The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali 2.28-31: Introducing Ashtanga Yoga and Yama

In this episode, we name the eight limbs of astanga-yoga and then focus on the first limb which is abstentions (yama).

There are five abstentions: non-violence, truthfulness, refrainment from stealing, celibacy, and renunciation of unnecessary possessions. The yogi following the path of astanga is instructed to follow these on the physical, the verbal, as well as the mental level, meaning, for example, that they are not supposed to engage in physical violence, think of stealing, or speak lies.

Yama is, according to Patanjali’s outline of this system, the first step in yoga, and what to speak of the final goal, even this is a tall order! However, rather than beating ourselves up (for not being able to live up to the ideal) or knocking ourselves out (the over-enthusiasm of the beginner), we should pay attention to the point made by the commentators that non-violence (ahimsa), which includes abstaining from self-harm.

Contemplate the five abstentions and feel out for yourself how far you are able to go sustainably in the present.

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