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HINDUISM is a religion based on UNIVERSALITY.

It gives less importance to the image of God in your mind than to what VALUES ONE CARRIES and how the individual evolves. The EVOLUTION OF THE INDIVIDUAL MIND AND PERSONALITY is more important in Hindu value system than the just faith or religion one adheres to. Because of the importance it gives to the good value systems ingrained in all religions, it is along with Buddhism the MOST SECULAR and MOST TOLERANT RELIGION in the world. In fact, India declared itself a secular nation based on the fundamental values of this religion. One must not miss out the fact that the vast majority of Indians, at that time around 90% of the population, supported the declaration of India as a secular country due to the principles ingrained in this religion. It was originally conceived as a conglomeration or confederation of different kinds of religious beliefs that existed in ancient times among different communities.

Some people believe that karma theory is one of the core values of Hinduism. It is not. Hindu philosophy only states that karma shapes ones future experiences, which is a scientifically acceptable statement. Ones Karma is the cause behind an individuals behavioural manifestations and future experiences. Past karma shapes both the mind-body experiences and all human interactions. LISTING OF CORE VALUES OF HINDUISM 1. Satyameva Jayate: TRUTH ALONE WINS. Whatever may be the short term result of work of different people in society, even though untruth may appear to be the winner over the short time, truth will be the ultimate winner. One must follow truth and be truthful. 2. Become a Yogi: WORK FOR INTEGRATION OF SELF AT ALL LEVELS.

One must achieve integration of his mind, body and soul integration at the levels of physical body, mind and prana (energy field that holds the entire body all its cells and organs together). Without yoga one cannot reach a higher level of existence. People who are immensely attached to their work are karmayogis and those who are highly intellectually driven are gnyaanayogis. 3. ELEVATE YOURSELF BY CHANTIN "OM": BASIS OF THE UNIVERSE IS THE SOUND "OM". The whole universe is created and sustained out of Vibrations. Human life can be upgraded with the use of the sound Om. 4. Follow the principle Sarvabhootastam Atmanam, Sarva Bhootani cha Atmani: ELEVATE YOURSELF TO SEE OTHERS IN YOURSELF AND YOURSELF IN OTHERS. As one progresses in spiritual life he/ she can experience everyone else in himself/ herself. Let us learn to experience the problems and sufferings of others as if it is our own. Let us not just empathise, but become a part of the person and share his/ her sufferings. We then become an elevated soul. 5. Ahimsa paramo dharmah THERE IS NO DHARMA (DUTY ORDAINED FROM A HIGHER LEVEL) SUPERIOR TO NOT HARMING OR HURTING OTHERS. In pursuing ones goals and in the process of becoming an achiever and a great performer, one should not harm others. There can be no duty to self or family superior to avoiding hurtful or harmful behaviour. 6. Pursue knowledge and reach beyond knowledge through Vedam & Vedantam: TO EVOLVE INTO A SUPERIOR PERSONALITY CONSTANTLY PURSUE KNOWLEDGE AND THEN GO BEYOND KNOWLEDGE FOR TRUE SELF-REALISATION"

Man evolves through his quest for knowledge. The emphasis of Vedic thought on scientific orientation is the reason why many of the modern scientific discoveries are already part of Hindu Vedic thought. And it says, Go beyond the trap of present day knowledge and explore into the territory of the unlimited space of knowledge not yet revealed. An individuals vaasanas (tendencies, likes and dislikes), background, upbringing and environment determine the quality of his/ her knowledge. Human capabilities are finite and all knowledge is governed by the limits of this capability. We should get out of this limitation. When we reach beyond knowledge by crossing the boundaries of human capabilities, we will realise our self at a higher level. 7. The behaviour of all persons is driven by the perception to which he/ she gets attached to. Get attached to the universally valid principles. Purusha eva idam sarvam - Perception is everything: ALL HUMAN BEINGS ARE DRIVEN BY PERCEPTION - Bhagwadgita One can choose the perception that drives him/ her Good value based or bad ones. To evolve into a superior person, stick on to the right ones. NOTHING IS CREATED IN THE UNIVERSE WITHOUT FIRST BEING PERCEIVED. UNDERSTAND ITS POWER TO BECOME A CREATIVE PERSON. - Purusha Suktam 8. Ones personality is determined by his/ her Guna and Karma: OWN NATURE AND PAST ACTIONS DETERMINE THE PRESENT PERSONALITY OF EVERY INDIVIDUAL" Each persons past actions and nature determine his/ her personality. Hence to improve your personality, you must ensure that you do only work of high universal values, values that provide satisfaction to as many people as possible, that are universally acceptable and that elevate your personality. Also always explore your nature and ensure that it gets shaped and modified into what is universally acceptable.

