The Yamas: Expounded

In continuation of my previous blog entry, The Yamas, I thought I would include a worksheet from my Advanced Yoga Studies program that I found very helpful on how to incorporate the Yamas into life. These are not my own words, they are directly from the worksheet: This comment is an example of Asteya!

Ahimsa: Non-violence

Thought (Mental-Baudhika)

• What is destructive to happiness, peace of mind, dreams, contentment.
• Look at violent thoughts: anger, jealousy, envy, self-criticism, etc.

Word (Verbal - Vachika)

• Verbal Violence longer-lasting than physical. Damages self as well as others.
• Consider impact of words before speaking.

Deed (Physical - Sharirik)

• Includes violence against others and self.
• Consider effects of self-destructive behavior. Usually begins as mental attitude.

Satya: Non-lying, Truthfulness

Thought (Mental-Baudhika)

• Seek out own truth without dogma or judgment of others.
• Know that all truth is subject to bias of body and mind.

Word (Verbal - Vachika)

• Speak with listener in mind.
• Speaking truth means it is a dialog.
• Be as unbiased a vehicle for the teachings as possible.

Deed (Physical - Sharirik)

• Be aware of how body correlates to internal states. Bring unity to thought, word and deed to communicate truth.

Asteya: Non-stealing

Thought (Mental-Baudhika)

• Refrain from taking anything that is not yours, includes someone else's happiness, special moment, ideas, way of life, beliefs
  

Word (Verbal - Vachika)

• Do not pretend someone else's words, ideas, thoughts are your own.
  
• OK to borrow language to effectively communicate.
• Give credit to originator of your words.
  

Deed (Physical - Sharirik)

• Take as little as possible from environment to maintain balance. Bring balance to body by not forcing an asana you have not earned.

Brahmacharya: Non-sensuality

Thought (Mental-Baudhika)

• Become the master of your own creative force.
  
• Harness and direct the energy of creation.
• Keep energy in balance while giving it proper expression.
• Feel the bliss of being one with creation; part of Life.
  

Word (Verbal - Vachika)

• Choose words carefuly with respect for how they affect others.
  
• Use language to discover the harmonious expression of creative drives.
  
• Listen as well as speak.
  

Deed (Physical - Sharirik)

• Find balanced way to express creative and procreative drives, depending on time, place and position.

Aparigraha: Non-greed

Thought (Mental-Baudhika)

• Release thought patterns which no longer serve you.
• Take into your consciousness only what is needed and keep it there only as long as it is useful.
  

Word (Verbal - Vachika)

• Communicate clearly and concisely.
• Be a good listener.
• Be less greedy with thoughts and words so that you can really listen to the teachings of Life.
• Be quiet enough to hear.
  

Deed (Physical - Sharirik)

• Evaluate what you need versus what you want. This subjective and dynamic.
• In practice, refrain from taking too much from asana.
• Pain and suffering which has not yet occurred can and is to be avoided.