Self-study or Svadhyaya

Sep-10th-2014

Self-study or Svadhyaya is such an important part of the yoga path. One of the niyamas or sacred observances, self-study includes taking time to reflect upon your own thoughts, attitudes, behaviours and contribution to the world. It’s a time to be honest – really honest with yourself and not to stay under the spell the ego has cast as to what your true motivations are in your dealings with the external world. Svadhyaya also incorporates study of spiritual texts, leading to illumination and that constant reminder we all need daily to remain aware, loving and close to Universal consciousness. So whilst this sounds heavy and serious, it really isn’t. Svadhyaya becomes a natural part of any conscious being’s life by choice. It’s a joy to unravel the mysteries of yourself and be in state of constant questing for more spiritual knowledge. To lighten this concept up, I took this cheeky shot of myself studying one of the MHY teacher training manuals 🙂

Carrie