The caste of a person is determined by his pursuit - whether he pursues power, money, knowledge and spiritual attainment; or is unable to move in any direction of pursuit (his/ her caste). It is determined by his/ her nature and past actions. It is not decided by his/ her birth, but the social forces in India divided the society based on caste to usurp and retain power. Caste determination based on ones birth and classification into superior and inferior sects is NOT ANYWHERE PROJECTED IN THE HINDU SCRIPTS, but only got ingrained in social practice. 9. Avoid being driven by action-result syndrome - Maa Karma-phala heturbhuh: AVOID WORKING FOR A DESIRED RESULT WITHOUT INTELLECTUAL ANALYSIS AND GET TRAPPED INTO AN ACTION-RESULT SYNDROME.

Everyone carries out actions expecting desired results. All actions produce some result or the other. The problem is - desired result often does not match the actual result. When this happens, we generally get trapped into stronger actions, more dynamic work and emotional response. Both on good result and bad ones, we should not get emotionally disturbed or stronger and more forceful action. Pause, think, calm down and reorganise your work. You will become a superior personality.

10. Sarvadharmaan parityajya maam ekam sharanam vraja. Aham twa sarva paapebhyo mokshaishyaami - Bhagwadgita:

WHENEVER YOU ARE CONFUSED BECAUSE CARRYING OUT AN ACTION COULD EB RIGHT (WHEN VIEWED FROM ONE ANGLE), AND WRONG (WHEN VIEWED FROM ANOTHER)PLEASE COME TO ME", - GOD SAYS IN BHAGWADGITA, "IF YOU CARRY OUT WHAT I GUIDE AS RIGHT, YOU WILL BE RELEASED FROM ALL YOUR SINS."

Any action would have two sides from a moral angle. Take the case of a father who raped his daughter recently. By bringing him to book the daughter works against her own father who gave her life and brought her up. At the same time, not exposing him and not taking action against him would be a greater sin, as your own sister would become a victim of his lust. Both values are highly adored. What shall she do?

In all such cases, there is only way out for the person concerned. Reach out to God and get the guidance. He will guide your conscience.

11. Projecting a truer better value based concept of heaven and hell - Swarga & Naraka:

Heaven and Hell are not external homes of souls tucked away in some corner or the Universe; they are emotional and psychological experiences.

Hinduism is perhaps the only faith that states that there is no hell or heaven tucked in a corner of the Universe. It is all in ourselves as experiences in this life itself. Do and continue to do good work. You will experience heaven in this life itself and become an emotionally and spiritually satisfied personality. 12. Graduate out of Maya: MAN LIVES IN A WORLD OF DECEPTION. GRADUATE OUT OF IT TO BECOME A MORE COMPLETE AND ELEVATED SOUL. In every aspect of our lives, even between husband and wife, parents and children, friends, relations, even enemies, we are driven by misconceptions and

