SVADHYAYA study through contemplation - Niyama 4

“SVA” means “self” and “ADHYAYA” means “study through contemplation”. Therefore, SVADHYAYA means “the study of the self through contemplation”.

This means both the study of the inner human Self and the study of the Objective Science of the Whole (YOGA) which leads to the discovery of the Self.

This science includes all the authentic spiritual knowledge of our planet. As a bee collects the nectar of many flowers, the yogi should enrich himself with all the genuine truths of all spiritual paths.

A continuous reading of, and sincere reflection upon the traditional texts of Wisdom, prepares the way for experimenting through personal practice the higher levels of knowledge and awareness.

Contrary to the general opinion, these texts are not philosophical points of view only, but practical instructions of experimenting new states of mind.

Language is used as an explanatory inducement toward the liberating experience. At the beginning, some of these texts may seem to make no sense, especially to a westerner.

But they convey extremely profound wisdom and contain condensed information which is supposed to be meditated (SAMYAMA) upon.

Suggested readings:

• SHIVA SAMHITA
• YOGA SUTRA of PATANJALI
• GERANDA SAMHITA
• BHAGAVAD GITA
• The Four Gospels
• The Gospel according to Thomas
• TAO TEH CHING by LAO TZE
• The UPANISHADS
• TABULA SMARAGDINA and SEPHER JESIRAH, two cabalistic texts
• HATHA YOGA PRADIPIKA

Usually, the traditional texts are available in translation only. Unfortunately, through translation a lot of the original meaning is lost.

Read more than two translations of the same texts and try to become familiar with the technical terms and with their multiple meanings.