My Daily Thread

शौचसन्तोषतपःस्वाध्यायेश्वरप्रणिधानानि नियमाः

1:32. śauca-santoṣa-tapaḥ-svādhyāya-īśvara-praṇidhānāni niyamāḥ

In the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, the Niyamas are the inner disciplines of yoga. If the Yamas describe how we relate to the world around us, the Niyamas describe how we relate to ourselves.

They are practical, grounded practices—not moral rules or spiritual ideals to perfect. They're ways of organizing our inner life so that clarity, steadiness, and freedom become possible.

Patanjali offers five Niyamas. Each one is a practice of attention. Each one asks us to take responsibility—not for controlling life—but for shaping the quality of our inner experience.

Today, we'll briefly name each Niyama and then explore them one by one, not as theory, but as lived practice.

1. Saucha — Cleanliness Saucha is about clarity and purification—of the body, the mind, and the environment we live in. It asks a simple question: What am I allowing in?

2. Santosha — Contentment Santosha is the practice of being at peace with what is, without giving up the desire to grow. It's learning to stop arguing with reality.

3. Tapas — Disciplined Effort Tapas is the steady heat of practice—the willingness to stay with discomfort in service of growth, not punishment. It's where transformation happens.

4. Svadhyaya — Self-Study Svadhyaya is honest self-reflection. It's the courage to look inward, notice our patterns, and learn from them rather than run from them.

5. Ishvara Pranidhana — Surrender Ishvara Pranidhana is the practice of letting go—of control, of ego, of the belief that we're doing this alone. It's trusting something larger than our personal will.

Man in the Arena

In this episode, Jeff reads and reflects on one of the most enduring passages on courage and participation: Theodore Roosevelt's "Theodore Roosevelt'" from his 1910 speech Citizenship in a Republic.

This reflection isn't about winning, achievement, or public success. It's about something far more intimate and challenging — the willingness to step into the arena of our own lives, imperfectly and honestly, rather than standing safely on the sidelines as critics of ourselves or others.

Through the lens of the Yoga Sutras, this episode explores how Roosevelt's words echo ancient yogic teachings, particularly:

• Abhyāsa — steady practice over time, even when we fall short

• Vairāgya — releasing attachment to outcomes, approval, and perfection

• The difference between the inner critic and the witnessing awareness cultivated through practice

Jeff connects the idea of "the arena" to real life: the yoga mat, recovery, difficult relationships, moments of starting over, and the courage required simply to stay engaged when things feel uncomfortable or uncertain.

Rather than offering motivation or quick fixes, this episode invites quiet reflection. It asks listeners to notice where they may be withholding effort, hiding behind judgment, or waiting until they feel ready — and to consider what it might look like to step back into participation, one small act at a time.

This is an episode about effort without guarantee, action without attachment, and the kind of courage that doesn't look heroic — but changes lives.

A Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

As we usher out 2025, we play the yearly word game.

A huge thank you to all the My Daily Thread Tribe! We an extra shout out to Peter and Laura, both who admitted that My Daily Thread was their number 1 Podcast in 2025!

Now let's finish this season ...

Choose the word that represents 2025, put it on paper, then send it back to the Universe with a big thank you!

Choose your word for 2026, put it on paper, then send it to us in the comments. Stay safe everyone. Live. Love!!

Om Peace Out! J

अपारिग्रहस्थैर्ये जन्मकथन्तासम्बोधः Aparigrahasthairye janma-kathantā-sambodhah

1. Aparigraha (अपारिग्रह)

   • a = not / without

   • pari = around, excessive, surrounding

   • graha = grasping, holding, seizing → Non-possessiveness, non-grasping, freedom from hoarding

2. Sthairye (स्थैर्ये)

   • From sthira = steady, firm, stable

   • In locative form: when established in steadiness → When one is firmly grounded in non-possessiveness

3. Janma (जन्म)

   • Birth, origin, beginning → Refers to the conditions of birth, why we are here, our karmic patterns

4. Kathantā (कथन्ता)

   • From katham = how, in what way

   • -tā = abstract noun suffix → "the how-ness," the method, the why and how → The reasons, the mechanics, the story behind our birth

5. Sambodhah (सम्बोधः)

   • sam = complete, together

   • bodha = awakening, understanding, knowledge → Complete awakening, deep knowledge, illumination

"When one is firmly established in non-possessiveness (aparigraha), there arises deep understanding of the why and how of one's birth — a clear vision of life's patterns and purpose."