lack of total understanding of one another. At the philosophical level, it is impossible to get out of this Maya (deception) in totality. However, one can and must strive to minimise it, so that stresses are reduced and life becomes more satisfying. 13. Achieve freedom and liberate yourself Obtain Moksham/ Mukti: THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF MAN SHOULD BE LIBERATION FROM ALL THE TRAPPINGS OF ONE'S LIFE. We are driven by our desires, ambitions, likes and dislikes. What is right from a universal angle does not drive us and what is wrong does not prevent us from carrying out our desired action. Mostly emotions take control of our actions. One must strive to liberate oneself out of such trappings and become a superior personality. 14. Do all work in the spirit of Yagnya: Mankind can progress only through STRIVING TOGETHER. Promote pursuit of goals together as teamwork in all human endeavours. When we join hands together with all those who work to achieve a common goal, the higher level forces (Devatas) will support us and we will definitely achieve our goals. All of us would carry out our work as the subjects of the goal towards which we work, and if all persons having a common goal work together with a spirit of sharing we shall achieve whatever we desire. The goal becomes the kamadhenu, the cow that fulfils all our positive desires. 15. GOD IS ONE, BUT HE EXHIBITS HIMSELF IN THREE MAJOR FORMS AS BRAHMA, VISHNU AND SHIVA (THE CREATOR, PROTECTOR AND DESTROYER) and countless other forms: Please do not assume that God can only be perceived as a formless one who is most difficult to comprehend. Each one of us can see Him and perceive him in the way best suited to our way of life and value systems.

This is a major core value that makes Hinduism universal and accepts every belief system as valuable. Every belief system that adopts good positive universal principles is good and must be acceptable to the human society. Hinduism also talks about God as formless (Go to Chidambaram to see it. Also highlighted in Vishnu Sahasra Naamam) and at the same time one who projects Himself in thousands of forms to human beings. This is the root of secularism of Hindu thought and Vedic teachings. http://hinducorevalues.blogspot.in/ http://history-of-hinduism.blogspot.in/2010/06/hinduisms-code-of-conduct.html Hinduisms Code of Conduct

How often do you see a professional team of people misbehave on the job? Youre on a flight from San Fran-cisco to Singapore. Do the flight attendants bicker in the aisle? Of course not. People at this level of business have control of their minds and emotions. If they didnt, they would soon be replaced. When they are on the job, at least, they follow a code of conduct spelled out in detail by the corporation. Its not un-like the moral code of any religion, outlining sound ethics for respect and harmony among humans. Those seeking to be successful in life strive to ful-fill a moral code whether on the job or off. Does Hinduism and its scriptures on yoga have such a code? Yes: twenty ethical guidelines called yamas and niyamas, restraints and observances. These dos and donts are found in the 6,000 to 8,000-year-old Vedas, mankinds oldest body of scripture, and in other holy texts expounding the path of yoga.

The yamas and niyamas are a common-sense code recorded in the final section of the Vedas, called Upani-shads, namely the Shandilya and the Varuha. They are also found in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika by Gorakshanatha, the Tiru-mantiram of

Tirumular and in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. The yamas and niyamas have been preserved through the centuries as the foundation, the first and second stage, of the eight-staged practice of yoga. Yet, they are fundamental to all beings, expected aims of everyone in society, and assumed to be fully intact for anyone seeking lifes highest aim in the pursuit called yoga. Sage Patanjali (ca 200bce), raja yogas foremost propounder, told us, These yamas are not limited by class, country, time (past, present or future) or situation. Hence they are called the universal great vows. Yogic scholar Swami Brahm-ananda Saraswati revealed the inner science of yama and niyama. They are the means, he said, to control the vitarkas, the cruel mental waves or thoughts, that when acted upon result in injury to others, untruthfulness, hoarding, discontent, indo-lence or selfishness. He stated, For each vitarka you have, you can create its opposite through yama and niyama, and make your life successful.

