The Niyamas or the practices of self-purification through discipline and specifically Svadhyaya or Self Study

Greetings Yogis and Yoginis,

This week in class we are considering the Niyamas or the practices of self-purification through discipline and specifically Svadhyaya or Self Study.

Place your mind before the mirror of eternity; place your soul in the brightness of Her Glory.

-Saint Clare of Assisi

We are shaped by what gains our attention and occupies our thoughts. Today, amidst all of the conditioning to the contrary, we need constant reminders of our higher nature, and that is why spiritual reading can be very helpful. The media drown us in such a low image of the human being that it is essential to remind ourselves constantly of something higher.

All of the world's religions provide nourishment for the spirit distilled from centuries of spiritual exploration. It is a wise investment of time to take half an hour or so each day for reading from the scriptures and the writings of the great mystics of all religions. Just before bedtime is a particularly good time, because the thoughts you fall asleep in will be with you throughout the night.

Our consciousness takes on the color of what we think about. By reading the words of a favorite saint or mystic, we imbue our mind with thoughts that are beautiful, true, and full of light.

Words to Live By: Inspiration for Every Day – Eknath Easwaran

The homework is to review the second path of Yoga - the Niyamas or the practices of self-purification through discipline and specifically Svadhyaya or Self Study. For one week commit to devoting time each day to reciting, studying, and meditating, on an inspired text.

Blessings,

paul cheek
Rushing Water Yoga
417 NE Birch St., Camas, WA 98607
360.834.5994

www.rushingwateryoga.com
info@rushingwateryoga.com

Serving Yoga to Camas, Washougal, and Vancouver Washington since 2003