Yama, from Sanskrit, represents Ethics. Patañjali's Yogasūtra-s proposes one of the most popular readings on Ethics, although the theme is a constant throughout the Tradition and Literature of Yoga, as it represents a foundational pillar of any contemplative practice. For this reason, it is impressive that it has been confined to the background, or even disappeared, in countless contemporary yoga “menus”.
Yama is embodied in rules of external conduct, flawless attitudes towards the other, with repercussions on one. Why? Because Ethics wouldl be based on rationality and not morality. Morally, we condemn or approve. Rationally, we conclude whether a given behavior has greater or lesser adaptive, personal and collective value. On a personal level, the example of the liar is paradigmatic. Even if lying immediately seems to have tangible advantages, in the medium-long term will always be much more damaging than telling the truth, because it forces the liar to maintain a constant state of alert, exhausting, not to be exposed. At a collective level, respecting and helping others will have undeniable advantages over the opposite attitude. What is more advantageous, competition or cooperation? Even if we are indoctrinated to believe that competing is the engine of social evolution, the decrepitude of the current state in which Humanity and the environment fell, in general, shows the opposite. Keeping some above and others low, with such startling inequality, will be the germ of discord. If we cooperated we would encourage constructive behaviors to the detriment of the destructive path on which we ran aground. This is especially important in the context of Yoga where it is believed that there is an action-reaction logic, we reap what we sow. So maintaining a righteous posture towards the other, in the end, benefits the individual, creating healthier personal and collective dimensions.
Patañjali exposes five yama-s or ethical precepts. Ahiṃsā or “pacifism” is non-aggression, physical, verbal, mental, in any way, constituting the basis of the remaining precepts. We tend to think of violence with something tangible, but remember the forms of passive-aggressive violence, such as cynicism and hypocrisy and their brutal effects. “Being impeccable with the word”, as Don Miguel Ruiz points out, in The Four Agreements, is a good example of satya. “Veracity” in speech, speaking in a loyal way regarding what one feels, not creating or feeding intrigue, is fundamental to individual and group well-being. Asteya or “honesty” is the attitude of not stealing, what is mine is mine, what belongs to the other is his, because ultimately everything belongs to everyone and nothing belongs to anyone. Brahmacarya is about “continence”, living life with account, weight and measure. Traditionally, sexual continence is emphasized, but this should extend to all areas of life: food, emotions, consumption, etc., up to practice and study. Everything is worth according to the way we use or apply it. As the Greek term farmakon says, some can be medicine or poison depending on concentration and dosage. Finally, aparigraha, “detachment”, signifies renunciation towards possession and to not covet what we don’t have or which belongs to others. The things we own or want to own, inevitably end up owning us.
The practice of Ethics stems from a meditative attitude, that is, nurturing a continuous state of vigilance over our thoughts. If they are negative, identify them and prevent them from becoming actions, cultivating the opposite type of thoughts. Nor should it be based on a linear interpretation. By instance, how to transmit the death of a loved one to a weakened person !? We may have to lie, before relaying all the information, for the sake of non-violence! And what about stealing from those in excess, and not sharing, to provide for the underprivileged? This non-linearity will be the basis of the famous ethical dilemmas. Nobody said that, in the path of contemplation, Wisdom is easy to achieve. This is where trial-error comes in, experimenting, assuming the achievement of behavior and trying to have the lucidity to detect the consequences of these actions.
Joel Machado
jehoel@gmail.com
#yogaandmysticism #joelmachado #yoga #mystic #meditation #contemplation #ethics #yama #यम
