The final piece of the surrender puzzle is the Niyamas. If the Yamas are the antidotes for the Kleshas, the Niyamas are the practices which creates the paradigm for change. The word ‘Niyama’ often translates as ‘positive duties’ or ‘observances’, and are thought of as recommended habits for healthy living and ‘spiritual existence’. Niyamas are the ‘golden keys to unlock the spiritual gates’, as they transform each action into one that originates from a deeper and more ‘connected’ place within ourselves. For my analysis, I will discuss the Niyamas as I would process through a challenge.
The first step I take is “Svadhyaya” – Self-study. This is the fourth niyama.
Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra says: “Study thy self, discover the divine” II.44
Any activity that cultivates self-reflective consciousness can be considered “Svadhyaya”. It means to intentionally find self-awareness in all my activities and efforts, even to the point of welcoming and accepting limitations, or should I say my limiting thoughts.
It’s probably fair to say that the more I realize what I am not, the closer I come to realizing who or what I truly am. By studying ‘the self’ and recognizing my habits and my thought processes, I realize how much of what I do and think is far from who I really know I am. By paying attention to, or ‘studying’ my ‘self’, I become more aware of the things I do that harm me, and also those which serve me and bring me closer to that process of ‘uniting’ with the true Self.
As I begin, I benefit from reading, studying and reflecting upon books, texts, and other sources which delve into this ancient wisdom. For this month’s discussion of surrender I relied upon “Letting Go, The Path of Surrender” by Dr. David Hawkins MD, PhD.
The second part is “tracing back” to find the root of the Klesha which is causing the suffering. Usually, I don’t notice my beliefs or conditioning unless there is some kind of disharmony present. In these times, I have the opportunity to trace whatever I am saying about the moment back to a belief which I are either consciously or unconsciously holding. By tracing any disharmony back to source I am help myself unpack a box I have me wrapped in. Many fears arise from Jose Miguel Ruiz calls “domestication” I underwent throughout my life. As I trace back I have actual put a “face on the voice of fear”.
Knowing what I am doing in each moment requires me to pay attention, and more importantly I am asking the question “why am I doing this?” Questioning my actions is something I often avoid, as it is usually a catalyst for change, and as a human being, I, or should I say my ego, does not like change. Remember, the ego is not an adventurer. When I shift, I become the witness. As the witness, I have the ability to watch myself act and respond. It is this ability to watch that brings healing into my life.
The next step is to develop the Niyama, “Tapas, ” or discipline to move me to move me closer to the aspirational goals in the Yamas. This is third of Patanjali’s Niyamas which often translates as ‘austerity’ or ‘discipline’. In this sense, Tapas can mean cultivating a sense of self-discipline, passion and courage in order to burn away ‘impurities’ physically, mentally and emotionally, and paving the way to our true greatness.
“Tapas” develops in me the courage not to listen to the “voices of fear” in my head that tell me I am ‘not strong enough’ or ‘not good enough’ to overcome a new challenge or go for that new opportunity. This is the element of Tapas that ‘burns’ away those ‘impure’ thoughts, and leads to more self-trust and inner strength. In the realm of physical health, we routinely develop an “exercise routine” and even hire trainers to help facilitate an exercise routine.
In the spiritual realm, this may require I develop a routine that may level up my meditation practice. It may involve exploring new modalities of spirituality. I may start automatic/spontaneous writing to assist in my tracing back. Maybe, I need to add yoga nidra to my weekly routine. Maybe, I need to do periodic cleanses. Recently I have started showing up for a weekly zoom meditation group connecting with like-minded people. Many of my teachers have become my spiritual life coaches challenging me to “stop playing small ball”.
The next step is the first Niyama of “Saucha” or “Purify”. This invites me to purify my thoughts and my self-talk or words. As I purify myself mentally, I become less cluttered and heavy. Purification brings about a brightness and clarity to my essence. As I purify myself from the heaviness and clutter of limitations, distractions, and scatteredness, I gain clarity to meet each moment with integrity and freshness. I become purer in my relationship with others. Purity requires all of my attention in the moment so that I can go on to the next thing with our full awareness and energy.
The next step flows naturally from “Saucha”. It is “Santosha” or Contentment, the second Niyama.” ‘Contentment’ doesn’t mean I idly sit back and relinquish the need to do anything. It simply means accepting and appreciating what I have and what I am already, and then I move forwards from there.
I have a habit of waiting to ‘be me’ until I have accomplished my never-ending to-do list of things that will make me ‘better’. Well, the truth is – I will always be me or as I say “just me”. However, will I continue to disregard my magnificence and my brilliance in favor of reaching towards something I think I am supposed to be or role imposed upon me. When I appreciate my awesomeness, and more importantly, love it, then the best version of “me” shows up right now. Truly, I am authentically, unapologetically me. When I am content with all I am and all I have, acceptance begins knowing there is no one else who can offer the world my unique gifts and special talents that I have to offer.
The Bhagavad Gita teaches us not to look outside of ourselves for happiness, but to realize that peace and happiness lies within. “When we rely on things which are external to us to bring us freedom, we inevitably bind ourselves to discontentment even more”.
The last Niyama is Ishvara Pranidhana, the jewel of surrender, which presupposes that there is a divine force at work in our lives. Whether we call it God, grace, providence, or as I say “The Divine”, we appreciate that there is something greater than I am and cares deeply about me. Surrender invites me to be active participants in my life, totally present and fluid with each moment, while appreciating the magnitude and mystery of what I am participating in. Ultimately this practice invites me to surrender my ego, and then open my heart and accept the higher purpose of my being.
Surrender is not passive. When practicing “Ishvara Pranidhana”, I learn to stop fighting life, I can begin to act skillfully. Control makes me rigid and tight and narrows my perspective. I can monitor the moment to moment surrender to life by watching the inner sensations of contraction and expansion. Contraction is a feeling of constriction, a pulling in. Expansion is an opening, a creating of space and wonder. When I find myself in contraction, I am fighting life or fearful of life. When I find myself in expansion, I am “in the flow” of the universal field energy and knowledge. The Divine knows what to do better than I do. My task is simply to let go and receive each moment with an open heart, and then dance skillfully with it. The mantra of surrender is:
Om Namah Shivaya?
I bow to the divine and say: “Thy will be done!”
The ancient Vedic texts known as the Upanishads declare, “You are what your deepest desire is. As is your desire, so is your intention. As is your intention, so is your will. As is your will, so is your deed. As is your deed, so is your destiny.” Our destiny ultimately comes from the deepest level of desire and also from the deepest level of intention. The two are intimately linked to each other.
Deepak Chopra, SynchroDestiny: Harnessing the Infinite Power of Coincidence to Create Miracles