Join Jeff and Eunice Peterson as they discuss Trauma, Gratitude and Yoga.

Jeff and Eunice will be conducting a workshop together at Yoga Passage in Calgary, Alberta on the weekend of November the 8th.

We continue our exploration of the yamas in Patañjali's Yoga Sūtras with the fourth principle: brahmacarya. This yama is often misunderstood, yet it carries profound wisdom for how we direct our energy in modern life.

The sūtra is Yoga Sūtra II.38:

brahmacarya-pratiṣṭhāyāṃ vīrya-lābhaḥ "When one is firmly established in brahmacarya, vitality is gained."

• brahmacarya — literally "moving in Brahman," the creative spiritual essence. Traditionally translated as celibacy, but more broadly pointing to moderation, self-mastery, and alignment with higher purpose.

• pratiṣṭhāyām — when firmly established, rooted.

• vīrya — strength, vitality, vigor, courage.

• lābhaḥ — attainment, gain.

In the past, brahmacarya was often reduced to celibacy. But its true meaning is much wider. It is not about denial, but about conscious choice — living in a way that honors energy rather than scattering it. It points to integrity in how we use life force, whether in sexuality, speech, thought, or action.

Quite literally, brahmacarya means "to move in Brahman" — to live aligned with the deepest creative spirit energy. It's less about repression, and more about redirection.

The sutra reminds us that vitality (vīrya) is lost when we scatter our energy through excess, distraction, or compulsion. Where does energy leak out of our lives?

• Overcommitment and busyness.

• Constant stimulation from social media, gossip, and noise.

• Addictive habits or compulsive desires.

These patterns drain vitality, leaving us depleted. Brahmacarya calls us to become aware of where we're leaking energy and to redirect it toward what truly matters.

• Relationships: approaching intimacy with respect, honesty, and presence — not compulsion or exploitation.

• Lifestyle: practicing moderation in food, media, consumption, and stimulation.

• Spiritual practice: sustaining discipline in meditation, āsana, or study without burnout, through steady rather than excessive effort.

The promise of this sūtra is vitality. Energy that was once wasted becomes available for creativity, clarity, and growth. When impulse and distraction no longer rule us, a deep reservoir of strength emerges.

This vitality doesn't just improve health and well-being — it fuels the other limbs of yoga, supporting meditation, concentration, and ultimately liberation.

In a culture of overstimulation and instant gratification, brahmacarya offers balance. It's not repression, but a path to true freedom. By moderating our desires and choosing where to place our energy, we discover strength that allows us to live in alignment with our deepest values.

"Brahmacarya is not about what we give up, but about what we gain — the strength and vitality to live fully, with energy directed toward what matters most."

Continuing the theme...

Yoga Sūtra II.37, which speaks to the practice of asteya, or non-stealing.

The sūtra reads:

asteya-pratiṣṭhāyāṃ sarva-ratnopasthānam "When one is firmly established in non-stealing, all jewels present themselves." — Edwin Bryant

Let's pause on this idea of pratiṣṭhām — being firmly established. When asteya becomes the foundation of how we live, "all the jewels" (sarva-ratna) naturally manifest. Things flow toward us — and isn't that what we want? Who wouldn't love a few more jewels?

But here's the key: these jewels don't arrive through grasping or taking. They flow when we live with full authenticity and integrity, when we set up the energy field and vibration we want to attract into our lives. It's about becoming the kind of person who naturally earns the respect of colleagues, family, and friends.

What kind of abundance do we really seek? It's not just about material abundance — bigger portfolios, a nicer car, or better stock performance. Sarva-ratna points to something richer: an abundance of love, meaningful connections, deep relationships, and vibrant health.

Sometimes the question isn't whether we're stealing from others, but whether we're stealing from ourselves. Are we robbing our own health by neglecting sleep, eating poorly, or pushing too hard?

Levels of pratiṣṭhām — where non-stealing plays out:

• Relationships: Am I demanding time or energy that isn't freely given? Am I respecting others' boundaries and autonomy? Or am I trying to take away their freedom to face their own fears and challenges in their own time? Asteya in relationships means giving people the space to grow, without stealing their process.

