The Meditation of Patanjali

Eight Steps to Union

<li>Yama: Self-Restraint
1. Ahimsa: to not harm; kindness, compassion; love for all
2. Satyam: truthfulness
3. Asteya: to not steal
4. Brahmacharya: chastity, sexual purity
5. Aparigraha: renunciation, non-avariciousness, freedom from desires
1. Niyama: Observances, Precepts
   1. Saucha: to be pure and clean, physically and psychologically
   2. Santosha: to have contentment, to be happy with what you have and where you are
   3. Tapas: austerity or penance, paying your karma
   4. Svadhyaya: study of scriptures and teachings, jnana yoga
   5. Ishvara-Pranidhana: self-remembering
2. Asana: Relaxed Posture
3. Pranayama: Control of Energy, Harnessing of Life Force
4. Pratyahara: Withdrawal, Suspension of Senses
5. Dharana: Concentration
6. Dhyana: Meditation
7. Samadhi: Experience of Reality