Sacrificing Conscience

It’s all fair game…

In Yoga, we have the disciplines of Yama and Niyama.

Yama gives us restrictions. Niyama gives us observances.

And in the mainstream approach towards Yoga, we are encouraged docile virtues like non-violence as restrictions, while being told to pursue contentment as an observance.

Perhaps these things will help people feel spiritual…

And they may even create some desirable mind impressions or imagination.

And, if these virtues were adopted by everyone, they would perhaps lead toward a harmonious social structure.

All that being said… You guessed it: I have a radically different approach!

Here is another, equally valid perspective towards Yama and Niyama.

I claim that these can create the foundation of a sincere and natural Yoga.

And in the spirit of tantric practice, they also provide a complete reversal of mainstream values and a rejection of human fantasy.

Enjoy!

Yama:

• Non-stupidity: Refusing to be stupid.
• Non-gullibility: Refusing to be gullible, easy to manipulate.
• Non-poverty: Refusing to be poor, impoverished, dependent on others.
• Non-obedience: Refusing to be obedient. Not doing what you are told just because authority says so.
• Non-weakness: Refusing to be weak. Refusing to stay subservient.

Niyama:

• Irreverence: not caring what anyone else thinks. Not living by anyone else’s standards or definitions.
• Ambition: desire to ascend higher. The urge to power.
• Discipline: intelligent and sustained application of effort.
• Self-Sincerity: Being true to oneself. Integrity.
• Caution: Non-surrender to the natural way of things. Suspicion of systems and spirits.