Have you ever felt lost and unsure of your direction in life? Maybe you’ve strayed from your path, or you’re struggling to make decisions that align with your values. If so, it might be time to create and live by a personal moral and ethical code. This powerful and empowering tool can help you navigate life with confidence and purpose, and give you a sense of direction.

It’s important to remember that it’s okay to seek guidance and inspiration from others, but ultimately, it’s up to each of us to define our own morals and ethics. By creating our own code, we can feel more in control of our actions and better equipped to live with integrity.

The first time I was ever tasked with creating my own personal moral and ethical code, instead of just blindly following the codes observed around me or that I adopted without thinking about it, was when I attended YTT (Yoga Teacher Training). This is where I learned about the history of the practice, more specifically, Ashtanga Vinyasa.

The first two limbs of Ashtanga Yoga, the Yamas and Niyamas, form a widely recognized and practiced moral and ethical code. These principles are meant to serve as a guide for living a more virtuous and fulfilling life and tell us how to engage with the world ethically.

They include:

Yamas (Restraints): 

• Ahimsa (non-harming): Ahimsa extends beyond refraining from physical harm. It encompasses cultivating compassion and empathy towards all living beings. It encourages us to avoid not only physical harm but also emotional harm, including hurtful words and intentions. By recognizing our interconnectedness with all life, we strive to promote peace and harmony in the world.

• Satya (truthfulness): Satya is about aligning our words and actions with our inner truth. It involves not only speaking honestly to others but also being truthful to ourselves. This principle encourages self-awareness and authenticity, acknowledging that each person holds a unique truth within themselves.

• Asteya (non-stealing): Asteya teaches us contentment and the idea that our desires can be satisfied within rather than by seeking external possessions. It urges us to respect the belongings and creations of others and not to take what isn't freely given. This principle reminds us that true abundance comes from an inner sense of fulfillment.

• Brahmacharya (continence, self-control): Brahmacharya is often associated with moderation and self-control, particularly over our desires and senses. Traditionally understood as celibacy, but in modern practice, it emphasizes channeling our energy and passions in a balanced and purposeful way. This self-mastery helps us maintain focus on our spiritual journey.

• Aparigraha (non-covetousness, non-possessiveness): Aparigraha encourages us to let go of attachment to material possessions and the desire for more. By freeing ourselves from the burden of excessive possessions, we create space for personal growth and spiritual development. It teaches us that true wealth lies in contentment with what we have.

Niyamas (Observances): 

• Saucha (cleanliness, purity): Saucha involves maintaining physical cleanliness but goes deeper, encouraging purification of the mind and spirit. It means ridding ourselves of negative thoughts, bad habits, and impurities in our actions. A pure mind and body provide a fertile ground for spiritual growth.

• Santosha (contentment): Santosha encourages us to find contentment in the present moment rather than constantly seeking happiness in the future. It involves appreciating what we have and letting go of the "I will be happy when..." mindset. This principle leads to a more peaceful and balanced life.

• Tapas (discipline, self-control): Tapas is the fire of self-discipline, motivating us to maintain focus and dedication to our spiritual and personal goals. It involves enduring discomfort for the sake of growth and transformation. By practicing tapas, we strengthen our willpower and determination.

• Svadhyaya (self-study): Svadhyaya encourages self-reflection and introspection. It involves studying sacred texts and delving into our own thoughts, emotions, and experiences to gain a deeper understanding of ourselves. This self-awareness helps us align with our true nature.

• Ishvara Pranidhana (surrender to a higher power): Ishvara Pranidhana invites us to let go of our ego, surrendering our will to a higher power or divine presence. It's about releasing attachments to outcomes and living authentically without imposing rigid expectations on ourselves or others.

These definitions are inspired by the traditional meanings. The topic of discussion through YTT was understanding these codes from a traditional sense, from each of our individual interpretations, and whether or not we personally agree with them. This inspired very interesting discussions that I will outline further in the future, so stay tuned! 

While it is good to take what resonates with you and leave the rest, I encourage you to seek out opposition and challenges to your own beliefs. If something doesn’t agree with you, it might be an opportunity for challenge and growth. Or it may simply not be in alignment with who you are, and that’s okay too. But if you never question it, you will never truly know.

It’s important to check in with yourself and your beliefs periodically to ensure that your values are in alignment with who you are in the present moment. As we grow and evolve, it’s natural for our moral and ethical code to shift and adapt as well.

Life is messy, and people are messy. But even when we stray from our path, our personal moral and ethical code serves as a compass, guiding us back to what is authentic and true to ourselves. It’s not always easy to follow this code, especially when we’re faced with challenges and temptations. But even when we make mistakes, it’s important to remember that we’re all human and we all have the capacity for forgiveness and growth. So when you find yourself lost, take a deep breath and look to your moral and ethical code to guide you back to your true north.

Do you have a personal moral and ethical code that guides your actions and decisions? If so, have you ever reflected on the origins of your code and whether it remains in alignment with your values and who you are as a person?

-Kassandra Moreno
LMT, ACSM CPT, RYT, CH, +