Yama and Niyama

Yama and niyama are the foundation of yoga—the first and second stages—the qualities to be cultivated by the serious practitioner. Applying these principles into daily life helps to control passions, emotions and to avoid disturbing any aspect of creation.
Practice of these foundations purifies the mind and develops compassion and love. We begin to see that we are all the same, feeling as one with all God’s creatures.
Without yama and niyama, there can be little success in meditation. It is like trying to start a fire with wet wood. You cause a great deal of smoke, but do nothing but bring tears to the eyes. Or you could compare it to taking drugs. The pleasure you experience may be nice, but it is not teaching you to master yourself so that you can be independent. Along with the third stage of yoga (asana), these three limbs (yama, niyama and asana) constitute the outward quest of God communion. The deepest part of the practice is inward and is found in the last three limbs.

Yama
There are five yamas or ethical restraints. Part of the discipline in yoga study is to cultivate these as part of daily action as well as in formal practice.

These are the qualities to be cultivated.
Ahimsa (Non-harming) is perfect harmlessness in thought, word and action. Ahimsa is positive, cosmic love. Abstain from even the slightest harm to any living creature, be it mentally, verbally or physically. By injuring another you injure your own self. By serving another you serve your own self. Ahimsa is a wonderful quality of the heart and a powerful virtue that builds character.
Satya (Truthfulness) is honest representation in which thought, word and deed should agree. In satya, truth alone triumphs and is never distorted. God is truth and is directly experienced only by speaking and living in truth.
Asteya (Non-stealing). Desire is the root-cause for stealing. When you are established in asteya, everything comes to you.
Brahmacharya (Self-control) develops immense inner strength. Purity and freedom from sensory slavery is not suppression of any kind, but a discriminative self-discipline born from the awareness of the impermanence of sensory experiences. Yogis do not waste their energies (including sexual) but instead conserve them to transform them into cosmic energy to lift the consciousness up shushumna nadi.
Aparigraha (Non-covetousness) removes fear and sorrow of loss, the anxiety to preserve, hatred, anger, untruthfulness, stealing, attachment, agitation of mind, restlessness, cares and worries. Aparigraha gives peace, contentment and satisfaction. Aparigraha also means non-receiving of gifts conducive to luxury. Never take from life more than you need for simple living. Keep just what is needed for life’s sustenance. Lose the desire to have what belongs to others. Be always content and satisfied with whatever you have. Have faith in God! All will be provided at the right time and place. Too many possessions create attachment and this cultivates anxiety and selfishness.

Niyama
There are five niyamas or observances of self-discipline. Part of the discipline in yoga study is to cultivate these as part of daily action as well as in formal practice.

These are the qualities to be cultivated.
Saucha (Purity) is perfect virtue in body, thought and action. The mind, day by day, moment by moment, must be freed from feelings of lust, envy, pride, fear, jealousy, arrogance, hatred and delusion. All demoralizing thoughts must gradually be driven away with the power of positive thoughts. Devotional songs (kirtan), repetition of mantras and the reading of holy books will greatly help you to achieve this. Saucha also refers to bodily purity. Drugs, alcohol, smoking and rajasic and tamasic foods should be given up. Shun the intake of flesh. Do not make your stomach a “graveyard” by ingesting cadavers (meat, fish, and fowl) and/or embryos (eggs). Eat natural foods like fruits, vegetables and nuts. Drink water and natural fruit and vegetable juices. Avoid garlic, onions and artificial sweets. Thus, you will be freed from many deadly diseases and success in meditation is certain.
Santosha (Contentment) is the result of knowledge of the laws of karma. Everything is as it should be. Everything that happens to us is due to our own past actions.
Tapas (Austerity) is joyful, enthusiastic self-imposed discipline born from a burning desire for liberation. Cultivate an earnest effort to be strict with everything. This is why there are people entering into great meditations. Austerity also means strictness with yourself. But, if there is too much, it may hurt others. Be sensitive according to your situation. For true tapas, or any real success in yoga, a Guru is necessary.
Svadhyaya (Study of the Self). Observation of your own self. Study scriptures such as the Bhagavad Gita, the Upanishads or any sacred text that allows the nature of the Self to be revealed. Reflect on what is real and what is not real. Keep trying to see what is true. Reflect on the sheaths of the body. Gradually through meditation you realize the presence of the eternal consciousness within.
Ishvara Pranidhana (Surrender to the Lord) is the highest aim of yoga. Dedicate everything to the Lord. Keep saying in your heart, “Everything is for you, my Lord.” Devotion to God is renunciation of all actions and ego to the Lord. The Lord is nothing but your own real Self. Surrender and say, “Take Me.” This leads automatically to samadhi.

Each time we act, we strengthen the desire or thought behind it. Thoughts gain momentum when they are brought into physical manifestation through fresh actions. The deepest part of yoga practice is inward and when the lower functions of the mind are reinforced through fresh unkind or selfish actions, this inward quest becomes quite difficult. Lack of self-control causes cravings and desires to increase, the breath then becomes out of rhythm and this attracts disease. Action gives rise to desire for more, and the cycle is never ending.
The mind is very deceptive and does what it wants to do. In the earliest stages, the mind will not appreciate the disciplines and restraints put upon it. It is not an easy thing to control the mind. The resolutions and vows taken by the yogi through yama and niyama transform the mind by forming new habits and patterns directly targeted against the lower tendencies. The yogi counters the lower actions with higher actions. This is yama.
Impurities bring discomfort, pain and suffering. As the physical, mental and spiritual impurities are removed by proper living and observance of yama and niyama, the nerves are purified and the prana may then travel unobstructed and safely, eradicating the misperceptions of individual existence. Eventually, the yogi experiences direct perception of God. My Guru always taught that the greatest of all impurities is ignorance of your own true nature.
Offer every action to the Lord, to the supreme Self, with no desire for the fruits. All progress in yoga practice depends on exemplary personal character, and one’s relationship with people, animals and the world around them.
Ahimsa (non-violence in thought, word and action) is the foundation of all the other moral precepts because harming is the source of all suffering. The practice of universal love is the highest practice for success in yoga, and the ideal to which the sadhaka ceaselessly strives.
Yoga is rooted in virtue and there is no higher virtue than abandoning cruelty and/or violence. The yogi must respect all life. The greatest need in this ephemeral material realm is the message of love. Kindle the light of love in your own heart first. Love all. Include all creatures in the warm embrace of your love. You will soon be rooted in true ahimsa.
Have firm and unshakable faith in the existence of the One who supports all three periods of time and is without beginning, middle or end. Desire is the true enemy of peace, for desires can never be fully satisfied. Strive for true, abiding happiness that can only be obtained by realizing God through constant practice, self-control, purity, concentration, meditation, and above all—observance and practice of yama and niyama.
Many people these days equate yoga with postures and breathing. This is not sufficient for spiritual progress. The sadhaka must be loving, kind, forgiving, repentant and ever-engaged in self-reflection—seeing all of creation as the Omnipresent, Imperishable Lord. Foundation in yama and niyama is what is needed for this. Observe yama and niyama and shine as a yogi in this very birth!