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Kirtanman
USA
1651 Posts |
 Posted - Dec 07 2006 : 3:09:50 PM
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Hello & Namaste All,
I found the information provided via the following links to be very useful in helping me to understand *why* the yamas and niyamas are considered an important part of the eight-fold path of yoga -- especially in terms of how these things can provide key support to our (seemingly) more direct efforts and practices -- and how they (Yamas and Niyamas) can make our yogic "jobs" a lot easier.
I don't agree with every last term / definition - for instance, when Brahmacharya is mentioned, it's fairly clear that it is equated with celibacy, from that author's viewpoint - whereas I am 100% comfortable with the AYP definition (that Brahmacharya is about the "cultivation and redirection of sexual energy").
Personally, I find that I don't have to agree with 100% of an author's outlook to find value in (easily) 90%+ of a given piece of information -- and I found both of the following links well worth "perusing".
Hope you do, too!
Peace & Namaste,
Kirtanman
YAMAS
http://www.swami-krishnananda.org/y...yoga_05.html
NIYAMAS
http://www.swami-krishnananda.org/y...yoga_06.html
(And per the numbers in the links, there's a lot of good "before and after" info on things like pratyahara, pranayama, etc. -- not in terms of anything that would supplant AYP practices in any way -- but purely in terms of how these pieces fit together in traditional yoga. Personally, I just found this to be interesting, "clarifying" - and - a bit motivating - in terms of inspiring me to pay a bit more direct attention to where I am, as I "Yam" and "Niyam" through life ....
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Athma_Shakti
India
81 Posts |
Posted - Dec 07 2006 : 4:03:41 PM
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yes yamas(pure body), niyamas(pure mind) are very essential for progress in yoga practice.
Regarding eight fold path of yoga, instead of referring to indirect sources, my little suggestion is to directly refer the "Patanjali Yoga Sutras". www.yoganiketan.net is a wonderful site with excellent translations contains information about "Vedas" and a genuine open source of "Patanjali Yoga Sutras" which contains techniques of "Samyama", "Siddhis", "Raja Yoga". Patanjali is not only a sage, he is an Avatar. so the information in this source will be more clear and accurate and can avoid misinterpretations like "Brahmacharya" which is commonly misunderstood.
"brahmacharya" (non-violence, truthfulness, abiding in Brahman upong having controlled the senses)
pls refer the source for clear and deep understanding.
Thanx |
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Good Overview on Yamas & Niyamas
