Tenets For TheSpiritual Life

Tenets for the Spiritual Life By Swami Rajarshi Muni Paperback. Baroda, 2007, Life Mission Publications, Paperback, 14X22 em., 121 pages. The modern world offers many physical comforts, a variety of sensual pleasures, and the hollow pride of vainglory. Yet in the midst of these gratifications the human being remains poor in the development of his soul. Throughout time, the wise-like Jesus in the Bible-have asked, "For what does it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" (Matthew 16:26) In response, the ancient sages have recommended certain commandments that serve as tenets to fulfill the requisite conditions for the development of the soul and ensure a spiritual way of life. In the parlance of Yoga, these tenets are known as yams and niyams. Together they provide a moral code of conduct for the yoga aspirant. Those who intend to follow the path of spiritual enlightenment must first purify the tri-fold abode of Spirit-the body, mind, and heart-through the practice of yam and niyam. These restraints (yams) and vows (niyams) cultivate the ethical behavior essential to the pursuit of the spiritual goal. Through their practice, one can cultivate unselfish behavior, health, real happiness, and concentric focus of the mind and will power. This book re-affirms the primacy of yam and niyam in the practice of Yoga.