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How Do You Offer Yourself Care?

अहिंसासत्यास्तेय ब्रह्मचर्यापरिग्रहा यमाः॥२.३०॥

Ahimsā-satya-asteya-brahmacarya-aparigrahā yamāḥ

Non-harm (ahimsa), truth (satya), non-stealing (asteya), energy management (brahmacarya), and non-possessiveness or letting go (aparigraha) are the yamas (ethical restraints)."

— Yoga Sutras of Patanjali 2.30

Here we learn that ahimsa is the foundation of all other yamas. It means abstaining from harm in action, speech, and thought—toward all beings, including oneself. We are prompted to be mindful of our actions: maximizing care, and minimizing harm. In relation to self it asks “How might I practice self care?”

Satya, or connecting with the true essence prompts us to see things as they are not through our desires and interpretations. This is a practice of listening to the soul’s truth and acting with integrity. It is also rooted in establishing ourselves in our beingness as we deeply listen to another with our eyes, ears, and heart. It whispers the question, “Is what I am doing or saying creating more division or connection?”

Asteya, which is literally translated as non-stealing, leads us to generosity. This is our opportunity to uplift others. It reminds us of our inherent enoughness. It asks, “What might I appreciate right now?”

Brahmacarya encourages respect of our life force. We are mindful of our energy use and where we place attention. We practice balance. It asks, “What is it that gets in the way of directing your energy towards the highest good for yourself and another?”

In order to hold our attention on what matters and maintain balance we need aparigraha, or a practice of noticing what we hold onto and what is no longer needed or fails to serve higher good. We are prompted to let it go, and this makes space for what does serve our path.

अत्याहारः प्रयासश्च प्रजल्पो नियमाग्रहः।
जनसङ्गश्च लौल्यं च षड्भिर्योगो विनश्यति॥१.१५॥

Atyāhāraḥ prayāsaś ca prajalpo niyamāgrahaḥ |
Janasaṅgaś ca laulyaṁ ca ṣaḍbhir yogo vinaśyati ||1.15||

Overeating, overexertion, excessive talk, rigid adherence to rules, bad company, and fickleness of mind - by these six yoga is destroyed.

— Hatha Yoga Pradipika 1.15

In this verse we are reminded that our practice (life) is a balance. We are encouraged not to push beyond our body/mind capacity. We want to practice self-awareness to avoid blind adherence to rules. These influences disrupt our progress. We practice ahimsa to limit harm.