37 – Yamas Form Foundation, Niyamas Generate Positive Energy | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda - a podcast by Vedanta Society, San Francisco

Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. The obstacles we face in spiritual life are signposts. They tell us what we need to do to progress. Asana, posture, should be steady and pleasant. A real teacher will tell you the dangers of practicing complicated Pranayama, breathing exercises. The Yamas are discussed. Satya, truthfulness, should be spoken of but in a pleasant way. All five Yamas, Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Brahmacharya, Aparigraha, nonviolence, truthfulness, non-stealing, continence, and non-covetousness should be practiced at the action level and at the mental level. They are universal to higher human culture. The Niyamas are observances to divert energy into healthy channels. They are related to purity, internal and external, and concentration. The four healthy social relations are mentioned again in this context – friendliness, compassion, admiration, and indifference – towards the happy, suffering, virtuous, and negative. Verses: II.30, II.32

Further episodes of Yoga Sutras and the World of the Human Mind

Further podcasts by Vedanta Society, San Francisco

Website of Vedanta Society, San Francisco