Yoga Sutras - Niyamam
The first step is Iyamam. We saw that in the previous blog.
The second step is Niyamam.
Niyamam means the things which are told in the good books.
Now, the question will come, what is a good book? Who will certify? Can we have some examples of a good book?
These are difficult questions to answer because each answer will bring thousands of follow-up questions.
I will share the traditional way. You may or may not agree to it. If you find a better way, you should definitely use that.
There are three ways to know the truth in life, including what to read, what to believe, what to practice etc.
https://yogasutrasimplified.blogspot.com/2021/01/yoga-sutras-niyamam.html
(click the above link to continue reading)
First, by our own experience. We see, hear, touch, feel, smell, and understand the world through our senses. Each experience gives some knowledge. We can use that knowledge to find out the truth. But these sensory perceptions are not highly reliable. Our senses can fool us.
One day, a king returned to his palace after a war. He was tired. He was wounded. He went to see his queen. He went to her place and saw her sleeping with a young man hugging him. That young man was so charming and handsome. The king's anger found no boundary. He pulled out his sword to cut both their heads. He hesitated for a moment and woke them up. The queen explained that the boy was their son who was lost in his young ages and found his way home now.
Second, so we need something better than our own sensory experiences to know the truth. The second one is "thinking". Thinking, reasoning, analyzing will help us to refine our experience through the senses. Drinking alcohol or smoking gives pleasure immediately. But if we think, we will know that it is not good for our health. Our senses can befool us. We mind can help here.
Third, our mind has limited exposure. Two people thinking about the same thing can come to two different conclusions. Now, which one to take? If you take your problem to few of your friends, each one will one answer. Which one will you take? All are your well-wishers only.
Here comes the third one.
