> ·         To control, regularize and manage one’s mind-speech and senses
> is known as *Sanyam.*

> ·         *Sanyam* doesn’t mean mere discipline; it is *Aatmanushasan – *discipline
> of one’s spiritual self.

> Yesterday we made our minds to inculcate truth in our lives. To make sure
> we keep up our resolutions and don't get deviated we have today - the day of
> making our life more  disciplined and committed. Whatever have we learnt so
> far, today we commit to ourselves to maintain that intact. If we have
> attained the flame of truth in our life then it becomes our duty to put a
> chimney of *Sanyam *or commitment on it so that the torch of truth remains
> intact.

> *Sanyam is not a Bondage/ Barrier *

> At first Sanyam may look like bondage, a barrier. Why should we restrict
> ourselves with what to do what not to do? Why should we be restricted by
> some commitment? Can’t we live without these commitments/ promises? If we
> want to make our lives better then it’s necessary to put some kind of
> restrictions or check points that make sure we only rise up in our lives.
> All other mundane bondages and worldly relations are only a cause of one’s
> downfall, whereas *Sanyam *in spite of being bondage helps you to rise in
> your life. It is just like the rope with which we tie a wine to some tree
> trunk or a stick so that with its help, the wine keeps growing upward.

> *Role of Discipline in Growth*

> We impose discipline in our life for several reasons – fear, material
> gains, or sometimes for our body – to protect our health. But all these
> disciplines don’t help us in improving our lives. *Sanyam, therefore, *does
> not mean mere discipline; it means Aatmanushasan – discipline of one’s
> spiritual self(by  oneself).

> *Sanyam* means – living a disciplined life, increasing one’s
> commitment and will power. It needs a lot of courage to take a pledge for a
> lifetime, to bind oneself under a limit, to commit oneself especially when
> it is not being imposed by someone else but a discipline being accepted by
> oneself. If we are able to gather this kind of courage then our 'self
> confidence' keep on growing by the day.

> *Sanyam** (Restraint) the process of Refinement*

> What does *Sanyam* do to our life – it helps us refine and correct the
> deeply ingrained habits and tendencies which otherwise we find very
> difficult to get rid of. It is  *Sanyam* which refines and corrects the
> tendencies that we have acquired due to our indiscipline, carelessness,
> disoriented lives. To refine such practices is the job of Sanyam or
> Spiritual Restraint.

> *Sanyam *is a way to healthy and balanced life – what to eat, how to eat,
> when to eat, what to think, what is to be done and what not to be done…. If
> our life lacks health and  balance then would we call it a healthy life?
> None of us wants to live an unhealthy or unbalanced life. *Before doing
> anything, just think over it with respect to – when? How? Why? & What? *What
> to do – what not to do? How to do – how not to do? Why to do – why not to
> do? Do not do whatever your mind & senses (*mann aur indriyan*) signals
> you . Just this little bit of thought will help us lead a
> healthy and balanced life. If our body feels sick then we get worried over
> it. We should be more worried if our *Chetna *is geting spoiled, if it is
> getting off balance.

> To put our mind & senses to proper use, to give them a correct direction is
> called restraint of senses (*Indriya Niyantran*). Our senses are like a
> horse – a horse ride is considered pleasurable, & the horse is also supposed
> to be a fast & healthy one; not that you are riding a weak horse. If we kill
> all desires of our mind, paralyze our senses or harm them then it’s not
> going to help us. Instead direct/ guide your mind, & keep the rope control
> of your senses in your hand & then see how easy your life will become.  All
> we have to do is imbibe only two things – practice and austerity.

> *Purity of Vision – Wholesomeness of Knowledge (Drushti Ki Nirmalta –
> Samyaktva Ka Pradurbhav, or Holistic knowledge)*

> The knowledge that shows the path of austerity is the best knowledge. A
> pure vision maintains a symbiosis of knowledge and austerity. Therefore our
> great Acharyas have said – “One who is rich with knowledge and austerity
> shall automatically achieve a balanced life.”

> If we decide once to control, direct and discipline our mind, our senses,
> our speech and our life then our life shall surely be balanced, controlled,
> healthy, and restrained. Let’s all pray to raise our lives, to achieve
> Sanyam (Supreme discipline & restraint) in our lives.

> *Guruvar Kshamasagarji Maharaj Ki Jai! *