The fourth Niyama is SVADHYAYA: Self-study (and the study of sacred texts) enables us to begin to understand the layers of our being and to know our true identity. This process of knowing ourselves honestly creates a pathway to freedom from reactions, old patterns, and self criticism.
We have a gag in my family . . . when you have a small gift to give, we package it over and over in slightly larger boxes. It looks like a big gift at the start, and eventually as the receiver unwraps, they realize it’s deeply buried treasure. This is SVADHYAYA! Unpeeling the layers of your conditioned responses, patiently looking for the truth within.
I’ve had a lightbulb moment as I pondered Svadhyaya
I have a visceral gut reaction to things like horn honking, fingers wagging, tisking, pontificating and the like. I see red. I snap. So I thought, let’s unpeel the layers to this reaction. Why do I let these things get to me, they’re all external?
I wondered ‘Do I have issues with authority?’ Nah, I respect hierarchy. ‘Am I feeling stressed?’ No again. ‘Is this a conditioned response?’ Um, yes, that may be it. I had a happy childhood, within the context of strict Christianity. I went to Bible College (BA in Sacred Music), and spent many hours each week supporting the ministry and community. However it was a patriarchal culture, women didn’t have a voice, we wore veils, like many religions their beliefs were the only right beliefs, and I eventually separated myself from it.
Grey Curly Hair Reveal
This gut reaction of mine showed up again recently. I decided to cut my covid hair . . . cut it short, a new look! I pulled up images of curly grey hair styles, and showed my stylist saying ‘Let’s get ahead of my grey!’. She said flatly ‘No. We’re not doing that.’ ‘But I think it would look great on me?’ ‘Nope.’
I felt my BP rising. I sputtered a bit, then asked why. When she explained she’d have to take all the colour out, put the grey mix back in, and within a month, my hair would be breaking off. ‘Thank you. Now I understand.’ And I thought ‘Thank goodness I didn’t over react!’ Maybe there is hope for me yet!
We are to witness, and not react.
SVADHYAYA invites us to not shun the unpleasant parts of ourselves, but to carry them with compassion, impartiality and course-corrections. We are to witness and watch ourselves act and respond. It is this self awareness that begins to bring healing in our lives, as we recognize the Divine within us.
“When faced with any disharmony, our tendency is to blame what is outside of us, and then justify what we’re thinking or feeling. If we are courageous enough to trace that disharmony back to ourselves, we can begin to unpack our boxes and open up to vast amounts of freedom that brings us closer to our true essence.” Deborah Adele
Our last Niyama teaches us to surrender to flow and the feeling of expansion: Ishvara Pranidhana!
SOURCES: ‘Get to Know the Eight Limbs of Yoga’, article in Yoga Journal 2007, Mara Carrico ‘The Yamas and Niyamas: Exploring Yoga’s Ethical Practice’, Deborah Adele, 2009 deborahadele.com/ ‘Ten Ways to Heal Your Life’, article from Yoga Conference, 2013, Randal Williams
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