The following paragraphs, with accompanying illustrations by A. Manivel of Chennai, elucidate the yamas and niyamas. Presented first are the ten yamas, the do nots, which harness the instinctive nature, with its governing impulses of fear, anger, jealousy, selfishness, greed and lust. Second are illustrated the ten niyamas, the dos, the religious observances that cultivate and bring forth the refined soul qualities, lifting awareness into the consciousness of the higher chakras of love, compassion, self-lessness, intelligence and bliss. Together the yamas and niyamas provide the foundation to support our yoga practice so that at-tainments in higher consciousness can be sustained.

The Ten Yamas - Restraints or Proper Conduct in Hinduism

Yama # 1

Practice noninjury, not harm-ing others by thought, word or deed, even in your dreams. Live a kindly life, revering all beings as expressions of the One Divine energy. Let go of fear and insecurity, the sources of abuse. Knowing that harm caused to others unfailingly returns to oneself, live peacefully with Gods creation. Never be a source of dread, pain or injury. Follow a vegetarian diet. Image:- Noninjury, Ahimsa Yama # 2

Adhere to truthfulness, refraining from lying and betraying promises. Speak only that which is true, kind, helpful and necessary. Know-ing that deception creates distance, dont keep secrets from family or loved ones. Be fair, accurate and frank in discussions, a stranger to deceit. Admit your failings. Do not engage in slander, gossip or backbiting. Do not bear false witness against another. Image:- Truthfulness, Satya Yama # 3

Uphold the virtue of nonsteal-ing, neither thieving, covet-ing nor failing to repay debt. Control your desires and live within your means. Do not use borrowed resources for unintended purposes or keep them past due. Do not gamble or defraud others. Do not renege on promises. Do not use others names, words, resources or rights without permission and acknowledgement. Image:- Nonstealing, Asteya Yama # 4

Practice divine conduct, controlling lust by remain-ing celibate when single and faithful in marriage. Before marriage, use vital energies in study, and after marriage in creating family success. Dont waste the sacred force by promiscuity in thought, word or deed. Be restrained with the opposite sex. Seek holy company. Dress and speak modestly. Shun pornography, sexual humor and violence. Image:- Divine Conduct, Brahmacharya Yama # 5

Exercise patience, restrain-ing intolerance with people and impatience with circumstances. Be agreeable. Let others behave accord-ing to their nature, without adjusting to you. Dont argue, dominate conversations or interrupt others. Dont be in a hurry. Be patient with chil-dren and the elderly. Mini-mize stress by keeping wor-ries at bay. Remain poised in good times and bad. Image:- Patience, Kshama Yama # 6

Foster steadfastness, over-coming nonperseverance, fear, indecision and changeableness. Achieve your goals with a prayer, purpose, plan, persistence and push. Be firm in your decisions. Avoid sloth and procrastination. Develop willpower, cour-age and industriousness. Overcome obstacles. Never carp or complain. Do not let opposition or fear of failure result in changing strategies. Image:- Steadfastness, Dhriti Yama # 7

Practice compassion, con-quering callous, cruel and insensitive feelings toward all beings. See God everywhere. Be kind to people, animals, plants and the Earth itself. Forgive those who apolo-gize and show true remorse. Foster sympathy for others needs and suffering. Honor and assist those who are weak, impoverished, aged or in pain. Oppose family abuse and other cruelties. Image:- Compassion, Daya Yama # 8

Maintain honesty, renounc-ing deception and wrongdo-ing. Act honorably even in hard times. Obey the laws of your nation and locale. Pay your taxes. Be straightforward in business. Do an honest days work. Do not bribe or accept bribes. Do not cheat, deceive or circum-vent to achieve an end. Be frank with yourself. Face and accept your faults with-out blaming them on others. Image:- Honesty, Arjava Yama # 9