• Work: Do I acknowledge sources? Avoid taking credit that isn't mine? Show up on time? Do I overpromise, or do I consistently deliver more than I take?

• Social Media: Do I borrow or repost content without giving credit?

To be "firmly established" in asteya means living in such a way that nothing needs to be taken, because life flows with sufficiency. At its root, pratiṣṭhāyām is grounded in the absence of fear — the fear that there isn't enough, or that we ourselves aren't enough.

And maybe we can close with this simple thought: when we let go of stealing, grasping, and taking, we discover that abundance was already waiting to flow toward us.

287-Asteya – don't steal my primary series poster

In this episode of My Daily Thread, we continue our exploration of the Yoga Sūtras, searching for practical wisdom we can apply every day.

We've already covered ahiṃsā (non-harming) and satya (truthfulness). Now, we turn to the third yama: asteya — non-stealing, "not taking that which is not freely given."

Yoga Sūtra II.37 says:

asteya-pratiṣṭhāyāṃ sarva-ratnopasthānam Translation: "When one is firmly established in non-stealing, all jewels present themselves." — Edwin Bryant: "All jewels manifest."

Sanskrit breakdown:

• asteya — non-stealing (a = not, steya = stealing)
• pratiṣṭhāyām — when firmly established, rooted
• sarva — all
• ratna — jewel, treasure
• upasthānam — appear, present themselves

Commentary with Jeff Lichty: On the surface, asteya is obvious: don't shoplift, don't rob a bank, don't sneak a candy bar (yes, I did that as a kid). But the deeper layers are more subtle — and more powerful.

Non-stealing isn't just about possessions; it's about energy and integrity. When you live without taking what's not freely offered, things naturally flow toward you.

Examples:

• Time theft: showing up late, interrupting, or monopolizing conversations.
• Idea theft: taking credit for someone else's work.
• Energy drain: being an "emotional vampire," taking more than you give in relationships.
• Intellectual property theft: In one of my teacher trainings, a student brought in an old manual from a previous course. It contained a plagiarized copy of my Primary Series of Ashtanga Yoga PDF — headers and footers cut off, no credit, no permission. The teacher training company had inserted it into their own manual as if it were theirs. This is asteya in action at a blatant, unethical level.

Practicing asteya on these deeper levels clears space for abundance — the "jewels" of peace, trust, and connection — to manifest in your life.

It's been a minute — I took some time to get out to the mountains, visit friends, and reset. Now we're back, continuing our journey through the Yoga Sūtras.

If you want your own "sunset and reset," check out the NOW is the time to check out the San Pancho retreats with Ziggy and me in Feb 2026.

For the past couple of weeks, we've been exploring satya-pratiṣṭhām — being firmly established in truthfulness. I connected this with Don Miguel Ruiz's The Four Agreements and his call to "be impeccable with your word," a modern echo of what Patañjali was pointing to.

We need to be mindful of what we manifest with our words — not letting them draw to us what we don't want. Words are not just sounds; they are seeds.

The sūtra we focus on is Yoga Sūtra II.36:

satya-pratiṣṭhāyām kriyā-phalāśrayatvam "When one is firmly established in truthfulness, one's actions result in their intended effect." — Edwin Bryant.

Think about the weight of that statement — that the alignment of your words with truth can give them real power in the world.

Practical ways to live satya:

• Say what you mean and follow through.
• Take responsibility for your commitments.
• Avoid embellishments and half-truths.
• Communicate kindly, without distortion.

It's also important to remember that in yoga, satya is not "brutal honesty" — truthfulness is always balanced with ahiṃsā (non-harming). We aim to add value to our relationships, speak the truth "with honey," and honour compassion alongside honesty.

When we become established in both ahiṃsā and satya, our words carry the energy to create change, and our actions naturally bring their intended results.

In this special episode we are happy to have Dr. Paul Bramadat back to chat about his book Yogalands.

Paul Bramadat received his BA in religious studies from the University of Winnipeg (1990), his MA in religion and culture from McGill University (1993) and his PhD in religious studies from McMaster University (1998).

He taught in the Religious Studies Department at the University of Winnipeg from 1998 until 2008. In addition to directing the CSRS since 2008, Paul holds teaching appointments in the Department of History and the Religious Studies Program at the University of Victoria.

Enjoy.