Should I Could I?
In the first of these posts, The Road Leads Both Ways, five Niyamas or personal observances are mentioned as being one of the eight limbs of yoga. One of them, Svadhyaya or self study, is touched upon. Complementing the Niyamas and vice versa are the five Yamas. The Yamas are a series of ethical restraints to work toward. Yama means ‘to rein in’. Sometimes the Yamas and Niyamas are referred to as the shoulds and shouldn’ts of yoga. However Ahimsa or non-harming, the first Yama, creates a paradox to this view.
When we use the words should or shouldn’t we are in a way being harmful. Imagine someone coming to you and saying, “I love yoga and get so much out of it. You should come too”. Do you hear the judgemental attitude the word ‘should’ brings to the conversation? The premise is that you are lacking in some way if you do not go. It’s rather insensitive and could be hurtful to how one feels. What if instead someone said to you, “I love yoga and get so much out of it. You could come too.” Do you hear how just changing one word turns the conversation from one of judgement into one of invitation and possibility?
The choice is ours. For all the Yamas and Niyamas the choice is always our own. It is a constant refining of practices in working toward being the best we can be. Be kind to yourself by trying not to say, “I should be better”. Instead look for things you can do that may lead to continuous self improvement informed by the Yamas and Niyamas. Self improvement is a path to follow, not a crevasse to leap over after which one exclaims, “Done!” There may be challenges along the path, but if we meet them with our best efforts then we may freely surrender the outcome and move beyond.
There are five Yamas which make up one of the eight limbs of yoga; one of the spokes keeping the wheel moving smoothly around the axle.
The 5 Yamas:
Ahimsa, non-violence
Satya, truth
Asteya, non-stealing
Brahmacarya, moderation
Aparigraha, non-possessiveness, non-hoarding
Self improvement is a winding path and not a crevasse to leap over. Best efforts and surrender the outcome.