Be moderate in appetite, neither eating too much nor consuming meat, fish, shellfish, fowl or eggs. Enjoy fresh, wholesome vegetarian foods that vitalize the body. Avoid junk food. Drink in moderation. Eat at regular times, only when hungry, at a moderate pace, never between meals, in a dis-turbed atmosphere or when upset. Follow a simple diet, avoiding rich or fancy fare. Be moderate in appetite, neither eating too much nor consuming meat, fish, shellfish, fowl or eggs. Enjoy fresh, wholesome vegetarian foods that vitalize the body. Avoid junk food. Drink in moderation. Eat at regular times, only when hungry, at a moderate pace, never between meals, in a dis-turbed atmosphere or when upset. Follow a simple diet, avoiding rich or fancy fare. Image:- Moderate Appetite, Mitahara Yama # 10

Uphold the ethic of purity, avoiding impurity in mind, body and speech. Maintain a clean, healthy body. Keep a pure, uncluttered home and workplace. Act virtuously. Keep good company, never mixing with adulter-ers, thieves or other impure people. Keep away from pornography and violence. Never use harsh, angered or indecent language. Worship devoutly. Meditate daily. Image:- Purity, Saucha http://www.hinduismtoday.com/modules/smartsection/item.php?itemid=1659 Hinduism's Code of Conduct

How often do you see a professional team of people misbehaveon the job? You're on a flight from San Francisco to Singapore. Do thestewardesses bicker in the aisle? No way. In Singapore you visit a classypublishing firm. Does the receptionist talk back to the sale representative?No. Are there emotional undertones among the group you meet with? None.And you don't expect any. You know that people

at this level of businesshave control of their minds and emotions. If they didn't, they would soonbe replaced. When they are on the job, at least, they follow a code ofconduct spelled out in detail by the corporation. It's not unlike the moralcode of any religion, outlining sound ethics for respect and harmony amonghumans. Those seeking to be successful in all avenues of life strive tofulfill a moral code whether "on the job" or off. Does Hinduism have sucha code? Yes: twenty ethical guidelines called yamas and niyamas,"restraints and observances." They are found in the 6,000 to 8,000-year-oldVedas, mankind's oldest body of scripture.

The twenty "do's" and "don'ts" are a common-sense coderecorded in the final section of the Vedas, called Upanishads, namelythe Shandilya and the Varuha. They are also found in theHatha Yoga Pradipika by Gorakshanatha, the Tirumantiram ofTirumular and in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. The yamasand niyamas have been preserved through the centuries as the foundation,the first and second stage, of the eight-staged practice of yoga. Yet,they are fundamental to all beings, expected aims of everyone in society,and assumed to be fully intact for anyone seeking life's highest aim inthe pursuit called yoga. Sage Patanjali (ca 200 bce), raja yoga'sforemost propounder, told us, "These yamas are not limited by class,country, time (past, present or future) or situation. Hence they are calledthe universal great vows." Yogic scholar Swami Brahmananda Saraswati revealedthe inner science of yama and niyama. They are the means,he said, to control the vitarkas, the cruel mental waves or thoughts,that when acted upon result in injury to others, untruthfulness, hoarding,discontent, indolence or selfishness. He stated, "For each vitarkayou have, you can create its opposite through yama and niyama,and make your life successful." The following paragraphs, with accompanyingillustrations by A. Manivel of Chennai, (please see hard copy) especiallyprepared in July in honor of the Hindu Student's Council and all similaryouth movements, elucidate the yamas and niyamas. Presentedfirst are the ten yamas, the do not's, which harness the instinctivenature, with its governing impulses of fear, anger, jealousy, selfishness,greed and lust. Second are illustrated the ten niyamas, the do's,the religious observances that cultivate and

bring forth the refined soulqualities, lifting awareness into the consciousness of the higher chakrasof love, compassion, selflessness, intelligence and bliss.

THE 10 VEDIC RESTRAINTS, YAMA

YAMA 1 Noninjury, Ahimsa Practice noninjury, not harming others by thought, wordor deed, even in your dreams. Live a kindly life, revering all beings asexpressions of the One Divine energy. Let go of fear and insecurity, thesources of abuse. Knowing that harm caused to others unfailingly returnsto oneself, live peacefully with God's creation. Never be a source of dread,pain or injury. Follow a vegetarian diet.

