9. The Yamas
Ahimsa / Satya / Asteya / Brahmacharya / Aparigraha / Yamah
The Yamas are moral markers, practices, stepping stones to live a good life in community. They are the practices of non-harming, honesty, non-stealing, respecting individual power, and non-greediness. Take a moment and imagine what kind of world we would be living in and leaving for the ones to come if these practices were paramount?
Ahimsa
To cause no harm and this observance umbrellas the other four. A vow of non harming ensures a life free of debt. Due to the law of Karma every action has a reaction and causing harm produces suffering and keeps it in the cycle of life. Non harming can assist in ending the cycle.
Satya
Truthfulness. To be honest is a practice that begins with the self. If we are not truthful in body, speech, and mind, inner and outer distortion will occur. Without that original seed of honesty, delusion arises and suffering ensues.
Asteya
The practice of nonstealing. This addresses our sense of lack, which is so prevalent in the psychological makeup of a human. If we pay attention to the world around us, the nature of being, or more precisely, the being of nature, we can acknowledge and be deeply grateful for all that is provided. Everything we need to live a good life is given freely by the seasons and the rivers, the Sun and the Moon. There is no lack, if we tend to the harmony of Nature.
Brahmacharya
The fourth precept, is the conscious containment and control of our power. It is also a practice of non harming (as they all are). Although our work is to manage the life we are given, a conundrum occurs when we claim ownership of this power. It is important to remember that our lived experience is an exchange and everchanging. What we are given is meant to be given. It is for-giving. When the ego is involved and selfish motive takes precedent, suffering arises for everyone involved. Brahmacharya is a call to non action.
Aparigraha
Translated as nongreediness. Apari literally means to stand away from and Graha is grasping. For example, there is a graha to the Moon in relation to the Earth as well as grasping between the Earth and the Sun. In a very physical sense what would we do without gravity? Well, we would be free. (Don’t get me wrong; I am super grateful for gravity;)
If we reflect upon the more internal grahas we find that our attention also behaves this way and orbits around thoughts that generate enough energy to become manifest eventually. This can be a beautiful outcome, yet can also create much suffering. In the realm of the Yamas, Aparigraha, suggests that the less we cling to the less harm we cause and the freer we are.
Each of us is given the gift of life. We are empowered at birth with our first breath and will continue to be given the power of life and action until we take our last breath. The chain of Karma we inherit is a weaving of teachings and blessings. What we do with that becomes our legacy. Practicing these precepts will ensure many blessings upon our descendents.
So be it. It is done.