Ishwara Pranidhana. Devotion for all living beings, Devotion for God (Niyama)

Ishwara Pranidhana means devotion for all living beings, devotion for the Absolute, for God. Patanjali Yoga Sutras says, “By devotion to Ishwara, attainable samadhi.”

Ishwara – Creator, God, Parabrahman, Highest Soul, Absolute, Highest Consciousness. Pranidhan means finding a shelter, devotion.

Full devotion for all living beings and full devotion for God. Always think about God, about your Divine Nature.

Most people in society are oriented only to satisfy their material needs. For them it’s hard to understand why I should serve somebody. So Ishwara Pranidhana is the best cure from our ego selfishness because when we need to serve others, we get rid of our ego. When we serve others, we return our karmic debts for others.

God lives in everyone, so when you serve other people, you serve God (it is very important to serve saint people, sages, yoga masters, and those who attained a high level of enlightenment).

Materialistic way of living limits your possibilities.

When you do yoga practice, you get energy, and if you do not direct it to good projects that help people to grow spiritually, this good energy will be used to satisfy pleasures or other things.

For example. You do yoga practice. You gain good energy. You have 5 hours of free time. Where do you spend your time? You can do something good that helps others grow, or you can just watch movies, eat cookies, and spend some time. Results for others will be different.

Benefits of Ishwara Pranidhana

1) You become free from selfish, egoistic motivation.
2) You expand your possibilities.
3) You return your karmic debts.
4) You attain Samadhi (Patanjali Yoga Sutras).

How to practice Ishwara Pranidhana

1) When you get knowledge and experience in the spiritual path, share it with others.
2) Serve all people, all living beings, like for God.
3) Dedicate all merits of your work for the benefit of all living beings.

Please remember that yoga is not about beautiful pictures or putting your foot behind your head.

Yoga is a practice for the benefit of all living beings. By doing that, you reveal your divine nature.

Shantideva Bodhicharya Avatara on Ishwara Pranidhana: “Everything you do, directly and indirectly, let it be for the benefit of others, dedicating all deeds to achieve awakening exclusively for the benefit of all living beings.”