Understanding Saucha Within the Context of the Eight Limbs When we live from our big Self, our true nature, we operate from our heart and are able to feel our connection to everyone and everything. When we live from our small self, we are led by our restless mind and feel separate. For yogis, it is leaving the trappings of the limited, small self and moving toward the limitless, big Self. On Passover, this refers to the Jewish people leaving behind enslavement in Egypt. The word is often transliterated as “cleanliness,” but like the ritual washing of the hands during the Seder, this practice goes far beyond simple hygiene.Ĭleaning our hands is an opportunity to rid ourselves of anything we do not wish to carry forward. Saucha is the first of the niyamas (observances) in Patanjali’s eight-limbed path of yoga, as outlined in the Yoga Sutra. This pertains to literal dirt and, more symbolically, to anything we are holding onto.Īs a yogi, this reminded me of the concept of saucha. We eat with our hands during the meal, because it is believed that whatever our hands hold will be absorbed by us. This ritual felt particularly poignant given COVID-19, during which handwashing is one of the key protocols keeping people safe and healthy. Though, thanks to pandemic-necessitated social distancing, this dinner was, indeed, different from all other Passover dinners: We “congregated” through computer screens from across the United States and Canada.ĭuring the Seder, there is a moment when everyone says a blessing and washes their hands. False speaking will shut any man out of heaven, for a liar shall not enter into God's house, whatever may be his professions or doings.This year my family gathered for Passover dinner. The Christian man's word is his only oath but that is as good as twenty oaths of other men. " Does not swear deceitfully." The saints are men of honor still. Does the world satisfy you? Then you have your reward and portion in this life make much of it, for you will know no other joy. He who is content with husks will be reckoned with the swine. The worldling lifts up his soul in carnal delights, which are mere empty vanities but the saint loves more substantial things like Jehoshaphat, he is lifted up in the ways of the Lord. ![]() The man who is born for heaven " does not lift up his soul to what is false." All men have their joys by which their souls are lifted up. The pure in heart shall see God all others are but blind bats. The very life of our being lies in the inner nature, and hence the imperative need of purity within. We may wash the outside of the cup and the plate as long as we please, but if the inward parts be filthy, we are filthy altogether in the sight of God, for our hearts are more truly ourselves than our hands are. But " clean hands" will not suffice unless they are connected with " a pure heart." True religion is heart-work. ![]() If our hands are not clean, let us wash them in Jesus' precious blood, and so let us lift up pure hands unto God. It is to be feared that many professors have perverted the doctrine of justification by faith in such a way as to treat good works with contempt if so, they will receive everlasting contempt at the last great day. ![]() Outward practical holiness is a very precious mark of grace.
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