Click HERE to view Rev. Stacy Macris Ros’ guided meditation during the service.
MESSAGE SUMMARY
With this message, Rev. Richard Maraj wrapped up his two-week series, “Practicing the Ethics of Yoga.”
Yoga offers more than physical postures; its ethical teachings provide a spiritual compass for bringing our human consciousness into greater harmony with the Divine. In today’s message, Rev. Maraj explored the five Niyamas—purity, contentment, self-discipline, self-study and surrender—as inward practices that deepen our relationship with ourselves and awaken us to our oneness with Spirit.
PURITY invites us to release what no longer serves us: limiting beliefs, resentments, unhealthy habits, clutter and excessive commitments. Spiritual growth often requires letting go rather than acquiring more. Lightening our inner and outer lives creates room for peace, clarity and freedom. Purity also means being mindful of what we allow into our consciousness, guarding against negativity instead of continually absorbing it.
CONTENTMENT calls us to stop postponing happiness until circumstances meet our expectations. We can accept ourselves and make peace with life as it is while still pursuing growth and improvement. The present moment is our life, and we can choose to experience its goodness now. Happiness does not require perfection.
SELF-DISCIPLINE supports transformation through small, consistent actions. Daily practices such as meditation, exercise, journaling and keeping commitments help us cultivate positive habits and follow through on our intentions. Discipline also involves resisting behaviors that pull us away from our goals. Our repeated choices shape the lives we create.
SELF-STUDY encourages honest examination of our thoughts, emotions, behavior and hidden motivations. Meaningful change begins with self-awareness. By moving beyond external approval and turning inward in stillness, we discover our authentic spiritual nature and deepen our awareness of our connection with the larger whole.
SURRENDER means releasing fear, resistance and the ego’s need for control so that a Higher Wisdom can guide us. It is an act of profound trust that allows us to become instruments of divine peace, love, joy and compassion.
Together, these five practices offer a path toward spiritual maturity: releasing what burdens us, embracing the present, practicing consistently, knowing ourselves deeply and trusting Spirit to express through our lives.