Niyama, Svadhyaya (Self Study)

Svadhyaya is studying the nature of the self. We do this by learning spiritual teachings and contemplating their application to our lives. We then go on an inner exploration and question the spiritual concepts, meditating on how they serve our growth to find what rings true for us.

The attainment of spiritual knowledge may take many forms, reading books, time spent with teachers, and through lessons learned in our own life experiences. We should study from all schools of religious scriptures, ancient texts and sacred teachings. Read, ponder and question until you truly absorb the lessons they offer. It is not enough to just read the words and gain the knowledge of them. Time must be spent in loving self-reflection where we apply the knowledge to our own life’s occurrences. Knowledge coupled with loving adaptation becomes wisdom.

By learning sacred wisdom, we are better able to so slow down our reactions to life’s difficulties and deal with them wisely and lovingly when they arise. As this becomes our way over time, we get to experience ourselves as the loving and wise beings we inherently are.

Swadhyayad ishtadevata samprayogah.  (Owing to the learning and application of personal mantras, there is union with one's desired deity.)

-Patanjali Yoga Sutras ii:44

Namaste.