Saucha: The First Niyama

 The Yamas and Niyamas form an integral part of the eight-fold Yogic path. These observances, as explained in Yoga Sutras, are intended to be respected and followed throughout the yogic journey.

 

 

Saucha is the first Niyama which translates to cleanliness or purity. In the present day, people relate cleanliness to the physical body, home and surroundings. A very important aspect, which is the purity of mind, is often or always, overlooked.

Consciously or unconsciously, we pile numerous “impurities” or negative thoughts into our minds regularly.  These aversions, anger, negativity, hatred or jealousy can clog our thinking and affect our behavior.  We should work towards cleansing these impurities from our minds.

What does Saucha mean in Yogic terms?

 

In Yoga, Saucha is not just about external purity, but also the purity of the mind. Saucha includes purity in words, thought, and action.  It is such a simple concept, yet so deep in its meaning and the way it can change our lives.

What can we learn from Ancient India and our traditions about Saucha?

It is essential to begin with external cleanliness as it paves the way for Saucha within.The importance given to purity in ancient India is evident when we look at the art and science of construction called “Vaastu shastra”. This architectural treasure, described in the Vedas dates back to more than 5000 years.  In layman’s terms, Vaastu offers a system of construction which ensures uniform energy flow within the dwelling space. Our ancestors were aware of the connection between the immediate environment and its effect on our state of being.

Likewise, the Niyamas, are also embedded into the lifestyle in a traditional Hindu household. I am blessed to have born into a family with great emphasis on spirituality. As a child, I remember waking up to the sound of Pooja bells and Rudram Chamakam, the smell of camphor and incense, and the sight of my father performing Shiva Pooja. The energy in the house was divine.

 My parents woke up early and performed pooja with utmost faith and dedication every single day. There was never a lazy Sunday where the routine was skipped.  Cleanliness of the body and the pooja room was a prerequisite. The mantra chanting, meditation, and the pooja itself took care of the internal cleansing. Looking back, I see, not just Saucha, but all the Niyamas well ingrained into their life.

 

How can we incorporate Saucha in our daily lives?

We can take small steps towards practicing purity within and our surroundings.

Cleanliness of the surroundings:

• Tidy up the home, your office desk and surroundings.
• Pay attention to cleanliness of the body. This isa great way to work towards clarity within.
• When you feel low or negative, recharge yourself by going for a walk-in nature.

Purity in food:

Be aware of what you consume. Eat fresh and home cooked meals whenever possible and try to stay away from processed food.

Cleansing the Mind:

The busy materialistic world today finds us constantly short of time and permanently stressed.  We cannot erase clutter from the  mind like a computer by pressing  delete. But we can all take little steps which can go a long way.

 

Practice pranayama, and meditation every day:

 Breathing and meditation peels away the layers of frustrations and emotions that we store within and bring clarity and stability.

Exercise : Sit in a quiet place with eyes closed and start to observe the breath. Feel the flow of breath inward from the tip of the nose. Be aware of the natural movement of the stomach as we breath. Be aware of the exhalation. This is a great way to quiet the mind. Gentle or soothing music can be used initially, especially when the mind refuses to cooperate.

 

Observe Purity in your thoughts and eliminate impure thoughts:

Another simple exercise as described in the Yoga Sutras is to categorise your thoughts. Our thoughts can be simply labelled as “coloured” or “not useful/negative” and “uncoloured” which are neutral.

This can be applied throughout the day and during meditation. When you have an unwanted thought, gently suggest to your mind that it is coloured and not beneficial. Observe the thought, but do not dwell on it further.Entertaining negativities summons more negativity, affecting our emotions, mood and mind. By performing this exercise, we eliminate additional chaos within ourselves, thereby working towards purity.

Purity in Relationships:

In addition, Yoga sutras guide us towards purity in our relationships by cultivating positive attitudes: (sutra 1:33)

• Compassion towards the needy
• Friendliness towards those who are content
• Well wishes to those who work towards betterment or positive changes.
• Neutrality towards those who affect us in a negative way.

Follow purity in  words and actions:

Below are some steps we can follow in words and actions:

• Break away from gossip and take responsibility for your actions. Positive thoughts can lead to positive actions.
• Be truthful towards yourself and others.
• Try not to react in anger or in a negative mindset. Be aware of your speech.

 

There are occasions when we are not able to maintain positivity. In these instances, it might be best to walk away, to recharge and reassess the situation and come back with a fresh mind.

 

It is important to note that Yoga is never about suppression.  We have to  train our mind towards the right attitude, moving away from unwanted thoughts slowly, rather than suppressing the emotions. It is a work in progress.

 

Yama, Niyama, Asana, and Pranayama, when done with the right intention, aid to cleanse our mind, one layer at a time.They are not exclusive to each other, but rather, work together to guide us towards moral and spiritual growth.  Let us find time to clear clutter from both our surroundings and the mind. With a bit of commitment, we can incorporate Saucha,in its true sense – of the surroundings, body, and mind, into our lives and work towards becoming a better human being.

Written By:

Hema Laxman,

Owner, Flamingo Yoga & Wellness