Anyone who moves in the world of yoga quickly discovers that the teachings extend far beyond intensive physical work. The Yoga Sutras are well known among avid yogis. In them, the author Patanjali describes the eight-fold path to enlightenment and unity with all things. Among them are the five Yamas, which describe behavior toward others. They can essentially be described as the foundation of the yogic way of life.
What does Yama mean?
The term "Yama" comes from Sanskrit and translates as "self-control" and "abstinence." Yama is a code of conduct that is part of Patanjali's eight-fold path from the famous Yoga Sutra . It describes behavior toward others. It is also the foundation and first stage of Raja Yoga , which is followed by seven further stages.
Through Yama it is possible to further develop the personality, with five Yama stages being described:
• Ahimsa
• Satya
• Asteya
• Brahmacharya and
• Aparigraha.
Simply put, it is a kind of moral code that summarizes the norms and rules relevant to human (inter)personal behavior. The five Yamas help us live a life of balance and harmony and are explained in more detail below.
They are part of the eightfold path according to Patanjali, which includes the following stages:
- 5 Yamas = Behavior towards the environment
- 5 Niyamas = Behavior towards oneself
- Asana = physical exercises
- Pranayama (breathing exercises) = control of the life energy Prana
- Pratyahara = withdrawal of the senses
- Dharana = concentration
- Dhyana = meditation
- Samadhi = superconsciousness, bliss, enlightenment
The eight stages are intended to pave the path to enlightenment. Asanas, meditation, and pranayama for inner peace are therefore only a small part of the path to complete unity with everything in yoga. Therefore, if one wishes to live strictly according to the teachings of the Yoga Sutras, it encompasses all areas of life and requires a great deal of discipline.
Ahimsa (non-harming, non-violence)
The word "himsa," translated from Sanskrit into English, means "cruelty" or "violence." Ahimsa is the antonym. It can be translated as "non-violence." However, the meaning of the word goes far beyond the absence of violence.
Always be friendly when dealing with others
Generally, ahimsa encompasses kindness, consideration, and compassion. However, it assumes a considered and responsible approach to oneself and all other living beings. Physical violence, mental violence, and hurtful words should be avoided as much as possible.
However, ahimsa should not be understood to mean that a person should or should not defend themselves in the event of an attack. Furthermore, ahimsa does not refer to an excessive peacefulness in which the killing of even the smallest living beings is prohibited. For example, members of Raja Yoga—unlike some Buddhist monks—might perform gardening work that kills microorganisms such as worms or insects. However, if ahimsa is practiced extremely strictly, even self-defense can violate the first stage.
Good deeds, words and thoughts…
Instead, it's important that ahimsa be practiced in actions, words, and thoughts. In other words, one shouldn't speak or think negatively about others. This would have negative consequences for both the speaker or thinker and the person being spoken or thought negatively about. In our fast-paced and often superficial world, this may not be easy at first. But you'll see how much easier life becomes if you always treat your fellow human beings with kindness and without prejudice.
Ahimsa and vegetarian diet
Furthermore, ahimsa refers to overcoming the desire to kill. This also includes a vegetarian or even vegan diet. For the realization that all life has common roots involves refraining from violence toward other living beings. Furthermore, this acknowledges the principle of life in general and one's own existence in particular.
Satya (truth, truthfulness)
The word "satya" means something like "truth" or "truthfulness." Satya refers to thoughts, actions, and words, and aims to always speak, act, and think the truth. Those who have reached the stage of satya lead a truthful and upright life. The commandment to always speak the truth is often incompatible with the commandment of the stage of ahimsa, namely, to refrain from harming.
In other words: Although the truth should be spoken, it can still hurt another person. Thus, the inner desire to disobey the satya commandment exists. With regard to this conflict in the Yama code of conduct, non-harm is given higher priority. So, in this case, speaking is silver and silence is gold.
Asteya (non-stealing)
While the term "steya" can be translated as "theft," "asteya" is also the antonym. The word means the opposite and implies that no one should take something that doesn't belong to them or hasn't been given to them. Asteya applies to both intellectual and material property.
Brahmacharya (self-control)
Brahmacharya is the purity of deeds, words, and thoughts. This stage involves concentrating on the essential or moving toward it. In some interpretations, Brahmacharya is described as abstinence from God. A person should interact with the world in an untainted and pure manner. This is achieved by focusing on the essential. This, in turn, is beneficial when striving for higher wisdom in life.
Aparigraha (unpretentiousness)
The word "aparigraha" can be translated as "non-grasping." This means that a person should take only as much of anything as they truly need. The commandment also includes the principle that one should not exploit others. One should not become dependent or accumulate anything. Therefore, greed should be avoided at all costs.
What the Yamas mean for our lives
In summary, you can take away that the five Yamas form the basis of human action in daily life. Everyone should remember and practice each Yama every day. If you incorporate this way of life into your daily life alongside yoga, you will be well on your way to inner peace, balance, and personal enlightenment.
At first, you may find it difficult to live according to these principles in all areas of your life. The first steps are usually the most difficult. But after a short time, you, and perhaps those around you, will notice the wonderful effects.
Can you identify with the 5 Yamas? Do you practice yoga and perhaps even live according to the holistic principle? Feel free to share your experiences with our yogabox.de community!
