Yama teachings from patanjali

Yama teachings from patanjali

The name of the first limb of the eighfold path, "Yama," originally meant "bridle" or "rein." patanjali used it to describe a restraint that we willingly and joyfully place on ourselves to focus our efforts, the way a rein allows a rider to guide his horse in the direction he would like to go. In this sense, self-restraint can be a positive force in our lives, the necessary self-discipline that allows us to head toward the fulfillment of our dharma, or life purpose. The five yamas--kindness, truthfulness, abundance, continence, and self-reliance--are oriented toward our public behavior and allow us to coexist harmoniously with others.Observance of the abstinence, or yamas, help attain a healthy mind and body. As Hatha Yoga is the yoga for attaining control over the mortal body, the yamas (together with the niyamas) are its essential first two steps. Further, the Patanjali states that it is not enough to observe them for their individual ends