Yoga does not exist without good human relationships
There is no point in practising Yoga, meditation, mantras, if you do not know how to relate well with the others.
Yoga is any strictly practical methodology that conduces to samadhi.
Ethical Code of the Yogin
The ethical code of the yogin has 10 principles: 5 yamas, that concern the yogin´s relationship with the world, and 5 niyamas, that concern the yogin’s relationship with himself. These principles are exposed in the primary written source of Yoga, the Yoga Sutra of Patanjali.
Yamas, ethical proscriptions:
Ahimsa – non-aggression
The yogin must not gratuitously exert violence against any human, animal or nature in general, neither physically, nor by words, attitudes or thoughts, or allow that an aggression is perpetrated, when the yogin can prevent it.
However, the yogin must not be passive, but stand for his rights and beliefs.
Satya – truthfulness
The yogin must be truthful, do not lie or use falsity, either by mistaking, distorting or omiting facts.
However, this must not lead to a lack of tact or of kindness, for there are many ways of expressing the truth.
Asteya – not stealing
The yogin must not get hold of objects, ideas, credits or merits of others.
However, while opulence is a tacit theft, prosperity is a goal when it stands for an improvement in the quality of life.
Brahmacharya -non dissipation of sexuality
The yogin must not dissipate the sexuality, that occurs with the excessive practice of sex with orgasm.
However, this must not lead to puritanism or moralism, distancing or lack of affection.
Aparigraha –non possessiveness
The yogin must not cling to his possessions, nor to the possessions of others, or to his beloved ones. Jealousy and envy are reproachable manifestations of possession towards people, objects, or the accomplishment of others.
However, this must not lead to carelessness concerning possessions entrusted to us, or towards our beloved ones.
Niyamas – ethical prescriptions:
Sauchan – cleanness
The yogin must be clean, externally and internally, that is, both physically and psychically, avoiding intoxicating substances, ideas or feelings.
However, this must not lead to intolerance towards those who do not see cleanness in this wider sense.
Santosha – contentment
The yogin must develop the art of finding contentment in all situations.
However, this must not lead to self-indulgence or lack of self-improvement.
Tapas – surpass oneself
The yogin must observe a constant effort upon himself, in order to improve at every moment and circumstance.
However, this must not lead to fanatism, repression or any kind of mortification.
Swadhyaya – self-study
The yogin must search self-knowledge by observing himself, concentrating and meditating, reading, and through sociability, friendship and companionship, for self-study must not lead to alienation from the world.
Ishwara pranidhana – self-commitment
The yogin must always be confident that life follows its natural laws and that every effort for self-surpassing must be conquered without anxiety, handing the fruits of his action to a higher will, whose intents are sometimes unfathomable.
However, this must not lead to fatalism or negligence.
(based on DeRose, 2008, Tratado de Yoga, pp. 799-807)
