Ashtanga Yoga Sutra : 2. Niyama

Now that you decided to go further on spiritual path , as you understand that after external disciplines of Yama you’ll move to internal discpline of Niyama which includes spiritual observances. The 5 practise of Yama will easily lead you to the next 5 of Niyama.

a) Saucha , purity
And cleanliness of the mind , speech and action. Ahimsa (non-violance shows us the way on how our words , thoughts and acts shall not harm other’s feeling or losing other’s lives. It generates our compassion towards all living creatures.
In Balinese tradition it is well known for 3 things that needed to be purified to become a better person than yesterday. Mind , words and actions. Mind needs to be clean in terms of putting destructive thoughts or impurity away. We may say that the way we see the world depends on what kind of thought that we put toward ourselves and other people around. Instead of ruining our mind’s capability of powerful transformation , better to have it clear , clean and pure.

After given holy water blessing at the end of temple praying in Bali , people will be given the rice that is already soaked with holy water called Bija . The philosophy of Bija is as divine seeds. The seeds are the life -the beggining. Bija is the rice that is already chanted with certain mantra. They will place 3 whole grain of rice on the forehead , most commonly the area between eyebrows as the symbol of planting divine seeds in our mind. On the neck , planting divine seeds to our speech. And On top of the head.

With pure and clean mind , comes clean and pure heart non-arogant , kind and compassionate. When internal tools are clean and pure it shows through behaviour and attitude.

b) Santosha , contentment
Self acceptance and appreciation. For what you’ve gone through – for who or where you are at the moment in life – and for happy and content you’ll become tomorrow.
Sit calmy and just take a moment mindfuly , let’s get back to the moment in the past where probably we were once failed but look on how it made us more mature nowadays. Probably we once were hurted but look on how big our heart that it still can heal ourselves and those around us with our pure love.Probably once we were so happy that we finaly made an achievement in our life or found something that excite us . Maybe once we’ve admit that we’ve found our soulmate then suddenly he/she is gone.

By practising gratitude it’ll remind us on how important is our wellbeing. The universe has shows us using its unique way that everything that is happening is just for temporary. We are the subject of the changes. Santosha is underlying joy that cannot be shaken by life’s tough moments. There are so many positivity that we can get if we feel content with everything we already have just the way as we created but together with the time and life’s experiences our senses are expanded. We don’t need to feel scary to travel solo in this life if we are content.

c) Tapas , self discilpine – persistence
Could also be burning desire to learn and enthusiasm. Willingness to do the work of self discipline and restraintment. A constant yet gentle practise of Tapas is about cultivating the act of loving kindness , passion and courage towards personal growth.

d)Svadhyaya , self study
What is it that we need to study from the “self “?
As it stated in Pancha Sradha ( 5 beliefs in Hindu Bali ) , the second one is Atman – believe in the soul . The soul is thy ‘Self’. The first is Brahman – believe upon the Highest Spirit ,the Creator of the universe. Third is Kharma Phala – believe in the fruit on each deed that we made. Fourth is Phunarbawa – believe in reincarnation. The last is Moksa – believe in liberation that is one with the source.
The soul within the human body is a litttle drop from the Highest and Holiest spirit or the Supreme Being. When you ask ‘ where is the God ? ‘ Look no further ! It is right within you already.
Studying ourselves by making some self reflections or observing our body , thoughts and feelings would allow us to become more connected with our ‘self’. In addition to self study , reading some spiritual books can help you on answering your inquisitive mind. Or maybe spending some moment of solitude in the nature can be an option too. Because knowledge not only comes from the book.

e)Isvara Pranidhana , surrender upon Highest Self or Supreme Being
Since human beings are made of many layers of the body , therefore their capability is limited in this universe. Univeres is like the ocean of abundance that consist of so many dimensions. It has everything what we asked for. But the limitation of knowledge or consciousness wouldn’t make easy for human to understand it well. Therefore spirituality is the way to heightened the consciousnes and tune in to intuitition that we all have. Surrender upon Supreme Being cultivates our sense of trust and deep connection.

On the spiritual level , at the very beggining starts with purity of mind , words and actions and how it should not cause any pain or harm other living creatures. The importance on feeling contentment and grateful is to show us direction towards happiness that is come from within us not outside. Self discipline, self study, and surrender upon Supreme Being allowing us to rise our consciousness and intuition . We got to know what exactly that build our body – is it only made of physical material? , how we function ourselves , who we are at the soul level , what gift is given to me and how to use it on the right purpose, what’s my life task, what’s my strength , etc.
None of those practises above can be completed instantly. There need to be strong foundation, determination , and patience on enjoying every progress that we’ve made and still we need to be gentle and kind to ourselves