This forth niyama is called Swadyaya, which is self study. This niyama meant to study the Divine through scriptures and reciting mantras. Mantras are a repetitive phrase that can turn scattered attention into focused clarity. But times have changed a bit, and we can do self study through reading, being in nature, and introspection which will lead us to the higher power innate in all of us. Some of the best types of self-study are walks in nature alone.

" Learn what you are, and be such" Says the poet, Pindar.

We seem to have two selves. One which is a small self; an individual construct, and the other which is the universal Self, also called Soul. If we don't do any contemplating at the soul consciousness level, then we become ensnared by our ego's viewpoint entirely. We get lost in the story of who we think we are and forget that we have this potential inside of us. Asana and pranayama (intentional postures and breath techniques) allow us to find an intimacy with this Self that is present in all of us, an intimacy that is not through the intellect, but through the core of our being. This relationship is built by an outward and an inner observation and becomes a reflection of how we feel the Divine Self. I think this concept is most easily felt in practicing gratitude. What about right now are you grateful for? What does that feel like? Who is the one that is experiencing this gratitude?

Seeking without practicing is a type of mal-nourishment, like knowledge without action or action without knowledge. Feeding the soul the nourishment it needs comes through the teachings and the art of practicing new perspectives and removing old beliefs that don't serve us. Knowing the True Self within enables us to do whatever it is that we do with freedom, clarity, and creativity. What we admire in others is also within ourself. We see reflections of ourselves in others and we ourselves reflect the Divine. We are all hungry for truth and so we should never stop asking questions.

This is like being an observer, looking through a window covered in dirt. When you remove the dirt, you can see through the window. In this case, the window to the soul. Self study is the practice of focusing the lens of seeing within and removing obstacles that prevent clear seeing. This ties in with the first niyama of cleanliness, but more in a metaphorical sense.

Reflect:

What books have you read that helped you to understand more about yourself? What did you learn?

Can you use a mantra to help focus on the nature of self study? Heres a fun example: say your own name over and over again until it feels plain weird and then note who is the one that is feeling weird about being this name?