YAMA 2 Truthfulness, Satya Adhere to truthfulness, refraining from lying and betrayingpromises. Speak only that which is true, kind, helpful and necessary. Knowingthat deception creates distance, don't keep secrets from family or lovedones. Be fair, accurate and frank in discussions, a stranger to deceit.Admit your failings. Do not engage in slander, gossip or backbiting. Donot bear false witness against another.

YAMA 3 Nonstealing, Asteya Uphold the virtue of nonstealing, neither thieving, covetingnor failing to repay debt. Control your desires and live within your means.Do not use borrowed

resources for unintended purposes or keep them pastdue. Do not gamble or defraud others. Do not renege on promises. Do notuse others' name, words, resources or rights without permission and acknowledgement.

YAMA 4 Divine Conduct, Brahmacharya Practice divine conduct, controlling lust by remainingcelibate when single and faithful in marriage. Before marriage, use vitalenergies in study, and after marriage in creating family success. Don'twaste the sacred force by promiscuity in thought, word or deed. Be restrainedwith the opposite sex. Seek holy company. Dress and speak modestly. Shunpornography, sexual humor and violence.

YAMA 5 Patience, Kshama Exercise patience, restraining intolerance with peopleand impatience with circumstances. Be agreeable. Let others behave accordingto their nature, without adjusting to you. Don't argue, dominate conversationsor interrupt others. Don't be in a hurry. Be patient with children andthe elderly. Minimize stress by keeping worries at bay. Remain poised ingood times and bad.

YAMA 6 Steadfastness, Dhriti Foster steadfastness, overcoming nonperseverance, fear,indecision and changeableness. Achieve your goals with a prayer, purpose,plan, persistence and push. Be firm in your decisions. Avoid sloth andprocrastination. Develop

willpower, courage and industriousness. Overcomeobstacles. Never carp or complain. Do not let opposition or fear of failureresult in changing strategies.

YAMA 7 Compassion, Daya Practice compassion, conquering callous, cruel and insensitivefeelings toward all beings. See God everywhere. Be kind to people, animals,plants and the Earth itself. Forgive those who apologize and show trueremorse. Foster sympathy for others' needs and suffering. Honor and assistthose who are weak, impoverished, aged or in pain. Oppose family abuseand other cruelties.

YAMA 8 Honesty, Arjava Maintain honesty, renouncing deception and wrongdoing.Act honorably even in hard times. Obey the laws of your nation and locale.Pay your taxes. Be straightforward in business. Do an honest day's work.Do not bribe or accept bribes. Do not cheat, deceive or circumvent to achievean end. Be frank with yourself. Face and accept your faults without blamingthem on others.

YAMA 9 Moderate Appetite, Mitahara Be moderate in appetite, neither eating too much norconsuming meat, fish, shellfish, fowl or eggs. Enjoy fresh, wholesome vegetarianfoods that vitalize the body. Avoid junk food. Drink in moderation. Eatat regular times, only when hungry, at a moderate pace, never between meals,in a disturbed atmosphere or when upset. Follow a simple diet, avoidingrich or fancy fare.

YAMA 10 Purity, Saucha Uphold the ethic of purity, avoiding impurity in mind,body and speech. Maintain a clean, healthy body. Keep a pure, unclutteredhome and workplace. Act virtuously. Keep good company, never mixing withadulterers, thieves or other impure people. Keep away from pornographyand violence. Never use harsh, angered or indecent language. Worship devoutly.Meditate daily.

Allow yourself the expression of remorse, being modestand showing shame for misdeeds. Recognize your errors, confess and makeamends. Sincerely apologize to those hurt by your words or deeds. Resolveall contention before sleep. Seek out and correct your faults and bad habits.Welcome correction as a means to bettering yourself. Do not boast. Shunpride and pretension.

