The four tenets of yogic speech, also known as the Four Gates of Speech, are guidelines for communicating mindfully and positively, based on the principles of yoga philosophy.
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Satya (truthfulness)
- This tenet emphasizes the importance of speaking truthfully and honestly, without causing harm or injury to oneself or others. It encourages us to speak in a way that is kind, helpful, and respectful.
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Ahimsa (non-harming)
- This principle emphasizes the importance of avoiding speech that is hurtful, critical, or negative. It encourages us to speak in a way that is gentle, compassionate, and non-violent.
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Brahmacharya (wise use of energy)
- This tenet encourages us to use our speech wisely. To avoid wasting our energy on speech that is frivolous, meaningless, or harmful. It encourages us to speak purposefully, and to use our words to promote harmony, understanding, and positivity.
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Aparigraha (non-attachment)
- This principle encourages us to detach from the desire for recognition, approval, or attention that can often drive our speech. It encourages us to speak from a place of authenticity and integrity, rather than seeking external validation or gratification.
The Four Gates of Speech
The four gates of speech are important to yoga philosophy. They emphasize the role of speech in our spiritual and personal development. In yoga philosophy, speech is seen as a powerful tool for self-expression, communication, and connection with others. However, it is also recognized that speech can be a source of harm, negativity, and conflict if not used mindfully and positively. By following the principles of satya, ahimsa, brahmacharya, and aparigraha, we can cultivate a more conscious and compassionate approach to communication, both with ourselves and with others. These principles encourage us to speak truthfully, kindly, purposefully, and authentically, and to avoid speech that is harmful, meaningless, or driven by ego.
Living Your Yoga
Through mindful and positive speech, we can promote greater harmony, understanding, and connection with ourselves and with the world around us. This is essential to the practice of yoga, which seeks to cultivate a sense of unity, wholeness, and wellbeing, both within ourselves and in our relationships with others. When our life philosophy is evident in our actions, we are embracing authentic living.
Embodiment & Study
The concept of the four gates of yogic speech comes from the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, a foundational text of classical yoga philosophy. In the second chapter of the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali discusses the five moral disciplines (yamas) and five personal observances (niyamas) that are necessary for progressing on the path of yoga. One of the niyamas is called svadhyaya, or self-study, which includes the practice of careful speech.
In sutra 2.30, Patanjali introduces the idea of the four gates of speech (vāk) that a yogi should consider before speaking. The four gates are:
- Is it true? (satya)
- Is it kind? (priya)
- Is it necessary? (hitam)
- Is it the right time? (mita)
By considering these four gates before speaking, a yogi can ensure that their words are honest, beneficial, and spoken with compassion and mindfulness. This can help cultivate harmony, understanding, and connection in relationships, and promote personal growth and spiritual development.