The fifth Niyama is ISHVARA PRANIDHANA: The jewel of surrender to the divine force at work in our lives.
This force is immensely greater than we are, and cares deeply for us. Ultimately, this guideline invites us to surrender our egos, open our hearts and accept the higher purpose of our being. Not keeping score, not trying to be richer, not being afraid to lose and choosing to be happy no matter what happens to us.
Sounds a little like Savasana, no?!
Surrender to Flow!
We’ve tasted this jewel of surrender when we’ve found ourselves in the state of Flow: where you become so absorbed and entranced in an activity or thought process that you lose track of time and space, challenged and engrossed, til you emerge later, surprised at the time that has passed, and feeling invigorated and bright. This can happen in nature, in work, in hobbies, in art, in yoga and meditation. . . whenever you lose track of time.
A little taste of ISHVARA PRANIDHANA brings you closer to your spiritual core.
“As we learn to stop fighting life, we can begin to act skilfully. Striving for control makes us rigid and tight, and narrows our perspective. Getting rid of our armour opens a world of possibility, and makes us lighter, more comfortable for our journey, watching the inner sensations of contraction and expansion. Contraction is a feeling of constriction, pulling in. Expansion is a feeling of opening, creating space and wonder.” Deborah Adele
And I would add: another Yin and Yang!
And thus we’ve come to the end of these short blog posts . . . study and application . . . of the YAMA and NIYAMA. Thank you for reading and contemplating these concepts, I do hope you’ve found relevance and gentle guidance as you follow your path!
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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