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Basic Yoga Disciplines for Mind-Control - Swami Budhananda |
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Basic yoga scriptures insist that in order to control the mind aspirants must practice the disciplines of yama and niyama. Non-killing, truthfulness, non-stealing, continence, and non-receiving of gifts are called yamas1. Internal and external purification, contentment, mortification, study, and worship of God are the niyamas.2 |
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Obviously, one who is not yet the master of his mind will fail to observe some of these precepts. Yet the idea of insisting on the practice of these virtues is to keep the ideal always bright before the practitioner, so that inner strength may grow through self-effort. Patanjali, the great teacher of yoga, says: |
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Undisturbed calmness of mind is attained by cultivating: |
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a. Friendliness towards the happy. |
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b. Compassion for the unhappy. |
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c. Delight in the good. |
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d. Indifference to the evil.3 |
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© "The Mind and its Control" by Swami Budhananda, published by Advaita Ashrama, 5 Dehi Entally Road, Kolkata 700 014. website: www.advaitaashrama.org. Reprinted with permission. |
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