THE 10 VEDIC OBSERVANCES, NIYAMA

NIYAMA 1 Remorse, Hri Allow yourself the expression of remorse, being modestand showing shame for misdeeds. Recognize your errors, confess and makeamends. Sincerely apologize to those hurt by your words or deeds. Resolveall contention before sleep. Seek out and correct your faults and bad habits.Welcome correction as a means to bettering yourself. Do not boast. Shunpride and pretension.

NIYAMA 2

Contentment, Santosha Nurture contentment, seeking joy and serenity in life.Be happy, smile and uplift others. Live in constant gratitude for yourhealth, your friends and your belongings, Don't complain about what youdon't possess. Identify with the eternal You, rather than mind, body oremotions. Keep the mountaintop view that life is an opportunity for spiritualprogress. Live in the eternal now.

NIYAMA 3 Giving, Dana Be generous to a fault, giving liberally without thoughtof reward. Tithe, offering one-tenth of your gross income (dashamamsha),as God's money, to temples, ashrams and spiritual organizations. Approachthe temple with offerings. Visit guru with gifts in hand. Donatereligious literature. Feed and give to those in need. Bestow your timeand talents without seeking praise. Treat guests as God.

NIYAMA 4 Faith, Astikya Cultivate an unshakable faith. Believe firmly in God,Gods, guru and your path to enlightenment. Trust in the words ofthe masters, the scriptures and traditions. Practice devotion and sadhanato inspire experiences that build advanced faith. Be loyal to your lineage,one with your satguru. Shun those who try to break your faith byargument and accusation. Avoid doubt and despair.

NIYAMA 5 Worship, Ishvarapujana

Cultivate devotion through daily worship and meditation.Set aside one room of your home as God's shrine. Offer fruit, flowers orfood daily. Learn a simple puja and the chants. Meditate after each puja.Visit your shrine before and after leaving the house. Worship in heartfeltdevotion, clearing the inner channels to God, Gods and guru so theirgrace flows toward you and loved ones.

NIYAMA 6 Scriptural Listening, Siddhanta Shravana Eagerly hear the scriptures, study the teachings andlisten to the wise of your lineage. Choose a guru, follow his path anddon't waste time exploring other ways. Read, study and, above all, listento readings and dissertations by which wisdom flows from knower to seeker.Avoid secondary texts that preach violence. Revere and study the revealedscriptures, the Vedas and Agamas.

NIYAMA 7 Cognition, Mati Develop a spiritual will and intellect with your satguru'sguidance. Strive for knowledge of God, to awaken the light within. Discoverthe hidden lesson in each experience to develop a profound understandingof life and yourself. Through meditation, cultivate intuition by listeningto the still, small voice within, by understanding the subtle sciences,inner worlds and mystical texts.

NIYAMA 8 Sacred Vows, Vrata Embrace religious vows, rules and observances and neverwaver in fulfilling them. Honor vows as spiritual contracts with your soul,your community, with God, Gods

and guru. Take vows to harness theinstinctive nature. Fast periodically. Pilgrimage yearly. Uphold your vowsstrictly, be they marriage, monasticism, nonaddiction, tithing, loyaltyto a lineage, vegetarianism or nonsmoking.

NIYAMA 9 Recitation, Japa Chant your holy mantra daily, reciting the sacredsound, word or phrase given by your guru. Bathe first, quiet the mind andconcentrate fully to let japa harmonize, purify and uplift you. Heed yourinstructions and chant the prescribed repetitions without fail. Live freeof anger so that japa strengthens your higher nature. Let japaquell emotions and quiet the rivers of thought.

NIYAMA 10 Austerity, Tapas Practice austerity, serious disciplines, penance andsacrifice. Be ardent in worship, meditation and pilgrimage. Atone for misdeedsthrough penance (prayashchitta), such as 108 prostrations or fasting.Perform self-denial, giving up cherished possessions, money or time. Fulfillsevere austerities at special times, under a satguru's guidance,to ignite the inner fires of self-transformation.

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