stay cheerful (Santosha).

(iii) Doing regular service to others in need – undergoing some hardship or sacrifice to help others (Tapah).

(iv) Keeping good company of both people and books/media – studying/watching good media and literature with proper reflective understanding (Sva’dhya’ya). Sva’dhya’ya is also done by doing group meditation regularly and keeping spiritual company.

(v) Maintaining faith in the guidance of Infinite Consciousness (Iishvara) in pleasure and pain, prosperity and adversity. Considering oneself as the instrument, and not the wielder of the instrument. (Iishvara pran’idha’na)