we are all programmed to search for meaning.  we look to make sense of our world, sense of ourselves, and ultimately how it all fits together.  

prior to my life as a yogi, i looked toward institutions for guidance:  my church, my education, and my psychological profession.  and each individually, held for me an essential nugget of truth. 

ultimately, however, it was yoga that brought the three seamlessly together.

though yoga is not a religion . . . it is a spiritual quest with beliefs, universally accepted within judaism and christianity, and by buddhists, muslims, and hindus, alike.

yoga is also not therapy . . . and yet, every day, millions of people find self-fulfillment and enlightened moments not on a counselor’s couch -  but rather a yoga mat.

yoga is not a school . . . but i can think of no singular place where i’ve gained more wisdom.  in fact, to borrow a phrase:  everything i ever needed to know - I learned from yoga.

you see, yoga is literally a unification.  and while separately it is neither a religion, a psychology, nor a learning institution, it is an integration of all of the above . . . and so much more.

literally, it all begins with just a few golden rules.  we call them the yamas (how we treat others) and niyamas (how we treat ourselves).  admittedly, none of these concepts are rocket-surgery - but in practice, life changing.  in fact, our very evolution as individuals and as a society depend on our willingness to not just practice yoga - but to live our yoga, as well.

outlined succinctly in the second chapter of the yoga sutras of patanjali, our textbook, you could say - are ten simple practices.  these are a yogi’s “ten commandments” - that don’t involve twisting legs into a pretzel . . . though you can, if you want:

the yamas or do unto others:  

• ahimsa:  be kind to others.  a comprehensive, do no harm: not in words, not in thoughts, and not in actions.  and this one rule trumps all others, including the next . . . 

• satya:  tell the truth.   “. . . and the truth shall set you free”  (john 8:32)

• asteya:  take only what is yours.  remember playing in the sandbox?  same rule applies!

• brahmacharya:  be respectful and reverent.  though this can sometimes be interpreted as celibacy - and since there is no way for me to clarify with pantanjali now, i will take some liberty to explain.  brahmacharya is a higher awareness in our relationships - one that transcends the physical one.  abstinence may result, but it this is not the intention.

• aparigraha:  share.  anne frank once said, “no one has ever become poor by giving.”  in fact, it is in giving that we may also receive.
  

the niyamas or self observances:  

• sauca:  be pure.  a shower is nice.  brush your teeth too, please.  but don’t forget, purity also means being cleansed of bad habits and negative emotions.

• santosa:  practice acceptance.  contentment - not to be confused with complacency - means we learn to love ourselves with unconditional positive regard.  allowing ourselves to seek happiness not from outside of ourselves - but from within.

• tapas:  do your work.  sri pattabhi jois reminded his students, practice and all is coming.  yes, he was referring to a yoga practice.  and a meditation practice too.  doesn’t happen by osmosis:  we must do our work and let the benefits unfold in time.

• svadhyaya:  take time to reflect.  no matter what your field of work, i bet you studied.  years of schooling to become the person of knowledge and expertise you are now.  become an expert of you.  learn you.

• isvara pranidhana:  stay humble.  no matter how big you are, how wise or right you are, how powerful you become - recognize you are not the absolute.  with a sincere meekness, know and honor divinity, that is.