The infastructure of Yoga philosphy is built upon the tenents of ahimsa (non-injury), satyam (truthfulness) and Brahmacharya (godly-conduct). Without a proper understanding and practice of these 3 virtues our spiritual merits gained through our sadhana will waste away like water from a bucket full of holes.
Ahimsa is generally understood as not causing harm to anyone. This idea of non-violence to be fully realized must be extended to all facets of our personality; thought, word and action. However, it is not only the negation of negativity, but is the positive application of love. Ahimsa is the first step we must take in trying to spiritualise our lives. Himsa or violence is the predominate charestistic of animal nature. If we wish to grow spiritually we first must aim at transforming our brutality. The sense of seperateness born of our ego creates fear in our minds. This fear makes us view the world as something to conquer or something that opposes us. This base thinking creates a feeling of retaliation that manifests itself as violence of all types. One soul dwells in all. Harm to another is harm to one Self.
Satyam is truthfulness. On on level it is harmony between what we think and what we do or how we speak. On another level satyam is our true nature, it is synonimous with Self or Soul. It is a direct means to self-realisation as our very nature is nothing but Truth. Truth must be spoken at any cost, but never to the effect of purposly hurting anothers feelings or exposing ones faults. Truthfulness unities, untruthfulness divides. Lasting peace is found in unity, therefore yogis practice satyam.
Brahmacharya is in a strict sense understood as celibacy. It is the conduct (achar) that leads us to Godliness (Brahman). The soul is neither male or female. A brahmachary or one who practices bramcharya negates all differences born of mind and trys to perceive the Atma that indwells all of creation. Any form of overindulgence is a break in brahmacharya. The veerya or sexual is transformed through spiritual practice into Ojas and allows the sadhaka to rapidly advance in his spirtual practice.
These three discplines are not exclusive to one another. A break in one is an infringment on the other. Strive to live a divine life.
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