In this “modern” world we think of virtues as a burden, but actually the practice of virtues makes us a fit vessel for the energies of awakening, leading us to greater joy. Action in accordance with virtues allows us to become a channel for all that is elevated, and awakens our inherent divine nature.
Practice of any one of the virtues helps us to gain mastery of the others, because they are all interconnected.
In his Yoga Sutras, Sage Pantanjali included yamas (“restraints,” i.e. actions to avoid) and niyamas (“observances,” i.e. positive actions) as the initial practices leading to the ultimate goal of samadhi, or total absorption in the Divine.
Non-Violence (Ahimsa) – Listed as one of Patanjali’s yamas, non-violence is considered to be a state of consciousness that is capable of overcoming the force of violence.
Truthfulness (Satya): Patanjali lists avoiding non-truths as one of the yamas, and in Hinduism truth itself is considered a powerful force. In fact, Gandhi created his political movement towards India’s independence based on “satyagraha,” which Gandhi considered to be the force of truth itself. Patanjali in fact writes that for the sage who is firmly established in truthfulness, whatever he speaks becomes reality.
Contentment (Santosh) – The mind that is ever grasping is never happy. This is because once aroused the desire nature becomes a kind of fire that never has enough, and accordingly is very hard to subdue. It is for this reason that Patanjali elevates the virtue of contentment, stating that: “From contentment arises superlative happiness.” (2.42).
Compassion and Empathy – When we come across someone who is suffering or in distress, our hearts should be open to them since the natural expression of love is compassion for their suffering. Likewise, when someone is joyful in our presence, the natural expression of love is to share that joy and happiness. On the other hand, we should be indifferent to wicked behavior. Should we lash out at them, we will lose our mental power and peace of mind. (See 1.33 of the Yoga Sutras).
Humility – In 2.3 Patanjali describes the obstructions of the mind (kleshas) that cause suffering. Chief among these is “egoity,” or prevalence of the ego-mind. When we conquer the ego so that it is our servant and not our task master, we arrive at humility and simplicity, which is God-like. The expression of humility is the natural outcome of our awakening to the truth that in our essential nature we are all the same–a spark of the Divine. It revels in the joy of service, seeing the Divine ever present as the very Self of others.
Non-Attachment and Non-Stealing- The mind is very difficult to control when it is constantly outgoing, thinking of objects or experiences in the world. Patanjali tells the aspirant to practice non-attachment, described in 1.15. “The subjugation of the thirst for objects seen or heard of is called non-attachment.” As this sense of non-attachment develops, we no longer hanker for what belongs to others, and therefore can easily practice Patanjali’s yama of “non-stealing” (Asteya).
Patience – Whatever we desire in life will come to us, but in its own divine timing. Those who realise this are the happiest among us, and have developed the beautiful virtue of patience. They may also have developed non-attachment, realizing that true and permanent joy comes from within, not from what the world can provide. Patience leads to calmness and to simple and blessed joy.
Faith – (Sraddha) – Nothing in life can be obtained without faith. One must keep the goal in mind, and then apply energy to the task, trusting in the process. In describing the spiritual aspirant’s movement towards the goal of samadhi, Patanjali writes that the goal: “…is attained through faith, energy, memory, concentration and discrimination (of the real from the unreal).” (1.20)
For those who are interested in further study of this topic, the reader is referred to the Swami Vivekananda commentary on the Yoga Sutras, entitled “Raja Yoga.”