Moving beyond the theoretical, how do you personally integrate the ethical guidelines of yoga (Yamas) and the observances (Niyamas) into your everyday actions and decisions? Share examples and challenges.
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Hi Tara,
The best way that I have found to integrate the yamas and niyamas into everyday actions is simply by practicing meditation every day. Gradually we are drawn to integrate the yamas and niyamas into our daily life, possibly without ever having heard of them. If we follow this approach, then we tend to include them when we are ready to include them, rather than trying to follow them before we are ready.
Before taking this approach, I did go through a period when I would try to follow some of the yamas, but often found myself failing and feeling low because I felt I had failed. The approach to simply let them come naturally means that we cannot fail.
You may find this lesson useful which discusses this approach:
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Hello Tara
I think this post by Michael is also a good answer to your question
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Hello Tara and Maheswari, thanks for the shout out. Like Christi said daily DM primes us to the eventuality where inner silence is profound enough yamas and niyamas are an automatic action. Until then we can simply try daily, because how hard is it really to do no harm, to lead with love and compassion, to think before we speak, and allow silence to bubble forth and give time to consider a situation. Like any muscle it takes conscious consideration, and our meditation practice hones our witness.
A simple application in daily life could be as simple as a smile and a met gaze. This action has proven to lighten any moment.
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