An established decency and integrity in how we interact with those around us provides a firm foundation
for us to walk our individual paths on.
Indeed, it is an essential foundation to successful progress.
Patañjali offered us the yamas.
They are universal principles, fundamental to a healthy society.
We are, from birth, inter-dependent on others, morality guides us to build healthy and fruitful relationships.
How we behave towards others reveals our state of mind and our personality.
Patañjali’s Yamas:
- Non-harm, non-violence, consideration, kindness
- Truthfulness, right communication
- Non-stealing, not taking that which is not ours
- Moderation, right direction of our energy/attention, sexual virtue
- Not coveting, grabbing or accumulating
The Buddha added:
- Non-intoxication
References;
Yoga Sutras 02:30
“ahiṃsā-satya-asteya-brahmacarya-aparigrahāḥ yamāḥ”
“The restraints are nonviolence, truthfulness, nonstealing, sexual restraint and nonpossession.”
trans. Christopher Chapple