Svadyaya: Four keys to self study
I am a little over infatuated with learning, accumulating books, and acquiring certificates. New knowledge makes my brain tingle and I feel the need to constantly chase a new idea.
Sometimes this works in my favor, and sometimes it just places me in the “too many pursuits” category.
And I have a huge pile of books I haven’t read yet! Does that happen to you too?
The fourth of the Niyamas is Svadyaya—the art of self study. In Yoga, Power, & Spirit, Alberto Villoldo translates this sutra as follows:
The gods
the great teachers of the past
and the luminous masters
all become visible to the man who knows
his own nature and cultivates wisdom. (sutra 2:44)
Self study is a little different than simply chasing new ideas. We have to know our own nature. That is the key. Self study involves pausing, reflecting, and asking guiding questions: Why does this interest me? Why do I react that way? What purpose will it serve? Does is help further my path?
Svadyaya does involve learning, reading, and our classic understanding of the word “study.” But the learning of Svadyaya must include questions of deeper inquiry and reflection. The process of self study involves recognizing our habit patterns, our thought processes, and our physical, emotional, and mental reactions.
Through the process of self study, we can begin to differentiate the mental chatter, what Patanjali calls the “chitta-vrittis,” from the part of our self that has clear seeing and clear knowing (vidya). This process is the real work of yoga.
Another way to understand this sutra is: to study the Self is to discover the divine. Yoga is also about our connection to a higher Self, that which is greater than our little ego human self. Some people might call this “god” or “goddess” and some might simply call this “spirit.” One of the things I love and admire about India and Indian philosophy is the understanding that the divine has many names. In yoga this entity is often referred to as Atman or Isvara Pranidhana. There will be more on this topic in the explanation of the final Niyama.
Four Keys to the Art of Self Study
Meditate: The only way to know what the mind is doing is to simply sit and watch it. Many people have the mistaken belief that to meditate is to stop or to still the mind. I suspect this is only possible for the most adept of practitioners, so don’t hold that expectation for yourself. Simply observe what thoughts do come through, but observe them with a little distance and space. That is the greatest gift of meditation, creating space between your thoughts and your reactions.
Study and learning: Do read books, especially books from various wisdom traditions. Learn about new things and gain new information. Do so with an open mind and with humility. If you are a yoga practitioner (and I assume you are if you are reading this!) do read the Yoga Sutras, the Bhagavad Gita, and the writings of any other wise spiritual teachers, such as Paramahansa Yogananda’s Autobiography of a Yogi. I believe reading and learning is a vital part of the human experience.
Practice Yoga: Asana and pranayama help us to observe our physical habit patterns. The body expresses the chatter and distractions of the mind. Asana helps us to better understand where we hold tension, strain, where there is weakness or strength. Pranayama helps us to slow down the thinking mind and learn how to take a deep breath before we react to a thought. The more you practice yoga with the intention of observing and learning your habit patterns (instead of practicing just to get a good physical work out, which has its benefits but isn’t the real goal of yoga!), the more you will learn about yourself. Learning about yourself is the goal.
Journal: This is essential—you must take the time to pause and reflect on all of this study. I think of journaling as having a little conversation with myself. I tell myself what I notice, how I feel, and then I respond to myself about it all. Writing is very powerful. Write about what you are reading and how it makes you feel. Write about your thoughts and what happens in your day. Write about your yoga practice and what you observe. There is no particular expectation in the writing. What is important is that your writing is honest. You don’t have to show it to anyone so don’t hide anything.
Two other keys to Svadyaya are to be humble and to trust the process. Our many years of schooling makes us think and feel that we need to get it right, get a good grade, or receive someone’s approval in this process. Our ego-selves crave that approval! But that won’t help you in this process. You will make mistakes, it won’t always feel good, and that is ok. You need to trust in the process and trust that change will happen over time as you commit to your practice.
