Niyama

Niyama is the second limb of the eight-fold path of yoga. It is made up of five observances that are concerned with personal disciplines. They work on the ways that we approach ourselves.

While the yamas outline actions and attitudes we ought to avoid, the niyamas describe actions and attitudes which we should cultivate to overcome the illusion of separation and suffering it causes.

SAUCHA
Purity

“Better keep yourself clean and bright;
you are the window through which you must see the world.”

SANTOSHA
Contentment

“Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are.
When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.”

TAPAS
Self-Discipline

“Unless you make tremendous efforts,
you will not be convinced that effort will take you nowhere.
The self is so self-confident that unless it is totally discouraged
it will not give up. Mere verbal conviction is not enough.
Hard facts alone can show the absolute nothingness of the self-image.”

SVADHYAYA
Self-Study

ISHVARA – PRANIDHANA
Surrender

“The attainment of wholeness requires one to stake one’s whole being.
Nothing less will do; there can be no easier conditions,
no substitutes, no compromises.”